Wen Read online

  “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.

  Chapter Eight

  Wen shoved a piece of furniture in front of the door, lifted their backpacks, and carried them into the bedroom once they’d locked themselves inside the apartment. Gerri followed him around. He ditched the backpacks, then did another search of the apartment. He shook his head, implying nothing had changed since they’d left. She relaxed but he still lifted a finger to his lips, hinting for her to keep her voice low if she spoke.

  “We’re safe here, sweetheart.” He said that loud, in case the pack was listening from another apartment or the hallway.

  “I know. I trust you. Should we get some sleep? I’m tired.”

  “Sure.” He took her back into the bedroom.

  She began to strip but Wen shook his head, just removing his shoes. Gerri hated sleeping in her clothes, but she knew Wen didn’t want them naked in case of an attack. She just removed her shoes as well, then climbed on the bed.

  He pushed her to the side nearest the wall, and took the outside of the bed as they settled down. Then he pulled her close, pressing his mouth against her ear as they cuddled up together. “That Vamp is fucking nuts,” he whispered.

  “I agree. So can we leave yet?” He’d know she was really asking if he could just kill Horton already. He wasn’t playing with a full deck of cards, so it was best if he was taken out quickly. Anyone who’d spent any time with him would have seen that too. Whatever he’d said or done in his bid to start a war probably wasn’t taken too seriously by anyone with a brain.

  Wen hesitated. “Not yet. He’s just looking for a target for his rage. Now he’s focused on Decker.”

  “I get what you’re saying.” It would be nice if Horton killed Decker. “He can’t touch him though. His own council is keeping that jerk safe.” She couldn’t see a reason to let Horton live since there was no way he’d be able to get to the ex-clan leader.

  “Let’s give it time,” Wen whispered. “At least he might change his tune if we allow him to contact his friends.”

  In other words, Wen hoped the false rumors Horton had circulated about VampLycans would be put to rest if he ranted about Decker and the council instead. “Then I hope he has a big mouth,” she whispered.

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