Belligerent (Vicara) by B.N. Mauldin Read Free Book Online Page A

student Belligerents. It tracks your band. Could I borrow that for a moment?” Shifter said as he held out his hand expectantly towards the doctor.
    Dr. Dupin sighed but handed it over, and Shifter motioned for Ryan to extend his arm.
    “It can also do this,” Shifter explained as he held the device over Ryan's band. There was a short beep and then a hologram appeared with an image of Ryan as well as a listing of his name, weight, height, hair color, eye color, blood type, current heart rate, blood-oxygen level and identification number. Listed under “Owner” was Shifter's name - just “Shifter,” no last name or anything else to identify the mysterious man. The last spot labeled “specialty” was populated with the word “transportation.”
    Shifter handed the device back to Dr. Dupin. “The location of my team if you would be so kind.”
    “You really should keep yours handy.” Dr. Dupin didn’t look amused. He took the tracker back and tapped the screen a few times. “It appears that they are all out on the sands.” In response to Ryan’s inquisitive look, the doctor explained, “The grounds by the lake.”
    “Well,” Shifter said as he stood and clapped his hands together, “if that is all?”
    “It is,” Dr. Dupin assured a little too quickly.
    “Then, we'll be on our way. Ryan?” Shifter gestured towards the door.
    Ryan placed the tablet in the messenger bag that Shifter had insisted he carry with him then made his way out of the office.
    “Ryan,” Dr. Dupin called after him, “try not to die.”
    “Um… Thanks?”
    When they were outside the office and nearly out of the building, Shifter turned to face Ryan. “I don't care how you feel about me. You may think whatever you want about me because I am nothing more than your Owner. When it comes to your teammates though, I suggest that you tread carefully. They are now the only people that I would recommend you trust.”
     
     

Chapter 5
     
    The large paintings chosen by Clarisse and Aria to decorate the villa made excellent hiding places for machetes. A new batch of weapons crafted specifically for them was just one of the rewards Shifter had granted Eva and Logan for their victories in the pit games despite the fact that they had to pull out from the last bouts.
    “Last one,” Eva said as she hung up the machete then straightened the picture to cover it. She sensed Mackenzie coming up behind her and turned to greet the strategist. “Working, Mac?”
    Mackenzie gave a short nod then pulled her attention from her tablet to look at Eva. “It seems like I'm always working lately.” Her lips curled up into a tired smile. “How did Logan do in the pit this time?”
    Eva had wondered when Mackenzie would finally get around to asking. The strategist had been unusually distracted lately.
    “He did fine. He needs to improve his aim if he's going to insist on throwing the harpoon. And I would prefer if he moved a little quicker on his feet. However, those are issues that can be easily dealt with.” Well, they were issues that could be easily dealt with once Logan got tired of complaining about the change in his exercise regimen.
    Mackenzie stood silent for a moment. “I want you to lead a training session this afternoon on the sands.”
    Eva bit back her protest. She was fine, thanks to being granted a trip to the healing pods, but Logan still nursed bruised ribs. Everyone continued to wax melancholic whenever they stepped onto the training grounds, despite the fact that it had been nearly three months since the incident.
    “Why don't we run drills in the gym instead?” Eva suggested, wanting to keep the others as relaxed as she could until classes resumed and made it impossible for her to guarantee their safety.
    Mackenzie shook her head. “It's time we pulled ourselves together. Classes start in a week and we can't afford to be caught off guard. Besides, Shifter summoned you and Logan already. That means he'll be calling on the rest