Gabriel Stone and the Divinity of Valta Read Online Free Page A

pants!” Tears fell from her eyes as Zigzag chased Cedric around in circles.
    “Okay, Zigzag, quit it.” Gabriel called his dog to attention. Morley always causes trouble. He remembered how Cedric had been suspended for calling in a fake bomb scare on the day of a big math exam he’d wanted to avoid. Another time, he’d filled the bathroom soap dispensers with glue. Gabriel’s mother had told him a long time ago: That boy is just mischievous . Gabriel had sighed and rolled his eyes at the biggest understatement of the century.
    It took a couple of minutes for Cedric to catch his breath. That was also about how long it took Gabriel, Piper, and Brent to stop laughing. When they had all calmed down, Gabriel spoke first.
    “Why were you spying on us, Cedric?”
    Brent scowled. “Yeah, what’re you doing out here, anyway?”
    “Spying? Are you nuts?” Cedric sounded almost convincing. “I think you should be nice to me, since I have something that you need.” He folded his arms against his chest and twisted his lips in a smirk.
    “And what could you possibly have that we need?” Brent leaned casually against a tree.
    Cedric pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket. Something in Gabriel’s stomach soured.
    “What’s that?” Gabriel asked as nicely as possible.
    “Wouldn’t you like to know.”
    “I thought you didn’t want to work with us.” Gabriel regretted it as soon as he said it.
    Cedric’s eyes widened in understanding. “So you’ve been doing your own spying, eh, Gabe? Well, I changed my mind.”
    Piper squinted at him. “Oh, just tell us what it is, you moron.”
    “Something to do with a certain science project.”
    “Riiight. And what’s yours about, Cedric? A rubber ball you ever so scientifically prove bounces?” Piper laughed and rolled her eyes.
    “Funny, Ramirez, but if you wanna know what I have—that you guys need —first tell Gabe here to apologize for siccing his stupid dog on me. Then I might tell you.”
    “Oh, gimme a break.” Brent looked ready to charge.
    “Okay, okay. I’m sorry Zigzag attacked you,” Gabriel offered. He may have even meant it. He took a step forward and reached for the paper. Cedric took two steps back, holding the paper behind him. Fire ignited inside Gabriel. He’d caught a glimpse of the paper and was sure it was his missing assignment. Cedric was such a dork.
    “No. Say, ‘I’m sorry, Cedric, for siccing my stupid dog on you,’” Cedric insisted with a smirk.
    Brent didn’t wait for Gabriel’s reply. He charged Cedric like a bull. At first, Gabriel thought it was funny, but when neither came up for air, it was clear it was a real fight.
    “I’m gonna get my A, you idiot, and you can’t stop me,” Cedric shouted at no one in particular. Punches and kicks followed.
    “Do something, Gabe!” Piper urged. Zigzag growled, about to pounce, and through it all, nobody except Gabriel seemed to notice how close to the water’s edge Brent and Cedric fought—or if they did, they were too hyped on adrenaline to care.
    Gabriel stepped forward just as Brent and Cedric tumbled toward him in a ball of legs and arms. Cedric grabbed a big stick from the ground, jumped up, and thrashed it against Brent’s face. Piper screamed.
    Gabriel shot forward, pushing Cedric away. Cedric stumbled backward and tripped over a rock. For a second he staggered on the edge as they watched in shock. In another second he plunged into the icy river.
    They all rushed to the edge and looked into the water.
    “Oh my God, where is he?” Piper yelled.
    Gabriel scanned the river looking for some sign of him. “Quick, Brent, check over on that side.” He pointed several feet away. Gabriel leaned over the water’s edge. “Cedric!” he shouted.
    Piper dashed in the opposite direction. “I’ll look this way!”
    After a couple of minutes, Brent ran back, his face ashen. “Dude, he’s gone. I’m going in. Maybe he’s trapped under the ice, like you were.”
    “No.