"Have her abductors contacted you? No request for an exchange?" Samantha inquired.
"No. She'd gone to California to meet friends but never reached them. She may have been captured by wolves."
"I see," Samantha said, then let silence fill the air whilst she looked to the garden and then back to Kai. "And Jake?"
"Jake … " Kai lost her words, a rainbow of emotions running through her at the sound of his name. "The current Alpha of Anzober Wolves won't talk to me. Jake … he has a reputation. He can be trusted. When I was in California looking for my sister, I got myself in a situation and ended up transporting here. He was all I could think of. But," Kai sighed and shook her head, recalling the experience of being bitten by the vampire, "I messed up. Do you know of Kasdeya?"
Samantha simply nodded but offered no further information.
"Our meeting didn't go as planned. I escaped before I died. My arrival at Jake's wasn't planned. It was the first time I'd materialized. And well, you must understand, I was … ." Bitten. Another exchange. "So you see, this is why I'm here in New Orleans. I needed Ilsbeth to fix the spell. I can't have other supernaturals finding me while I look for my sister."
"Yes, we shall discuss that."
"Please. I want you to know that even though the spell does nothing to thwart or deter my power, I do not use it. I don't want to attract attention. You don't have to fear me."
"I take it you have not morphed?"
"No, and I don't want to. It's not as if my powers come with a manual. All I have is a notebook that was given to me by my parents as a child. My mother, she'd made notes to me. There were no specific words about my ability. I shouldn't have taken it with me to California, but when Shilan went missing … it was the only thing I had from my family. I don't have it anymore … somewhere during my trip to California … I can't believe it's lost." Desperation churned in her gut, with the disappointment that she'd screwed up, losing her mother's notebook.
"Kasdeya has it?"
"I don't know. That night I went to her, I'd left it at the hotel. It's a blur. It doesn't matter. I need to hide. I don't want to change into anything. I need the spell revived. Please. Where's Ilsbeth?"
"And Jake? What are your intentions?" Samantha pinned her with a somber stare.
"Jake? Why do you ask about him?"
"Answer carefully. What are your intentions?" Samantha glanced to her fingernails and refocused her gaze on Kai. "Do not lie."
"I … I … " Kai considered her answer, reflecting on the truth that lay in her heart. "Jake. There's something about him. I came here for his help. He's an Alpha. Whether he realizes it or not, Anzober Wolves … they recognize him as theirs."
"And you?" Samantha asked.
"Well, I don't know. He's … " Kai recalled their intimacy. "He's connected to me. I'm not sure how. It's just," she paused, aware she was disclosing her inner thoughts to a virtual stranger. Yet there was something calming about the witch. "The Alpha. I had to leave him today. I didn't want to. But I need protection from Ilsbeth. He doesn't understand this. She's the only one who can help me. The strange thing is that when I'm with Jake, he doesn't affect me like the others."
"How's that?"
"He's the only supernatural who's ever touched me. I don't absorb his energy … I don't know how. He's different. Special." Kai's voice went quiet as she struggled to explain. She'd come undone under his command. There had been no one she'd ever considered submitting to, yet in his presence, she'd been willing to do anything. "I'm sorry. I really can't describe it. But you must know I wish him no harm."
"A pixiu," Samantha stated plainly, her expression flat.
Kai sucked a breath, hearing the ancient word on the witch's lips. Magick swirled around her and she responded.
"It's what my mother always called me. My existence is only a myth. I've tried for years to deny my powers. Others, they've searched for me. And now they have my sister. What am I to do? I need to see Ilsbeth. I need to be hidden once again."
"I understand your dilemma, Kai," Samantha said. "But there are a few things I need to share with you."
"Ilsbeth … she's the only one who knew."
"Come, give me your hands." Samantha reached for her.
Kai hesitated at the request, aware of the power the witch emanated. Samantha knows what I am. Just do it. Her eyes went to the witch's, and she took a deep breath. Samantha nodded, encouraging her to do as she was told. As Kai laid her palms onto hers, the jolt of energy took her by surprise. She attempted to yank her hands away, but Samantha held tight.