The Channel (The Gifted Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

bordered the north side of the road.
    Bestian had already started walking again, but Gauvin didn't move. He didn't look straight at the black riders, but watched from the corner of his eye. They were slumped over in their saddles, either sleeping or injured. This was their chance.
    Gauvin did a quick sprint to catch Bestian. "Slow down for a second. Don't look now, but there are two riders in the woods to our left. What do you say?"
    Bestian slowed his pace and quickly glimpsed the riders. He rotated his head like a light in a lighthouse, casting his gaze on everything around them. They were alone ... except for the two riders.
    Bestian took off down the road, practically running.
    Gauvin, ticked off because Bestian seemed to be ignoring the one chance they might have to c atch a ride, tried to keep up. He watched his partner reach the small bridge that spanned a raging rocky river—too wide to jump and too treacherous to swim. Before Gauvin realized what Bestian was doing, he'd disappeared down the bank of the river, slipping under the bridge.
    Gauvin delighted in Bestian's plan. He glanced at the riders who seemed oblivious to their surroundings and ran to join Bestian. Now, all they needed was for the riders to use the bridge versus turning north to border the river.
    Time seemed to slow, and the waiting taunted them, but in the end, it was worth it. The riders crept out of the woods, scanning the road on either side of the bridge. All was clear. It would only take them a few minutes to reach the other side and seek cover in the woods again.
    When the riders were within a few feet of the bridge, Bestian made his move and Gauvin followed. Swords drawn, they caught their prey by surprise. In seconds, it was over. Bestian and Gauvin secured the reins of the horses to a railing and dragged the bloody bodies of the two riders under the bridge.
    They cleaned the riders of their weapons and other valuables and took inventory of the supplies in the saddlebags. Gauvin found a hunk of dried meat and moldy cheese. He didn't care if it was nearly rotten. He turned his back to Bestian and wolfed down a bite of the yellow brick, avoiding the mold, of course, and chased it with a bite of dried meat. He chewed as fast as he could, needing to get something into his stomach before he was forced to share.
    Bestian found similar rations in the saddlebag he was inspecting. He also turned his back and proceeded to ingest as much of the food as he could without Gauvin being the wiser.
    Gauvin glanced over his shoulder and saw that Bestian's back was turned. Taking advantage of the moment, he greedily shoved more food into his mouth, chewing just enough to swallow before Bestian turned around.
    "I found some rations," Bestian declared a moment later. "What about you?"
    Bestian's voice startled Gauvin. He quickly swallowed everything in his mouth. "I found a few morsels." He offered up the remainder of his find.
    Bestian returned the gesture and took note that Gauvin's morsels were much larger than his own. "We should put all our rations into one bag."
    "That's all right. I've got plenty of space in my saddle bag." Gauvin knew what Bestian was about. He'd join their food and then parcel out a minimal amount to him. He had spent months with Bestian and had almost starved, eating what Bestian felt was his fair share.
    "Give it to me!" Bestian's upper lip quivered into a snarl.
    "No." Gauvin mounted quickly and took off. Over his shoulder, he shouted, "I'll share at our next meal."
    Bestian mounted as well, and took off after him.
    ~~~
    Commander Gaibel Gaulette stood watch over her First Lieutenant Beth Annaul and her cousin Lanne while they ate and their horses rested. The trickling sound of the small stream a few feet away would have been a relaxing sound if Gaibel had reason to relax, but she didn't. Instead, it was a distraction as she tried to process what had happened.
    "Commander, please eat something." Beth handed her a small sandwich of