Wen finally faced her. “Stay in character,” he mouthed.
Gerri wondered if he heard someone in an apartment next to theirs or if he’d seen a bug she couldn’t. “I’m worried, baby.” She winked. “Are you sure they aren’t going to turn us over to the VampLycans?”
“I don’t think so.” He raised his voice a little. “I know the clans would attack any Lycans or Vampires that were hanging out together. They’d be paranoid about that. I think we’re good. Relax, mate.”
“I’m just so tired of always running.” She batted her eyelashes at him. “Thank goodness you’re so big and strong.”
He smiled, amused. “There, there, baby. Don’t cry. You know I can’t stand it when you do. You’re being so brave for a human.”
She lifted her hand and flipped him off, then spun away. There was no way she was going to pretend to sob if someone were listening to them. It sank in that they were four floors up in a building with Vamps and Lycans. She’d caught it when Wen had stated he smelled at least two dozen rogues. That was more than they’d expected. At any second, they could attack. Wen would be greatly outnumbered.
He grabbed her around her waist, turning her in his arms, and pressed her against the wall. It stunned her enough to gasp as he lifted her right off her feet.
His lips came down over hers and his tongue swept into her mouth. He also pressed his body against her and wiggled his hips until she spread her thighs, wrapping them around his waist. She moaned as he rubbed the length of his stiff cock along her pussy.
She clutched at him, turned on. He smelled so good and felt so right. It was insane to fool around while they were in a nest of crazy Vamps and rogue Lycans, but she didn’t shove him away. He finally ended the kiss and stared into her eyes. His were glowing. She didn’t fear him messing with her mind. He was just turned on too.
“Better?” He whispered the words. “You were scenting of fear.”
“So you decided to make me hot and wet?”
He grinned. “Yes.” His nostrils flared. “Mmmm.”
“Doggy sex treat,” she muttered.
“My doggy sex treat though. You being aroused will mask some of your emotions for a little while and maybe put these assholes off their game, if they’re watching you more so than me.”
“We just established they have no women here. Are you sure this is the best thing to do? Tag, I don’t want to be it.”
“Horton wants info too much,” he murmured, letting her down. “He’s motivated to keep them in line.” He released her and checked out the apartment again.
She watched him, staying against the wall. Her legs felt a little shaky. It would have annoyed her, except she’d seen the front of his pants. She wasn’t the only one his little make-out session had affected. He sported a huge bulge. She tore her gaze from him, looking for anything that could be used as weapons if they were ever attacked in the apartment. There wasn’t much. Whoever had lived there before hadn’t owned many things.
Wen came back to her, looking grim. She arched an eyebrow. He snagged her hand and led her to the corner, where a couch sat, and pointed. She spotted a dark stain. It looked like dried blood. She looked at him.
“Human,” he mouthed.
It meant the nest and rogues had probably taken the building by force instead of buying it. Horton had admitted to using feeders. She had a bad feeling that the last resident had become food. Her gaze went around the room once more; she was pretty certain a man had lived there. The apartment didn’t have a homey feel to it, instead feeling a little cold. That was probably a good thing, since Vampy women hadn’t fared well with the rogues.
“Shit,” she mouthed back.
Wen grimly nodded.
A knock sounded on the door and Wen let her go, pointing to the kitchen. She moved fast, putting the small island between her and the living room. Her gaze landed on a pan left on the stove. It looked clean but heavy. It would work if she needed to hit someone. Wen motioned for her to stay back before he opened the door.
A Lycan stood there holding a large bag. Even Gerri could pick up the scent of food from across the room. Wen took the bag. The Lycan turned, not saying a word, and stomped off. He hadn’t looked happy, tasked with getting them something to eat. Wen closed and locked the door before approaching her.
“Think it’s safe?”
He shrugged, placing the bag on the counter. “Horton wants us alive.”
“But drugged would be better, I’m sure. It would make us more manageable.”
The bag sat there untouched. Gerri was glad they’d eaten at the diner. Wen snatched it up again, strode to the fridge and stuffed the bag inside. They’d have to eventually find a way to eat that didn’t involve the enemy bringing them possibly drugged or poisoned food. Wen stared at her, his expression clear to read.
“Get that look off your face.”
“What look?”
“It’s the tree house, all over again. I’m in this, Wen.”
“I worry,” he admitted.
“Me too.”
“It won’t be long. Just stay next to me, be prepared for anything.”
She nodded, then closed the distance between them. He looked surprised when she snuggled into his chest, wrapping her arms around him. A second later he held her tight.
“It’s going to be okay.” She had to have faith.
He lowered his chin to rest on the top of her head. “Two days,” he whispered. “At most. Then we’ll be out of here.”
She filled in what he didn’t say aloud. He must think that would give him enough time to learn everything the clan wanted to know. She just hoped he was right. The Lycan alpha made her nervous. He outright hated her, had made that obvious, and he had a crazy look in his eyes. It meant his entire pack would be as unstable. Otherwise they wouldn’t follow him.
Time crawled by until Wen loosened his hold on her. “We need to go downstairs.”
