Caged (Talented Saga) Read Online Free PDF Page A

to me, his voice full of unspoken tension. His intense gaze penetrating straight through my skin, piercing my heart.
    So many questions burned hot and ugly inside of me. Why did you cheat on me? Why didn’t you have the decency to apologize? Why didn’t you ever try to talk to me after everything happened? What are you doing here now? Yet when I opened my mouth, nothing came out, my unspoken questions handing in the air like a thick fog. Donavon’s gaze remained on me.
    Until nine months ago, I had trained for hostile situations. Now, looking into the face of the boy who had broken my heart, I could barely contain my emotions or my powers. Get a grip, Talia , I scolded myself. He’s not important. You don’t care about him, and he doesn’t care about you. Sit down and act like a normal human being . Heeding my own advice, I slowly eased myself on to a cushy mat at the back of the class. Donavan reluctantly dragged his eyes from me and began his lesson.
    He began reviewing basic offensive maneuvers, nothing too complicated or advanced. This must be a remedial class, I thought to myself. When it was time to break in to partners, I walked around the periphery, observing the students. I made small corrections in technique when I saw fit, but I was still so distracted by coming face-to-face with Donavon that little else mattered.
    During my stay at Mac’s house, I hadn’t been allowed visitors or communication with anyone besides Mac, Gretchen, and the select Medicals that came to treat me. No one had even mentioned Donavon, let alone told me that he was teaching at the School. Though, the more I thought about it, maybe Gretchen had tried – she’d been nervous and tense when we’d talked over breakfast this morning. Looking at Donavon now, all I could think was that she really should’ve tried harder.
    When I’d left for Nevada, Donavon had been an Elite Operative, same as me, and was stationed at the Elite Headquarters in West Virginia, same as me. He’d also been my boyfriend since I was thirteen, but it ended when I’d caught him naked in bed with another girl.
    It now made perfect sense that Mac had insisted on accompanying me that morning. He must’ve known that, best case scenario, the moment that I saw Donavon, I would leave. Worst case scenario, I would cause my own natural disaster right then and there. He’d been right; without Mac’s painful presence, I likely would’ve done something drastic. I’d always lacked impulse control, but lately, my temper was more easily provoked, and reining it in had become harder.
    Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Donavon called class to an end. Grateful to escape his unwelcome presence, I turned to leave with the students.
    “Talia, can I have a quick word?” Donavon called after me. I briefly considered refusing to speak to him, but then thought better of it. I’d have to face him eventually; now was as good a time as any. Since this assignment wasn’t exactly voluntary, it was unlikely that Mac was going to let me opt-out just because I didn’t want to work with Donavon.
    I’d stopped in my tracks when he called my name, and twisted my neck to meet his gaze.
    “Hey, Donavon, you got a second?” a female voice rang out from across the paddock. Despite the distraction, Donavon’s eyes remained locked with mine, pain and regret visible in their cerulean depths. His mind was unguarded, and the thoughts and feelings that poured freely tore open the wound that his betrayal had created.
    “Um, sure,” he called regretfully to the approaching woman.
    I snapped my head to face forward and swallowed the rage and bitterness that threatened to rip from my throat in an animalistic scream. His gaze bore into the back of my skull.
    “ I had no idea ,” his mental voice said inside my head. Willing myself to remain composed, I closed my eyes, slowly exhaled, and counted to three.
    When I opened my lids, I forced one sneakered foot in front of the other, away