by Kym Grosso
“We don’t have time for all this. If you could maybe just hand that book there over to Kai, we’ll be on our way.” Jake paused, considering that he couldn’t be sure if they were still in San Francisco, or had traveled to an alternative dimension. “We need to know where…the mistress is. Quintus here is a vampire. I’m an Alpha. It’s time to take her down, but we need a little help here.”
“I know what you are.” His focus went to Kai. “You’re her mate. But to split the deity, the sacrifice must be made by the pixiu alone.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Jake growled. Sacrifices in the paranormal world generally consisted of spilled blood, which often included death. There was no way he’d let anything happen to Kai.
“You have the Kris,” the Elder stated.
“You know about the Kris?” Kai asked, excitement in her voice.
“The sacrifice must come from the Kris.”
“What are you saying? Are we supposed to use it on the demon?” Quintus asked.
“Sometimes things aren’t as they should be. Death can bring beauty. Give of yourself and you can destroy the deity. Destroy the deity and you can destroy the one who took your sister.”
“We don’t have a lot of time. We’ve got to kill the deity, find Kai’s sister and then I’ve got to go see about my pack. This is going to take all damn night if you don’t just tell us.” Jake grew impatient with his enigmatic sermon.
“Ah, your wolves, Alpha. They may not be who they appear to be.” The Elder held the coin, flipping it with his fingers. He closed it inside his fist and then opened it, revealing a stone. “Sometimes the shiniest elements are nothing more than a rock.”
“Nice trick,” Jake commented. “Please. Look, Kai’s life is at stake. We don’t have time.”
“Now you grasp the concept. It’s an illusion. A sleight of hand. But will you see it, Alpha for what it is?” He reached into the air, and the book reappeared in his hands. “Do not lose this again, Kai. Your mother and father treasured its contents, as should you.”
“Thank you, sir. I’m so sorry,” Kai said as she took it from him. “But please…the mistress…we need to go to her. My sister.”
“And go you will.” The Elder waved his hand and the wall to their right flared with light. The luminescent waves transformed into an arch. “You may pass into her lair, but go with caution.”
Jake glanced at the mirrored doorway, and then to Quintus and Kai. “This may be the clearest sign he’s given us all day.”
“Dearest Kai. Remember the Kris,” the Elder told her, darkness creeping in on his face. “Sacrifice must come from you.”
“Okay, people, I think it’s time to go. Kai, stay close to me.” Jake turned to the Elder and gave a quick bow, following the etiquette of his mate. “Let’s go get that bitch and your sister.”
Jake reached into the portal with Kai’s hand in his. As he passed into the abyss, cold surrounded him like he’d stepped into a crypt. His stomach tightened at his first breath of rancid air, and he prayed like hell they’d come out alive.
“Hey Quint, if this all goes to hell, be prepared to zap us all outta here,” Jake told the vampire. “Kai, how about you give me the book? I’ll keep it in my pack so nothing happens to it.” Jake opened his bag, allowing her to drop it inside. Clinching it shut, he slipped it back on his shoulder.
“Where the hell are we?’ Quintus inquired in a tense whisper.
“I don’t remember being here before,” Kai told them. “Last time, I was at her house in Monterey. This place…I don’t know where we are. It smells awful.”
“Jesus Christ, is that what I think it is?” the Alpha asked, aware of what the answer would probably be.
“Rotting flesh. Humans,” Quintus said.
“Oh Goddess.” Kai held her breath for as long as possible, trekking into the darkness. Although her preternatural vision gave her the ability to see at night, the magick blurred her vision. Exhaling loudly, she fought the urge to breathe through her mouth lest she taste death on her tongue.
“Holy hell,” Jake coughed, turning back to check on Quintus and Kai.
“Dare I ask how you know it’s humans?” Kai asked. “You know, as opposed to something else.”
“Hundreds of years of practice,” Quintus laughed.
“Tell me he’s joking,” Kai said, her sight trained on Jake.
“I’m vampire, bella. I know you haven’t had enough experience with the supernatural, to have time to learn the finer nuances of the different beings.”
