by Kym Grosso
“A hidden compartment,” Quintus suggested, inspecting the lower frame.
“If I had a treasure,” Kai mused, “Something important…”
“Something that could kill someone,” Jake interjected.
“A weapon. Something that would protect me.” Kai ran her fingers over the headboard. “I’d want it close to me.”
“Somewhere well hidden.” Quintus knelt down and peered under the bed.
“Somewhere I could reach it,” she speculated. “But maybe if it’s a secret, I’d want a key?”
“Maybe, but where are you going to keep a key? You’re sleeping,” Jake said.
“And if I were by myself, I’d probably sleep on the side with the night stand. So…” Kai rounded the bed to where Jake stood. “I’d be lying down.”
“What are you…?” Jake gave a small laugh as Kai launched herself up onto the high bed, nearly sliding back onto the floor. “Easy.”
“I forgot how high these beds are.”
“Back in the day, you’d be better off up high. Vermin,” Quintus commented.
“So if I needed a weapon. Maybe I’d what? Look for it down here?” Kai fingered the side of the bed, but couldn’t reach the edge of the frame.
“Maybe if you were on your stomach, it would be easier?” Jake suggested.
Kai flipped over, and sighed. “I’m not sure. Did you see anything on the frame?”
“No,” Quintus said. “I hope those girls were telling the truth.”
“They were. It’s here somewhere. Just let me…”
“If it were me, I’d keep it under my pillow. But then again, it’s a secret. She’s keeping it close, but not too close.” Jake brushed his hand over his forehead.
“I’d probably keep it under here. Like maybe it’s in the headboard somehow.” Kai reached her hands forward, sliding them under the pillow and onto the cold wooden surface. Frustrated, she pushed with her toes until her fingers edged further down near the mattress. Swiping along the smooth wood, she stilled as the pads of her fingers pressed into a roughly edged divot.
“I found something. It’s…I don’t know. It’s an indentation of some kind. A rectangle, maybe. No…it’s a cross. Yeah, definitely a cross.” Kai shoved up onto her knees and lifted the pillow, setting it aside. “Dammit, I wish I had a flashlight.”
“Here.” Quintus lifted his phone, the bright light shining far into the crevasse between the bed and mattress.
“Look, I can see it…this opens. Maybe there’s a lever.”
“Or maybe,” Jake reached for the wooden rosary, and stretched it into the space, “it needs a key.”
“Yes!” Kai exclaimed as she guided Jake’s hand into place. As they set the cross into the indentation, there was an audible click. “Did you hear that? It’s here. Wait…I feel it.”
A curved metal pull ejected from the smooth wood, and Kai hooked her finger around it. The plank slid inside itself, revealing a hidden compartment. Light flickered off its metallic surface as she reached for the knife.
“Careful. Last thing you want to do is get cut by that thing. It’s probably loaded to the hilt with dark magick.”
“I’ve got it,” she whispered, her heart pounding in excitement as she wrapped her fingers around its thick hilt. “Look.”
Kai pressed back, kneeling on the bed. Rotating the foot-long Kris in the air, she smiled, her eyes wide in amazement.
“Dom sure knew how to hide that sucker. We might have found it eventually but the girls definitely helped,” Jake said.
“It’s born of demon magick. It bears the blood of children.” Quintus shone the light onto the blade.
“We need to get going. We’ll figure out the rest when we get home,” Jake said.
The blade appeared to quiver in the light and Kai prayed it was playing tricks on her eyes. Its hilt was banded in striated pewter. The blade had been etched with unfamiliar markings, its curved metal snaked six times before ending in a razor sharp point.
Kai imagined how it had pierced Serafine’s flesh. Cold and dark, its demonic history remained a mystery. What does it do? How is this supposed to help me? Kai wished she still had her book, recalling seeing a similar knife many years ago.
“Careful, sweetheart. I think maybe we should wrap it in something. We don’t know exactly what sort of fucked up demon magick is warped into that thing.”
“Is there a blanket or something we can use?” Kai asked. Fear twisted through her as she studied the intricate designs. This weapon had killed three children, and she suspected it hadn’t been the first time it had been used.
