Jake (Immortals of New Orleans #8)(61)

"We have to get in and out. We don't even know what the hell is waiting for us when we get there. And let's say we get super fucking lucky and manage to find the Kris." Jake held a frying pan in one hand and a spatula in the other. "We don't really know what it does."

"Or how to use it. We need to ask Kai."

"What do you mean? This is Ilsbeth's hair-brained idea and she's either got no magick or that bitch is pretty damn good at faking it. Her amnesia act is pretty good, I'll give her that. I still don't trust her."

"I'm pretty sure Kai was given instructions, or there has to be a record somewhere."

"Don't you think if Kai had any idea she would have told us by now?"

"Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe she has something she doesn't realize will give us more information. Maybe it's in the book she lost." 

"What about these Elders you talked about?" Jake spooned seasoned meat onto the plates.

"Them too. We have to explore everything."

"I say we call Sam if we find it. I'm not much up for going back to the coven. I don't think I can stomach round two."

"I agree. We'll call first. I think though … the answer will lie with Kai."

"Speaking of which, does she know about you?" Jake asked, his tone indifferent. Not that he blamed Quintus for not telling her, but he imagined Kai might be pissed if he withheld information about her kind.

"No. Someday I'll tell her. Today it's not important. First get the Kris."

"Fine, but you should tell her," Jake suggested.

Quintus looked to his juice and set it down. "Fresh squeezed is so much better."

"What's with you and all the food anyway?"

"I told you. I like it."

"But you're a vamp dude."

"Yes, but I believe that the further we set ourselves apart from our humanity, the further we are from compassion. These things … your grits over there … breakfast, which smells delightful by the way. Ah, it all reminds me of the innocent human I once was. I will not be like my sire."

"Don't take this the wrong way, but your reputation? People are pretty afraid of your ass. It's not like you are the goddamn Easter bunny."

"It's true. I've lived in violent times. But I've always been fair meting out justice."

"The law according to Quint." Jake laughed.

"Si. Laws change from century to century. Continent to continent. Country to country. Honor. Respect. These things do not change. I have my own laws. The vampires who follow me … they will comply." Quintus' voice went cold, replacing the emotional tone it held when he reminisced.

"Hey, Quint. I need to tell you … um … something happened last night. I'm not sure how this is possible." Jake stopped, aware he was rambling.

"Is Kai all right?" Quintus asked.

"Yes … but you know. Last night … "

"Last night? Thank you for that. I very much enjoyed the lesson." A mischievous smile curled onto his lips.

"You see … I …  uh … "

"Just say it."

"I marked her." Jake scooped the grits out of the pan. He glanced to Quintus whose face remained without expression. Jake made quick work of plating the food.

"Impossible. You cannot."

"It's possible. I knew I had this attraction to her. She's … I don't know. I've never met anyone like her."

"Are you certain? I suspected you'd bond. You're her master after all, but marking her? Very interesting."

"I'm her mate." Jake stood, his eyes locked on Quintus. "She hears me. Feels me as if she were wolf. She bears my mark. It's there."

"This is very good news." Sadness flashed in his eyes but he quickly recovered with a slight smile.

"You said yourself. I'm her master. But I believe that is only for her beast. To keep her from destroying others. Because we know what she can do."

"I don't really think we know the true implications of her shifting. I never saw Mao do it. There're only rumors. What Kai did in the club is very likely a sliver of her capabilities."

"She's my mate. And … " Jake lost his words, turning to reach for the plates. He quickly put them onto the table and began to search for utensils.

"Over there. Second drawer to your left."




       
         
       
        
"Thanks. Wait. How'd you know I was looking for … ?" The vampire's ability to read the others was truly impressive. Jake slid the drawer open and laughed. "Forks. Good stuff."