by Kym Grosso
“Jesus fucking Christ. This cannot be happening.” Jake blew out a breath and hung his head. He recalled his wolf’s feral reaction to her.
“I see you already feel something.” Quintus shrugged and sat down at the table.
“I know all about destiny. Hell, I’d be the first one to tell a wolf to suck it up and accept his mate, but Kai? I’m just really into her. But I shouldn’t be. She’ll get hurt if this continues. Not that it’s any of your damn business but I try to stick with other wolves. I’ve had an occasional vamp here and there. These girls all know the score. We aren’t mates but we get it on with no worries. You’ve gotta be careful with other species. Humans. Witches. Can’t get too close. Look what happened with Ilsbeth. She almost killed D trying to off his wolf. That’s some serious shit, right there. And my guess is that she’s not the first witch to try something like that when she’s hot for a wolf.”
“Ah, but the pixiu. She has more than just a mate.”
A look of confusion washed across Jake’s face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Why in the ever-loving hell would I mark her?” Because your wolf wants her.
“Because,” Quintus held the glass in the air, pausing as he swirled the red liquid, “the pixiu. She has a master. You, my friend, shall be hers.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to even mean? I like a little Dom play as much as the next guy but shit, I’m not into being anyone’s master. Nope. I don’t want a slave. Not for me.” Jake’s pulse raced at Quintus’ claim.
“A master doesn’t always refer to slavery. The master, he is a teacher. He is the leader. Proficient at his skills. Others defer to them, devote themselves to their happiness. Kai, though, she’s not going to be one to easily submit. Her powers, they will become the treasure of her master, to be utilized as he sees fit. To protect others. This good fortune she absorbs from others? It becomes his.”
“I don’t know about any of this…I just met her the other day. I can’t accept that a pixiu is just going to fall into my life. I’m not even the Alpha of my own pack. How do you know so much about the pixiu anyway?”
“I cannot say how this will play out but I’m certain of what’s going on. I told you. I am very…”
“Old. Yeah. Got the memo.” Jake caught the flicker of hurt in Quintus’ eyes and it took him off guard.
“Your wolf. He knows.” Quintus reflectively glanced into his wine as if he were about to recall a memory, but continued to press Jake about his relationship with Kai. “You have made love?”
“Are you asking me that for real?” Jake asked, angry at himself that he hadn’t yet showered.
“But of course I scent her on you. I cannot be one hundred percent certain, but…”
“Enough, Quint. Okay, yeah…so we’ve been together, but I’ve already explained this to her. This is just a fling. Nothing heavy. I’m helping her out of a sitch and I’ve gotta go to Cali anyway. Two people helping each other out. That’s all it is. Nothing more. Nothing less.”
“It must be nice.” Quintus laughed and took a sip of his wine.
“What now?” Jake glanced to the food and then up the steps. He didn’t want to be rude but he was starving.
“To be utterly in the dark, not accepting fate.”
Jake glared at Quintus, ripping off another piece of bread and shoving it into his mouth.
“Let me put it another way to you. Suppose I am her master. Perhaps I shall make love to her. See if she bonds with me.”
“Don’t you even fucking think of touching her,” Jake growled, nearly choking on his food. Anger speared through him at the suggestion.
“Just a fling. That’s what you said.”
“Fuck you.”
“She’s had my blood, after all. Perhaps I need to taste hers.” Quintus cocked his head and gave Jake a broad smile. “Maybe I am her master.”
“You are not her fucking master.” I am. Jake shot to his feet, blood rushing to his face. “She’s mine, Quint. I’ll kill you if you touch her.”
“And there ya go.” Quintus laughed. “You know, I’m so glad to be back in New Orleans. Best creole ever. What’s she doing up there anyway?”
The asshole had baited him, making it difficult to ignore Quintus’ theory. Jake exhaled, reining in his anger and changed the subject. “We need to talk about tonight.”
“Yes, yes. The Serpent’s Breath. You know it’s changed hands many times, this past century. Its management has been difficult to say the least.”
“I though Kade had jurisdiction.”
