Desired By The Archangel: Book Two (Angel Paranormal Romance) (Braving Darkness 8) Read Online Free PDF Page B

I’m sorry if I came off harsh. But…”
    “Save it. I’m out of here.” Magda opened the door and marched down the hallway toward the main cavern, where she turned and stormed toward the cavern exit.
    She could hear Circe behind her, calling for her to stop and trying to apologize. She didn’t care. She was done with this. She was done with it all. Better to take her chances outside than to stay cooped up in the cave with all this meditation crap all day every day. These people would never learn to control their minds, and she was sick of trying to train them. 
     

Chapter Ten
    Hurrying out of the cave, she began to make the trek down the mountain. Wind whipped up the slopes, blasting against her ears. Her eyes watered as the wind assaulted them. She didn’t care. She had to get away from it all.
    Michael leaving her alone to figure this all out without him was too much. Her mind rebelled. There was nothing left for her there if he was gone. Magdalena hurried down the mountain trail out of sight from the cave entrance. She heard people calling behind her, but no one gave chase. They couldn’t stop her. Maybe they wanted her to go. She was just getting in the way with her negative attitude and doubts. They’d be better off without her.
    As she descended the mountain, she realized she’d left without any food or water and was wearing the thin uniform of gauzy fabric that most of the inhabitants had begun wearing. It was comfortable to sit in meditation for long hours inside the climate-controlled compound, but it did nothing to keep her warm.
    She cursed herself for her lack of foresight. Whatever. She needed a break. She’d go back up the mountain before nightfall. For now, she needed to get away from the constant demands of her position in the group and clear her head.
    It took her an hour to walk down the mountain to where the trees began to grow again. The early summer warmth had melted most of the snow below the cavern entrance, and as she approached the forest, the air became warmer and more comfortable.
    Her lips were parched and her face felt sunburned. There had to be a creek or something nearby where she could get some water to drink. If she didn’t find some water, this whole excursion would end in her being critically dehydrated. No matter. She’d figure it out. She hadn’t been on her own and free from external control in her entire life.
    Before the war, she’d been a young teenager with parents and teachers and rules. In the dome, she lived a life of complete regimentation. In New San Diego, she still had to contend with the rules and authority of the compound. She never felt she made her own choices or did things for herself.
    Even the momentary sense of freedom was liberating. A thrill ran through her and a smile broke over her chapped lips. She didn’t care that she was thirsty as hell. She was free for once in her life. It felt fantastic.
    Flocks of small birds sang in the forest, and squirrels chattered overhead as they munched on pine nuts. She found a cone and tried to pull the nut out of it. Taking the little white seed, she popped it in her mouth. It tasted good but made her even thirstier.
    Magdalena continued on, keeping her senses open for the sound of running water as she munched on pine nuts. Her mind began to relax as she walked, feeling the subtle tranquility of nature all around her. She broke through a clearing and found herself on the bank of a small stream. Completely relieved, she sank to her knees and cupped her hands under the water. After drinking her fill, she stood and found a place to cross the stream. Walking aimlessly, she continued through the forest.
    A while later, she came to the edge of a road and began to walk down it. After about a mile, she ended up at the edge of a small village that consisted of a gas station and a few other buildings. She went into the gas station through a broken window and looked around. Even way out here, the place had been completely