THE SHADOWS OF BETRAYAL

Samantha's POV Under the strain, the air between us seemed as though it would crack. Standing at the far end of the alley, Jared fixed Adrian with a cold, calculated look. His grin was like a predator poised for attack. Though Jared didn't care, I could see the agony in Adrian's posture—the way he was holding himself together through just will. For him, this game was one of importance. a contrived power play. Heart pounding, I grabbed Adrian's arm tightly. Though we had come so far and battled so hard, I sensed Jared had another agenda—something we had not considered. Though Jared wasn't giving his troops instructions, his soldiers stood behind him ready to act in his direction. Not presently. This moment should be intimate, he wanted. "I thought you had learnt your lesson the last time, Adrian," Jared yelled across the little passageway. But once more here we are. You simply could not leave sufficiently alone, could you? Though his jaw tightened, Adrian said nothing. Though tired, his eyes blazed with will. Not now, not now was he going to allow Jared to reach him. Jared's eyes veered to me, and a chill shot down my back. "And you, Samantha." More problems than you are worth you have caused me. When I got the chance, I ought to have finished this. Rising taller, I forbade him from seeing how much his words shook me. Jared, you are not going to win. NOT THIS TIME. Jared laughed—the sound sharp and full of disdain. Oh, I already have the winner. You haven't yet understood it. Something changed in his expression—a flash of gratification as though he were ready to unveil the last bit of his scheme. I looked at Adrian, but he was already moving, trying to keep himself between Jared and me. Though I could see the hardship it was causing him, his protective instinct was as strong as it had ever been. "You have always been predictable, Adrian," Jared replied, his voice hardening. Samantha, though, you are more like me than you would suppose. I stopped, the words hovering like a threat. For what was he acquiring? "You see," Jared said, his eyes shining with hate, "I've always known how this would end." Did you not believe you could trust Alex? Believed he was at last on your side. Actually, Alex is on his own side only; he is on no one else's side. Fear shot through me, my heart plummeting. Alex.... has he turned on us? Was he still gaming Jared's game after all? "Where is he?," I insisted, my voice quivering even as I tried to sound firm. Jared grinned broadly. He is exactly where I need him to be. His statements have ramifications that really feel like a kick to the gut. I had trusted Alex, thought he was at last escaping Jared's grasp. But right now, everything is logical. His hesitancy, the way he remained staring at Jared even after declaring to be on our side. All had been a front-stage performance. I said, "No," shaking my head. Neither would he. Adrian looked at me, his face softening momentarily. Sam, you should not believe him. Jared just wants to get into your head. Still, the uncertainty had already established roots. In Jared's eyes, I could see the truth—the gratification of knowing he had surpassed us. Alex had deceived us; we had not even seen it approaching. Jared stepped forward, his confidence rising with every second that passed. "Alex's only loyalty has always been to power. And right now it is me that can provide him that. I developed a horrible feeling in my gut. This was not only a struggle for existence now. It was a struggle for all we had labored so hard to defend. And Alex had been the weakest link. He had participated on both sides, and now Jared possessed every card. Adrian's body stiffened next to me, his breathing laboring but under control. I sensed his change, the resolve sharpening like steel. No matter what, he wasn't going to let Jared triumph. "Then it ends here," Adrian murmured, his voice firm despite the agony I knew he was in. You won't walk away from this. Jared's smile dimmed, and for the first time I sensed doubt flickering in his eyes. Adrian pushing back like this was not what he had anticipated. He had not considered our will. "You're in no position to make threats, Adrian," Jared remarked, his tone more exact now. Adrian, though, did not back off. " Maybe Not. Still, I am not alone. The words have a shock-like power. Not just Adrian was against Jared; it was all of us. We still had each other even if Alex had turned on us. Jared could never grasp that either. I moved forward, the burst of wrath replacing my fear. "Jared, you are powerless over us these days. We are through playing your game. Jared's face contorted with anger, his control breaking for the first time. His troops surged forward, prepared to strike when he yelled an order. But a loud roar rang down the passageway as they progressed. the sound of several engines. As headlights emerged from around the corner, my heart shot into my throat and blinded the alley in brilliant, terrible light. Jared's guys stammered, uncertainty flashing over their faces. Their expectations had not included this. none of us carried. The doors sprang open while the cars shrieked to stop. Figures emerged, armed and ready, their features stern with will. Alex went first. My eyes went black, unbelievable. He moved forward, his face austere, yet his eyes—those familiar eyes—met mine with an unclear glance. He was here to wrap us up? Had he also come to correct things? Jared turned his mouth into a grimace. "Alex, I was wondering when you would be showing up. Right in time to see me grab everything. Alex, though, continued. His eyes fixed on Adrian and me, he passed Jared squarely. The planet seemed to pause for a time. I had no idea whom to believe. Alex deceived us; was he here to save us? "You have a choice, Alex, Jared yelled with hate in his voice. "You can side with them and lose it all or walk away with everything I promised." Alex's face stayed motionless, but I could sense struggle in his eyes. With his hands at his sides, he halted only a few steps from us and for a long period no one moved. Alex then gradually turned to Jared. His voice firm but frigid, he continued, "I'm done with you." The end is here. Jared's face twisted with fury, but before he could respond Alex lifted his hand to indicate his men. Grab them. Once more chaos broke out, but this time Jared's men were not in charge. Alex's soldiers moved quickly, precisely overwhelming Jared's guys. Gunfire rang around the alley, but it was obvious Jared's hold on power was slipping. Frozen, I watched as everything happened. Alex had decided on us. All in all, he had made the correct decision. Still, it wasn't quite finished. Jared was still standing, his eyes blazing with rage at realizing he had lost. Alex lunged forward and knocked his gun from his hand before he could fire. For a brief period they battled, but Alex's will prevailed. His face inches from that of his erstwhile friend, he pinned Jared against the wall. Alex said, "You lose, Jared," with a finality. But Jared laughed low, dangerously just as the tension appeared to release. He tilted his head slightly and fixed me. "You view this as over, Samantha?" His voice was poisoned and he snarled. "You should be worried about others as well." And I realized at that instant Jared had one more card to play and a secret. something capable of breaking everything. And it was just about ready to be unveiled.