The Vengeful Robin

by Erica Andrews

  His words were said softly, but the heat behind them was indistinguishable.

  “You like me?”

  I winced at the naivete I heard come from my mouth. While I was far from innocent, I still couldn't fathom someone like Claius ever really caring for me.

  Not put off by my question, he tucked a stray hair behind my ear, smiling gently. “Since the first day Jon brought you back to the village.”

  I raised my eyebrows. “I wasn’t awake.”

  He laughed, his arm tightening around me. “That’s probably why it was so easy, then.”

  I shoved his chest, pulling a laugh from him. As the muscles flexed beneath the palm of my hand, I suddenly realized something. When Claius held me or touched me, I wasn’t scared.

  I was normal.

  Or I guess as normal as I could be. Which was what I had envied about everyone else, and right now I could have it with Claius.

  And what was more, I wanted it with him. I glanced at my hand, then back at him, noticing him watching me curiously.

  Then I made a decision before I could change my mind or tell myself I didn't deserve it. “Okay.”

  Confusion crossed his features. “Okay, what?”

  I smiled for the first time in a long time, at ease with myself. It didn't matter that we were about to go into battle. I was, at this moment, happy. “You asked if I wanted a kiss.”

  His reply, was to claim my lips. I fell into him, the softness that was his lips. The taste of him, driving me to hunger for more. His teeth nibbled against mine, causing me to smile, until he licked across the seam of my lips, begging for entrance.

  I obliged. I let him take control of my mouth.

  He devoured me like a man starved, and I reveled in the power I had over him and the power he had over me.

  It was beautiful.

  Out of breath, we pulled apart and he leaned his forehead against mine.

  “Maybe after this… when this is all over, we can finish what we started?” he said, his eyes hopeful and with a new found peace.

  I pushed up on my tiptoes, letting my lips glide over his one last time before the spell would have to be broken, and we had to go back to what we had come to do in the first place. “I think that can be arranged, and maybe you can answer some questions for me about shifters.”

  He squeezed my hips. “I’d love to.”

  18

  Robin

  * * *

  High on what had just happened between Claius and me and lighter than I had ever felt, the walk back to the group flew by until, before I knew it, we were in front of our small, ragtag group of misfits.

  James’ and Fagen’s cheeks reddened at my presence, and I wondered if they could tell what had just happened in the woods. The whole group seemed to smile. Even Rafe.

  What was he happy about?

  Clearing my throat, I crossed my arms, taking them in. “Glad to see everyone is getting along, but what is this discussion that I’m not privy to?”

  No one answered. But everyone followed Claius' hand as he gave mine one last squeeze before he walked forward and sat on the boulder to the right of me.

  “James, Fagen, what were you guys discussing?”

  They glanced at each other before turning back to me, speaking both at once.

  “Well I mean...”

  “That is to say...”

  Rafe broke from the group to stand in front of me, and I heard Claius growl from the side. I guess now I knew what he was, he didn't have to hold himself back as much.

  Rafe looked over his shoulder at the massive man, to see him start to stand from his seat. “Calm down, Kitty. I’m only telling her what she wants to hear.”

  Guess everyone knew what Claius and I had been talking about.

  A look must have crossed my face because when Rafe turned back to me, he raised an eyebrow. “Oh, please. Do you think we listened to your conversation? Everyone knew Claius was smitten with you and wanting to tell you what he is. What better time to tell you than before you jump headfirst into battle?”

  His hair fell in front of his face, and he pushed it back, smiling. “Now, what was it you were asking? You wanted to know what we were talking about?”

  I nodded, looking back at the guys who were still grouped together, watching my interlude with Rafe. Even Aman had taken a seat on a log, watching him with narrowed eyes.

  When had Rafe become the one they listened to?

  The scent of coffee from his drink from earlier morning drifted over me. And though usually I loved the smell of coffee, I couldn’t appreciate the smell or his closeness when his disgust of me was evident.

  And right now, we were only working together because of one common enemy.

  My uncle.

  “What we were talking about was your little group of heroes over there decided—though I told them it was pointless—that you should not be the one to run into battle first.”

  He leaned forward, making sure to whisper so the rest couldn’t hear us. Clever. “I told them you are used to being cannon fodder and to let you prove yourself to us.”

  The rest of his words were thrown into the air as Rafe was wrenched away from me. He laughed coldly. “I’m sorry, Kitty. Did I press my luck too much?”

  He pulled his shirt from Claius’ hand, who stood in front of him, baring his teeth.

  He had let his beast loose.

  “Oh, calm down, Kitty. I was only telling her what you bunch never want to tell her… the truth.”

  Turning to me, his condescending grin back in place, he continued, “You know I’m right, Princess.”

  Mark and Mac moved forward, shaking their heads.

  “You would let a female…”

  “We are supposed to protect people smaller…”

  “He’s right.”

  At my words, Mark and Mac fell silent, while the rest turned their heads from Rafe who crossed his arms as he sidled up against the closest tree and smirked.

