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

“I’m sorry, Ava. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
    “That’s always been your problem. You never mean to hurt anyone, but that’s what you do.” Ava’s anger slipped into an embarrassing wave of vulnerability. Unable to contain her emotions, tears welled in her eyes.
    “Please forgive me. This place is getting to me.” He held out his handkerchief.
    The rumpled piece of cloth struck her as funny. She wasn’t used to seeing anything of Morray’s so imperfect. He had always maintained a flawless appearance. She waved it away, not wanting his sympathy.
    “I’m fine.” She stiffened.
    Morray stepped closer, gently wiping Ava’s face with his handkerchief. “Hopefully Dickson will find a way to get us out of here soon,” he said.
    “I’m starting to lose my mind a little bit.”
    “That’s impossible. You’re too strong willed, my dear.”
    Ava smiled, and before she knew what was happening, Morray reached around her shoulders and gave her a hug. The human contact was so comforting that she dropped her head against his shoulder and let him hold her. This is wrong, wrong, wrong, a voice within shouted. She ignored her instincts. It felt nice to be consoled. Her defenses crumbled away and she went blank. There is no today. There was no yesterday . She pressed closer against Morray’s chest, letting herself relax. His comforting embrace made her forget her sadness, her longing for Grace, and her need for Joseph. Nothing but this moment, and this moment is nothing. She slipped into a haze. Nothing mattered. It wasn’t real, anyway. Warmth spread throughout and the tension drifted away. Morray’s heartbeat thumped against her cheek. He stroked her hair and exhaled as though he were releasing three centuries worth of suffering.
    “I won’t hurt you again. I promise,” he whispered.
    His voice echoed within, reverberating all around her. Then she remembered he was the enemy. Whatever was happening needed to stop. She pushed herself away and stepped backward, covering the hole in her sweater. “This will never happen again. I don’t care how long we’re stuck in this impossible prison together. Understand?”
    He nodded respectfully and backed off, a speck of hope flashing in his eyes.
    “I’m serious, Morray. I had a moment of weakness. It won’t happen again. And I have to figure out how to fix this sweater, so please give me some space.”
    Ava walked off into the whiteness. Once she was far enough away, she removed the sweater and knitted the loose strands of yarn back together.
    “What were you thinking?” she asked herself, burning with shame.
    In the background, Morray’s humming started up again. He was just a tiny dot in the distance, but sounded right by her side. She hurried to close the hole in the sweater, knowing it wasn’t the only thing she’d have to seal up. She had opened a dangerous portal, allowing Morray to get too close. Regardless of how remorseful he acted, he had chosen the path of darkness long ago and nothing could change his essence.

6
    T he next day after seeing her father, Grace wandered around the village lost in a storm of thoughts. She carried Christian with her, holding the small bundle close to her chest to keep him warm. As she trudged along, she began questioning her motives for leaving the city center. Maybe she was using him to avoid something bigger?
    Around the village, the natives were busy with their daily chores. Some mended clothes, others milled grains, or sharpened weapons and tools. Grace smiled as she passed by. A few returned the gesture, but many looked away, not fully trusting the outsider. She heard her mother’s voice: Trust must be earned … She had tried to ignore the voice her whole life, but it always returned with a resounding truth.
    Dark clouds passed overhead as winter made its relentless approach. She continued walking, hoping the fresh air would clear her muddled mind. The visit from her father left her feeling unsettled. She needed