by Kym Grosso
Kai sucked a breath at the mention of it. She glanced at Jake but he remained focused on Kasdeya.
“The Kris belongs to me,” Kai said, her voice shaken but firm.
“Give me the Kris and I will tell you where your sister is,” Kasdeya told her.
“Take this.” Jake removed his backpack and slid it to Kai, preparing to shift.
“Poor Cassie. I’d hate to see her suffer any more.” Kasdeya snapped her fingers and two women approached. They dropped to their knees, bared their fangs, and sank them deep into Cassandra’s thighs. A loud scream echoed throughout the cathedral.
“Stop it!” Kai yelled as she fumbled to open the bag. She glanced to Jake, who shifted before her eyes. Her breath caught at the sight of his spectacular black wolf.
“So in love with the Alpha. It would be a shame to kill you both,” Kasdeya sang. “But I do what I must.” Kasdeya released a hideous cackle as she ordered her minions to attack. “Kill them!”
Kai clutched the backpack as vampires rushed at her from all directions. Quintus shoved her into a corner, and systematically began killing them, ripping into their flesh with his fangs. Blood sprayed over Kai as, one by one, he shredded their bodies. The black wolf leapt onto the stage, growling, attacking the two vampires who drank from Cassandra. Separating them from their victim, he tore open their necks, their blood draining onto the stage.
Reaching inside Jake’s bag, Kai untied the leather knife roll. She wrapped her hand around its hilt, and lifted the Kris into the air. She slung the pack over her arm, determined to keep the book safe.
Blood splattered in slow motion as Quintus continued his assault, but Kai focused on the blade. The symbols danced, and she recalled the Elder’s words, Sacrifice must come from you.
Kai looked to Kasdeya, whose face appeared to shift from vampire to demon, horns protruding from her head. The spell they’d undertaken, killing Dominique’s children, had created the demon. A triad, she was three beings in one. It made her strong. Invincible. If Kai could somehow reverse it, if she could separate them, she reasoned they’d be vulnerable.
Kai’s thoughts drifted to her book, and the picture of the Kris. Look within for sacrifice. Cleave open your fear. Kasdeya wanted the Kris. She wanted it to protect her. Maybe Dominique knew the truth? She knew that one day the Kris could be used to destroy Kasdeya. Maybe she’d gone looking for a pixiu to destroy her?
It belongs to me. The sacrifice must be mine. Killing Kasdeya with the Kris was no sacrifice, she knew. It had to mean something else. Sacrifice. Self-sacrifice. Blood must be spilled and it shall be mine. Kai’s heart pounded in her chest at the realization of what she needed to do, but there was no other choice.
As her eyes went to the stage, Kasdeya flew at Jake, stabbing her talon fingernails deep into his fur. Her Alpha went wild, snapping, but failed to shake the demon.
Kai swallowed her fear, resigned herself to her fate, and turned the blade toward her abdomen, tears streaming down her face. She silently prayed that when it was all said and done, she’d survive. But if she didn’t, the loss of her life would be worth it to save her Alpha and sister. The world would be a safer place, the demon sent to hell.
Forgive me, my Alpha. Kai held her breath, her eyes catching Jake’s as she plunged the Kris into her stomach. Her eyes widened, the caustic athame slicing into her, releasing magick into the night. She cried out as blood poured from her lips, her eyes rolled backward as she crumpled to the ground. Her face slammed on the concrete, and she blinked, her vision blurring.
With the Kris lodged deep within her abdomen, Kai heard the ear-piercing screech. Kasdeya writhed on the stage, immobilized by a magenta haze. Kai thought she was hallucinating, as a large brown wolf split out of the demon mistress and sprinted across the room. Jake went to chase, but hesitated, instead leaping off the stage toward Kai, weaving through the piles of dead vampires. Kasdeya’s skin peeled away, and a short bald man splintered away from her, his body disintegrating instantly as it struck the wooden planks. Kasdeya’s mouth opened wide, giving a deafening howl, and materialized into the night.
Kai choked, her lungs filling with blood. As death beckoned, despair blanketed her mind. Shilan remained missing, and Kasdeya had escaped, as had the wolf. As darkness closed in around her, she heard her Alpha call her. Kai. Don’t leave me. Life drained from her body, and she mouthed the words that played inside her heart, never hearing a sound as death claimed her soul. I love you.
