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

accidentally triggered a tracker.” Grace held Cari’s shoulders, hoping to calm her down.
    “You need to fix it before anyone enters our village.” Cari shoved a torch in Grace’s hand.
    “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”
    “Any blood is on your hands.” Cari stood before the tribe; the proud warrior would do whatever it took to protect her people. Grayson stood next to her, attempting to look fierce.
    Grace headed toward the trees, keeping the torch lifted. Standing at the edge of the forest, she shouted, “Whoever’s out there, you might as well show yourself. We don’t want a battle. It’s me you came for, leave them out of it.”
    A beam of light trickled through the shadows, making its way to Grace. Her heartbeat picked up, but she took deep breaths to stay calm and centered. She tried to recall her combat techniques from her sword fighting days. The lessons her father had instilled. Focus and breathe. Avoid all distractions. Keep your eyes on your opponent. The memories came back fast, filling her with power. She hadn’t lost her fearlessness; it was only on temporary hold. Too bad her sword was back at the cottage, inside the Seattle City Center. In her haste to leave with Christian, she had forgotten to take her prized possession––a present from her father on her tenth birthday. Her mother resented the sword because it took Grace away from her studies. She hadn’t realized how much she missed the thing.
    The beam of light got closer and she looked down, making sure not to look directly into it. Footsteps crunched forward through the dried leaves. Whoever was coming was alone. She relaxed her shoulders a bit.
    “Can we just get this over with?” she yelled.
    “When did you get so impatient?” Joseph stepped out of the forest, grinning at his daughter.
    Grace ran, jumping into his arms. She cried into his shoulder, mumbling words neither could decipher.
    “I’ve always been impatient.” She pushed off, releasing his arms, and smiled.
    He motioned to the barricade of natives. “Better tell your friends we’re good.”
    Grace waved. “It’s my father. You can stand down.”
    Cari ignored the command and walked over, Grayson trailing at her heels. “I don’t take orders from guests in my village.”
    “Look, it’s my father. We’re fine. Right, Dad?”
    “I’ve come to speak to Grace, nothing more,” he told Cari.
    “You alone?” She kept her eyes fixed on Joseph.
    “I’m alone. Nobody else knows I’m here. I came as soon as the tracker on Grace’s digi-pad notified me.”
    “You had a tracker installed on my digi-pad?” Grace punched her father’s arm.
    “Actually, I had Lucas install it before we left for the East Coast.”
    Grace shook her head. “That’s so lame. I thought Mom was the one who didn’t trust me. Not you.”
    “You lost that privilege when you left the academy to hunt down your mother. Remember that little stunt? Almost got yourself trapped inside the mainframe.”
    Grace would never forget the most horrible thing that had ever happened in her life: risking everything to save her mother, only to lose her to Morray.
    Cari patted Grace’s arm. “I’m goin’ back, but I’ll be close.” The warrior went back to her people, the boy trailing behind with quick steps.
    Once they were out of earshot, Grace asked, “Why are you here, Dad?”
    “I think you know why I’m here.”
    “I can’t go back just yet. Faraday wants to send Christian to the academy and put him in a training program. He’s practically a baby. Thirteen months is just too young and I can’t allow it.”
    “It’s not your call.”
    “I don’t care. It’s wrong. And really messed up.”
    “I know you’re a fan of doing things your way, but if you don’t go through the proper channels, you’re risking your life and his. As well as your friends out here.”
    “How? They don’t know where I am. I can live out here the rest of my life if I want.”
    Joseph stared at his