"Ilsbeth is alive," Jake continued, ignoring him. "But I'm tellin' you, there's no way the coven was taking her back the way she was, not as witch anyway. Honestly, I don't think she'd be breathin' had Jax suspected she held any power."
"Kai needs a spell," Quintus stated. "You both need each other. Finding Shilan will not prove easy. But it's going to be even more difficult if she's not cloaked. Her power is like a beacon to others. Kasdeya is not the only vampire who will seek to taste her. Others, they may seek her out. There's no telling what could happen."
"I'll call Luca Macquarie's mate, Samantha. She's powerful."
"But she's new."
"Maybe, but she's heading up the coven down here. I hear the vamp isn't too happy about it either." Jake bit down into the sugary delight.
"Luca has always been a bit protective but he'll have no choice but to help Kai. I will see to it."
"Listen, I have to ask you. What went down in New York? It's not like you're small change. Why don't you just help Kai on your own? Leave me out of it."
"I have many powers, this is true. But if wolves have stolen or hidden Shilan, it would be easier for a wolf to find her. You're an Alpha. Your dominance over the actions of the pack is essential. I can tear a wolf limb from limb … "
"Easy," Jake coughed.
"Well, this is true. And if it's a human, I can drain them until there is nothing but skin."
"Jesus." Jake held up the pastry. "Breakfast. Eating."
"You get my point. I can fight. This I can do. But the wolves, I cannot make them tell me anything, and then there is Kasdeya. Her craft is strong. She's grown powerful over the years. To go against her alone? Perhaps I will win. But she holds many secrets. I need an ally and so do you."
"And in the end, we are doing all this to save some glow chick?"
"As I've said, I cannot disclose everything to you now. Kai must choose to trust you. If her gift falls into the wrong hands, packs across the country will be at risk."
"If this is true, why not tell Logan?"
"Because he is Alpha of Acadian wolves. You, however, are the Alpha of Anzober Wolves." Quintus held a palm up, silencing the expected protest. "I felt your strength in New York, as did Jax. You may not have accepted your destiny, but you soon won't be able to deny it. Your beast rises."
Jake turned his gaze to the Mississippi, the sun reflecting off its surface. New Orleans had always been his home, yet his wolf had changed. No longer would it be satisfied to be counted equal within the pack. It sought to lead, and would roam to find its own fate.
"Your connection with Kai, I cannot be certain, but she is drawn to you for other reasons. Your magick complements hers."
Jake's focus snapped back to Quintus, quickly inferring his meaning. "Hold up there. If you're saying what I think you're trying to say … no. She's not my mate. I don't know what the hell she is but she's not a wolf."
"I'm not saying that. I'm only saying you may have a connection. There are many things we cannot explain. It is too soon to tell," Quintus countered.
"It's simple. Wolves only mate with wolves, and Kai isn't lupine. We may have some cosmic tie through the universe but it's no different than you and me. And hell, we aren't even friends."
"Don't discount the possibility. We just shared a meal. Who knows what else we shall share?" Quintus laughed.
"You're as full of secrets as Kai is. When the two of you start sharing with me, then we'll talk about being friends."
"Speaking of which, the house is quiet. Where is she?" Quintus asked.
Jake closed his eyes, panic rising in his chest. He'd heard the shower running when he'd made the coffee, and noted the creaking above him while they'd talked. Yet the distinctive sound of silence filled the room, and as he concentrated, reaching for her as if she were a wolf, he knew for certain she'd disappeared.
"She's gone." Jake's eyes flew wide open and locked on the vampire. "How the hell did she get out of here?"
Quintus smiled and shook his head. "The same way she got from California to New Orleans. She's testing her abilities."
"Why the hell did she leave? I told her I'd help her." Jake slammed his palms onto the kitchen table, and stood. He strode over to the sliding patio doors and pressed his hands to the glass. Ilsbeth. "The witch. Kai heard us talking. I told her we weren't going."
"She's strong. Determined."