This speech gave me a shiver, but Abel didn’t hesitate. He just amended his question. “Were you placed here?”

“Yes.”

“Are there others like you?”

“One, a vampire soldier.”

“What’s his name?”

“Bjorn.”

Abel looked to Stephanie. She nodded and took off.

Abel kept going.

“Do you know of my abilities?”

“Abilities?” the vampire asked as an answer.

Abel didn’t answer him. He kept going.

“Do you know of any abilities The Three have?”

The vampire’s brow knit before he repeated, “No.”

“Have you been listening to The Three?” Abel asked.

“It’s difficult to get close to the quarters of The Three without being noticed. The brothers and cousin of the false king of the wolves are untrusting and annoyingly watchful.”

Well, thank God for that.

“So you’ve been trying to listen,” Abel remarked.

“Unsuccessfully.”

There was a sharp knock on the door, but before I could go to it, it was opened by Lucien.

He came in, glancing at Abel, Stephanie, and me before he closed the door, then turned his attention fully to the man in the hot seat.

Abel continued without hesitation. “Who do you believe the true king of the werewolves is?”

“The true king of the werewolves will be the true immortal wolf who takes the head of the false king or any of his family who try to oppose him.”

I swallowed at that, but Abel kept at him.

“Are you aware of any of the plans of those who call themselves the true immortals?”

“Only that the golem attack this compound tomorrow evening by sea.”

I pulled in breath and looked to the side, taking in Abel, Stephanie, and Lucien. Lucien’s jaw was hard. Abel’s eyes were narrowed. Stephanie looked ready to pounce.

“And how will the golem attack by sea with the compound’s security in place?” Abel pushed.

“The vampire soldier, Bjorn, will be on shift at that time and he supervises the cliffside security.”

Abel kept at him. “You’re aware of no other plans those who call themselves the true immortals have against this compound, the members of The Three, or humanity?”

“I am a spy for The True. I gather information and communicate it to those who will use it. I’m not privy to strategy. However, I’m expected to keep watch for Bjorn tomorrow night.”

Abel carried on, “Who put the cameras in the trees?”

“Humans working on the security detail for The Vampire Dominion. Being human, they are easily swayed by payments of large sums of money.”

I watched Abel’s eyes narrow further and knew why when he stated, “I’d asked if there were others and you spoke of no humans. Only this vampire, Bjorn.”

The mind-controlled drone of his voice held a hint of sneer when he replied, “You asked if there were others ‘like me.’ No human is like me.”