"Hey now." Jake held up his hand in protest. "No. Don't even tell me that's happened to … "
"No worries. I'm not telling you any secrets, wolf." Quintus laughed, turning away. "Listen, I've gotta get something to eat. Zapping us all back here … it takes a lot out of me. I'll be back."
"Hey, Quint. With Kai … if I really am her master." Jake paused, afraid to speak the question that pinged around in his head. He'd spoken to her beast, and it listened. Whether happenstance or otherwise, she'd submitted to his command. Mate. He closed his eyes briefly and blew out a breath. It was impossible. "I just don't get this. How the hell am I mixed up with a pixiu?"
"You know how the Goddess works. There are things we cannot explain. I can't say your task is an easy one. Kai's correct about one thing. Others will seek to destroy her, to steal her fortune. Until she is bonded, commanded by no other, she is most vulnerable. She needs her mate."
"Ho, ho, hold on there," Jake said. His eyes fell to her lips and back to Quintus. "Let's not go throwin' 'round the 'M' word. She's not a wolf. I'll admit we've got chemistry, but that's all that's goin' on."
"You know there once was a man who believed, himself, that he'd never find someone to call his own. Then one day, he met a pixiu. She was magnificent. But he was young. Selfish. Led around by his dick, not his brain. He fucked up." Quint sighed and stared at Kai. "These creatures are courageous and lethal, but in the end they're like us all. They can submit to the weakness of death. Do not let this happen. You're her master. Command and protect her as you would your own pack."
Jake's attention went to Kai as Quintus dissipated into the air. He placed his hand on hers, calming his wolf. Jake yawned, and suspected Jonathon's magick had drawn on his own. He glanced to his palms, and grimaced at the sight of the crusty blood on his hands. If they hadn't needed information about the Kris, he would have let Kai kill him.
Jake gently rolled Kai onto her back, and shoved off the bed. As he trod inside the darkened bathroom, he flicked on the wall switch. Dim recessed lighting reflected on crimson walls and ebony marble floors. The simplicity of the masculine design paired with Quintus' dark personality.
As Jake turned on the shower spigot and crossed the room, he questioned how he'd become tangled with the vampire. Once a foe, Quintus had threatened his life. But over the past few days, they'd developed an odd bond. It was clear he'd once loved a pixiu and Jake suspected he'd been her master. His connection to Kai wasn't clear, except that he seemed to hold an interest in the preservation of her species.
As Jake passed the mirror, he glanced at his reflection. Blood was splattered across his tanned face, and his thoughts drifted to Kai's attack on Jonathon. Her feral nature both surprised and captivated him. He recalled the first time he'd shifted. It had been exhilarating, the power of his wolf coursing through him. But at no point had he been out of control. It wasn't as if there weren't times when Jake had let his beast take command, but each kill had been calculated. When he'd watched Kai, he'd noted the wild fury in her gaze, intent on killing the vampire. Jake could have cared less about Jonathon, but dead men don't talk. Kai, more than anyone, knew the stakes, but hadn't been able to control her beast.
It also occurred to Jake that the vampires hadn't sensed her unique powers. Even Jonathon, the most powerful vampire in the coven, hadn't placed her kind. He'd been suspicious of her lie, for certain, but never questioned it further.
The mirror steamed over and Jake peeled off his clothes, tossing them onto the floor. He strode into the bedroom, and gave a small smile as Kai's eyes blinked open at him.
"Hey," he said, not shielding his nudity.
"Hey. I … " Kai gasped and jolted upward in bed, taking sight of her blood-covered limbs. "I … I did this."
"It's okay, sweetheart." Jake moved to the edge of the bed next to her. He reached for her shoes, and began to undress her. "Let's clean up and get some rest, yeah?"
"I shifted," she whispered. Fear shone in her eyes.
"It's okay, Kai. Come here." Jake didn't wait for an answer as he took her hands in his and stood, lifting her onto her feet. "Let's get undressed, 'K?"
Kai nodded, tears brimming her lashes.
"Come on now. Let's take a shower," Jake told her, his tone that of a command. His fingers brushed over the metal clasps that held her bustier tight. His eyes went to hers and she nodded.