Gerri had spent all her time indoors, reading books, rather than playing outside with the others. He had never understood her reasons until he’d finally asked her why. Some moments in life stuck in one’s mind, and that was one of them. She’d peered up at him with her big blue eyes and tears had formed inside them.
“My dad says I’m easy prey, and I should stay inside where I’m safe. He doesn’t want anything to happen to me. Trayis said I needed to be around other kids but they won’t chase away anything that comes after me. I almost walked into baby moose last week. I couldn’t hear or smell it. It was a good thing it was alone or I might have been attacked. I’m going to have to become a craftsman like my dad or stay inside all the time like my mom does when I grow up. I tried to lift my dad’s chainsaw so he could teach me to make sculptures, but it was too heavy. One day, when I’m bigger, I’m going to do that every day until I’m so good I have a future.”
Wen had pitied her. He’d started taking her outdoors and even taught her how to fight. She’d been really smart, had a sense of humor, and he’d enjoyed spending time with her. Their bond had grown until he couldn’t imagine life without his G.L.
His grip on her hand tightened as he followed the insane Vampire into one of the buildings down the block. He wasn’t going to allow anything to happen to her.
The Lycans followed. They were quiet but he could still pick up the sounds they made. It was going to be bad if they were being led into a trap.
Vampires were greedy and selfish. He had something Horton wanted though, and Gerri was the only leverage he could use against Wen. He’d thought it out well and tried to relax. He’d had to risk his life often in the past on these kinds of missions but this one was different. G.L.’s life was on the line too.
The interior of the building was nicer than the exterior. Someone had spent money having it repainted. Horton turned after they entered and smiled. “Welcome to our current home. It’s guarded twenty-four-seven by Joel’s pack.”
The Lycan curled his lip, glaring at Wen. He got the message loud and clear. The alpha of the rogue pack wasn’t happy about having them as guests and made no bones about it. Wen returned his attention to Horton.
“I need food and a bed for my mate.”
“Of course.” Horton turned, walking up the stairs. “This way.”
Wen yanked Gerri around to his other side and put his body between her and Joel as they passed by the alpha and climbed the stairs. It was a five-story building, from what he’d counted from the outside. They stopped on the fourth floor and the Vampire threw open a door near the top of the stairs.
“Here you are. I’ll have one of Joel’s pack bring something for dinner. Expect food in twenty or so minutes. I want you downstairs while she eats. We have information to exchange.”
“You think I’m going to leave her alone?” Wen shook his head. “It’s never going to happen.”
“I don’t trust humans. The pack will keep an eye on her.”
“I don’t trust anyone here,” Wen countered. “She remains at my side.” He took off his backpack and tossed it on the floor.
Gerri did the same.
“We have common goals.” Horton frowned. “We both want to hurt the VampLycans enough to keep them from ever coming after us. It would be stupid to harm her. You wouldn’t tell me what I want to know if I did.”
“It would be stupid to leave her alone in a building like this one.” Wen sharply inhaled. “I’ve picked up the scents of at least four Vampires and over two dozen Lycans since we’ve met. Do you know what I haven’t smelled? Any women from any race except for Gerri. I’m not leaving her alone to fall victim to some asshole who thinks she’s an easy meal or something to fuck. You’re a master. I shouldn’t have to tell you the temptation she poses in this scenario. Why the hell don’t you have any women here?”
Horton’s mouth firmed into a tight, white-lipped line. Wen figured he wasn’t going to answer, but then the Vamp surprised him by closing the door at his back, giving them privacy.
“They didn’t last a week. Fucking animals,” Horton whispered. “It wasn’t mine who killed them. Joel’s men were too rough with the two whores I bought them. I turned them, thinking they’d be able to survive this rabid bunch, but I didn’t foresee how violent they’d be during sex.”
Wen cringed inside, imagining the horror those poor women must have faced before their deaths. First, they’d been turned into Vamps, then thrown at a Lycan pack. He doubted they signed up for what they’d endured. “It’s a learning curve, dealing with rogues.”
“I wouldn’t say that too loud,” Horton whispered. “Joel takes offense. He’s too irrational at times to completely control but I am stuck with them for now. They want my money, and I need them to guard us during the day.”
Wen believed that. There was no other reason why rogues would hang with Vampires unless they got something out of the deal. It had to be either for money or they needed someone to do a little mind tuning on humans. “My mate stays at my side.”
“Fine. We’ll get you fed, and then both of you will come downstairs. I turned two apartments into an office. Try not to insult Joel.” Horton rolled his eyes. “Fucking Werewolves. They can turn on you.” He spun, quickly opened the door, and left.
Wen closed the door and locked it. It wasn’t a solid door but the locks would at least give them a split-second warning in case of attack if someone tried to break it down. Gerri opened her mouth but he shook his head, easing around her to check out the apartment. It smelled of a human and was a bit dusty, as if it hadn’t been lived in for weeks.
It turned out to be a one-bedroom apartment with a bathroom, kitchen, and small living area. There was no fire escape, so the windows were attack proof. Someone would have to climb to reach them, and the building wouldn’t permit that without balconies. He checked for any obvious recording devices next but found none. Gerri stayed close to him as he searched, shadowing him from room to room.
Chapter Seven
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?”
&nbs
p; 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.”