“Here. Lay it on this,” Quintus directed, placing a hand towel onto the bed.
“I can’t believe we found it.” Kai gently set down the Kris, carefully wrapping it. She lifted it, and gave it to Jake. The wind howled, and she jolted upward. “Do you think she’s found us?”
“Her demons are looking for you, but this place…it’s sealed tight with some kind of magick.” Quintus crossed the room and gazed through the glass doors. “Even though they were on our trail, it will confuse them.”
“It makes you wonder though? Like what the hell did Dominique go through?” Jake reached for Kai’s hand, helping her off the bed.
“Kade turned her,” Quintus stated flatly. “He was young when he did it. Can’t remember the exact circumstance.”
“I thought you were like the granddaddy vamp. Don’t you keep track of all your boys and girls?” Jake asked.
“Not my responsibility. I’ve only sired a few vampires in my lifetime. Should they choose to turn someone, that’s on them. Leo knows I’m here if he needs me. As for Dominique, I’m not certain of her nature. She endured the torment of the witch. It’s likely the demon touched her magick.”
“It definitely messed with her head. Leo said she doesn’t speak anymore.” Jake sighed. “And the thing is, it doesn’t surprise me. I saw her in that cave. She was barely alive. I hardly recognized her. I don’t know if that’s something you can recover from.”
“We’re immortals. But we’re not invincible,” Quintus mused.
“But what happened to her children? This was done when she was human. I can’t imagine her heartbreak. She must have been devastated,” Kai said, following Jake out of the room and into the dark hallway.
“I’m sure she was. I’m just wondering how she got the Kris. Whatever went down in this house, it hardened her. Dominique is…was tough as nails,” Jake said.
“Life is full of hard lessons, I’m afraid.” Quintus followed them down the stairs.
“I’m sorry,” Kai said, detecting the hint of sadness in his voice “I know you’re right. It’s just, it sounds as though Dominique, she’s gone to great lengths to hide this. Makes you wonder how she got it? What did she plan on doing with it?”
“Probably planned on using it someday to get revenge. If Kasdeya really is a demon goddess, a triad, it makes you wonder if the demon that may have helped torture Dom might have been looking for it. Or maybe Mick wanted it?” Jake theorized. “We could ask Kade if he knows. But since she’s not responding to anything or anyone, Dominique isn’t going to be much help.”
“We’ve got to figure out the best way to get home. I know we drove, but the weather’s kickin’ up,” Quintus told them.
“Y’all know how it is down here. We’re expecting storms.” Jake eyed the courtyard through the door window.
“Let’s get to the car if we can but if anything goes down, I’m buzzing us back to my house.”
“If something goes down, you’d better think of getting us to my private plane. I can fly all our asses to San Fran. We could be there by the morning.”
“I wish I could get all three of us to California but I’m afraid that’s beyond my capability,” Quintus admitted.
“Just when I thought you were like a superhero?” Jake joked, his hand on the door handle. “You crush my dreams, man.”
“I’m good but not that good. If it were just m
e or maybe two of us, yeah, I’ve got that. But three adults? Thousands of miles away? Probably not a good idea. Might have to make a pit stop to feed, and I don’t think we can chance landing in the open.”
“Where are we going to stay when we get there?” Kai grew anxious as they spoke of returning to The Golden City.
“Kai, I know this isn’t going to be easy, but Quint and I aren’t going to let anything happen to you,” Jake assured her. “We’re going to find Shilan and kill Kasdeya. There’s going to be an end to this.”
Kai prayed like hell he was right. Kasdeya would be waiting, and she feared no one could protect her.
“We’ll do this together, pet. I have a score to settle,” Quintus said, placing his hand on her shoulder.
“I’ve gone so many years without being around supernaturals. The last time I was there looking for my sister I nearly died. Kasdeya wants me dead…wants my power.” Kai took a deep breath and shook her head. “I won’t let her take me. I’m going to get Shilan back. She didn’t ask for any of this.”