Chapter Sixteen
Jake’s chest heaved, grief twisting through him as he cradled Kai in his arms. He winced, yanking the blade from her gut.
“Quint,” he screamed, unaware the entire building had gone silent.
The vampire flashed to his side and knelt to Kai’s lifeless body. “She’s barely there.”
“You can’t let her die. I need you to fix this. Now.” Jake embraced her, rocking her slowly. “No, this can’t be happening.”
“I can’t promise anything.” Quintus laid a palm on her arm, and Jake’s shoulder.
“The hotel’s not safe. If they took Cassandra…” Jake glanced to the stage; only an empty St. Andrew’s cross remained.
“She’s gone,” Quint said.
“Jesus. We’ve got to get out of here.” Jake’s mind spun. They could get back to the jet but he questioned the safety of that idea. “I don’t want to go to the hotel. Hunter’s got a place in Big Sur. The pack doesn’t know he’s got it. Get us there, and I’ll call him.”
“Close your eyes, and picture it,” Quintus told him. “Hold on.”
Jake lay halfway on the bed, his feet dangling over the edge. His mind immediately went to Kai, who lay unresponsive in his arms. “Quint. We’ve gotta do something. She’s dying.”
“If she’s gone…Jake, we’ve talked about this. Even a pixiu can die.” Quintus lifted her wrist, checking her pulse. A somber expression crossed his face. “She’s fading. I don’t know.”
“Say it,” Jake pressed. His chest tightened, suspecting the answer.
“I might turn her. I don’t know for sure what will happen.”
“Jesus Christ, Quint. I don’t know if that’s what she wants.”
“It’s not for everyone. I…”
“I’ve never wanted it. Logan, Dimitri. They knew.” Jake glanced to Kai’s pale face.
Emotion bubbled inside his chest, and he struggled to comprehend a life without his mate. Unwilling to simply let her go, he’d make the decision for her and for him. I need her to survive. The death of his mate would devastate him; his wolf might not rally. Anzober Wolves needed an Alpha who could lead the pack. You choose the pack over yourself. It had been ingrained in him since a child and now as Alpha, it was no less true.
“I need her, Quint. She’s my mate,” he told him, his eyes locked on the vampire.
“Do you fully understand this decision?”
“Yes.”
“She may be vampire when she wakes. I cannot control this.”
“Swear she will not be under your control. She must lead with me. She can’t have another master.”
“I swear it but Jake…”
“Do it, Quint. Kai just got a taste of freedom. And her sister is still out there. She needs her too. Kai would want this. Fucking hurry before she dies.”
Quintus tore off his leather jacket and kicked off his shoes. “Get comfortable, friend. This,” he sighed, “it will be as before. Her response. I can’t predict what will happen. Her creature could accept it or revolt. I’ve never done this before to a pixiu.”
“Just do it. Save her.” Jake’s voice cracked. He closed his eyes, listening. “Her heartbeat is slowing. Do it now before it’s too late.”
Jake quickly peeled off the backpack and her jacket, tossing the items onto the floor. He lifted her gold-stained shirt revealing her bloodied flesh. While the wound appeared inconsequential, she’d critically injured herself. She’d sacrificed her life, successfully destroying the deity.
Qui
ntus bared his fangs, and bit his wrist. Blood dripped from his mouth as he looked to Jake for assurance. The Alpha nodded in approval. “This was my decision. If she turns, I’ll take responsibility. Please. Save her.”
As the vampire pressed his arm to her mouth, Jake laid his head next to hers.
“She’s not taking it,” Quintus gritted out in frustration.
“Sweetheart,” Jake began, his voice soft. He held her hand in his, drawing a circle in her palm with his thumb. “I need you to live. You’re…you’re…” Dying. Jake shoved the word to the dark recess of his mind, determined to hide his fear. “My mate. I need you by my side. I’ve got a pack to lead. They’re depending on us.”
“It’s not working. Be forceful.”
“Look at her,” Jake said, frustrated. “I can’t order her when she’s like this.”
“I am looking at her and the wound in her gut. She’s not going to make it if she doesn’t drink,” Quintus told him.
“Come on, Kai. We need you to take the blood. It’s safe. It’s Quintus. He’s our friend. He’d never hurt you. Take it.” Jake glanced to the vampire and shook his head.
