Page 4

The air is hot and muggy when we step outside. Evangeline was smart to wear cargo capris and comfy sneakers for a long day of patrol.

“Bus?” Evangeline asks. “Or taxi?”

“Taxi, but only because I don’t remember the bus schedule.” I sit on the steps and feel the heat of the concrete seeping through my pants. Evangeline calls the taxi while Elite members come and go. People with cars park on the street in front of the building because we don’t have a parking lot. Evangeline sits next to me and leans back, resting her hands behind her on the pavement. She mentions the taxi arriving in ten minutes, then angles her head upward to bake in the sun. It’s a complete change of pace from yesterday’s grim forecast—almost as if it never happened.

When the taxi arrives, Evangeline is first to jump up and sprint down the stairs. I munch on the overripe banana and slouch back for the long thirty-minute ride. I press my head against the window and watch the sun flicker between trees taller than any building on the island. The ride is bumpy because of all the potholes; construction happens once every other year, and some areas have No Development Zones.

My focus is the white, jagged mountains that seem to follow me wherever my eyes wander. Like the moon. They’re always in the background, and it brings a surprising sense of security to be surrounded by their structure.

When the car slows to a stop, Evangeline fishes out her Elite key card with a pleasant nod from the driver. He thanks us for our service in Elite as we exit the car. The train station is just a large outdoor platform with a crowd of people waiting for the next train. Luckily, the wait is five minutes wherever you go. Garnet has four more stations like this dedicated to the other islands, plus the Isle of Superiors.

“You’ll be okay?” Evangeline asks.

“Yeah. Text me when Billie wakes up.”

She hugs me and skips off to a nearby Elite member to trade places. She tries to keep the foot traffic moving so the station heading to Topaz doesn’t become too clogged, but her short stature soon disappears in the crowd. I throw on my jacket, head inside the train, and find the closest seat in the tight quarters.

Five minutes isn’t enough to process (yet again) that the world relies heavily on people not killing dragons. It’s so easy and dangerous that it’s ridiculous.

Since everyone utilizes Elite and Ultima, I wonder if disgruntled citizens are unhappy with the monarchs’ stance on not deploying us. We look like fools proceeding with business as usual, but we might get a deficiency for interfering or a warning if we’re lucky.

Which makes this whole Special Agent mission stressful. If I’m gonna investigate all the islands, then I’ll always be at risk of getting caught by a Guard or monarch. All it takes is five deficiencies in a calendar year and Elite is closed for good.

But how obvious will it be that I’m snooping for clues, though?

“Oh gosh,” I whisper, feeling the spiral vibrating through me.

What if some citizen interrupts me for help saving a wild dog or a neighbor complaint? What will I say to avoid helping since it’ll be obvious, I’m not patrolling? Shouldn’t I not have my uniform then so I can be discreet?

Breathe. Focus on the cave first.

But what if—

“Thank you, everyone, for riding the Zeala Rocket Transit. We’ve arrived at Topaz Island—full of vibrant energy and wonderful sites. Please pick up a brochure to see what events are happening today!” the train conductor announces over the loudspeaker. I grab my bag and stand up, feeling wobbly like my guts are ready to spill out. 1500 miles in five minutes and we’re here.

The sun’s rays hit me as my ears pick up on the trumpets and drums grooving to an unfamiliar tune. I shield my eyes to regain sight, but the vibrancy hurts. I can’t remember the last time I was on Topaz Island.

I saunter off the platform as people trip up the stairs, trying to rush onto the departing train. My eyes lock onto a group in black, standing out from the rainbow of the island—a few Guards dressed in heavy-duty military uniforms with Topaz’s emblem on the breast pocket. Queen Sophie stands with her legs crossed, holding a tiny, black lace umbrella. She wears the same fierce smile she had on TV.

“Special Agent Alice Reid?” Her soprano voice rings in my ears. The Guards behind her nod at me. One of them has the glittering speck by his hairline and is the only one who smiles.

“Yes.” I formally bow. “Queen Sophie, thank you for having me.”

“Ah! What a pleasure!” She grabs my hand and pulls me close with sparkly eyes. “Come, come, darling, I want to escort you to this cave,” she whispers, gesturing toward the shiny, black carriage with two black horses in the street. As we board and ride down the road, I admire the view and envy the island’s creativity. A parade starts near the station with a giant, inflated butterfly that performers dance on. The buildings are reconstructed into neon geometric forms. Even the sidewalks and streets are permanently colored and lack the concrete shade they used to have.

I jut my head out of the carriage, catching a few baby dragons soaring across the sky and landing on a cyan skyscraper.

Queen Sophie leans out. “Beautiful, aren’t they? Treacherous that people are killing them.”

“Yeah,” I mumble. “It’s too bad the monarchs don’t want our help.”

Our gazes shift to each other. Sophie straightens and places her black, gloved hands neatly on her lap. She’s a curvy, petite lady with straight, golden-blond hair swirled into a cinnamon-roll bun with colorful, fake flowers popping out. Her veiny skin resembles stilton cheese.