“Neither did you. But this kind of stuff happens for a reason. And honestly, after talking to those kids upstairs, I’m wondering who the hell the wolf was. Chaz was a piece of shit Alpha, but he’s dead. I can’t help thinking to myself that maybe some of the problems the Anzober pack is having in California might be related to Kasdeya. She’s vampire…but also wolf and human.”
“Let’s talk on the plane.” Quintus stared out the window, his eyes squinting as lightning flashed.
“Oh my Goddess.” Kai jumped as thunder roared, shaking the house. Sheets of driving rain slammed against the windows, the patter growing louder as the storm moved closer. “It’s on top of us.”
“We’ll make a run for it. I’ll go first and clear the path, get the door open,” Jake told them. “Quint, you bring up the back. If anything happens, you need to zap us out. Otherwise, we hop in the car and drive straight to the airport. As soon as we get there, we’ll go to the Acadian hangar.”
“I’d say let’s just go now and leave the car, but the Kris…I’m concerned about how that might affect things. I’ve gotten into a few snags over the years trying that shit. Mystical objects…they don’t always materialize well. Depends on the situation. I’m not sensing any of Kasdeya’s demons right now.”
“Everyone ready to do this?” Jake asked. Keeping the Kris tight in one hand, he opened the door with the other.
“Hell yes. Let’s get out of here.” Kai nodded, stepping forward as it slid open, following into the courtyard.
A breeze of petrichor rushed in at her, its fresh scent giving her a false sense of security. But as she stepped out from underneath the awning onto the uneven stones, thunder rumbled, reminding her of the turbulent weather. Kai shielded her face from the pounding rain, chasing after Jake. By the time they’d reached the gate, water had soaked through her shirt. A gust of wind blew, sending a chill through her.
Jake struggled to open the locked gate. He tugged hard, until the metal door flew open, slamming against the home. Kai heard the faint sound of the car beeping open as she ran onto Bourbon Street. She turned back to Quintus, her heart pounding as she caught sight of the demons barreling toward them, casting dark shadows on the macadam underneath the street lights.
“Jake!” she screamed.
“Get in,” he yelled as she darted around the back of their SUV. Jake jerked on the handle, ducking as the demons lobbed an orb at him.
A red hot demon ball flew at Kai, and Quintus flashed in front of her to block it. As it tore through his back, the vampire collapsed.
“No!” Kai cried as Quintus fell onto the ground, blood bubbling from his abdomen. Without thinking, she stepped into the spray of ethereal bullets and fell to her knees. Quintus blinked up at her. Although his lips moved, she was unable to hear his whispers through the din. Anger and grief twisted through Kai, her beast raging to the surface. The creature formed as a speck in her mind’s eye. As it drew closer she marveled at the sight of the great animal galloping toward the surface.
Kai glanced to her hands, her eyes widening as talons sprung from her fingers. A slice of pain ripped into her as the wings tore open on her back. Her focus went to Jake who ripped the towel from the Kris and held it in the air.
As the demons swooped in on her mate, she lost control. Her arms transformed, the slight golden hue deepening until she no longer recognized her own body. The great creature crashed forth, splitting open her clothes and skin, until she’d fully morphed. Her sharp teeth gnashed together, a great roar coming from within her soul. As she opened her mouth, a bright light seared into the street, sending the incarnate apparitions screaming into the darkness.
“They’re gone, Kai. I need you back now. Come on, girl. Shift back for me.” Jake rushed to their side, but stopped short as Kai flapped her great wings.
Cognizant of his demand to shift, she blinked her golden eyes at him. She gave a brief growl as he approached, aware her master had commanded her to stop. Like a tornado sucking her beast into the air, it helplessly retreated. As her human form crumpled into the wet puddles, she gasped for breath.
“Jake,” she managed, shocked at her transformation.
The Alpha knelt in front of her, setting the Kris on the street. His hands gently cupped her cheeks. “Are you all right?”
Unable to process what had just happened, Kai nodded, tears streaming down her face. Quintus moaned, and her heart caught as she recalled how he’d been attacked.
“Quint.” Jake leaned over him, his face inches from his friend’s.
Kai pressed her palm to the vampire’s cool forehead. “Quintus. I’m sorry.”
“This isn’t your fault, bella. Ahh…” he groaned, clutching his gut.