“The borders are blurred. With it being in Iberville’s parish, it’s within the Baton Rouge limits. The leadership up there, it varies city to city.”
“Yes, up toward St. Gabriel. So what’s the deal?”
“Kade tells me a vampire named Jonathon’s running things.”
“And?” Jake heard the creaking floorboards, but continued with the conversation.
“He’s into Voodoo. Has quite the reputation for killing on a whim. Peculiar fellow. Has a bit of a temper. Not as old or as powerful as Kasdeya. Or me.”
“Could work to our advantage. Guess he’s like most vamps. No offense if I’m over generalizing, but y’all are a competitive bunch. Vamp eat vamp so to speak.” Jake cracked a small smile, sensing the irritation in Quintus’ expression.
“We are not petty,” he asserted.
“You’re competitive. There’s a difference. You have sires but no allegiance to anyone but yourselves. You know that if Jonathon had the chance, he’d try to take down Kade. But instead, he’s lying in the outskirts. So maybe he’s not as powerful. Maybe he wants to help us take down Kasdeya? Score a few points.”
“Make no mistake. Kade isn’t to be trifled with. I’m his sire once removed.”
“Yes, but he doesn’t fly around like you and Leo.”
“Fly around?” Quintus rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. “We do not fly around.”
“Disappear. Reappear. It’s like a fucking magic show.”
“We materialize, shifting our atoms, into a new location. It’s very simple.”
“Yeah, it’s not normal. Not even for you vamps. Don’t even try to tell me that bullshit because in all my years I’ve only seen you and Leo do it.”
“We are but the tip of the iceberg, my friend,” Quintus commented but explained no further.
“Jonathon? He probably doesn’t materialize. You’re stronger. We should be safe. But my concern is…” Jake lost concentration as Kai descended the stairs, wearing only his t-shirt. Her pointed tips strained against the white fabric. His cock stirred as his gorgeous creature smiled at him. But as her eyes went to Quintus, jealousy flared. Jake fought the urge to cover her up, aware that it would give credence to the vampire’s insistence that he was her master.
Jake rose from the table, going straight to her. He paused, resisting the attraction. Touching her would make it harder to separate after he found her sister. As she closed the distance, their eyes connected. Jake sucked a breath as she wrapped her arms around him, and his heart tightened.
“Jake,” she whispered, burying her nose into his chest.
Her hands wandered up his back, and his dick lengthened. She glanced up to him, her molten eyes smiling into his. He shouldn’t kiss her again, he knew, but the instinct rose from within, and his mouth found hers.
She moaned, and he hardened to concrete, pulling her closer. His hand slid over her bottom, his fingers teasing the edge of the shirt until he palmed a fleshy globe.
A low laugh broke his concentration, and he glanced to Quintus, who wore a smile. The vampire’s heated expression told him that he was enjoying the show, his eyes falling to her bared ass. Jake slowly broke the kiss, his eyes locked on hers.
“I think we’d better eat something, sweetheart, before we don’t get through dinner.”
“Maybe I’m not hungry for food.” Kai winked, giving a flirtatious smile. As she turned, she grazed her ass over the hardened bulge in
his sweats.
Jake grunted as his girl wiggled against him, her arousal drifting into his senses. My girl enjoys a little public play. Interesting. He clasped his arm around her belly, stilling her movement.
“Don’t stop on my account.” Quintus laughed. “I always did enjoy a dinner show.”
“Hmm…I wish we could just stay here tonight.” The back of her head lolled onto his chest.
“We’ll be back soon enough. Tonight we get the Kris. Tomorrow, we need to go to the west coast. I have to find out what the hell is going on with Anzober Wolves, and we need to find your sister.” As soon as the words left his mouth, the mood turned somber. He glanced to the food and ushered her to the table. “Come sit.”
“Where are we going tonight?” she asked.
“A vampire club. It’s up in Iberville. A bit of a ride. We’ll take the limo.” Jake gestured to a seat, waiting until Kai sat before he joined her.
