Unforgiven Read Online Free PDF Page A

long to make progress with your training. You might not master a skill right away, but you can at least stumble toward achieving it.” She paused, searching my face. “I can tell you’re not even trying.”
    What was I supposed to say to that? She was right, I wasn’t trying, and I didn’t want to try. I just wanted to be left alone.
    You are alone. The thought nearly loosed the sob I was keeping at bay in the back of my throat.
    She sighed. “You know, Mackenzie, I understand how you feel. I’ve lost friends, family, loved ones.” She paused. “Seems like everyone I get close to is eventually taken from me.”
    My grief turned to anger in a flash, and I glared at her. If she’d felt losses too, why couldn’t she throw me a rope? Because she’d honored her loved ones by working harder, not despairing? She thought my depression was a weakness. “Turns out I’m not so special after all, huh?” I sneered. “Everyone’s got some sob story here. You all know what I’m going through, but somehow, no one can understand my behavior.” I stood up, but before I stormed out, I threw one last barb Tracy’s way.
    “I guess I’ve dishonored Maddie for too long, hmm? I must be a lost cause.”
    I started toward the door, but I didn’t make it two steps before Tracy’s vice-like grip snatched my arm. “What do you mean, you’ve dishonored Maddie?”
    “I heard what you said to David about how you reacted differently to your losses. And how my actions are dishonoring Maddie’s memory.” I looked at her accusingly, practically spitting the words at her.
    She let go of my arm. “That’s not exactly what I said. And just because we handle our grief differently doesn’t mean I’m right and you’re wrong. It just means I’m not sure how best to help you.”
    I sank back down into my chair, pouting, although I wasn’t really sure why. Tracy wasn’t wrong in her assessment. Then again, neither was I.
    We sat in stalemate for a few moments until Tracy softly spoke up. “Mackenzie, think about how hurt you are over Maddie’s death. Don’t you want to work hard to keep it from happening again, if not for you, then for someone else? Think of another young woman losing her best friend. Why would you wish that on someone?”
    “I don’t,” I said after a few heartbreaking beats.
    “But your actions, or lack thereof, say you do.”
    I thought about that for a moment. I had been taking Owen and the Unseen for granted. What if they needed me to be an active part of their team? What if my lack of care helped lead to their downfall? Then I would really be alone. The thought made me shudder.
    Tracy leaned forward, her blue eyes boring into what was left of my hazy soul. “You have the power to defeat the Potestas once and for all. After everything they’ve done to you, why wouldn’t you want to seize that power?”
    My eyes narrowed as I thought of all the ways I would harm them if I ever found out who they were. They would beg for death before I was done with them; I would make sure of that. “I do,” I said, my voice low and menacing.
    Tracy sat back in her chair, a satisfied smile on her face. “Then let’s get to work.”
    The rest of the training day was frustrating for me. My new resolve made me daring. I finally tried vaulting over her barbed wire, but I didn’t get enough speed or height and ended up in a tangled mess. The barbed wire poked into my arms and legs, and the fence gave me the shock of a lifetime. Tracy laughed at me as I tried to soothe my invisible wounds on the other side of the training room.
    “Decided not to go with a subtle approach, eh?” she said through her laughter.
    My glare just made her laugh harder.
    “I suppose that’s enough for today.” She looked at me as she stood. “It was a good effort today, if unsuccessful. That’s all I want from you. Effort.”
    I nodded, still rubbing my arms as she walked out.
    That night, as Owen and I ate dinner in the dining room, I