TrainedtoDestroy by Viola Grace Read Free Book Online

with the universe for the first time in over a thousand years. On duty, she had done what she had to and then returned to her holding area. Knowing that she was wanted for both her body and her purpose now gave her a sense of relief that her existence was not an accident born of boredom or chance.
    Targo waddled up to her and chirped to be lifted. She settled him on her lap and stroked his fluffy fur while a lightness swelled in her chest.
    Deoth got to his feet. “I will come back tomorrow, and perhaps, I can take a look at that armour. From your memories, it is quite spectacular.”
    Rathi smiled brightly at him. “That would be nice. I didn’t know anything about the development process. I only got to step into the suit after it was complete. It had been encased in a storage cabinet next to my bed for months before I first got to wear it.”
    The Reader left with a swirl of his robes, and Jarrod slid closer to her. “What did you wear at other times?”
    “Nothing. My quarters were climate controlled and five kilometres from the nearest city.” She shrugged. “I spent most of my time alone and reading.”
    “Interesting. Well, Dr. Yarmek has found you.” Jarrod sat up and gestured over her shoulder.
    She turned and watched Olaris and Dr. Yarmek approach together. She waited and they stood near their table.
    “Wacorathi Quen, I am happy to tell you that your body has stabilized tremendously since yesterday.” Dr. Yarmek’s relief was visible in every line of his body.
    Olaris grinned. “And on that note, I have found you a placement.”
    Jarrod was on his feet in an instant. “Where?”
    Rathi looked up at him and blinked in surprised. He seemed almost hostile toward the base commander.
    Olaris smiled, “Resko-Devi. They have been asking for a defender for a decade, and no member of the Guard or Citadel has suited them.”
    Rathi asked, “I would have to audition?”
    He inclined his head in a nod.
    “Where can I learn about them?”
    “The Citadel has an Archive access port. You can research them there. Jarrod, I need to speak with you about your next assignment.”
    It was obvious that he was separating them for his own reasons. Rathi got to her feet with Targo in her arms. “Will you make sure that I can access the Archive?”
    “I will contact Veera and have someone meet you in the courtyard.” He smiled brightly.
    She knew a dismissal when she heard one, so she took flight and headed for the Citadel with her little companion held carefully.
    She enjoyed her time in the sky and looped lazily around and around as she approached the place containing the information she needed for the next phase of her life. Jarrod was going to be a memory she treasured, but he had his destiny and she had hers.
    She sniffled as she landed, and Targo chortled in commiseration. Life was loss. That was something she had always known. She was designed to be the goddess of destruction for a race that died without her lifting a single finger, there was no happily ever after for her.
    Rathi landed in the courtyard just as a man in rich violet robes came out to greet her. “Wacorathi Quen?”
    He looked her over from head to toe, and there was a heated interest in his gaze. He was a few inches taller than she was and built like a stone wall. He had pearly white skin, deep emerald eyes and a thick wave of black hair that reached his ankles.
    “Yes.”
    “I am Archivist Penodal. Please, come this way.” He extended his hand to her.
    She slipped her fingers against his, watching the shock that ran through his body at the contact.
    Targo chirped and let out a growl.
    “You can’t bring him into the access room.” Penodal’s fingers closed against hers as he led her inside.
    She pulled back. “Then, I am not going. Give me the information on a chip, and I will read it at the base.”
    “It is secure information. You can’t copy it or transfer it.”
    She removed her hand from his with a jerk. “Fine. Show me where it is,