Avenged (The Altered Series) by Marnee Blake Read Free Book Online

up Fort Sam Houston a few months ago. I’m not sure the military has forgiven her for that yet . ”
    “Blue?” Kitty shook her head. “No way. Blue’s as much of a pacifist as, well, I am.”
    “Yeah. That’s what she thought. Until they were shooting at Seth.” His mind played over the events of that day, and Kitty watched as Blue brought down the side of an administrative building. As Seth caught and carried her, Kitty witnessed the protectiveness and fear on his face through Nick’s memories.
    Seth and Blue were together, then. Kitty had heard their attraction, had listened in on some of their self-doubt. It had been hard to watch them dance around it all. Kitty didn’t like conflict. Apparently Kitty was still enough of a romantic to be happy they worked things out.
    “Where are they? Blue and Seth? Are they okay?”
    “They’re fine. After Sam Houston, they left for her mother’s house. They wanted to recover away from the military. I’ve kept in touch with Seth.”
    Wait, though. “You were at Fort Sam Houston, too?” This had been from his perspective. He’d been running from the explosions, too.
    He’d been in danger. She didn’t know if she liked that.
    Nick shrugged again. “Seth needed help.”
    It was the only explanation he offered, and he said it like it was enough. His friend needed him. The end.
    “Why did you come for me, Nick?”
    His thoughts jumbled before he focused on facts. “I was the best choice. Seth and Blue are changed. Like you. But I’m normal.” I’m not a danger to society. He left that part unspoken, but it explained everything. Of course the military wouldn’t trust her, or Seth and Blue. The Army didn’t understand them. They didn’t even understand themselves.
    “Are Seth and Blue in danger?”
    “No.” He pressed his lips together. “At least, I don’t think so. The Army agreed to leave them alone. For now.”
    “They’re leaving them alone in Idaho? After Sam Houston?” The Army didn’t want to take them into custody? Press charges? Something?
    “I don’t think they know where to house them.” He shrugged.
    Kitty blinked, taking that in. Blue and Seth were considered so dangerous, the Army wasn’t sure how to contain them?
    “You came for me, then. Because they couldn’t.” Even though she wouldn’t consider Nick and herself friends, he’d done what none of them could do. She didn’t know how she felt about that.
    “Are you hungry?”Nick went to what looked like a steel container in the corner. He unlatched it and removed four packages.
    He laid them out then turned on the lantern, motioning for her to sit on the cot in front of him.
    “MREs. I brought my favorites, but they’re pretty nasty. At any rate, you can choose. Chili macaroni”—he pointed at the first—“rice and bean burrito, pasta Alfredo with veggies of some kind, and this”—he picked up the last one, cradling it in his hand—“is my favorite. Beef enchilada.” He offered it to her as if it was a gift.
    Her stomach heaved. Food hadn’t held much appeal in weeks. “Um, no, you should take that one. But I’ll have the burrito, I guess. Thanks.”
    “Good choice.” He squatted and opened them, sorting the packets. As he deftly ripped the bags, poured water in some, put some smaller bags in others, she couldn’t help but wonder about the other times he’d done this.
    “How often have you had these?”
    “I did a tour in the Middle East, two years ago. I had some then. But we end up getting them other times, during training, field exercises, whatever.” He didn’t look up as he focused on his task, thinking of where the pieces fit. “They’re supposed to be better than they were in the old days. Can’t imagine how bad they used to be . ”
    He unwrapped the packages and pulled out what looked to be a miniature Tabasco bottle.
    She studied him. He was too intent on what he was doing. Surely he’d done this enough that he didn’t need to think so hard