“Command her. Call forth her beast to comply,” he told Jake.
Jake closed his eyes, drawing on his wolf. Together, they’d save her from whatever dark tunnel she’d begun to spiral into, losing herself in death’s embrace.
“Kai. Listen to me now. Wake up right this minute and drink.” He nodded at the vampire and continued. “Let me see your creature. My wolf wants her now. I command you to bring her to the surface. Your Alpha commands you. Your master.”
“She hears you…look,” Quintus whispered as her lips parted slightly.
“That’s a girl. Do as I say. I need you here now. Drink from Quint,” he instructed. He held his breath as her lips moved ever so slightly, not quite sealed to Quintus’ wrist. Her corded neck tensed as she swallowed his blood.
“Ah…she’s…Jake…please, you know what will happen,” the vampire warned.
“It’s okay, Quint. We’ll do everything she wants or nothing at all. Her life is the only thing that matters.” Relief flooded into Jake as his mate’s chest rose, a hint of color returning to her cheeks. He closed his eyes, attempting to reach her. In the darkness of her psyche, shadows danced, whizzing by him. Kai. Where are you? Show me your beast. “Something’s wrong. She’s breathing. Her heartbeat’s getting stronger. But her creature…my pixiu?”
“Alpha. There are consequences to what we’ve done. I can’t guarantee…ah,” Quintus grunted.
Guilt stabbed at Jake, unable to reach Kai’s beast. His heart tightened at the thought of losing her. Her hand squeezed his as if she knew his thoughts, and he gave a concerned smile. She began gulping, and Jake glanced to her wound that had healed.
“More,” she cried, her eyes opening, darting between Quintus and Jake.
“I need you to…I need help…fuck, I’m not immune. Her power’s so strong,” Quintus grunted.
“I’ll do whatever you need me to do,” Jake told him.
“Give me your arm.” The vampire’s fiery eyes met Jake’s. “We’ll all be bonded forever. Know this. I will not command your mate. But our blood. We have gone far in mixing it.”
“Do it.” The subtle message had been received. Jake, well aware of the sexual element of feeding, would indulge his mate in whatever fantasy transpired.
“One, two…”
“Jesus…fuck, that hurts…what the hell happened to three, asshole?” Jake asked, noting a wicked smile on Quintus’ face as he withdrew his fangs.
“The surprise is better, no? It’s over with. Feed her now.” Quintus guided Jake’s hand to her mouth.
As Kai latched onto his arm, Jake’s eyes widened, arousal threaded through him. Acutely aware of both his mate and Quintus, he smiled as Kai’s emerald eyes blinked open, and she released his arm. Relief swirled with desire, and his mouth captured hers, his tongue tasting of his own blood. She moaned into their kiss, her hands clutching his chest.
“Kai,” he managed, reluctantly tearing his lips from hers. “Are you all right? You almost died.”
“I’m… oh Goddess, my body’s on fire. Please…” she moaned.
“You sure about this, sweetheart? We just got ourselves out of a fight there. I don’t know if we should…” Logic told him to be careful, that she’d nearly died, but as the scent of her arousal filled the air, he struggled to concentrate.
“I thought I was gone…it was so dark. Jake…I’m so hot. I ache…I need you,” Kai released him and peeled off her t-shirt, “now.”
Her mouth brushed over his and he kissed her, his hand moving to her breast. Jake grunted as she reached for his dick, fisting it in her palm. His cock turned to steel in response. He hadn’t been wearing any clothes when he’d shifted and Quintus had materialized them to the pack house.
The mattress shifted as Quintus rose off the bed, and Kai reached for him, her eyes meeting Jake’s. The vampire had saved his mate.
“You want this?” Jake asked, giving a shallow pant as she fisted his dick.
Kai nodded, dragging her tongue over her lip. Her thoughts merged with his, and he sensed her dark fantasies.
The vampire’s bite had spiked their arousal. In the heat of the moment, he made the decision to push her further. She wore his mark, but his wolf demanded submission from both her and the vampire.
“Don’t go, Quint,” he ordered.
“Your pixiu. She’s alive. I’ll leave you be.” Quintus moved to shove off the bed, but Kai held tight to his arm.