“He was human,” Jake commented. “It looks like this might break out soon. Up there. I see light.”
“I was very much mortal. In essence, I died. I am reborn. And in doing so, the magick entered my soul, a rechargeable battery if you will. But we require blood to survive. Without the life essence from which we originally came, we would cease to exist.”
“I get that part. But how can you tell that’s human versus an animal carcass or wolf for that matter?”
“When we die, our cells retain the knowledge of our death. The same way you can tell the scent of strawberries from blueberries…it’s simply an instinct to us. You cannot eat a dead human. And if that fails to imprint, that’s a problem. Take someone like me. How old do you think I am?”
“You’re young, attractive. Look as though you maybe died in your thirties?”
“Yes, I did. But hundreds of years have passed. Wars. Pestilence.”
“Killing,” Jake added, his expression hidden.
“Well, yes. I’m a vampire, not an angel.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? I’ve met a few bad motherfucking angels.” Jake trod onward, not missing a step.
“You know what I mean. Does everything have to be literal with you wolves?” Quintus shot back.
“So you kill people on a regular basis?” Kai asked.
“How the hell does me identifying death turn into a discussion about my mercenary skills?” Quintus shook his head, keeping a careful watch on her as she walked ahead of him.
“So you kill people for money?” Kai tilted her head to get a better view at the light streaming into the tunnel. Fresh air drifted inside, dissipating the rancid odor. “Thank Goddess there’s an exit.”
“Not anymore.”
“You’re kidding me, right?” Jake laughed. “Here we go…let’s hear it, Quint. I should have known you’d done that for a living.”
“It was many years ago. I learned from my sire. He wasn’t just into imports. It wasn’t as if I had a choice. If it brings you solace, I killed a lot of assholes. It’s not like I don’t have a conscience.”
“I’m not judging. Hey, here it is. It’s a door of some kind.” Jake turned the metal handle, but quickly released it, staring at his hand.
“What’s wrong?” Kai asked, grabbing Jake’s arm to inspect his palm.
“It’s silver,” Quintus noted.
“You’re both allergic?”
“Yeah, I guess you could say that. It’ll weaken both of us. The door’s locked. So trying to use our powers to get through it? It’s not happening.”
“But maybe I could…” she began.
“No way, sweetheart. You are not going in there alone. We stick together. Sit down here a second. The silver…” Jake grunted as he dropped to one knee.
“Are you all right?” Kai sensed his weakness; his wolf trod slowly, attempting to rally.
“The magick in here. The wards are heavy. Can you feel it?” he asked.
Quintus closed his eyes, placing his palm on the wall. “This place. It’s meant for vampires. I can feel it. The silver. It’s been manipulated by vampires. Something’s going to happen here. If we can get to the other side, I think we’ll find her.”
“I just need a minute. Let me think,” Jake said. “Maybe we should have a look at the book before we go in. Kai, is there anything you remember that might help us out here?”
“It’s been years. Here, let me get it out.” K
ai reached into his backpack, retrieving the book.
“Got it?” Jake asked.
“Yes. Can you shine a light down onto this?” Kai squinted as Jake slid on his cell phone, the bright light illuminating the scratched leather binding. She traced her finger along the designs, recalling the fear it had instilled in her as a child. Don’t ever lose it, Mama had warned. It will protect you, Papa had said.
“Now that’s a book cover,” Jake half joked.
“Pagan.” Quintus crouched to get a closer look.
“Eye of Horus.” Kai untangled the delicate strings that formed its lock.
“It always freaked me out as a kid,” Jake confessed. “But it’s a good one. Symbolizes healing.”
“Wards off evil,” Quintus added.
“My papa always told me it would protect me.” Kai gently pried opened the book and flipped through it. Each page was filled with colorful etchings, some covered in text, detailing spells and hexes.
“It’s almost like something a witch would have,” Quintus noted.
“You said your sister is a witch. Has she seen this?” Jake asked.
“No. My parents gave me the book. I kept it hidden. Her magick exists but it’s barely noticeable. And besides, Shilan never practiced the craft…because of me.”
