The fae frowned. “She’s a sprite.”
“Your powers of observation have obviously not dimmed despite all these decades of living amongst the humans.” Cain patted the fae awkwardly on the back. “Good for you.”
“The sprite never leave their realm.”
“Things change.” Cain stepped toward the female, and she scurried back until a tree trunk stopped her.
She held a hand out in front of her. “That’s close enough.”
Cain rolled his eyes. “I’m not going to hurt you.” Jeez, he was sick of working with weak, timid beings. “Why would I when you’re giving me such valuable information?”
“What’s to say you won’t hurt meafterI give you the information?” she challenged.
“What information?” the fae asked.
The vampire king glanced at him. “You don’t get to ask questions.”
The male glared at Cain but kept his mouth shut.
Cain looked back at the sprite. “Do you have the information for me or not?”
“Swear to me by the Great Luna that you won’t hurt me.” Her voice shook as she shifted restlessly.
“Bloody hell,” he muttered. “I give you my word that I won’t hurt you. I have no need to.”
Soon enough he would have complete control of the supernatural world, and she would simply be a necessary casualty. She wouldn’t die by his hand directly, so he wasn’t lying. Not that it mattered if he was lying. But on principle, he tried to be an honest villain. Honor among thieves and all that.
She watched him, and then finally made a decision. “They’re a hundred miles north of here.” She pointed behind her. “Those that chose not to challenge Fane. They have claimed to pledge him loyalty, but there’s been talk of some that still don’t like the idea of having an alpha rule over all other alphas.”
“Rogues?” The fae spoke again.
“Okay, I spoke too soon,” Cain said dryly. “Clearly, being in the human realmhasdumbed you down.”
“You might find some willing to work with you,” she finished.
“Why are you helping him?” the fae’s brow dropped low.
“Do you ever shut up?” Cain pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Because Perizada killed four of my kind when she used cold fire on the Order compound, and she’s not even apologized to the sprites.” Bitterness dripped from the sprite female’s lips. “Their deaths deserve to be avenged.”
The fae shifted on his feet and clasped his hands in front of him. “And working with your enemy does that how?”
Cain shot the fae a glare that would have sent a human running. “Stop. Talking.” Then he looked back at the sprite. “You have been most helpful, and I assure you, any sprite who stands with the vampires will be treated well. Our friend here—” He motioned toward the fae.
“I prefer associate.”
“Whatever,” Cain muttered. “Will take you where you’d like to go.” He looked back at the male. “I’ll meet you a hundred miles north.” He pointed in the same direction the sprite had. “If you don’t follow through, I will make sure you never return to the fae realm.”
The male didn’t say anything as he walked over to the simpering sprite, his eyes remaining on Cain. He held his arm out to her, and she gingerly laid her hand on it. “I have—” she began.
“Just show me in your mind,” the fae told her. Then they were gone.
Cain pulled out his cell phone and glanced at the time. “Damn, I’m good.” He smiled as he checked his messages. Making allies was so much easier when you had a vast network of vampires pounding the pavement on your behalf. Not to mention the ability to send them on petty errands whenever you wanted. Sincaro had been a fool with no vision. Now, Cain would move his people to the top of the food chain, where they should have been all along. In just over a few months, Cain had come up with a way to curb the impulse control vampires struggled with, take downthealpha, and create the perfect species which would also take care of the cockroach infestation otherwise known as human beings.
He put on a burst of speed and headed in the direction of the rogue pack. With any luck, Cain would have a full-blooded wolf, or more, to take back to the scientist. And by this time tomorrow, Alston would be dead. “Life is good.”
“Are you sure about that, bloodsucker?”
