Page 84 of The Divide that Binds Us

“Will you see your friend there?”Poppy asks.

“Not sure.But if I gotta choose between finding Alice and warning the dragons, I choose the dragons, even if I gotta do it alone.”

Poppy and Gigi nod to Fae’s resolve.She can only hope Alice will attend the event and save Fae the trip of finding her, IF she’s not on Mildred’s side since the last time she saw her.Wave Riding Season will end badly if she doesn’t make it in time.

Chapter 18

Rageful Remorse

Ultima: Rio

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It’s been a few dayssince the declared emergencies across Zeala, and it’s surreal.Ultima members are questioning the fate of the world, and some have expressed concerns regarding the effectiveness of their powers.My brain is processing so much that it’s overwhelming to grasp it all.

Lynn joins me for breakfast, and she has a feast.Hash browns, sausages, cheesy scrambled eggs, pancakes, waffles, and bountiful fruit crowd our table in the cafeteria and it’s all for her...I think.

My appetite is nonexistent, but I settle for a freshly baked chocolate chip muffin just to have something to quell the anxiety boiling in the pit of my stomach.

“Are you really going to eat all that?”I ask Lynn.

“Correct,” she replies, reaching for the fruit.Her expression is blank and unbothered.She hasn’t said much, and it seems even after two years, I haven’t fully mastered how to welcome her to feel comfortable around me.Before the last few months, she always lurked beside her roommate, Scarlet.One reason I chose Lynn for the squad is because she’s incredibly skilled at fighting and a master violinist.Part of me hopes she’s enjoying herself since Scarlet took a leave of absence.

I fold my arms on the table.“So, um...”

“I feel without a purpose, Commander.Our standard missions are fine, but I like the investigative work.It’s a breath of fresh air from the near burns I’ve escaped with managing wild, injured dragons.”

“I—I’m sorry.Have you seen the twins?”

“Eric is spending time with Fiona, and Derrick is buying a teacup pig...”Lynn pauses, peering her green eyes through feathery lashes.“Not that I pay attention to their whereabouts or anything.”

I smirk.“Of course.Because you wouldn’t want to suddenly start caring about them, right?”

A small smile forms on her blushing face.“Right.”

I pull out my buzzing phone while Lynn inhales the fruit bowl in five seconds and reaches for the plate of sausages.I gulp from Master Cedric’s text and let the dread chomp at my organs.

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