"Stay still. Close your eyes," the witch instructed, her voice firm.
Kai did as she asked. In her mind's eye, the beast roared, its spectacular wings extended as it stepped forward from the shadows, revealing itself for the first time. Oh Goddess, I can't control it. Fear gripped her chest. It shook its golden mane furiously, its massive paws lifting off the ground. As it leapt toward her, Kai's mind became one with the beast. With a massive bellow, it retracted its wings, and settled onto the ground. As her mind went silent, she heard the distinctive howl of a wolf in the distance. What the hell? Her eyes flashed open to Samantha's, and she tore her hands away, protectively wrapping them around her midsection.
"It's okay, Kai," Samantha told her.
"No, no … what was that? What did you do?" Her voice rose in panic.
"Is this the first time?"
"That's me? No, that thing, it can't be me."
"You are Pixiu, and you're very, very special."
"I'm dangerous, that's what I am. They took my sister because of me." Kai jumped up from the sofa and began to pace. "I haven't ever shifted … "
"But you have the power to drain others?"
"Yes. No. I don't really know how it works. It's like this." Kai nervously twisted a strand of her silky hair with a finger. "Good fortune. The magick of a supernatural. I absorb it. It goes into me and most of the time, I can't stop it. Maybe if I had more experience I could control it but right now, I can't."
"And so you harbor it?"
"Yeah, I guess. But the other day, after Kasdeya bit me. I did something to Jake. I froze him. I think it was the poison. I don't know if I could do it again."
"But were you truly threatened?"
"I was afraid, angry, but no … he didn't attack me. I suppose if he had … "
"You do realize that what you did to Jake, that's impossible? Impossible for most creatures. Now imagine if you could do that to a whole pack at once, to control them."
"No, only an Alpha can wield that kind of power." Kai closed her eyes, her heart racing.
"You attract the supernaturals, Kai, because they want your power. Kasdeya. She's tasted you, knows what you are. Imagine if they could gain even a tenth of your power over the wolves by draining you. And the wolves, they will sense you but won't know what you are."
"I can't control the magick when I'm around others. It seeps into me. Their good forture. I steal it."
"That is the nature of Pixiu. But you don't steal anything. It's true you absorb good luck. Your master, he alone will control how it is used. For good. For evil. He will guide your beast. You are powerful."
"Master?" Kai's eyes flashed to Samantha's. "No one can control me. I will hide forever. I'll go to Siberia if I have to."
Samantha stood and crossed the room, her tone gentle. "In this life, we all have a soul who is meant to be ours. Fate shall bring you together. You have lived a very long life, Kai, isolated from everyone. Your beast, she has a match."
"No, I don't breed. I cannot have children."
"Magick." Samantha raised her hands up to the ceiling and smiled as a rainbow of sparks danced in the air. "You cannot wish it away. I once tried."
"But you're a witch."
"Not always. I was once very much human. And Luca? He's vampire. They do not breed either. We were not supposed to be able to have a child, but we did. So you see, magick, it is capable of beautiful things."
"I don't want a master. I've never even … " Made love with a supernatural. "I can only be with humans."
"What else did you see just now?" Samantha blew a kiss and the sparkles dissipated.
"Nothing … I saw her. Me. I have wings. But I've never shifted and then at the end I heard something." A wolf. "It makes no sense."
"Let me tell you what I saw." Samantha went to the wall, running her palm along its seam. "I saw a magnificent creature. A strong one that has grown over the years. It's fierce. Protective of its master and those it loves. It's been around supernaturals the past couple of days, has flexed its wings. You will shift soon. You need guidance when it happens."
"No, that cannot happen. I don't have a master and I definitely cannot shift. I cannot allow that to happen." Kai bit her lip, shaking her head. "No, no, no."
"There's no stopping this. I suggest you stay close to those who've stepped up to protect you. They've been brought into your life for a reason."
"I have no one. Shilan. She was the only person I had and now she's gone."
"There are others. I know them. And so do you," Samantha continued as she depressed a lever along the wainscoting. "Keep them close and they will help you find your sister."