“This definitely looks like it belongs to a witch. I’m not sure what a shifter would need with…hey, wait.” Jake reached to help support the book.
“What?” Kai asked. Guilt had wormed its way into her psyche, and she’d spaced, losing her concentration on the book’s contents.
“Go back a couple of pages. Just a little further. There.” His finger landed on a page corner. “That looks like…”
“The Kris,” Kai whispered. The miniature sketch lacked the details of the symbols written on it, but the s-shaped knife was clearly drawn.
“What’s it say?” Jake asked.
“It’s Chinese. It says…a rough translation of it, ‘Look within for sacrifice. Cleave open your fear’.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Jake scrubbed over his beard in thought.
“I don’t know.” Quintus sighed and pressed to his feet, and attempted to spy through the hole in the door. “Doesn’t matter much. Maybe try using it on her.”
“Stab her with it?” Jake stood, and reached to help Kai up off the floor.
“Sacrifice. That’s the same word the Elder used. I can’t see how stabbing her is much of a sacrifice,” Kai said. “That seems like a good thing.”
“Shh,” Quintus held his fingers to his lips,
Kai’s heart pounded in her chest as a faint echo of music filtered into the tunnel. The light pouring into the tunnel flickered, morphing into a dim illumination. A loud click resounded and the door swung open, revealing an arena. Voices grew louder as several black figures emerged in the distance.
“What’s happening?” Kai asked, her voice wavering.
“It’s her,” Jake replied.
“She’s here. This has all been an illusion,” Quintus stated.
“The Elder. Remember the stone,” Jake reminded them. Kai handed him the book, and he shoved it into his backpack. Light reflected in his eyes as he met Kai’s gaze. “Stay close, sweetheart. If anything happens and I need to shift, take the Kris. If you need to shift first, I’ve got your back.”
Kai nodded, fear surging as Jake stepped over the threshold into the alternative reality. Her breath caught, her eyes drawn to the stone arches. Gothic murals depicted the angels. A cathedral? Fucking figures, she thought. Kai suspected the demon mocked the Goddess, transforming a place of worship into a blasphemous spectacle. As she caught sight of an enormous stage, her pulse raced. No, no, no. Kasdeya thrived on attention. The anticipation of the kill was just as satisfying as the act. When she’d bitten Kai, she’d done it in front of her court, laughing as she drained her. Kai blinked, shaking off the memory that still haunted her.
A strong hand squeezed hers, and she jolted back into the moment. As her eyes locked on Jake’s, his powerful energy seeped into her pores, calming her nerves. Although he never spoke a word, she heard her Alpha’s voice. You’re all right. Keep close. She swallowed the terror that threatened to paralyze her, and kept moving.
A hooded stranger bumped into Kai, and she stumbled. As the figure disappeared into the crowd, she steadied her feet and increased her pace, determined to stay near Jake. No matter how many of the vampires ignored them, Kai had a sickening feeling they knew they’d arrived. Like a cat watching minnows in a pond, Kasdeya played with them, waiting to strike.
Jake backed up against a column, and they stopped, sizing up their surroundings. Deafening thrash metal pounded as a red velvet curtain crept open, revealing the stage. Kai’s eyes widened at the sight of the familiar female. Cassandra. Her cream-colored sundress had been torn wide open, her nude body dangling from the wooden x-shaped St. Andrew’s cross. She was restrained, and her reddened eyes bulged, blood dripping from puncture wounds dotted across her body. Cassandra appeared lifeless, but Kai suspected she’d passed out from the torture.
“Oh Goddess,” Kai whispered.
“Goddammit,” Quintus muttered, his sight set on the human.
Jake stepped forward, and Kai grabbed onto his jacket but the leather slipped through her fingers. She glanced to Quintus, who bared his fangs, remaining at Kai’s side.
“Kasdeya!” Jake growled, his eyes glowing like red hot embers. “Where are you? Show your face, you fucking coward.”