“This Jonathon. I’ve heard he’s slick.” Quintus nodded, reaching to scoop the jambalaya onto his plate. “Don’t be surprised at what you see.”
“We don’t even know the Kris is going to be there. For all we know, the bitch is leading us on a wild goose chase.” Jake slid a glass of wine to Kai.
“I just don’t get how a knife is going to help protect me. And you do know when I walk in there, the vampires are going to sense me. They’ll know I’m not a wolf or a vamp.”
“True, but they won’t know what you are,” Quintus responded.
“He’s right. Hell, I didn’t even hear of a pixiu until today.” Jake reached for a spoon and served the creole onto their plates. “We go in strong. Stick together. Once we find Jonathon, you and I will negotiate. Quintus will look out for trouble. The other vamps won’t mess with him.”
“But how do we even know he has it?” she asked, stabbing a shrimp with her fork and putting it into her mouth. Moaning, she smiled at Jake. “This is so good.”
“Thank Quint over there. His food game has been on point lately.”
Kai laughed and continued to eat.
“We don’t know he has it. We don’t know anything about what we’re getting into and frankly, I still am not buying this shit with Ilsbeth. But we’ve got to give it a try because it’s our only lead.”
“It’s possible this athame…it has a spell connected to it,” Quintus suggested.
“Which again…no one seems to know where that spell might be.”
“We have to get my book,” Kai interjected. “Maybe there is something about the Kris in it.”
“How much of it have you read?” Jake questioned.
“Some, but you must understand. I’ve only done it on the rare occasion over the century.” Kai’s eyes went to Quintus. “There’s a book my parents gave me. I lost it in San Francisco. Left it in my hotel room before I went to see Kasdeya.”
“Why didn’t you read it all?” Quintus asked.
“I didn’t want to draw attention to myself. I was afraid if I said any of the words…even read them, that I could cause something to happen. I know very little of pixiu. And as far as I was concerned, I was undetectable. I never thought my sister would go missing. Or that there was a possibility I’d ever shift.” Kai shook her head in disbelief. “I still can’t accept that’s going to happen. I mean, I’ve always known there was something in me, but to think I’d transform? No way.”
“We’re going to have to deal with that too, but first things first. Tonight we go to see Jonathon. Get the knife.”
“Negotiate,” Quintus stated.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Kai asked.
“Vampires are like cats.” Jake shrugged.
“Not exactly,” Quintus said. “But we do enjoy the chase.”
“They like to play.” Jake rolled his eyes.
“Chase.”
“Don’t listen to him. They’re like cats. Sometimes they just bat their victim around a bit. Other times they kill it.” Jake looked to Kai, a serious expression crossing his face. “You stay with me. Do not leave or wander. I know you think you can just puff out of there, but you don’t know how you’re going to feel in a room full of bloodsuckers.” Jake glanced to Quintus. “No offense.”
“None taken.” Quintus sipped his wine thoughtfully. “Jake’s right. Jonathon will want something in return.”
“Money?” she asked.
“Could be anything. Whatever you do, don’t let him in on your powers,” Quintus told her.
“Tell them you’re a witch. For as long as we’re in there, they won’t know the difference,” Jake said.
“I can’t believe we’re going to do this.” Kai pressed her lips together, holding her breath for several seconds before continuing. “I’m going to need something to wear.”
“Tabitha will be here in a few minutes.”
“Who?” Kai asked, gripping her fork tight.
“She’s a friend. She owns a few shops downtown. She’ll get you set up.” Jake glossed over the fact that he’d slept with the she-wolf. He’d known it wasn’t the optimal situation but she was the best person to assist with clothing and there was no way in hell he was letting Kai go shopping out of the house. They already were in enough danger without her stirring up supernatural interest.
“I see,” she responded in a cold tone.
“We have about an hour and a half before we go. Logan knows we’re going to see Jonathon.”
“As does Kade. If anything happens, I’m taking you both out of there.”
“He’s right,” Jake agreed. “I’ll entertain reasonable offers to get the Kris. But for all we know he doesn’t even have it. Jonathon has a reputation for being an asshole, not a liar. So if he says he doesn’t have it, we’ll go back to Sam.”