“Fuck. Just wait a second, man. We’re gonna get you outta here. Get you some blood. I’m sorry if this hurts but let’s call it payback for what you did to me in New York,” Jake said. His eyes darted to Kai’s as he slid his arms underneath the tall vampire. Cradling him to his chest, he lifted Quintus and shoved up onto his feet.
Despite her bare skin, Kai didn’t hesitate as she jumped up off the ground, swiftly opening the back passenger door. She reached for the Kris as Jake eased Quintus inside the car.
“I’m just gonna set you inside here, Quint. Easy now.” Jake slammed the door and looked to Kai, who stood shaking with her arms crossed over her bare breasts. Pulling his shirt over his head, he slipped the sopping wet fabric onto her. “Jesus. This isn’t the best, it’ll have to do for now.” He reached for the passenger door, opening it. “Get in. You’re going to freeze to death.”
Kai jumped inside, and jolted at the sound of the car door slamming closed. She set the Kris on the floor and leaned over her seat, placing her hand on Quintus’ arm.
“I’m so sorry.” The vampire’s eyes cracked open, and he winced. “This shouldn’t have happened to you. Oh Goddess…Jake, he looks like he’s lost a lot of blood.”
“Hold on. I already told Logan to have the jet waiting. The airport’s not far.” Jake slipped into the car and shut his door. The engine roared to life as he gunned the pedal.
Kai turned to him, somber. “These things are going to follow us.”
“The hangar’s got wards on it. Same with the plane. We’ll make it there. It sucks that every single thing down here needs protectin’ but it’s life in the Big Easy. You have to be safe.” Jake reached for the controls, switching on the heat. “You must be freezing.”
“I’m okay,” she lied. Gooseflesh rippled across her skin. She punched at the buttons, and gave a small smile as one lit up green. “Heated seats.”
“Yeah, you know it doesn’t usually get that cold down here but I like my ass toasty,” he joked. “Pretty nice.”
“Oh goddess….yes. We always have them out in Wyoming. Cold as hell in the winter.” Kai wrung the excess water out from the hem of her sodden shirt. “I’ve got to get this off.”
“Logan should have some spare clot
hes on the plane.”
“He keeps clothes on his private plane?” she asked, her teeth chattering.
“Yeah, well, the plane technically belongs to the pack. It’s a BBJ. 737.” Jake shrugged. “It’s not exactly tiny, but it works for longer flights, and we always keep it on standby.”
“Who’s flying it?” Kai asked. She took a deep breath and breathed out slowly, her skin finally warming.
“Salvatore and Gatien.”
“Are you sure we can trust them?” Panic rose in her voice.
“Ah, yeah. For sure. They’re my bros. I wouldn’t trust anyone else at this point. These guys have been flyin’ us for twenty years.”
A loud moan filled the car, and Kai turned her attention back to Quintus. “Hey,” she said, her voice soft. “We’re going to be there soon. I promise you this will be all right.”
“Something was in that,” Quintus grunted, “fucking ball of light. Goddamned demons.”
“Poison,” Jake called back to him.
“It’s what hit my leg a few days ago. I slept it off but mine was just a brush. This shit went right through you.” Kai hadn’t meant to blurt out the extent of his injury but she had no time for niceties. “We’ll take care of you. I promise.”
“I’m going to need blood…I’m not sure how much longer I can…” Quintus sucked a breath, his face tensing in agony.
Kai’s eyes flashed to Jake. She could feel his energy filtering into the car, her name in the whisper of his voice in her mind. Kai suspected he already knew the severity of the vampire’s injuries. She could sense Quintus’ pain, needles of agony reverberating into her psyche. Hurry, she told Jake. She wasn’t sure what they’d do once they got to the hangar, but she owed Quintus her life and was prepared to do whatever she had to to save his.
“He’s not responding,” Kai said. Focused on Quintus, she hadn’t brought up how she’d shifted on the street in the middle of New Orleans. By the time they arrived at the airport, Quintus had fallen unconscious. They hurried into the plane, and Jake laid him on the bed. They peeled off his soaked clothes and covered him with a blanket.