She nodded, releasing him. Wen met her gaze. “You stay close to me, got it?”
“Like a flea on a dog.”
A quick grin flashed across his face and he shook his head. “Brat.” He sobered and walked around her.
She followed close, waited for him to open the door, and then shadowed him. No one was waiting for them and they didn’t run into any of the Lycans until they reached the bottom floor. Joel and two of his pack stood by the front door, blocking it as if they planned to escape. The alpha pointed to a door.
“In there.”
Wen reached back, gripped Gerri’s arm, and tugged her to his side as they passed them. She knew he did it to keep her protected, putting his body between her and the rogues. He knocked, the Vampire yelled at them to enter, and Wen shoved open the door. He pushed Gerri in first.
The apartment had been mostly gutted of furniture and the living room had been turned into an office. Horton sat behind a desk. He yanked a cell phone from his ear and placed it down in front of him. His gaze locked on Wen. “Have a seat.”
Gerri glanced around but there weren’t any chairs.
Wen growled low. “I don’t think I belong on the floor. Nor does my mate.”
Motion had Gerri spinning, watching as a Vampire carried in two dining room chairs from the hallway. Wen adjusted her, forcing her to step closer to the front of his body. The Vamp put the chairs down near the desk then fled.
Horton waved them to sit as the door closed behind them. Wen released her and jerked his head. She took the seat farthest from the desk. He moved the other chair closer to her, then sat. He scowled at Horton.
“I see you as an equal, VampLycan. Put your fangs away. We’re friends.”
“I wouldn’t go that far. What do you want to know in exchange for telling me human-only areas? I’m far from territory I’m familiar with. We traveled through Canada but my mate had a hard time living in the wilderness. The cities were filled with Lycans and Vamps. Then we crossed into the United States yesterday.”
“We’ll get to that. What clan did you belong to?”
“Decker’s. I already told you that.”
“Yes, Decker. You didn’t like him?”
“I hate the bastard. He’ll kill us all if given the chance.”
“Why were you a part of his clan then?”
Wen hesitated.
“Just tell him the truth, baby,” Gerri urged. “We aren’t given a choice.”
Horton fixed his gaze on her. “You aren’t, perhaps, but he’s a VampLycan.”
“Be quiet, mate.” Wen reached over and put his hand on her leg. “I was born into Decker’s clan. That’s how it’s decided. Decker kills anyone who tries to leave his clan. Not to mention the other clans don’t like Decker, so they would be uneasy accepting one of his members. They don’t trust us because of him. He really would send an assassin after you instead of payment if you contact him about the bounty on our heads. He’s greedy and dishonest. He uses anyone he can to get his way, and then murders them when their use is up.”
Gerri remained silent. Most of what Wen had said was the truth, except where he’d been born.
“What about her? I can’t see Decker trusting a human.”
“She had a family he threatened to kill if she defied him. He murdered them long ago, but she didn’t know that. Once she realized, he fucked with her head to keep her spying for him.”
“How did she become your mate?”
“I was one of her guards. He never sent her into human towns without one of us keeping an eye on her. We also made sure she stayed in the cabin he’d put her in. He figured she’d try to escape. He fucked with her head so much, she was becoming an empty shell from the mind control. It was just a matter of time before he killed her and found a replacement. But I fell in love with her, so when the order came down, I fled with my mate. We’ve been on the run ever since. Now tell me where Vamps and Lycans prefer not to live so I can take her there.”
Horton remained silent. “How many VampLycans are there in Decker’s clan?”
“Six hundred and thirty-two,” Wen answered.
Gerri remembered her lessons from Wen as a child and focused on her heart rate, keeping it steady. He was lying and she didn’t want to give him away. He had added to the number.
“The other clans?”
“Around the same amount. They don’t exactly give us information easily about their clans. Decker wants to rule all the clans, not just ours.”
“Who do VampLycans fear?”
Wen studied the Vamp, also aware of Gerri at his side. He kept his hand on her thigh in case she gave him away when he lied. He figured he could do something sexual, like inch his hand up to her pussy, to account for her spiked heart rate if the need arose, but she didn’t let him down.
“Who do VampLycans fear?” Horton glared at him. “Tell me.”
This jerk had probably met Decker, since he’d sent his nest to Alaska. It wouldn’t hurt to tell the truth. “The GarLycan clan.”
“Why?”
“The bastards can fly, shell their bodies to near rock, and are ice cold with their emotions.”
“But we’ve been told VampLycans have a tight alliance with them.”
“Used to. Past tense. We don’t have any women they’re interested in anymore. They don’t trust anything Vampire blood. None of them want to breed with a VampLycan.”
Horton expressed his displeasure with that information by hissing. “Why do they hate Vampires?”
“No fucking clue. They just do. Once the pure-blooded Lycans all left our territories, things grew tense. Decker was always trying to become friendly with Lord Aveoth but he wasn’t having any of it.”
“So GarLycans won’t come to the defense of VampLycans?”
“I wouldn’t say that.”
“Why?”
“Our territories are close to each other. They don’t want Vamps anywhere near them.”