“This is true; however, as a concerned citizen, I want your help.”

I nod and try to keep a straight face, even though I’m internally panicking again about this task.

“It’s bad, isn’t it?” I ask. “The deaths?”

“The balance has always been dragons dying from old age and baby dragons hatching,” Sophie explains. “If dragons are dying at a faster rate than being born, then the balance is thrown off. The world slowly dies. It’s subtle, so no one catches it at first, but over time it becomes obvious. After all, they carry Zeala’s life within them.”

I cross my arms. “I wonder which monarch would be so against deploying us.”

“Us monarchs meet twice a month unless a situation calls for more. We met and came to a binding agreement to lean on each other for resources and support during this investigation, though I don’t necessarily agree,” Sophie notes. “I do enjoy an island with a heavy emphasis on nature and preservation. It’s quite different from Topaz.”

She stares at me long enough that the answer clicks. Garnet Island.

If the influence to not involve the organizations came from Garnet, then does this mean King Remington also wants Elite closed? It’ll create conflict between the islands if anyone finds out that Sophie is acting alone.

The carriage ambles through the crowd. Pedestrians catch sight of us and start screaming, whistling, and waving at Queen Sophie, but she doesn’t even flinch the slightest bit to acknowledge them.

“Why would a monarch not disagree?” I ask. “I assume any of them can change their mind, right? Why wouldn’t they approach Ultima?”

Queen Sophie stares thoughtfully with a small smile before replying. “From my perspective, Master Azul is a longtime friend, and I personally trust Elite. Perhaps that is all one can say about the inner workings of the monarchy. It is an emotionally volatile role.”

The rest of the ride is thick with tension, but not toward each other. I swallow the dryness in my throat. Sophie’s body sways from the motion of the carriage, especially when the wheels hit a pink pothole. When it comes to a slow stop, I examine the residential area with a stone or brick facade.

“What’s in the cave?” I ask.

Queen Sophie turns to me. “That’s your job to find out.” She grabs my wrist to put something in my hand. “Use this pager when you’re ready for a carriage to pick you up.”

I squeeze the pager in my hand. This is the most time I’ve spent with any monarch, and it’s obvious she enjoys the occasional ride. There were cars, but of course, Sophie’s giant carriage slows everything down.

When I hop out, a Guard escorts me to the cave entrance before retreating. I nearly lose balance as the concrete shifts into gravel.

“Your belongings will be transported to the most exquisite hotel on the island!” Sophie shouts. I look back at her and wave as the horses pull the carriage away.

The mouth of the cave slants downward, creating a rocky slope inside. I take small steps, remembering I’m not wearing the best shoes. I try to place my feet on sturdy rocks with one hand against the wall. Once I’m on level ground, I begin my search. The dim cavern engulfs me immediately into its darkness. I use my phone’s flashlight paired with my eyes adjusting to proceed.

It takes a few hours to inspect the whole cave twice, but all I find are dead animals to throw out. I walk twenty minutes to the closest deli for a break before returning. I don’t need to go for a third time but decide to anyway.

Halfway through the inspection, tiny rocks crumbling bounce off the walls. I pause and wait. Nothing. I move and hear it again.

I walk faster. The crumbling of rocks is louder. Light flickers from outside the cave, partially giving shape to the stranger. I push through the burning in my calves and run faster, reaching out to catch some clothing. The stranger trips and launches headfirst into the gravel. I drag them by the arm to the entrance of the cave and into the remaining daylight.

She sits up and gets to her feet. She’s a little shorter than me but taller than Sophie. Her eyes are painfully lime green, popping from her shiny hazel skin, and she’s rocking an indigo mohawk. Her forehead is bleeding from the fall.

“Who are you? And what are you doing in this cave?” I ask, catching my breath.

Her right forearm flashes white through her tattered clothes, showing the intricate designs that form her Trace Mark.

“Ever heard of a homeless person? Or are you as stuck up as you look?” she asks, rolling her eyes. “I thought the Elites were nicer people.”

Hot, rippling irritation courses through me. “You’re lucky it was me and not Ultima! I’ll ask you again: who are you, and what were you doing in this cave?”

She frowns and sits back on the ground with her arms crossed.

“It’s either me or you can answer to the Guards,” I warn, holding up my pager.

The girl’s eyes widen as a stream of blood trickles down the bridge of her nose. She holds up her hands.

“Okay, okay! I’ll talk. Just . . . please don’t call the Guards,” she says. “PLEASE.”

Her eyes flicker with urgency, spreading into rigid desperation from the tightness in her mouth.

“Fine.” I kneel in front of her, hovering my hand over her face. She wrinkles her nose and tries to cringe away. “Relax.”

The white magic pools from my hand, flowing in small waves toward the girl’s wound until it closes and leaves no trace. When I move away, she slowly brings her hand to her head and gasps.

“Th-thanks,” she mumbles, giving me the side-eye. “What’re you gonna do to this cave?”

I look at the sun making pink streaks in the orange sky before turning back to the stranger.