  “Rafe’s an ass. But he’s right. I have the most experience. And this is my mission… so I need to be in front.”

  I walked over to Mark and Mac and touched their forearms gently. “Though thank you for coming to my defense. It’s sweet.”

  With identical grins, they wrapped me up in a bear hug, and for a minute I panicked, but the hug was over before I knew it.

  With one last thing in mind, I walked over to James and Fagen, who seemed to be quickly becoming close. “Fagen, I hate to ask this, but I need you to stay behind.”

  His eyes widened. “But, Princess, I was...”

  I shook my head. “I appreciate you coming, but I’m going to need you to run back to Jon and tell him what happened if this goes totally wrong.”

  I made eye contact with him, eager to let him know he wasn’t getting off from helping. In fact, if anything, he probably had one of the biggest jobs of all.

  Telling our story.

  “Can you do this?”

  Ears pink, he glanced behind me before nodding.

  With everything in order, I walked back to my sack. I felt their eyes on me as I drank the rest of my water before swiping the wetness from my lips. “I’ll run out first and then give the signal for the rest of you to follow once I've made it across the open field.”

  “And if you don't?”

  I tossed my water back into my sack, then turned. The question came from Aman, who had pushed himself off the log and moved toward me.

  It was an honest question, so I gave an honest answer. “If I don't make it, then the rest of you run back to Jon and tell him what happened. He's going to need you to help take care of the others.”

  I made eye contact with each of them, but Aman, Claius, and Rafe were the only ones who acknowledged what I said with a nod of their head. Rafe was more cheerful than the rest.

  I really needed to have a talk with him.

  Not willing to dawdle anymore, I walked over to the boulder Claius sat on, grabbed my arrows and bow, and slung them across my back
. I already had my knives in my pants, and now with my arrows, I felt ready.

  With a nervous smile, I asked,

  “Who's ready to dance with the devil?”

  Not waiting for an answer, I took off.

  19

  Robin

  * * *

  My bow bounced across my back as I ran, the cold wind hitting me in the face causing my eyes to sting. I pushed every muscle to the brink, desperate to get across the yard of the castle before I was spotted. I hadn't lied to the guys about how I should be the one going first, but what I hadn't told them was how scared I actually was.

  If someone ever told you they weren’t scared before going to battle, they were lying. Everyone was scared.

  Even those who thought they had nothing to lose.

  Because at that moment, right before battle, you realize you do, in fact, have something to lose.

  Even if it was just your life.

  I pumped my legs faster, the wind now like shards of glass whipping me in the face. Almost there. The stone columns came into focus, and I let out a breath of relief.

  I made it.

  Bent over slightly, I took in my surroundings, glancing over the place that had once been my home. I tried to figure out how I felt as I breathed deeply through my nose. I felt nothing.

  With soft footsteps, I walked under the arch of the central doorway that led to the servants’ quarters. My ears twitched, picking up the different sounds, waiting for signs of abnormality.

  Claius and the others were waiting for my signal, but I wouldn't give it until I was sure everything was fine. The last thing I wanted was for anyone to get hurt because of me.

  The arch was made of different stones and cement. I touched it, the coolness seeping into my fingers, as I slowed my breathing and waited to hear for the creaks and groans of familiar footsteps. Unless King John or the general changed their routine.

  Which I doubted.

  My uncle wasn't the type to worry about the small day to day lives of his soldiers. They weren’t the upper caste. To him, that meant they were nothing. Lower than nothing. They were useable. Which meant something as insignificant as their schedule never landed in front of him.

  No, that responsibility was the general’s.

  My lip curled at the thought of him. He was evil and a traitor, just like my uncle. But still as lazy as he was when he worked for my father. Which hopefully for me meant a recruit should be walking overhead any moment now.

  Almost as if my words had magicked them here, the familiar stomp of their issued boots thudded against the wooden floor above me, causing dust to fall from above and into my hair. I held my breath, careful not to breathe it in. The last thing we needed was for me to cough and ruin whatever surprise we had.

  The shuffle of their feet paused. In my mind, I pictured this nameless soldier turning back and forth diligently to make the crown proud.

  This was why I was trying not to kill any of them.

  Though I had learned the hard way about a lot of the soldiers and their baser instincts, a few were still good.

  Maybe this one was.

  Mayhap this one was looking for the traitor Robin Locks because all they had was one side of the narrative.

  If only he knew I was mere feet below him.

  Apparently satisfied, he moved again, the sounds of his feet growing softer as he walked away from me.

  Now the clock started. For the next forty-five minutes, we had an empty gate we could use until someone passed this way again.

  This better work.

  With a quick prayer to whoever was watching us from up above, I prepared to do the next thing on my checklist.

  It was time to give the signal.

  I pulled out the contraption Fagen had made the night before using different parts he had found around camp. And all I needed was a flask of water.

  When Fagen had offered to make something to use as a signal, at first I was apprehensive. He had gone and gathered bottles and wires and gears. To me it looked like a mess. But when he pulled out his books and started to work, it was evident he was enjoying himself.

