Tenia sat down on the couch and leaned back. Her head hurt, which was bizarre because fae rarely got sick, experienced headaches, or suffered from any other maladies common to humans.
Skender sat beside her and ran a hand down her thigh. “What’s wrong?”
“I think it’s the magic I’m using on Claude.” She pressed her fingers against her temples. “I’ve never tried to maintain mind-control for so long and over such a long distance. I think it’s wearing on me.”
A look of frustration passed Skender’s face. “Maybe you should drop the spell.”
Tenia gave a mirthless laugh. “No way. Our entire plan depends on it.”
“It’s not worth something bad happening to you.”
“It won’t.”
“But that’s not the only problem,” she said out loud. “We’ve got a healer in league with the freaking vampire king.” Tenia laughed, a humorless sound. “Never thought I’d see the day when that would happen.”
“Unfortunately, there’s a first time for everything.”
She sighed and leaned her head against his shoulder. She heard Lilly’s voice in the background but didn’t focus on her words. Tenia was still shocked that Alice defended Cain. She knew what the vamp king was doing, yet she still defended him. What was the world coming to when a gypsy healer stood on the side of the vampires?
“Fane said we wait to hear back from Alice after Lizzy’s transition is complete.” Lilly glanced down at them. “And he agreed that we don’t need to tell the healers anything at this point.”
“Lilly, what about Costin?” Skender asked. “If he knows anything, then Sally will, too.”
“Only Fane and Jacque were in his office when I spoke to him. He’s smart, Skender. He knows that even his closest warriors are on a need-to-know basis at this point.”
“That’s not going to go over well with Decebel. Or Sorin, considering he was Fane’s personal bodyguard his whole life.”
“He’s the alpha, Skender. And he has everyone’s best interest at heart. Until he proves he’s not up to the task, we trust Fane’s judgement.”
Jen and Jacque were pouring sweat. They stared across at their mates, who were also sweating, though, to Jen’s irritation, not nearly as much as she and Jacque. The partners had been sparring with one another for almost an hour now. Costin and Titus were present, as well, and it was incredibly fun to watch the little furball attempt to take them down. He didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell, but Jen found it hilarious when Dec occasionally let the pup believe he could win. Titus would strut around like a preening peacock. Jen made sure to knock him off his pedestal every time with a good body slam. She had to admit the kid was tough. Jen wasn’t pulling her punches.
“Why do I feel like you’re not telling me something?” Jen asked Jacque between blocking Decebel’s overhead punch and countering with one of her own.
“Because I’m not.” Jacque answered as she dodged Fane’s claws. The group was mostly in their human forms and had only phased things like their hands, teeth, and eyes. “There are lots of things I don’t tell you.”
“You know that’s not what I mean, Red,” Jen said dryly. “What’s going on with the whole vampire-healer-hybrid crap?”
“We’re waiting to hear from the healer,” Fane answered before Jacque could. “Once we know more, we will formulate a plan. We can’t go in blind. I won’t risk our people.”
Jen stopped, taken aback by his abrupt tone. Decebel stepped up next to her side, and she looked up at her mate and noticed his glowing eyes focused on Fane.
Fane stared back at his beta. After a few heartbeats, Decebel dropped his gaze.
“What was that?” Jen asked her mate.
“Nothing,” Decebel responded, his voice sharp.
“Seriously? You think I’m blind? I saw the power play between you two. Why, Dec?”
He looked at her and cupped her cheek. “I don’t know. That’s the truth. But you’re right. There’s something Fane isn’t telling us.”
Jen frowned. “Since when does he keep secrets?”
“Whatever it is, I trust he has a good reason to keep it close to the vest.”
“So you’re telling me I shouldn’t go calling the people who are working on the Area 51 deal-io to see if I can find out what’s what?”
Decebel gripped her chin in his hand. “That’s exactly what I’m telling you, female. Promise me.”
