Legends of Darkstalkers and Nightriders

Chapter 10: Alvin the Treacherous

Sadie’s POV

I searched the ground around my feet, a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Somehow I knew it was gone for good.

“We’ll find it,” Emma said reassuringly.

“How? Em, I was all over this island last night, it could be anywhere!”

“Hey,” she said, her voice gentle but firm as she put a hand on my shoulder, “We won't stop looking until we find it. We will find it, okay?”

“I think I can spare you girls the trouble,” a voice said suddenly and we both turned to see a man leaning against a nearby tree. My locket dangling from his hand.

I felt all the color drain from my face as I stared at the man. The man I would never forget as long as I lived. The man who haunted my dreams, my every waking moment. My uncle, Alvin the Treacherous, chief of the outcasts. The man who murdered my parents.

After a moment I found my voice. “What are you doing here?” I asked.

“I was just passing by when I happened upon this,” he said, nodding to the locket. “Funny, I thought you dead all these years.”

Emma looked at me, confused, then at Alvin. “Give it back,” she demanded, her purple eyes flashing.

“I wouldn't if I were you,” Alvin said warningly.

“Emma, don’t,” I said. I tried to hide it, but my voice trembled slightly and Emma turned to look at me again, studying me.

“Who is he?” she asked.

“Oh, Sadie,” he said, and laughed. “You didn't tell her about your dear, old uncle Alvin?”

Emma stared at him. “Alvin? The Treacherous?” she asked.

“The same,” he said, smiling evilly.

Emma looked over at me again, and I could see the betrayal etched across her face. “Alvin the fricken Treacherous is your uncle?!”

I winced. “I’m sorry, I didn’t tell you, Em-”

“Sadie, that's kind of an important thing to know about you!” she said.

“I know,” I said.

“I mean, I know it's hard for you to trust people, but I would have thought this would come up at least once!” she continued.

“Who are you?” Blaze’s voice suddenly came from behind Alvin where he now stood, a fireball in his hand.

“Blaze, don’t,” I said. More than anything I was afraid Alvin would take my friends from me. An unreasonable fear, considering they were the Darkstalker and her brother, but it was there nonetheless and I didn’t intend to let either of them get hurt.

“This,” Emma says darkly, “is Alvin the Treacherous. Sadie’s uncle.”

“What?!” Blaze said. He glared at me. “And you just neglected to mention it I suppose!”

“No!” I said. “It’s not like that!”

Alvin laughs. “Oh, this is so amusing,” he said.

“What do you want?” I asked.

“I have a proposition for you,” he replied. “I will give you your precious locket back in exchange for a book. But not just any book. The Book of Dragons.”

“And where would one find this book?”

“Berk. It’s kept by the chief’s son there. His name is Hiccup. Bring me the book, and you may have your locket back. And as an added bonus. I’ll forget you’re still alive.”