"Here she is." Jake released Kai, backing away.
Captivated by the Alpha, words failed her as he commanded her body. Master. There was no person who'd ever dominated her, yet there was no denying her beast's response to the wolf.
The sound of Samantha's voice drew her attention, and Kai's eyes flashed to the redheaded witch who now stood in the room. Quintus nodded to her as he entered the room.
"Before we get started, I want you to be clear on Kai's kind … she will need your guidance," Samantha told him.
"I want the truth." Jake focused on Kai.
Samantha nodded at her. Kai's stomach tightened as she summoned the courage to tell the wolf. She bit her lip and turned to look out the window.
"My kind. We are very rare." She rubbed her fingers over her eyes and faced the Alpha. "I am Pixiu."
"What?" Jake raised his eyebrows, his tone skeptical.
"Let her finish," Samantha said quietly.
"Pixiu. Bìxié. I am known as several things and nothing at all. I'm not certain of my powers but know I absorb the good fortune of others. I don't have control over it right now, but I suspect if I honed my powers, I could wield them as a sword. I've spent a lifetime avoiding other supernaturals because I was told long ago that others would attempt to steal my powers, have them for themselves." Tears brimmed her lashes as she spoke, emotions threading through her chest. "My sister has always been vulnerable because of me. Ilsbeth helped me over a hundred years ago, to hide my abilities from the others, to make me appear human. Without the spell, I will be hunted."
"How will others use your power?" Jake asked.
"I don't know. Samantha said what I did to you at your cabin … what I just tried to do, they might be able to use it. But I'm still not convinced it wasn't the poison. It's possible if someone controls me, the good fortune would be theirs, but Jake, you need to know this," Kai's eyes lifted to his, "I've known almost forever she was there, but today … "
"Who?" Jake's voice was laced with concern.
"Her beast. She will shift soon," Samantha answered.
"It was the first time I've seen her. She looks like a lion. I … I think I have wings." Kai stuttered as she spoke an almost unbelievable truth.
"What you did just now." He gave Kai a pointed stare and then set his attention on Samantha. "Kai just tried to focus her power on me, but it didn't work."
"At the cabin … I could have been affected by Kasdeya," Kai explained.
"But you just said, you're not absorbing my energy. So the question is, do you still need Ilsbeth and this spell?"
"Others can sense her. Kai's power grows by the day. Your presence in her life, it obviously has affected her," Samantha answered.
"Is this true?" Jake directed his question toward Kai.
"I don't know. Look, I just need the spell. I have to go find my sister and I can't do it the way I am right now. Please," she begged.
"She will shift. You must help her," the witch insisted.
"Where's Ilsbeth?" Kai pressed.
"You must tell him what we discussed," Samantha told her, ignoring her question.
"Later. I need Ilsbeth."
"Can't you just whip up whatever she needs?" Jake asked Samantha.
"I agree with the wolf," Quintus interjected.
"Neither one of you gets to decide about this. This is my life. My sister. If you don't like Ilsbeth, then get the hell out." Kai's anger spiked at his interruption. "I need Ilsbeth."
"She's dangerous. There's no way I'm letting her hurt … " Jake began.
"Please, Jake." Kai reached for his arm, her tone softening. "I know this witch did something awful. But I need help. I swear when we leave I'll tell you anything else you want to know. But right now I need you to trust me … please."
"Fucking hell," Jake cursed.
"Please." Kai slipped her hand in his, sending her energy to him. She needed him to feel her, to know she was telling the truth.
"Samantha, tell me you can do this spell," he pleaded, frustrated.
"I cannot. You must understand. I'm breastfeeding. My magick, while stronger than ever, must remain pure. And I'm afraid Ilsbeth … I'm very sorry, Kai. I'll let you see her but she's no longer the same." Samantha's face offered sympathy as she revealed the witch's state. "She no longer does magick. It's gone."
"I need to see her." Kai's stomach dropped at the revelation.