Free Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen Page B

the Dev il were trapped in his head.
    “I am Guy of Gisbourne, and I have been hired by your sheriff to hunt down the one you call the Hood. I’ve been informed that rather than outing this criminal amongst you, you protect him. ” His lip curled, and the points of his teeth shone like a snake’s fangs. “Now, I don’t know how long it will take, ” he said, and his voice shook me like a dry leaf. Everyone went dead quiet. “But I’ll track the Hood and his men, and I will fi nd them. When I fi nd them, I will kill them. Anyone 212-47765_ch01_1P.indd 74
    212-47765_ch01_1P.indd 74
    5/31/11 1:45 PM
    5/31/11 1:45 PM

S C A R L E T
    . 75 .
    along the way that I even suspect of helping the Hood and his gang will lose everything— starting with his life. ”
    He snapped his fi ngers, and his guards brought forth two men. I looked to John. “Stay. I need to get to the side. ”
    He nodded, and his hands pulled me to the other side of him at my waist. I were fair certain I didn’t need the help, so I didn’t know why he did it. “Be careful, Scar. He nabs you and I’ll go after you, and there’s more of them so I’ll die doing it. But I’ll still do it. ”
    “Don’t be stupid, ” I hissed, moving past him. I walked around the outside of the market square, catching glimpses of Gisbourne taking a local villager and putting a knife to his throat. I saw a longbow drawn taut, and I sidled up beside Robin. He nodded to me, never shaking a muscle.
    “Go up, ” he murmured. “Cover my shot. ”
    I nodded, scaling onto the roof of a little house right quick.
    “Now, ” Gisbourne continued. “I know you good people know who the Hood is. You love him. You protect him. But will you die for him? I don’t think so. ” He looked to his fi rst captive. I weren’t sure, but he might have been the dyer. Worksop did a lot of clothwork. “So what can you tell me about the Hood?”
    “His name’s Robin, ” he blurted. “Robin of Locksley. ”
    Gisbourne looked right shocked, and his arm loosened an inch. “Earl Huntingdon?”
    The man nodded, and Robin took his shot, sending the arrow whizzing over Gisbourne’s knuckles. It were an impossible 212-47765_ch01_1P.indd 75
    212-47765_ch01_1P.indd 75
    5/31/11 1:45 PM
    5/31/11 1:45 PM
    . 76 .
    A. C. Gaughen
    shot, skimming Gisbourne and missing his captive altogether when a hair either way would have sent it off , but Rob made it. Rob’s like that. Gisbourne dropped the man and roared in pain.
    “Something to discuss with me, Guy of Gisbourne?” Rob called. The people scattered at this chance, the second captive forgotten.
    “Guards!” Gisbourne called, drawing his sword. I couldn’t resist. I’m a thief; we weren’t never good with temptation, honestly. I pulled a knife out and fl icked it; with the clear angle, it sliced a deep line into his left cheekbone. Blood began to drip fast, I noticed with a grin.
    I fl attened to the roof as he held back from chasing Rob, looking around for his attacker. He didn’t see me, but he did see my knife in the ground. I hadn’t put a ribbon on it. Small mercies like that are the only reason I tend to go to church. He picked up the knife and tucked it in his belt, going after Rob. I looked around, and I saw Rob on the roof next to me, looking at me like he knew why I threw the knife. I hated that look.
    Gisbourne sent his men round the village, leaving the dyer to grab his wife and hide inside their house. Fact, most people did the same, and soon Much and John were hidden in someone’s house and Rob and I were hidden on separate roofs, huddled against the chimneys. It weren’t long after that Gisbourne sent his men into the forest to search for us, leaving a few in the town square to wait.
    212-47765_ch01_1P.indd 76
    212-47765_ch01_1P.indd 76
    5/31/11 1:45 PM
    5/31/11 1:45 PM

S C A R L E T
    . 77 .
    We stayed separate until the farmers came home and people came out of their houses so we could fade into them like shadows. The