  Much like Lace.

  Those two would have gotten along famously.

  He worked quickly and created a small machine that could fit in one of my many pockets. Made out of glass jars, leather, and other parts, it was almost beautiful in a unique and broken way. When he showed me how to use it, I became intrigued. Fagen was a giant asset for the team.

  Now, with it in my hand, I could replicate what he’d done the night before. I retrieved my flask, then poured water down the gadget’s pipe. It circulated inside the machine, causing it to grow hot in my hand.

  Did it burn this hot with Fagen? He had told me something along the lines of how it worked. I tried to remember. Friction and something to do with heat, I believe he said.

  The water soon caused the pieces inside the machine to turn faster and smoke began to puff as if from a fire.

  I was so enchanted, I almost forgot to push it out and place it on one of the stone bricks into the open for the rest of the team to see. Not wanting to become remiss I kept my ears tuned in hopes of hearing anything abnormal as I waited for Claius and the others to crest the hill and make their way to me.

  When the water was almost gone, worry began to set in.

  Had they not seen it? What if I had done it wrong?

  I was on the verge of running back to see what had happened, when something caught my attention.

  Five shapes emerged from the woods. One with a red hat.

  They were coming.

  They gained speed—the shots they had received from the good doctors all those years ago doing their job.

  Even Aman.

  I wasn’t sure how he would do with his mechanical leg and short stature, but his legs pumped in time with the rest of the crew. When they were half way here, I began to mentally urge them on. Every second that ticked increased their chances of being discovered.

  Once they were three-quarters of the way here, my heart rate began to lower. They were going to make it.

  But then, all at once, my worries came back full force and time stopped.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I caught movement coming from the forest. A massive figure emerged from the trees, trying to catch up with the rest of them.

  Jon.

  He came.

  But how was he running so fast? As far as I had known he had never had the shots. Like a few others from the camp, he had fled before the shots were given.

  My heart raced. What could this mean?

  Was he was like Claius? Or was he something more?

  The rest of the guys joined me beneath the arch, breathing heavily but smiling.

  Mark, or maybe Mac, smiled and came to hug me, but stopped when he saw where my attention was.

  Brow furrowed, he glanced back at me, the red beard hiding his face slightly. "Jon was who was running behind us?”

  He rubbed his beard, before glancing at the others. “I thought I heard an extra person, but figured I was mistaken.” His face broke out into a grin. “Well I guess the stupid bastard changed his mind.”

  I gave a strained smile. "Yep, stupid bastard had to come and make a scene.”

  Claius came up behind me and placed his hand on my lower back, easing the slight tension inside of me. It was crazy how one conversation could make things so much easier.

  "Sometimes the best scenarios are the ones we don't plan for."

  I choked out a laugh. "Yeah, well the stupid man is going to get caught if he doesn't hurry up.”

  I turned, making his hand trail across my stomach, turning it in knots. I looked up at him. “How is he moving so fast? He’s never moved like that before.”

  Claius smiled, his eyes transforming into his beast ones. "We all have our little secrets.”

  In the next second, his beast hid. All he’d done was leave me with more questions than answers.

  A look must have appeared on my face because Clai
us’ smile widened. He bent forward to whisper in my ear. “Just wait and you can ask him after this mission is over.”

  With a small huff, I tried to hide the shiver that went down my spine at his closeness, but he smiled knowingly as I turned back to watch Jon like the rest of the men. Even if I didn't want to admit it, Claius was right. As soon as this mission was over, and everyone was safe, Jon Little had a lot to answer for.

  As Jon grew closer, I could see a smile lighting up his face. He was enjoying this.

  I should have known Jon would love all the attention on him. One thing Jon had was an ego, and us all staring at him played to it.

  After blowing quickly under the arch, Jon barreled into me and pulled me away from Claius, then wrapped his arms around my waist and proceeded to twirl me around. Claius let out a growl.

  Shocked by his exuberance, my reaction was delayed, until common sense kicked in. "Jon, put me down. We have to go."

  His face fell, but he obeyed, looking at me solemnly. "Robin, just tell me you forgive me."

  I huffed out an irritable breath. Now wasn't the time to have this conversation, but Jon was the type who wouldn’t stop until he got an answer. It was one of the things I equally loved and hated about him.

  "Jon, I can't forgive you right now.”

  His brow furrowed.

  I tried to keep my voice soothing. “This is neither the time, nor the place for this and well, frankly, I'm still pissed.”

  As my voice started to harden, I paused. “Right now, I need to rescue Smite and everyone else."

  At the mention of rescue, something crossed Jon’s face, causing him to stiffen and reach for my hand. He ran his other hand through his hair. “About that.”

  His blue eyes met mine, pleading with me to understand. Understand what, I didn't know.

  “Robin, before I came here, I met with Ava...”

  Of course he met with Ava.

  “And she told me, King John set a trap. He knows you’re coming.”

  The bottom dropped out of my stomach at his words, but Rafe responded before my brain caught up.