And then, I see a girl with mud smeared on her face—her clothes dirty from ash and dirt. Her hair is black and matted together with leaves and sticks. The apparition sits beside the cave squatter, but I blink and she disappears.

“Answer my question first,” I demand. “Who are you?”

“Fae,” she replies. Her emerald eyes are shifty as she plays with a piece of fabric from her sleeve.

“I’m Alice Reid. Special Agent of the Elite Organization. What were you doing in the cave? Are you in need of assistance with shelter? I can escort you to the nearest one.”

“No, I was just hanging. I should go.”

Fae stands upright when I step in her path, crossing my arms.

I raise an eyebrow. “Why’d you ask about the cave if you were ‘just hanging?’”

Her shoulders sag as she steps back, still tugging on loose fabric. I notice something glinting on her chest and stare at the rhombus-shaped, sapphire gem hanging from a black string.

“Is that your necklace?” I ask. She nods. “Is that really yours?”

“You ask too many questions,” she grumbles, but she straightens up when I grimace. “It’s mine. When I woke up from being Traced, this was around my neck. All I know is how to activate it when I really need it, but I don’t know which Superior Traced me.”

I tap my foot, tightening my crossed arms. “And the cave?”

“It’s just a cave.” A wobbly laugh slips through Fae’s chapped lips. Her eyes dart in every direction but at me.

I pull out the pager to call for a carriage. Fae finally looks at me, mouth opening with a kaleidoscope of expressions. The one I capture the most from her trembling stare is fear.

“I can talk to dragons! That’s my power!” she sputters. “The cave was just a spot to sleep in. There’s so much death these days, I needed somewhere safe to stay. Please don’t bring the Guards here.”

“I must; my mission is done. Plus, you are in need of shelter, so I’ll escort you.” I pause. Someone who can communicate with dragons could help figure out who is killing them. “Your gift could bring value in times like this. You should consider auditioning for Elite in the future.”

“Or maybe I should join Ultima,” Fae retorts. The fear is replaced with flaring nostrils, slanted eyebrows, and a heavy frown.

My phone buzzes with a message from Master Azul asking for an update. Fae fidgets and kicks loose rocks while I type my progress on the mission. A steady clacking from afar, followed by squeaking wheels, catches my attention.

It’s also the moment Fae bolts in the opposite direction.

“H-Hey! Wait!” I shout, but she’s already gone.

The carriage pulls up in front of me with a Guard waiting inside for me to enter. He stares beyond me in the direction where Fae ran.

“Who was that?” he asks.

I sigh, still typing on my phone. “Some girl I found in the cave. Very fearful of Guards.”

“And what did she look like?” he presses. I stop typing to look at his neutral expression.

“Um, bright green eyes, blue hair, brownish complexion?”

“I see.” The Guard directs the carriage back into the livelier section of the island. We manage through the traffic, pass the station, and right smack in the middle of the Music District. How there are hotels here is beyond me. Who expects to get sleep around here?

My head is pounding from the pop music blaring from...somewhere—I haven’t pinpointed it yet. The hotel is a smooth, reflective, triangular skyscraper with lights flashing from top to bottom on all sides. It looks like it’s made of golden steel. When I enter my room, I find my backpack waiting and plop on the bed.

I send Master Azul a new note about the mysterious girl who got away, making sure to mention her ability. As I suspect, Azul is intrigued and wants me to go back to the cave in the morning to see if the girl returns. I ask for the address.

Evangeline calls with a recovered Billie, so I put them on speaker while typing my notes to myself. Billie is in good spirits, already chatting my ear off, so I lower the volume. She joined Evangeline on patrol as if the whole thing didn’t happen.

After ten more minutes of Billie’s yapping, I call room service to order a cheese pizza that I devour in thirty minutes before drifting off to sleep.

T he next morning, I wake up to a text from Master Azul with the cave’s address, so I grab my backpack and call for a taxi.

Like last time, I hike down the mouth of the entrance but stop a few feet in, unsure of where to look this time that I haven’t before. Fae was acting weird, which heightens my suspicion about this place. I wander around, letting the natural light from outside guide me deeper inside. A rhythmic dripping of water echoes with each drop. Aragonite crystals are decorated throughout the enclosed space as if bursting from the walls. I try to maintain balance around the stalagmites until I pull out my phone and use the flashlight. Nestled in a corner are three pastel rainbow spheres the size of bowling balls.

Wait...these are eggs. Holy Superior, they’re dragon eggs!

“Fae?” I call out. “Are you here?”

Something isn’t right. Did she hide them here?

Before I can inspect my findings, laughter creeps from the entrance. I turn off the flashlight and hurry back to ward off any intruders.

The laughter is louder and more apparent. A few thuds echo toward me, assuming they failed to safely hike down the mouth. When I get a few hundred feet closer, I wave my arms to catch their attention as they’re helping each other to their feet.

“Oi! You cannot be here! This cave is under inspec—” As I get a closer view of the cackling guys, their attire is clearer. I knew it was only a matter of time before this happened, and of course, it’d happen now.

Ultima is here.