Kai screamed as two vampires rushed toward him. Without missing a beat, Jake withdrew his weapon. Firing off two rounds, he clipped each of them in the neck, and they dropped to the ground.
“Any of the rest of you want a go at me? Because I’m itching to kill every last one of you assholes.”
“Wolves,” a female mused, her voice echoing throughout the chamber as the din silenced at her presence.
A tall lanky woman emerged from the darkness onto the stage. A chrome spiked crown sat atop her red mane; perfect locks spiraled down her back. Black eyeliner darkened her eyes, her bow lips painted a deep crimson. Lights reflected off her black latex mini dress, the wide lace sleeves brushing her bony wrists. She towered over them. Wearing five-inch pumps, she effortlessly glided across the stage.
“We’re here for Shilan, you three-headed bitch. Where is she?” Jake yelled.
Kai’s heart pounded at the sight of her mate alone in the sea of blood-sucking vermin. Her creature roared, refusing to leave his side. She went to move forward but Quintus blocked her with a strong arm.
“Stay back,” he warned.
“This is my fight,” she insisted.
He shook his head no, but again she persisted. “I’m going. My sister. My mate.”
“He’s going to kick my ass,” Kai heard Quintus comment but she didn’t bother with a response as she took off toward Jake.
“Where is she?” Jake repeated.
“I want my sister back!” Kai screamed.
“Ah, the shy little pixiu finally arrives. I’ve been waiting for you. Hmm,” she hummed with an evil smile. Kasdeya slid her finger down over Cassandra’s breast, pinching a bloody nipple, eliciting an ear-piercing scream. Kasdeya gave a wicked laugh and licked the sticky substance off her thumb. “She’s been fun to play with but hardly as tasty as you were. You lasted much longer.” She sighed. “Until you flew away…disappeared like the wind.”
“Tell us where she is or you’re going to die,” Jake stated, aiming the gun at her.
“Your bullets will not work on me,” she sneered.
“You’re right.” Jake spied a vampire standing in the wings, and fired off a shot. It fell to the ground. “But it works on your buddies.” A vampire sped towards him from behind, and Jake swiftly turned and aimed. The bullet tore through his groin and he fell screeching onto the concrete. “I can do this all damn night long.”
“But you can’t take me. That’s what matters, isn’t it? I’m afraid I’m
stronger than all of you.”
“Not me,” Kai said, stepping forward. She closed her eyes, her anger rushing to the surface. An unearthly glow illuminated the room, emanating from her skin. Her beast reared up, attempting to morph. Dark magick seized the creature. It whined in agony, cowering, thwarted from transforming. Kai collapsed to the ground, and her eyes flashed to Kasdeya, who laughed wildly in response. “What did you do? She did something.”
“You gave me your blood.” The demon mistress sucked another finger into her mouth, releasing it with a pop. “A spell. I used it to stop your beast from disrupting my sanctuary. You’re powerless in here. It’s a beautiful thing.” She gave an eerie smile and glared at Quintus. “And you? Once upon a time you may have been able to kill me. That was before the merge. Not anymore.”
“You mean when you murdered Dominique’s children?” Quintus asked.
“The human souls were a minor cost for my transformation. I don’t normally kill children.” She looked to Cassandra, and grinned. “Only every now and then. Life gets mundane.”
“Innocents,” Jake growled.
“Exactly.” Kasdeya set her eyes on Jake, cocking a hip and jutting her breasts forward. With a flirtatious smile, she flipped her hair and licked her lips.
“Sorry bitch…not happenin’,” he told her.
“Stop stalling,” Quintus said, his voice terse.
“Where’s her sister?” Jake pressed.
“I’m going to kill you,” Kai screamed, boiling with rage.
“I gotta tell you, Kasdeya. I know you’re all demoned out right now, but this isn’t going to end well for you. You see Quint back there. He’s going to take out every last one of these vampires.” Jake smiled at her. “Then I’m going to shift and take you out. You’re not the first demon I’ve helped send back to hell.”
“The only one here who could have touched me is Kai…but the great pixiu has lost her wings. It is I who will make you a deal. Give me the Kris.”