“Stay. Please. I need this tonight,” she pleaded “You need us.”
“We need each other,” Jake said, his eyes locked on Quintus.
“I don’t sense that she’s changed but I…” The vampire shook his head and gave a small smile.
“Whether she’s turned or not, this is about healing. She wants you here with us. We both do. Just once though, man. I won’t share her again.”
“Please stay. Make love with us,” Kai whispered.
Jake’s shaft hardened as she confessed her carnal desire. The Goddess had gifted him the perfect mate, adventurous and bold.
“One night,” Quintus stated, his gaze heated.
“One night,” Jake agreed.
“Hmm…I’m alive.” Kai’s eyes lit as she gave them a sexy smile. “I’m so hot right now…the blood…I need you…both of you.”
Quintus raised an eyebrow at Jake, the corner of his mouth tugging upward. Jake inwardly laughed that even though his mate had almost died, she’d rallied, grown more determined to live her life unfettered. Too long she’d lived a clandestine existence, sacrificing her freedom. She asserted her dominance over both men, aware his wolf would seek her submission, and it was hotter than hell.
“Did you know my mate likes to be spanked?” Jake asked Quintus, his gaze set on Kai’s.
“Does she now?” He unbuttoned his jeans and sat on the edge of the bed, watching intently as the Alpha grazed a palm over her breast.
“Undress her,” Jake ordered, smiling. Her smooth hand gave a firm stroke to his cock and he groaned.
“No panties?” Quintus asked as he stripped her bare.
“What is this?” Jake glided his hand to her mound, and teased his fingers through her slick folds. “My dirty girl is so fucking wet. Come. Touch her.”
Quintus’ eyes went to Jake, seeking approval. The Alpha nodded and Kai gasped as the vampire set his palm on her inner thigh and trailed his fingers toward her pussy. He lingered at the crease of her leg, and gave a devious smile to Kai, teasing her with his touch.
“Fuck her now.” The Alpha’s body tightened in arousal as Quintus speared a thick digit inside her wet hole. As Jake stroked her sensitive nub, Kai moaned and arched her back in response.
“Oh Goddess.”
“I want to fuck that pretty little mouth of yours,” Jake told Kai, biting his lip as she continued to grip his dick.
“Ah…yeah
.” She nodded.
“Let go, sweetheart.” As she released Jake’s cock, he climbed atop her, facing Quintus, and straddled himself so his balls brushed her lips. He sucked a breath as her tongue lapped his velvety crinkled skin.
Kai guided his cock through her soft lips, and shivered as her tongue danced up and down his shaft. Jake leaned forward onto his palms, watching as Quintus continued to plunge his fingers inside her core. He brushed his lips to her stomach, trailing kisses down her hip.
“Si, bella,” the vampire breathed.
“Let me see that pussy,” Jake directed. As Quintus spread her labia open, exposing her glistening pink flesh, he dragged his tongue over her clit. “You taste so fucking good.”
His body spiked with arousal as he plunged his cock into her warm mouth. She sucked and lapped at his dick. With his mouth on her pussy, his eyes rose to Quintus’.
“Come taste my mate,” Jake told him.
Quintus didn’t say a word as he did as he was told. His gaze locked on the Alpha’s, his mouth sucking Kai’s beautiful swollen clit between his lips.
The sight of the vampire eating her pussy drove Jake feral. His mate hummed around his shaft, moaning in pleasure. Kai’s body bucked as Quintus brought her closer to the edge of orgasm, the tip of his tongue circling her bead. She gave a hard suck and a ripple of ecstasy flowed through Jake like electricity.
“Ah…hold on there, sweetheart. I think it’s time we change things up a little. Jake held onto his dick, gently removing it from her mouth. As he lifted off of her, he gazed down onto his mate. Her expression wore a sensual mask, her eyes heavy-lidded as he stood towering over her.
“Come here Quint,” Jake directed, watching as the vampire sucked slowly then released her clit with a smile. Quintus kicked off his jeans and his erection sprung free. “Lay down on the bed. Kai tastes delicious doesn’t she?” Jake asked. “So, so beautiful.”
“Hmm…so good. I could eat her all day.” Quintus lay down onto his back and stroked his hard length.
“That’s it. Show her your cock,” Jake said as Quintus fisted his dick.
