Collide (Entangled Teen) (The Taking Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

emotions, changing each moment—from curiosity to fear to anger. Mom and Dad return with trays of fruits and steamed vegetables that look a little too perfect to be edible.
    “What are those?”
    Mom tilts her head and grins. “One of my inventions. It’s food. It tastes like food, has the same texture as food, and has similar benefits.”
    “But what is it actually ?”
    She picks up a plump strawberry and pops it into her mouth. “It’s grown in a lab, like composites. The basic composition is something like an apple.”
    “What about meat?”
    She shrugs. “Meat isn’t really an option down here. Space is confined, and it isn’t vital to our nutritional development. We eat lentils and beans and take protein supplements as needed.”
    “So you’re saying the whole world is now vegetarian?”
    She shakes her head. “No, most of the world operates as it has always operated—off their own land. So, yes, they eat meat if they’re able to raise it.”
    “Wait. You’re saying we’re the only ones underground? What about the rest of the population? The rest of the world?”
    Dad clears his throat, his voice low as he says, “Ari, look around. There is only so much space and there are millions of people on Earth. Each of the Trinities has an Underground just as we do, and they chose, just as we chose, who would continue the human species should the war destroy everything aboveground. It isn’t perfect. It’s just reality.”
    I clench my fists, anger bubbling to the surface. Clearly, that’s the only emotion I have anymore. “And who makes that choice? Who decides who is important enough to live? What about everyone else?”
    He releases a long breath. “Ask yourself, would you do it any differently? There is no right answer here.”
    “So you’re saying you agree with Kelvin?”
    Dad glances around quickly. “It’s best not to talk about Kelvin here. He has more friends than enemies. Most of these people feel Kelvin saved their lives. He’s a hero.”
    “And what do you think?”
    Dad’s gaze drifts beyond us, to where a group of men and women all dressed in black sit, Law seated at the very end. “I’ve learned that those who think they understand everything in actuality understand nothing.”
    I smile. “I see you’ve been hanging out with Vill.”
    Vill sends me an incredulous look. “What?”
    My grin widens at his offense. “Nothing. So what is the plan? What do we do now?”
    “Kelvin hasn’t told you?” Dad asks.
    “Told me what?”
    His expression hardens. “He wants us to mobilize and activate the other bases. He’s created a team, including Cybil, myself…and you.”
    “I’m not leaving here without Jackson.”
    Mom drapes her arm around me, hugging me close. And that’s when I look around and realize that while the Ancients and humans are separated, one thing unifies them—fear. Everyone in the cafeteria looks afraid, like any sound could startle them, like they know any moment their lives could be gone.
    I glance up at Dad. “How long before the fighting begins? Law said two weeks.”
    “He’s right. Weeks at best.”
    I know his words are true, but I can’t make them sink in, the finality of them.
    “It’s time you prepare yourself,” Dad says. “This is the war of all wars.”

Chapter Six
    That night I close my eyes as I lie in bed, my mind on a thousand memories that feel a thousand miles away. My eyes opening that first time to see Jackson over me. The feel of his hands on my face in the woods. His lips on mine. Our bodies pressed together after I healed him, nothing between us.
    Tears burn my eyes as I think about where he is now, how his gaze never met mine, and I’m petrified that they’ve somehow erased me from his mind, taken everything we have and made him a shell of the Jackson I love. But at least he’s here on Earth. Because no matter what Kelvin does to him, I know in my heart it’s nothing compared to what Zeus would do.
    Finally, I drift off,