The Light, the Dark and the Ugly Read Online Free PDF Page A

into three of the four raiders who were causing havoc. Their clothing caught on fire immediately, sending two out of three to the ground.
    Ted smirked. "You're fired."
    Free of their masters, the Lychos shook off their harnesses and dashed away. The third attacker and his noble steed were struck down by villagers who saw the tide beginning to turn. Surrounded by a pack of six farmers with sharp implements, the bandit didn't stand a chance. The remaining attacker galloped his Lychos at full speed toward the village's exit. As the man approached Ted's location, the living soul used his mind to lift the attacker about two stories into the air.
    "I think it's high time you got outta here."
    All of a sudden, Ted plummeted back to the ground. While his drop was only a few feet, the attacker and his beast fell straight down. The scream was higher-pitched than Ted had expected. The stone cracked beneath them, accompanied by the sound of bones shattering. Neither the attacker nor the Lychos survived the impact.
    Before the pride could warm his body, Ted realized that dozens of people had gathered around him. They looked at the dead attacker who lay in the middle of the town market. Then they stared at Ted. He forced a smile and felt his body go cold.
    Ted supposed that despite the good deed he'd just done, an enemy is an enemy.   
     
     

Chapter 6
     
    Natalie couldn't help it. When one of the villagers grabbed her by the arm, she reared back and clocked him in the face. The dark soul hadn't expected it in the slightest, and the wallop sent him to the ground in a hurry. Her pride overcame the stinging of her hand. She slammed her fist into two more villagers before they'd finally gotten her under control. Ted went much more quietly as they were led into a cell that barely gave them enough room to breathe. It reeked of sweat and rust, but at least it got them out of the sand for a little while.
    Natalie forced Ted to sit in the corner so she'd have room to pace. She flexed her hand, which still ached from the blow she'd given the farmer who was unfortunate enough to lay his hands on her.
    "So, let me get this straight." Natalie felt like steam was about to come out of her ears. "You realize you're going into a town where they want to kill the living soul, which is you. In case you've forgotten."
    Ted rubbed at his nose. "I haven't."
    Natalie continued her pacing. "And you go around showing off your powers in front of the whole freakin' town?"
    Ted raised his eyebrows. "They were in trouble, Nat."
    Natalie wanted to punch the wall, but she had a feeling she'd need her fist in top condition if they were going to get out of this one.
    She growled. "Nice famous last words, Ted."
    A few minutes later, several guards led them to a cavernous room with high ceilings that reminded Natalie of an old, stuffy church. It was large enough that all 200 villagers could sit inside. Natalie realized that this was a sort of public court and that they were the ones on trial. As they entered the room, any sort of chatter or conversation fell away. She hoped the eerie silence wasn't damning, as their footfalls echoed throughout the chamber. When the guards gestured for them to sit down, Natalie turned back for a moment to see Razellia in the front row. She supposed the little girl beside her was her daughter. Nobody in the room mimicked the girl's massive, gap-toothed smile.
    When Natalie turned back ahead, she saw three unforgiving-looking men sit down in the front of the room. They looked like judges, and from their demeanor, Natalie guessed they'd given their fair share of death penalties. Ted tapped her on the shoulder. She suppressed her desire to rip his finger off and turned slightly toward him.
    "You realize, anything you say can and will be used against you–"
    "I'm sorry." He took a deep breath. "I'm gonna get us out of this."
    Natalie's brow furrowed. "And how exactly are you going to do that?"
    Ted grinned, showing off his dimples. "I'll