He padded down the hallway toward the bedroom, his thoughts broken as he heard her crying. He'd been fully prepared to drill her, to punish her for leaving, yet as he opened the door and caught sight of her sitting on the floor, her face in her hands, his chest tightened.
"Kai," he said, softening his tone. "I know things seem bad but we're going to find the Kris."
Jake approached and settled himself in front of her on the cool hardwood floor. "It's going to be okay."
Kai stared up at him, her eyes reddened. "I should have told you everything when we met, but you must understand. I've been in hiding over a hundred years. I've avoided supernaturals."
"Where have you been?"
"In Wyoming. I'm a geologist. I work alone. My sister, we think she's a witch, but she doesn't know how to use her powers. You wouldn't even know if you met her." Kai reached for his hand, locking her eyes on his. "I'm a pixiu. My parents were killed trying to protect me. After I came to America, my stepparents were killed. Every caretaker I ever had was threatened. Eventually, I left home and went to Ilsbeth. Her spell allowed me to live in peace. But when Shilan left … this is all my fault."
"Look Kai, I don't know who's got your sister or how this is tied into what's going on with Anzober Wolves, but you've gotta trust me. You can't go running out of here like you did."
"You wouldn't let me see Ilsbeth. I had to go without you," she insisted, shaking her head. "When I was with Samantha, I saw something. I've always known my beast existed. But dear Goddess, I saw her. Jake … I cannot allow this to happen. I don't want to shift. I'm scared."
"I'll help you, sweetheart. But you've gotta tell me everything if we are going to do this, and that includes what you're going to shift into. Now I know it's not easy." Shifting for the first time was never to be taken lightly. Given she wasn't wolf, he didn't know what complications could arise. "But you can do this and I'll be here with you."
"There's something else I need to tell you, Jake." Her eyes widened and she rocked her head in disbelief. "I … I heard something … .I heard … I don't know … .but I swear, I think it was a wolf."
"A wolf? Maybe you're a hybrid?" If she had even a sliver of lupine blood inside her that would explain his connection, how he could sense her emotions.
"No, I don't think so. I don't think it was me."
"Well then … " Jake couldn't repress a small grin at her statement. "Who else ya got in there? Because I'll tell you, I don't think you could have two things. You shift into one thing or another. That's how it works."
"I'm not a shifter."
"You're gonna shift so yeah, you kinda are."
"I'm pixiu. The energy others have. Their good fortune. I sense it. I absorb it. I even think I might be able to transfer it, but I'm not sure how yet. I have a book. My mother gave it to me. I didn't spend much time reading it because I always thought if I did, then it would somehow break my spell, attract supernaturals. It scared me."
"And where is this book?" Jake glanced to her hand, and turned it over, revealing her palm.
"I don't know. I left it in the hotel room I was staying in … this was before I saw Kasdeya. It's possible it got thrown away. Or knowing her, she might have it. If we could get it back, maybe it could help me. It's stupid to think I'll get it back though. It's impossible."
"Nothing is impossible, Kai. If we need the book, we'll look for it. But why do you think you can transfer your power to someone else?" As he ran the pad of his thumb over her palm, a twinge of arousal danced through him.
"Samantha. It's what she said. I don't know where she heard this."
"Heard what?" Jake scooted closer to her, taking both her hands.
"She said … " Kai averted her gaze and whispered, "She said I have a master."
"A master? What the hell is that supposed to mean?" A shot of jealousy jolted through Jake at her revelation, and his wolf growled.
"I don't know." Her eyes flashed to his. "It can't be true. I've lived alone for over a century. No being has ever had power over me."
"Have you been around other supernaturals at all? I know you said you haven't but it's kind of hard to avoid."
"Hunter Livingston. I've only met him once and that was eighty years ago when he took over the territory. After Ilsbeth did the spell, I went to university in Wisconsin. Earned my degrees. I worked remotely for a different university. Also did some work as an editor for a geological publication. Hunter, he knows I'm supernatural, but he doesn't know what I am. If he did, he's never said anything."