Page 76 of Those That Are Lost

“You are?” Henry and Antares question whilst I outright say, “No.”

“It would get me into the pack, then we could also establish who might switch sides,” Red argues with me, ignoring the other two.

“Absolutely not!” I move my hand from where it had been on her thigh to her chin, making sure she’s looking at me as I say it. “You are not risking yourself like that.”

“Care to share with the group?” Henry leans forward in his seat, placing his arms on his elbows.

Red pulls back out of my grasp but links her fingers with mine, it feels like she’s placating me. It works but I won’t be relenting on this.

“Adicious still wants me. If we kidnapped one of his males, and I returned with them, I’m sure he’d let me back into the pack. As we think at least a couple of them want out as much as Ty did, I could check it out, see just how many we need to take out, and how many are likely to switch. It could even up our numbers a lot.”

Henry thinks on it for a minute.

Antares grins like he’s been let in on the biggest game of his life, but his shoulders drop a second later. “It wouldn’t work. He’d scent your mate-bond straight away and know it's a ploy.”

I might actually like the pint-sized shithead after all.

“Dammit. I thought I had something.” Red might be disappointed but I feel nothing but relief.

“Why couldn’t you both go?” Henry suggests.

“Because Adicious would kill Ty on the spot. Fighting would break out before we stood a chance at assessing the rest of them. It’s not worth the risk.” Red shoots back. Her vehemence matches mine when thinking about my old pack leader being in close proximity.

“And why not take them all out?”

“Because they don’t deserve to die if they’re just as trapped as Ty was,” Red states.

“I agree,” I add. “We know Atlas, at the very least, and Mitch too, don’t like how the pack is run and would want out. I won’t kill anyone unless they pose a threat.”

“I’ll do it! I’ll be your spy!” Antares declares, clapping his hands together as he bounces on the couch.

All three of us blink at him. Why would he volunteer himself for that, Adicious doesn’t know him. Hell, he met usonly a few days ago, why would he sign up for a mission like this for some vampires he barely knows.

“Antares, it would be dangerous. Adicious has no reason to keep you alive,” Henry points out.

“He wants more vampires, doesn’t he?” Antares pushes.

“I can’t say for sure. Adicious might be looking for more males but he tends to be selective in who he lets in. I was never privy to that process,” I tell him honestly.

“Why would you risk it? Aren’t you safe here? It would be dangerous,” Red voices the questions floating round both our heads.Apart from the one showing concern for him, that’s all her.

“Safe?” He chuckles. “I’m never safe. I stay here so I can keep tabs on those that might recognise me, might realise I’m still alive. My father might be gone but I still have family that would cause mayhem if they find out that I’m not dead. And if they find out I’m a vampire, we’re all fucked. If I’m watching them, they’re never going to surprise me. I have to watch them to avoid them spotting me.

“As for why? I like you. You seem decent, and if getting you your pack lands back means there’s a few less assholes in the world, then I want to help. I feel like shit for what my kind did. They blamed their own shortcomings on the vampires and it spiralled beyond all fucking control. Helping you two would be the biggestfuck youI can give.”

I can’t decide. I don’twantto trust him, but if he gets himself killed in the process, at least Red isn’t putting herself in danger.

“Come on, let me play!” Antares whines, like we’re discussing a board game.

“If you fuck this up, I will kill you. If you fail, it’ll be harder for us to get near Adicious.”

“I won’t fail! Get in, get intel…” He counts on his fingers. “Recruit some vampires to our side, tell you about it. Then, we can all go in and kill him.” His smile is far too eager.

“Fine,” Red concedes, although I can tell she won’t stop thinking over alternatives in the meantime.

“We need to hunt down and capture whoever is scouting here first,” I say.

“Already ahead of you there. I know exactly where they’re staying.” Antares winks at me before rising and heading to the bathroom.