“Today what she said…about me. I could shift. What if it…”
“It’s not going to happen tonight. If I had to guess, something’s going to kick it off. Just like you being bitten gave you the will to materialize.”
“Your powers have always been there, Kai. You may be taking longer but you will shift,” Quintus said.
“How do you know about me?” She set her eyes on the vampire, her intense stare curious.
“I knew someone once.” Quintus wiped his mouth, and gave a small closed smile as if pained by his words. “Hey, it doesn’t matter how I know. I just do, okay? And contrary to popular opinion, I’m not always an asshole.”
“None of our business,” Jake replied, sensing that whatever was going on with Quintus edged around some deep-seated issue. When he’d first met the vamp in New York he’d thought him to be an egotistical psychopath. Far from it, Quintus appeared driven by a clandestine mission, a moral warrior on a quest. “But let’s not forget, Sam also knew what you were, so while you’re rare, some people know what you are. Kasdeya already tasted your blood. Maybe thinking it could bring her fortune? But it seems like if it were just as easy as draining you, she would have kept you in San Francisco before you had a chance to puff. It’s almost like she was looking for something.”
“The Kris?” she asked.
“Possibly. I can’t imagine what she’d want it for but she isn’t getting it. And above all else, they’re not getting you.”
The doorbell rang, and Jake shoved to his feet. He crossed the room, peering through the security hole before opening the door. The perky brunette she-wolf wrapped her arms around him, still holding shopping bags in her hands. He gave her a hug and quickly released her.
“Come in.” Jake ushered her toward the kitchen. “Thank you for bringing the things. Um…this is my friend…”
“Kai,” she interjected.
“Kai, this is Tabitha. Tabitha. Kai.” Jake sensed her displeasure, yet he’d made the right choice. He could trust Tabitha to keep her mouth shut.
Quintus stood, extending his hand. “May I help you with your things?”
“Nice to meet you,” Tabitha said, wearing a confused expression.
“It’s okay, Tabitha. Quint he�
��s, uh…” Dangerous. Lethal. “A friend.”
“I think we can manage.” Tabitha eyed Kai, and Jake suspected she was sizing up her competition.
“Please, let me,” Kai said.
“I don’t mean to be rude, Tabby, but time is short. I’m sure Kai can manage.”
“No, no, darlin’. I insist on helping your guest with her things. I know you told me her size but better safe than sorry. These may be a little too big.”
“It’s fine, really,” Kai insisted, reaching for the clothes. Tabitha clutched the bag to her chest, her focus on Jake.
“Fine, but we don’t have all day,” he said. “Y’all can use the guest room.”
“See? That was easy. Come along, now,” Tabitha said, brushing past Kai.
Jake caught the pain that flashed in Kai’s eyes. It was quickly replaced with an icy indifference. She shook her head and moved toward the stairs. Jake reached to her but she tugged her arm out of his reach.
“Kai,” Jake said, unsure of what to say to her.
“I’ll get ready,” she responded, not looking backwards as she ascended after the she-wolf.
He turned to Quintus, who wore a broad smile.
“What?” Jake shrugged, lifting both palms upward.
“Nothing.” The vampire began to laugh as he cleared the table.
“What the fuck is so funny?”
“You may be an Alpha but you sure do have a lot to learn about women.”
“What do you know?” Jake reached for his glass of wine, aware Kai was jealous of Tabitha.
“Where shall I begin? You just fucked one girl, and you invited a lover over to dress her? Good stuff.” Quintus chuckled. “You got big cojones. I’ll give ya that.”
“Oh that.”
“Oh that, he says.”
“Well, I know Tabitha pretty well.”
“You seemed to know Holly too.”
“She was a momentary lapse in judgement a few decades ago. Believe me, I’ve sworn off witches.”
“But what about pretty little Tabby cat?”
Jake blew out a breath and scrubbed his hand over his chin. “She’s a wolf. We have an arrangement. Friends with benefits kind of thing.”
