Page 60 of The Divide that Binds Us

Tess fends off some reporters and Guards, but it’s overwhelming.One Guard insists we come to the station for further questioning, but I refuse.I need to get my team back home safely.The poor nurse can’t even conjure words of his involvement in the whole situation.

Malice is long gone.Whatever she’s doing, I need to stop her and find that missing girl for Mildred.

No one is happy about our departure in the taxi.Since I refused to cooperate, I may be summoned by King Jonah for further inquiries.One fire after another.

The patchwork on Katarzyna’sleg is shoddy, but it’ll do until the train arrives at Onyx.Thankfully, a swarm of Ultima members wait with the ambulance crew to rush her to the hospital once we depart.Katarzyna faintly squeezes my arm as I help transfer her to the stretcher, but I pry her clammy hand off me while she’s still whispering my name.Heat spins in my chest, but I try to contain it.It rushes to my cheeks and ears, making my nostrils flare.I join the Ultima crew in the truck and ride back to the base.

No one speaks the whole ride; even Tess, who looks embarrassed, dodges my scorned eyes.My phone won’t stop ringing from notifications and I’m tempted to chuck it out the window.

Tess is last with me to exit the truck once it’s parked behind the building.Her hazel eyes are shifty, her breathing unsteady.

“Commander Rio, I—”

“What the hell were you two doing, huh?”I snarl.“Tell me what the hell were you thinking going to Emerald Island after what just happened weeks ago?”

“W-We just...wanted to help the team, sir.”

“But you’ve managed to cause more trouble for us!”Tess flinches with a scrunched face, tears hanging at the edge of her lids.Lightning sparks invade my vision, but my blood is hot and bubbling.My chest and calves burn from the running because I wanted to preserve my power for a possible fight, only for Malice to get away again.

“I’m really sorry,” Tess whispers, swallowing hard.“It was very reckless of us.”

Before I continue my onslaught, Tess covers her mouth and flees into the building.I quiver by the truck, ready to punch it, but electricity courses through it and sets off the alarm.One member comes out with keys and turns it off, so I stomp inside before it happens again.

The receptionist tries to stop me, but I march right by her with cloudy, jumbled thoughts.She shouts as I slip into the sea of members in the lobby; I barely hear what she says about King Jonah.

I take off my jacket as I’m heading to the office but run into Lynn.Her eyes widen from the near collision.

“Commander, I heard what happened.”

“It was a great opportunity for us but also very dumb.She’ll be on her guard more, but we need to grab her as soon as possible.”We move aside for passing members.“Bring the squad together in an hour for debriefing.”

Lynn nods.“Understood.Um, you...visited your mother, correct?How is Queen Sophie?”

“Great.”My shoulders relax as the anger dissipates.“Still dating the doctor from Onyx Memorial, still devilishly smiling at me and withholding information, aaand still shaming me for avoiding my biological mom.You know, the usual.”

Judging by Lynn’s blank stare, I may have overshared.

She slowly nods.“I see.Does she know anything about Malice being on Topaz?”

“I think she does, but she’s secretive.Always has been.”I lean against the wall with a heavy sigh.Lynn sticks out her leg, almost tripping someone running down the hall.The eye roll is the best part as ifshewas inconvenienced and not vice versa.

“We will figure it out.Do you think they will cancel Wave Riding Season this year?We always stand guard for the dragons,” she muses with a small smile.“I hope Water Superior Wyatt makes an appearance this time.”

I smirk, logging in my brain of Lynn’s enjoyment of the annual end of summer Garnet Island event.Given that she’s a water Spirit User, I can understand her interest especially if there’s the chance of meeting the Water Superior.

Panic punches me when the realization of Malice still having Katarzyna’s phone surfaces.I apologize to Lynn and rush to my office, barely getting the keys out to unlock it.

Computer, wake up.NOW.

I open the door to find my desktop screens loading and bypassing the passwords to log in.Too much time has passed, and I should’ve been more diligent about this possible breach in security.

I sign into the U-Knit website and click “DESTROY” next to Katarzyna Steed’s name.First time I’ve ever had to do this, but I’m hoping it’ll work and wipe Katarzyna’s phone since she has the app installed.Malice—or Elite for that matter—won’t have much use for it now.

My head drops from the exhaustion catching up.It’s a small use of my powers, but I need to be careful.There are over fifty progress reports I must review and I’m itching to meet with Master Cedric sooner than later.

Tess walks in, lightly knocking on my door.Her face has fallen like a wounded warrior with her eyebrows in straight lines.She takes a hesitant step closer and sighs.

I raise my hand before she speaks.“Hey.I’m sorry about earlier.I was gonna come see you after I figured this—” I gesture at the piles of paper on my desk.“—crap out.But I’m truly sorry.It wasn’t fair or professional of me.”

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