Jake (Immortals of New Orleans #8)(39)

"I don't know about any of this … I just met her the other day. I can't accept that a pixiu is just going to fall into my life. I'm not even the Alpha of my own pack. How do you know so much about the pixiu anyway?"

"I cannot say how this will play out but I'm certain of what's going on. I told you. I am very … "

"Old. Yeah. Got the memo." Jake caught the flicker of hurt in Quintus' eyes and it took him off guard.

"Your wolf. He knows." Quintus reflectively glanced into his wine as if he were about to recall a memory, but continued to press Jake about his relationship with Kai. "You have made love?"

"Are you asking me that for real?" Jake asked, angry at himself that he hadn't yet showered.

"But of course I scent her on you. I cannot be one hundred percent certain, but … "

"Enough, Quint. Okay, yeah … so we've been together, but I've already explained this to her. This is just a fling. Nothing heavy. I'm helping her out of a sitch and I've gotta go to Cali anyway. Two people helping each other out. That's all it is. Nothing more. Nothing less."

"It must be nice." Quintus laughed and took a sip of his wine.

"What now?" Jake glanced to the food and then up the steps. He didn't want to be rude but he was starving.

"To be utterly in the dark, not accepting fate."

Jake glared at Quintus, ripping off another piece of bread and shoving it into his mouth.

"Let me put it another way to you. Suppose I am her master. Perhaps I shall make love to her. See if she bonds with me."



       
         
       
        

"Don't you even fucking think of touching her," Jake growled, nearly choking on his food. Anger speared through him at the suggestion.

"Just a fling. That's what you said."

"Fuck you."

"She's had my blood, after all. Perhaps I need to taste hers." Quintus cocked his head and gave Jake a broad smile. "Maybe I am her master."

"You are not her fucking master." I am. Jake shot to his feet, blood rushing to his face. "She's mine, Quint. I'll kill you if you touch her."

"And there ya go." Quintus laughed. "You know, I'm so glad to be back in New Orleans. Best creole ever. What's she doing up there anyway?"

The asshole had baited him, making it difficult to ignore Quintus' theory. Jake exhaled, reining in his anger and changed the subject. "We need to talk about tonight."

"Yes, yes. The Serpent's Breath. You know it's changed hands many times, this past century. Its management has been difficult to say the least."

"I though Kade had jurisdiction."

"The borders are blurred. With it being in Iberville's parish, it's within the Baton Rouge limits. The leadership up there, it varies city to city."

"Yes, up toward St. Gabriel. So what's the deal?"

"Kade tells me a vampire named Jonathon's running things."

"And?" Jake heard the creaking floorboards, but continued with the conversation.

"He's into Voodoo. Has quite the reputation for killing on a whim. Peculiar fellow. Has a bit of a temper. Not as old or as powerful as Kasdeya. Or me."

"Could work to our advantage. Guess he's like most vamps. No offense if I'm over generalizing, but y'all are a competitive bunch. Vamp eat vamp so to speak." Jake cracked a small smile, sensing the irritation in Quintus' expression.

"We are not petty," he asserted.

"You're competitive. There's a difference. You have sires but no allegiance to anyone but yourselves. You know that if Jonathon had the chance, he'd try to take down Kade. But instead, he's lying in the outskirts. So maybe he's not as powerful. Maybe he wants to help us take down Kasdeya? Score a few points."

"Make no mistake. Kade isn't to be trifled with. I'm his sire once removed."

"Yes, but he doesn't fly around like you and Leo."

"Fly around?" Quintus rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "We do not fly around."

"Disappear. Reappear. It's like a fucking magic show."

"We materialize, shifting our atoms, into a new location. It's very simple." 

"Yeah, it's not normal. Not even for you vamps. Don't even try to tell me that bullshit because in all my years I've only seen you and Leo do it."

"We are but the tip of the iceberg, my friend," Quintus commented but explained no further.

"Jonathon? He probably doesn't materialize. You're stronger. We should be safe. But my concern is … " Jake lost concentration as Kai descended the stairs, wearing only his t-shirt. Her pointed tips strained against the white fabric. His cock stirred as his gorgeous creature smiled at him. But as her eyes went to Quintus, jealousy flared. Jake fought the urge to cover her up, aware that it would give credence to the vampire's insistence that he was her master.