"Thanks. I guess," Jake said, a hint of irritation in his voice as he opened the refrigerator in search of cream. "Answer the question. And while you're at it, how'd you know where I was and how'd you get through the wards?"
"I know lots of things. You don't get as old as I am without resources. Your wards are good, but not good enough. I've spent a lot of time with witches. Picked up a few tricks of my own."
"What the hell do you want?"
"I want to discuss the female you brought home with you." Quintus made his way to the kitchen table, sat down on a chair and popped the remaining bite of food into his mouth.
The hair on the back of Jake's neck stood at the mention of Kai. His wolf growled in warning, threatening to shift.
Quintus held up a defensive hand. "Settle down there, Alpha. I'm not here to harm her. Or you."
"What in the fuck is wrong with everyone? I'm Jake. Jake Louvière. Wolf. Not a beta. Not a fucking Alpha. Jesus, already, will you all stop?" As long as his feet were on Acadian soil, he'd never consider himself Alpha. Having Kai and Quintus call him by that title bored a hole in his stomach. Jax's words never left his mind, but until he led a pack, he wasn't Alpha.
"I'm very old, you know." Quintus raised an eyebrow at Jake.
"So you keep tellin' me. Coffee?"
"Please." Quintus nodded. "You know, I've been around Alphas in the making."
"Yeah, so have I. Logan. He's my Alpha." Jake poured two coffees and set them on the kitchen table.
"Jax knew, didn't he?" the vampire pressed.
"Why are we doing this?" Jake opened the refrigerator, retrieved the cream and handed it to the vampire.
"We're doing this because we're going to work together to help the woman in your bed."
"How the hell did you know she was in my bed?" Jake held up a silencing palm. "You know what? Don't tell me. I don't wanna know. I'm good."
"She's a special creature. She must be protected."
"Yeah well, I can see she's got special witch-like powers goin' on. What I don't get is all the secrets. I'm kinda getting sick of this shit." Jake sat down at the table facing Quintus and sipped his coffee.
"Her sister. She's alive. I sense her but I cannot find her. You must help."
"Why do you care? What's your involvement in this show?" Jake asked, his eyes locked on Quintus.
"The female. She's very special."
"Yeah. I got that."
"She's rare. A unique being among us. Her powers, they can be used by others."
"All I know is that she's scared. Last night, she was freaking out. Something about all the supernaturals." Jake sighed in frustration. "Would you just do me a fucking favor, okay? Tell me what she is. Why all the secrecy? I can't help her if I don't have all the pieces of the puzzle."
"I am not permitted to tell you."
"Seriously?" Jake scrubbed his chin. "I can't do this. All this shit is for the fucking birds. No. You want my help? Then you need to tell me what the hell is going on."
"It is not my place. I'm sworn to silence on this. And I ask you, do you really want to hear it from me?" Quintus cocked his head and gave him a pointed stare.
Silence drifted between them as Jake pondered the question. Fucking vampires with their condescending attitudes. He knew the answer. After having Kai within his arms, he'd only be satisfied with the truth from her lips.
"Can you at least tell me your involvement in this mess? Last night … those wolves seemed to know you. That demon, whatever the hell it was, it knew to go after you first before Kai," Jake noted.
"I have many enemies. But this evil that comes for her? It knows I am a protector … as it now knows of your existence. You see, Kai," the vampire paused, as if to listen, and lowered his voice, "she doesn't know of my place in this. There is a vampire on the west coast who seeks to kill her, she's dangerous. Not just to Kai, but to other vampires, wolves … she rules over many species within her territory. She does so with an iron fist. She's brutal beyond comprehension."
"So I take it she's as old as you?" Jake asked.
"Quite, if not more so. You asked how I got through your wards. My long life has given me both the opportunity and means to explore the craft. The one of whom I speak … Kasdeya. She is a master of the dark arts. Over the years, I've taken care to help keep Kai and Shilan hidden. If their powers are stolen … this will be very bad for everyone, supernaturals and humans alike."