As they drove along the dark rural highway, Kai silently contemplated Quintus' revelation. He knew a pixiu. As in past tense. She sensed that whoever it was, they'd been close. Grief radiated off him and she suspected Jake felt the waves of sadness as well. Kai's mind raced with questions, wondering who she'd been. Had he been her master? Why hadn't he known about the Kris?
Jake spoke to the driver through a speaker, bringing her attention to the Alpha. He repeated his instructions, insisting he leave in case of trouble.
As Jake flicked off the switch, her hand brushed his. Drawn to the Alpha, she couldn't resist his energy. His fingers lingered over hers, and her body tingled in awareness. She fought the warmth between her legs, refusing to look across at the vampire, who'd easily scent her arousal. A rush of emotion seized her chest at the realization it would crush her to give up the Alpha. He'd told her they'd never be together. He was dating several other women, and none were mates. She was one more romantic interest on his list. The end was inevitable.
"It's going to be all right, Kai," he said, his voice soft and reassuring.
"I didn't mean to put you in so much danger." She continued to stare out the window, afraid tears would fall if she looked at him. "I promise once I find my sister, I'll leave you be."
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." Jake brought her hand to his chest. "Right now, let's focus on you."
"I'm fine."
"I can feel you, Kai. Don't ever lie to me."
"It's impossible. Whatever you sense is no more than a human would. I'm not wolf." The words burned a hole in her stomach. The bitter truth was undeniable.
"Not true. I don't know … you and Quintus, you know about how I'm changing."
"You're Alpha. I feel it," she told him.
"But that's the thing. I've kept it quiet. Logan and Dimitri now know. And Jax? Hell, he knew right away. But me personally? It's like I'm a little bit like you. It's been a long time coming. I tried to deny it, to keep it hidden … but now?"
"Now what?" she asked, noting how Quintus sat quietly facing them, his eyes closed. She suspected he wasn't asleep, yet he didn't pay them any mind.
"The Alpha is rising. I'm starting to sense the pack, knowing what others are thinking. Being in touch with everyone around me." He gave a small smile. "There's something about you, Kai. I know you're rare, don't mate and all that bullshit. But my wolf, he recognizes you. I feel your sadness, your worry."
"I can feel your wolf too," she admitted. In an effort to conceal her emerging feelings for him, she changed the subject. "I've spent all this time hiding. And after what I did in San Francisco, I can't believe I'm about to walk into another coven. I must be an idiot."
"You're cautious. And you should be. But my guess is that you're not as vulnerable as you think you are. Yeah, they want you … your blood, to control good fortune, like a damn rabbit's foot. But you're changing. I can't see your beast, but I feel her … you're strong."
"But the vampires … " she began.
"We'll deal with them. I'm not letting anyone mess with you, but I'm also not going to provoke them. I don't want to give you any reason to shift while we're in there. It's not something you want to be doing for the first time in a less than positive atmosphere, shall we say. I'm not sure when you're gonna shift but when it happens, I'll support you, okay?"
"Okay," Kai agreed, giving a squeeze to his hand.
"It's up ahead on the left," Quintus commented. His eyes flashed to theirs and he grinned. "I feel him. Ah, his confidence … it's very high. He's filled with delight at the moment."
"Are you certain it's here?" she asked. They'd been driving for at least thirty minutes into the country with no sign of people. "I haven't seen a single building in miles."
"The Serpent's Breath is isolated. He's not social like most vampires," Quintus responded.
"Baton Rouge. They've been fighting for some time up here. The territory's been divided between at least a dozen vampires. None are as strong as Kade," Jake commented.
"I'm sure Jonathon would love to have more power, but it's impossible at this time," Quintus added.
"Léopold's presence in New Orleans has given Kade even more strength. These guys like to hide out. Jonathon's coven flourishes here. Vamps from other parishes visit the night club." Jake pointed to two large southern oak trees draped in Spanish moss. "It's up here."