True to Quintus' enigmatic nature, his home reflected his dark rich style. The hallway's cream-colored walls contrasted with its mahogany crown molding. An enormous antique bronze crucifix hung on the wall at the top of the landing. Kai had heard that religious artifacts had no influence on vampires, yet this relic appeared prominent, causing her to wonder what he'd done as a human.
As she approached the stairs, she heard her name spoken in the distance. Her beast stirred, anticipating the presence of its master. Kai took a deep breath, attempting to calm it. She grew nervous about seeing Jake after he'd marked her. Words dissipated into whispers and her stomach clenched as she became aware they were talking about her. Tiptoeing down each plank, she bravely put one foot in front of another.
By the time she reached the foyer, her heart pounded in her chest. Would Jake reject her? Had he changed his mind? He'd promised he'd help her find the Kris and her sister. She couldn't do it alone.
Kai. She heard her name as if the Alpha had been standing next to her. Startled, she pressed her palm to the wall, regaining her balance. She closed her eyes, searching for her own beast but a black wolf stared back at her instead. His presence was clear and dominant and as he padded forward into the light, her chest tightened with awareness of her Alpha. Mate.
Chapter Eleven
As Jake passed through the living room, he'd observed the eclectic decorations throughout Quintus' home. Paintings from eras long ago hung on a wall alongside modern pieces. With an eighteen-foot ceiling, a massive Italian armoire sat adjacent to a wood-burning fireplace. Having dabbled in antiques himself over the years, Jake estimated it to be a medieval gothic piece. The unusual collection of furniture spiked his curiosity about the elusive vampire. Regardless of his badass reputation, Jake suspected he reveled in the memories of his life.
Jake stepped into the upscale kitchen, and crossed the room to open a pantry door, astonished at all the food. While he wasn't a gourmet chef, Jake held his own in the kitchen. Spying a bag of grits, he reached for them, and moved on to inspect the refrigerator. He smiled as he opened it, finding it fully stocked with vegetables and a variety of meats. Who the hell is Quintus planning on feeding? He laughed inwardly, recalling how Quintus had brought beignets and sandwiches to his home yesterday. Like Léopold, he indulged in epicurean delights.
Jake heard a hint of his diabolical laugh, footsteps growing louder. He gave a backwards wave, and continued to collect ingredients for breakfast. "Yo. What's up?"
"Hey, sorry. Just checkin' in on something," Quintus replied.
"What sorts of things?" Jake asked, deliberately concealing his curious expression.
"Just putting some feelers out to my west coast guys. Kasdeya."
"Demon mistress?"
"You got it."
Jake shook his head, grabbed a pan and turned on the stove. "What I really want to know is what the deal is with you and Kai. Like how the hell do you know her?"
"I can't tell you that." Quintus crossed the room to the refrigerator, and retrieved a carton of orange juice. He opened a cabinet, and set two mugs on the counter.
"That's where you're wrong, friend." Jake laughed at his choice of words, aware they'd formed an alliance, and continued. "You and I are in this deep with her. I don't know what the big secret is but it can't be that bad. Today we're goin' to that fun house on Bourbon Jonathon told us about. I've got a feelin' this isn't going to be a cake walk. Nothing ever the fuck is. Let's have it."
Quintus gave a shrug and poured the juice. He set the carton down and picked up a glass. The vampire took a sip and sighed loudly. He made his way to the table and sat down, stretching his neck.
"This wouldn't have to do with this plethora of knowledge you seem to have about pixiu, would it?"
"It was a long time ago. I'm centuries old. And not just a few. I've met many people in my lifetime," he answered. "Matters of the heart. They can be quite complicated. Vampires, we are like you wolves in some ways. We can bond with someone as you do a mate. The bond is forever."
"Yeah, I get it." Jake shoveled the beef into the sizzling pan, its loud hiss firing into the air.
"It happened several years after I was turned."
"How old were ya?"
"Thirty-four. When I met her it was 1400, or thereabouts. Ming Dynasty. My sire had me working the silk road."
"The renaissance," Jake said, his voice enthusiastic. He'd known Quintus was ancient but the realization he was sitting with a seven-hundred-year-old vampire struck him as impressive. "Imports?"