Before her mind had a chance to churn through an infinity of outcomes, she realized she was looking onto a sea of vampires. The spicy aroma of incense filtered through the air. It hung thick in a fog, and she squeezed Jake's hand as her body reacted to it. Magick? She glanced at Jake whose eyes narrowed onto hers as if he'd read her mind. She gave a short nod, and mouthed, 'Get the Kris'.
"My sweet little witch tires of the tour, Jonathon. Let's get to it," Jake told him.
"My darlings are hungry. Please come see them." The sly vampire ignored the Alpha, and approached the edge of the railing.
Kai's eyes widened as he flipped an enormous rectangular metal lid open, exposing the aquarium. The bright backlit water speared light through the swirling smoke. Kai sensed the danger, noting the opening was large enough for a man to enter. Her heart raced and Jake wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her flush to his side.
"Did you see them downstairs? They're beauties." Jonathon reached underneath the counter and opened a refrigerator, retrieving a black canister.
"Piranhas," Jake answered.
"Ah, the wolf knows his nature. Vampires. We aren't always in touch with the animals the way you are." Jonathon laughed.
As he pried open the lid, Kai coughed, the stench of rotting meat rapidly mixing with the aromatic incense. She gripped the back of Jake's shirt, watching intensely as the vampire lifted a raw piece of chicken into the air.
"These babies … they love poultry." He dropped the leg into the tank, and a hiss of bubbles stirred in the water as the feisty fish attacked their meal. "I have several hundred. Did you know they're able to strip human bones clean? True story."
"You're a vampire," Jake stated, his expression impassive. "Why remove flesh when you could eat it?"
"Hmm," he shrugged. "You never know when you'll need to dispose of a body quickly. Besides, vampires don't usually eat flesh. The blood is what we're after. Isn't that right, Quintus?"
"Where's the Kris?" Quintus asked, stepping in front of Kai.
"Why do you seek the Kris? Why not just use an athame from the coven? Ilsbeth has many, I'm sure. Ah … that's right." He scratched his temple, and smiled. "I've heard the high priestess is quite ill. Some say she's lost her magick. A shame really. She was quite the queen. How the mighty have fallen."
"It's none of your concern what we do with the Kris. Money for information. Do you have it or not?" Jake pressed.
"Tsk. Tsk. Such impatience." Jonathon blew a kiss into the fish tank, and turned to the Alpha. "Why isn't Logan here tonight? Why send you? No offense, but you're not even the beta. I find this interesting."
"It's not your concern to question my Alpha. Just know that this is my business. Don't test me," Jake growled, baring his teeth. He stepped forward, still holding Kai's hand.
Her instinct to attack reared, the beast stirring within her chest. She closed her eyes, her heart racing as the creature flapped its wings. Kai blinked and glanced to Jake, studying the tick in his jaw. Her eyes widened in surprise as the Alpha's anger rushed through her, leaving her limbs trembling with his strength. The unusual sensation rippled his emotions through her as if they were her own. Stay, Kai. Don't move, she heard Jake say, yet his mouth didn't move, his eyes trained on Jonathon.
"Flies come to honey. Sticky, sticky sweet," Jonathon sang defiantly as he tossed another drumstick to the vicious school of fish. A sinister smile crossed his face as they devoured the rotting meat. "I have no need for money. Hmm … what would I like? A dance perhaps with the witch?"
"Not happenin'." The Alpha glared at him, disgust crossing his face as the vampire licked the chicken juice from his fingers.
"Blood then. Yours. Hers." He gave a cool smile.
"No fucking way," Jake responded before Kai had a chance to speak.
"Perhaps I like to watch," the vampire suggested, a coquettish tone to his voice.
"This is bullshit, vamp. Cash. That's what I'll give you. No blood. No dance," Jake insisted.
"The beat of the music is intoxicating, is it not? Spells weave themselves as we speak."
Kai sucked a breath as the infectious ambrosial odor permeated the air, the heavy sexual beat pulsing into her ears. The warmth between her legs ached as she turned into Jake. She brushed her palm over the scruff on his cheek, tilting his attention to her. The intensity in his expression shifted from anger to desire, his gaze settling on hers. Voices disappeared as he reached around her waist and brought her into his arms.