Betrayal (Shadow Hunters Trilogy #1) *COMPLETE*

Any Objections?

There's only a few families left so some of the gang split off to do their own thing. With Robin still helping distribute the taxes, I take the opportunity start making my way to the forest to think when Allan sidles up beside me. "Care to play a little game with me?" I look at him as he grins, holding up three small gold cups. "I can guarantee you'll double your money."

"I'm not exactly one for tricks." I chuckle. "Besides, I know that little "game". Isaac and I used to play it at the major cities we passed through to earn some money for food."

"How about joining me for a drink then? There's an alehouse not far from here and you look like you could use a drink."

My eyes narrow as I look at him. "Since when have you ever wanted to get a drink with me?" He shrugs.
"I thought it'd be nice to sit down, maybe have some ale and talk to my fellow outlaw. So what do you say?"

I stop walking and turn to face him, my arms crossed over my chest. I watch his expression for a moment before replying. "Alright. One drink. That's all."

"That's all I ask." He grins at me and turns around to face the town. "Let's go."

>>---------------------->

We walk to the nearest alehouse and sit at one of the many tables off to the side. We order some ales from the barmaid and, as soon as she leaves, I lean forward. "Alright, I'm here. Now tell me, Allan. What's the real reason you invited me?" I ask.

He looks around, unsure before digging into one of the pouches on his belt and slides it over to me. I glance at it raise an eyebrow at him. "What's this?" He motions at it with his chin

"Look at it."

I unroll it and my blood runs cold as I see my face looking back up at me. I look at him, my jaw clenched. "Where did you get this?" I whisper.

He leans forward. "I found it. I know who you are and what you're planning to do."

The barmaid returns with our ales and I thank her before waving her away. My muscles tense as my gaze bores into him. "Let me guess, this was all just a ruse to blackmail me. What do you want in exchange? Money?" I hiss.

He looks at me for a long moment before shaking his head. "I want to convince you to not go through with it. Robin is a good man."

I give a cold, humorless laugh. "So you brought me here to convince me to not kill Robin."

He shrugs. "Yeah. I'm trying to prevent you from making a mistake."

My gaze softens. "You don't understand. I have no choice." I look down at my hands. "I have to."

He shakes his head. "No you don't. Trust me. I'm not being funny but, I've gone down that path. it one of my biggest regrets." He frowns. "I've done many bad things in my life but betraying Robin is one of the worse."

My eyes prickle as tears start to form. "You don't understand....My husband...."My voice cracks and I look down.

Allan takes a drink of his ale before looking at me. "Did Robin ever tell you about Roy?"

I shake my head. "No." I say quietly. "Who's Roy?"

He looks at his tankard and slowly traces the rim with his finger. "Roy used to be part of our gang. His mother was captured by the sheriff. He threatened to kill her unless Roy killed Robin."

A shiver runs down my spine as he continues. "He attempted to kill Robin in his sleep until we pulled him off. He told us about the sheriff's deal." He looks up at me. He watches my expression. "Robin could have left him to deal with the sheriff and let his mother be hanged.... But he didn't. We all wanted to punish Roy but Robin rallied us together to help Roy get his mother back safely."