Page 67 of Glitched Fates & Stolen Mates

“Bullshit,” Rory snapped. “He only ever sleeps in my pocket.”

Wren shook his head like Rory had lost his mind. “See for yourself.”

Rory reached into Wren’s coat pocket and withdrew one small, grey, undead ferret. Freddy’s yellow eye cracked open, glaring at Rory for disturbing his slumber.

Wren looked smugly vindicated. I didn’t blame him.

Rory clutched Freddy to his chest and scowled at Wren as if he’d been trying to steal him. The ferret nuzzled deeper into Rory’s jacket, apparently content to be reunited.

“So, no chance of a thank you, then, I take it?” Wren said sarcastically.

“How did you get in?” Seb demanded.

Wren rolled his eyes. “I was going to knock, then Freddy jumped out of my arms, slid through the letterbox, and before I knew it, the door was opening.”

Someone had been careless, if it was that easy for Freddy to open the front door.

“Freddy scurried up my leg into my coat pocket, because I had some more cookie for him there, in case he was pesky on the walk here.” Wren shifted against his restraints. “I was going to shout out for you guys, then I saw your freaky doll thing at the reception desk. I didn’t know you’d fucking threaten me with a knife and tie me to a chair just for stopping by and saying hey. Else I wouldn’t have come.” His voice turned bitter. “Don’t you all have work to be doing, like, say, renovating the hotel?”

Seb’s eyes narrowed. “Yes, indeed.”

I leaned closer to Priya and whispered, “Do we think we can let him go now?”

Before she could answer, Theo knocked and entered. “Flynn’s checked all the camera feeds. Freddy let him into the hotel. The front door wasn’t secured properly.”

Kit would be fuming if he was here. The front door should have been triple-locked, with the secondary bolt engaged. The thought of his scowl reminded me all over again that he wasn’t here. That we still had no idea where he was or what had happened to him.

At least Wren had nothing to do with it. Seemingly.

Seb’s expression turned thunderous. “We’ll have to review security protocols.”

Wren blinked at Theo, recognition dawning across his features. “Hey, aren’t you a cop? I have a serious complaint to make against these guys!”

Rory snorted. “Good luck with that, mate.”

“Well, this turned out to be rather a hilarious misunderstanding, didn’t it?” Priya said brightly, clapping her hands together as if we’d all been playing a delightful game instead of traumatising an innocent barista.

Wren looked distinctly unamused.

“I could make you a lovely cup of tea?” Priya offered hopefully. “Earl Grey? Chamomile?”

“I need to get back to work,” Wren said flatly.

Seb produced a knife from somewhere and sliced through the zip ties with one swift movement. Wren rubbed his wrists, red marks circling where the zip ties had bitten in, shooting dark looks at all of us.

“Don’t expect any more free upgrades after this,” he said, standing and straightening his coat.

Rory had the audacity to groan.

“And don’t let Freddy come to Fat Cat’s without you again.” He paused, studying the zombie ferret nestled in Rory’s arms. Freddy’s yellow eyes glowed faintly in the harsh fluorescent light, patches of grey bone visible through his matted fur. “What… what is his deal, by the way?”

“What?” Rory clutched Freddy closer to his chest, defensive.

Wren opened his mouth, then shook his head. “Never mind.”

He headed for the door, movements fierce with anger.

“I’ll walk you out,” I said quickly, wondering if our friendship would survive this complete disaster. The others thankfully let us walk alone, though I could feel eyes tracking our movement down the corridor.