The Torrent (The New Agenda Series Book 4) Read Online Free

to forgive you,” she said.
    “Imagine that multiplied by the thousands. I could live a million more centuries, trying to make things right, and I’d never forgive myself.”
    Taking the handkerchief from his pocket, he wiped his watery eyes. Ava had never seen Morray in such a sensitive state and it made her uncomfortable. She looked away.
    “Where’s Dickson with an injection when you need him?” he joked.
    “No escaping this time.”
    “I suppose not.”
    Ava allowed him to walk away. He had earned the privilege to wallow in his misery.

4
    G race made her way back to the village as the last rays of sun dusted across the sky. Reviewing her messages had taken all afternoon, leaving her a bit maudlin and longing for more. She hadn’t realized how much she missed Lucas, or how selfish she had been. In his earlier messages, he talked about how he couldn’t wait for the assignment to end so he could get back to her, but as time went on and Grace hadn’t replied, his attitude changed. In his final attempt to reach her, he kept his shoulders stiff and chin up, but sadness and confusion clouded his eyes. She felt horrible for leaving without any explanation, and wanted to send a note saying how much she loved him. Telling him how much she dreamed of being together, like the days before he shipped off. She wondered if they’d ever experience that again, or if she had done too much damage. As much as she wanted to contact him, it’d be too risky. Their relationship would have to wait.
    The sky had shifted to a murky gray. At the village entrance, a group of natives surrounded the gate with their weapons aimed, as though ready for an attack. Everyone seemed to be on high alert. They acknowledged Grace with slight nods and lowered their weapons. Most of the natives hadn’t been very welcoming, but they tolerated Grace since she was Cari’s guest. Sometimes she felt like an outsider.
    Grayson, one of the younger boys who followed Cari around the village, ran over. “Cari’s lookin’ for you.”
    “What’s going on?”
    “You brought trouble,” the boy said.
    Her heart dropped and she ran to Adyar’s to make sure Christian was okay. She burst into the warm cabin just as Adyar was placing Christian down to sleep. The rotund woman never moved faster than a turtle, but now she nervously paced around the kitchen area. Adyar had seen many moons pass over the village, so nothing much got to her.
    “What’s going on?” Grace asked.
    Adyar’s intense eyes were heavier than usual. “The blue bird has returned.”
    At first, Grace thought she was talking about an actual bird, but remembered that’s what the natives called the hovercrafts, because of the glowing blue lights.
    “What do you mean returned ?”
    “It landed in the forest just before the sun went down. No contact yet, but you should take Christian and hide.” Adyar touched Grace’s cheek with her pudgy fingers.
    Checking her messages must have sent out a notification to the Seattle City Center, alerting them of her location. She picked up Christian and held him close. Where else was there to hide? No matter where she went, Faraday’s shadow would always be hanging over her head. She didn’t want to live in that prison, like her mother with Morray. The cycle had to be broken.
    “I can’t hide. I’ve been hiding long enough,” she told Adyar.
    “What about the boy?”
    “Just stay here with him while I go deal with it.” Grace handed Christian to Adyar and left the cabin.
    The amount of warriors gathered by the entrance had increased. They now stood in a barricade three lines deep. Their spears and bows aimed at the forest, prepared to ward off any intruders. The natives would suffer the most causalities if a battle ensued. This was her fault and she needed to take responsibility.
    As she pushed through the barricade, someone yanked her arm. Grace turned around to find Cari. “Did you do this?” she asked.
    “I’m not sure. I might’ve