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

echoed throughout the tiny cell. The rhythm was more than annoying.
    Natalie took Ted by the wrist. "Could you stop that? Things are bad enough as it is."
    Ted frowned. "I thought I was fighting the forces of evil."
    Natalie gave him a stink-eye. "With your fingers?"
    Ted turned away from her, which was quite a feat in the box of a room. "Nigel. The Torellos. The gatekeeper. They were attacking innocent people, and I had to stop them."
    Natalie nodded.
    Ted took a deep breath. "But to hear that judge and those villagers, I killed their war heroes or something."
    Before Natalie could process her thoughts on the matter, a knock came from door to the cell. Something unlatched and a small rectangular hole opened up on the door.
    "Are you two alright?" Razellia's voice sounded more than hesitant.
    Natalie wondered how much the mother was risking by sticking up for them. "We're okay. Though I wish we had a little more leg room."
    Ted put his face closer to the door. "Has there been a decision?"
    Though they only had a view of Razellia's mouth and chin, they could see her shaking her head.
    "Soon."
    Natalie was no fan of waiting. She cracked her knuckles. "Why'd you help us?"
    Razellia let out a laugh that said she was either nervous or borderline crazy. "For the same reason I went out into the desert. As much as I hate to say it, I can't protect Vella alone. We need help, and despite all the bad blood, you two might fit the bill."
    Ted raised one eyebrow. "So it wasn't because of our charming personalities?"
    Razellia's mouth formed a smile through the door's opening. "My daughter thinks you're funny."
    Natalie scrunched up her face. "Funny in the head?"
    "Pretty much."
    The sound of a large metal door opening echoed through the room. Razellia shut the opening before either of them could see what was going on. Natalie's fight-or-flight instinct kicked in, but there was nowhere to let the energy loose. If the court's decision went the wrong way, she and Ted wouldn't have even lasted two days on the other side of that portal. Ted must have sensed or shared in her nervousness, because he took her hand. While instinct told her to fling it away, she gripped it tighter instead. His hand was the only warmth in a cold situation. The latch to their door gave way and it opened outward.
    Razellia looked disappointed but not devastated as she stood next to a scrawny jailer.
    Natalie's heart did jumping jacks. "What did they decide?"
    The dark soul's face reverted to neutral. "The decision has been delayed. After we've stopped the threat of the raiders, you'll be re-evaluated."
    Razellia gestured for them to follow her. They walked toward what seemed like a back entrance. Natalie imagined not everyone in town was pleased with the tribunal's ruling.
    Ted let go of Natalie's hand. "What are we supposed to do until they come back?"
    Razellia sighed. "You'll live with me and my daughter. There's not going to be a lot of room."
    Natalie looked back toward the cell they'd come from. "Believe me, it's an upgrade."
    They came to the exit and Razellia looked both ways before taking the first step.
    Ted tapped her on the shoulder. "Razellia, how am I going to stop the raiders this time if they're looking right at me? I'll be powerless."
    Razellia let out a small huff and looked at the two of them. "Don't worry. You shouldn't have a problem. The raiders are light souls."
     
     

Chapter 7
     
    Razellia had to ask six different neighbors before she found one who was willing to lend her the cots. She wanted to tell the fellow villagers who gave her dirty looks that this wasn't about her befriending the living soul. It was a matter of keeping their children alive.
    Maybe they've already given up on that.
    Ted and Natalie seemed grateful for her help. Aside from the lies about Ted's true identity, she hadn't detected a false note from them. Did they truly believe they were innocent in all of this? This was the line of questioning she had planned for their