Hard Wired Trilogy by DeAnna Pearce (smart books to read .TXT) 📕

out at Niomi with the staff, pressing her trainer to retreat. The clash of wood on wood echoed through the forest, scattering the nearby wildlife. It gave a rhythmic steady beat that calmed her nerves as Ari’s heart pounded along.

For the first time, she found she had the upper hand. Instinct and training kicked in, and when an opening presented itself, she thrust the staff forward, hitting Niomi in the thigh. Her trainer crumbled to the ground, while Ari stepped forward pausing the staff an inch before it hit Niomi’s throat.

Looking into her eyes, Ari realized the haunting shadows under Niomi’s eyes were guilt. She let Ari get this close because of her remorse. Ari didn’t want this woman’s pity. Niomi must have known all this time what would happen to Ari if she pushed herself too much in the VR. All the rules, the exercising, the overprotectiveness wasn’t for Ari, it was to keep a million dollar asset alive.

Niomi’s silent gaze told Ari more than Niomi knew. Ari stepped back lowering her staff. “I’m going to go shower.”

“Wait, Ari—”

“No. Not today, not right now. Someone I know said there are no excuses.” Quoting Niomi’s words back to her, Ari tossed the staff on the ground. Part of her knew she should be grateful for everything Niomi taught her, but she couldn’t. Niomi kept her alive as part of a job—it was only a job. “I’m taking a night off. We can talk tomorrow.”

When she stepped out of the shower, the afternoon light had faded behind dark heavy clouds. No rain yet, but it was on its way. Why would islanders think this would be a good time to have a beach party? This storm didn’t need calling in, it was well on its way without an invite.

Grabbing a plush jacket, she headed outside to meet her two security guards. She had to give them credit, they didn’t even cower against the gushing wind. “Ready?”

“Are you sure you want to go out in this weather, Miss? It’s going to hit hard soon.”

Just then a message pinged. Storm coming in sooner than expected. They’re closing the restaurant early because of it.

Ari wasn’t ready to call it a night. She’d made it through this in a car before, she could do it again. Hitting a button, she spoke a message back to Reed. “Let’s meet at the community center in an hour instead.”

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the guard roll his eyes. Good. She hated being spiteful, but due to recent events, it was hard for her not to detest anyone who played a part in her employment.

“Ready guys?”

“We’re heading to the community center?”

“I still have to make a stop at the islander’s beach party. They are calling a storm.”

“I would recommend against that.” The tall one with dark features stared down at her.

Smiling back, she responded, “Good thing I don’t take recommendations from you. And aren’t you curious what a calling entails?”

“No.” His stone face didn’t move an inch.

“I bet he is.” She motioned to the other guard then headed to her car. Her anger gave way to indifference. What could VisionTech do to her that they weren’t already? Granted, she supposed they could step to some seedy methods, but that wasn’t their style. She gave them credit for that. Adviser William would have probably tortured Reed or her family slowly until Ari conceded. But just because they wore a nice face didn’t mean that it was alright that they were slowly killing her.

She entered the vehicle, started it, and turned off automatic driver. There wasn’t an address where she was headed. Several miles down the beach, it would be easier to drive on the sand even if it was longer instead of navigating thru dense forest. The vehicle was made for an island though, and the wheels pushed through the sand easily.

Heavy waves crashed against the shore, anxious, like her, of the upcoming storm. Lightning struck off in the distance, causing her to jump. She had lived through several storms, this was just another one. Calm down. Oliana and Jewels must be doing one hell of a dance.

Despite the wind, a fire roared in the distance, like a beacon calling to her, and Ari pointed the car towards it. The idea of a warm fire and safety in numbers held that anxiousness at bay.

She parked on the outskirts of the party and walked into the crowd. As the security followed, she turned over her shoulder. “You guys can stay in the car.”

They glanced at each other, obviously hoping for that same thing. “We need to keep an eye on you.”

“Don’t you have my electronic tracker?” She rubbed a hand under her VR port. “You can watch my movements. It’s not like I plan on moving far from that fire, and I’ll be back in the car before the storm hits.”

He pulled out an electronic pad and flashed it at her. “We’ll keep an eye on you from the car.”

As they turned back, the shorter guard with lighter hair, mumbled, “Can’t see why she wants to hang out with these cavemen.”

Ari snorted and continued to the fire. Maybe these people were cavemen compared to the technology the world currently had, but that’s what made them real. In a world where the lines of reality blurred, the basics of humanity became the most important.

The women and men danced around the fire and chanted, their arms lifting while they turned in a circle. Ari spotted Oliana in the midst, her beautiful black hair spinning behind her.

Ari got lost in the mesmerizing dance, until Jewels brushed up beside her, long silvery hair let down and flowing in the wind. She leaned close to be heard over the singing. “I hear you want to contact the mainland.”

“Yes,” Ari nodded.

“You want to leave?” Jewels watched Ari as if the old woman knew everything without Ari saying a word. “Did they finally tell you the truth?”

The question stabbed at Ari. She