“You must know why they hate us. Tell me the truth.”
“I don’t know.” Wen sighed, getting irritated. “Ever met a GarLycan?”
“Of course not.”
“Lucky you. They’re cold bastards. You think you Vamps corner the market on being heartless?” Wen snorted. “They make your kind seem downright cuddly and chatty. They keep to themselves and don’t share information with us. At least not with Decker. I don’t know how they interact with the other clans.”
“So the clans aren’t close at all?” Glee showed in Horton’s eyes. “That’s good news.”
Wen forced a smile. That used to be true, but not anymore, not since Lorn had taken over Decker’s clan. Now they worked together. “I don’t see how that’s helpful to you. You said they took out your nest. Which clan attacked you?”
“Decker’s. That bastard lied to us.”
Wen flew from his chair fast, pretending to be outraged. “You know him? This was a trap. I knew it!”
“Sit. He sent us to Alaska with false information. He said he still controlled his clan but they came after my nest anyway.”
Wen growled, his fangs and claws growing. “Talk, Vamp. What in the hell are you saying? You have an alliance with Decker?”
“We believed we did. He went to our council, promising to help them take out their enemies. He even promised my master a VampLycan to use however he wanted. He swore no one would retaliate when he sent us to Alaska. That was a lie.” Horton motioned for Wen to sit.
Wen hesitated, then righted the chair, planting his ass on it hard. “Decker always lies.”
“I contacted the council about the loss of my master.” Anger had Horton hissing. “They didn’t care. Decker is in their good graces right now, and they are protecting him in Chicago. He wiped out a few nests that refused to take their orders. It’s blasphemy for those conceited assholes to choose the VampLycan over their own kind. My master was loyal to the council.”
That was one piece of the puzzle. Now he knew why the council would work with Decker. “So Decker is with your council?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Don’t you know?” Horton stared at him with narrowed eyes.
“I fled with my mate a few months ago. I haven’t been in contact with anyone from my clan. I knew I couldn’t trust them.”
“I wasn’t given all the details. I’d hoped you could tell me.” Horton calmed, seeming to think as he tapped his fingers on the top of the desk. “I was just on the phone with another master who hates the council. He’s heard a rumor that Decker’s clan had sent him packing, and that’s why he’s turned to the council.”
“The clan turned against Decker?” Wen tried to appear stunned. “Wow. I had no idea.”
“They are still hunting for you, VampLycan. My source confirmed it. You still need me. Word has spread to be on the lookout for you and the human spy. The bounty is huge, and your clan has contacted every pack and nest with your photos.”
The Vamp could lie well enough to impress Wen. He couldn’t detect any change of scent or heart rate coming from him. There was no bounty out on them. “I’m sure they want us dead. I killed other VampLycans to save my mate.”
Horton leaned back in his chair, folding his hands together over his chest. “I need to think. Perhaps I’ve gone about this all wrong.”
“You’re considering collecting the bounty?”
“No. Not that. I blamed all the VampLycans for the death of my master. Perhaps it’s just Decker I need to focus on.” He suddenly leaned forward, staring intently at Wen. “You know him well, don’t you?”
“Yes. I grew up in his clan. That’s why I’m telling you to never trust him. He’ll fuck you over every time.”
Anger flashed in the Vamp’s eyes. “And the council is protecting him.”
Wen watched the Vamp close, taking in every twitch of his facial expressions. He could guess what Horton was thinking. He’d claimed he wanted to start a war with VampLycans, but he really just wanted revenge on Decker. He was more than happy to help him come to that conclusion.
“Decker will use your council and kill them when he’s gotten whatever he wants. That’s how he works. Then he’ll find someone else to use to gain what he wants next.”
“Good,” Horton hissed, his rage building as his eyes glowed, his fangs elongating. “Those bastards deserve it. King Charles was better than all of them combined. A swift death is too damn good for the council members, and Decker isn’t allowed to get away with what he’s done. He set my master up to be slaughtered.”
“Sounds like Decker. He probably laughed his ass off. The jerk is fucking insane.”
Horton rose, and in a blink, attacked the wall nearest his desk, punching holes into it. Gerri’s heart rate spiked but Wen gave her thigh a gentle squeeze, not taking his attention from the Vamp. If he turned his rage on them, he wanted to be ready to protect her.
Horton finally stopped. He smiled when he faced them, as if his bloody hands and the damage to the wall amused him. “You’re going to tell me everything about Decker.”
“Fine. I still want to know where I can take my mate that will be safe, and I need money.”
“You don’t care that I plan to kill your clan leader?”
“He stopped being my leader the moment he ordered the death of my mate. I have no loyalty to that bastard. I never liked him.”
“I must plot.” Horton paced. “Go upstairs. We’ll speak tomorrow night. I want you to tell me how best to get his enforcers to turn on him. Think hard and long, VampLycan.” His gaze drifted to Gerri, then back to Wen. “You want to keep your mate safe. I want revenge.”
“Understood.” Wen rose to his feet, holding out his hand. Gerri took it and he led her out of the room.