Jake (Immortals of New Orleans #8)(81)

"Even a hint and she'll weave her dark magick. She drank of your blood, would have killed you if you hadn't escaped. This is evil." Quintus' lips tensed in a tight line.

"We need to figure out how to use the Kris. If we can get our hands on that book, maybe we'll find answers," Jake said.

"I've been thinking about this. I took the book to San Francisco." Kai rubbed her forehead then pinched the bridge of her nose. "I know I left it in the hotel room. I'd stayed at a place down in Chinatown because I went to see the Elders first."

"The maid could have stolen it … thrown it out. We might never find it," Quintus said.

"No, no, no. The Lily is a very honest hotel. The owners knew my parents. It's possible they have it. But first we should see the Elders."

"Tell us a little more about the Elders." Jake studied Kai. Her body language told him she was still angry about Cassandra. She crossed the cabin to sit in a lone captain's chair, avoiding physical contact.

Kai sighed and ran the pad of her finger in circles along the rim of her glass. "I can't say exactly. I've only seen them twice in my lifetime. Once when I first went into hiding and then again when I was looking for Kasdeya. Each time, I spoke to two different men, but the myths say there are nine. Nine symbolizes wisdom. They rarely see others, and in my case … they wore masks. I cannot tell their voices apart. They could be the ferry boat captain, a lawyer or simply a mystical creature unto their own. There is no way to tell who they are and that is the point. They wield magick but I'm not privy to the extent of their powers. It's all very secretive."

"The last time you saw them, what did they do? I can't imagine anyone would be happy about you seeing Kasdeya," Jake surmised.

"No, no they weren't." Kai's gaze dropped, staring into the golden liquid. "They only agreed because of Shilan. They know all we have sacrificed. I had to find her."

"And how do we find them?" Quintus asked.

"The first time, so very long ago, they brought me to them while I slept and I saw them as a dream. But this last time … when I was looking for Shilan, I concentrated. Meditated. I'm brought to them."

"You materialized?" Jake asked.

"Yes, but they brought me to them. That was the first time I've done that. The second was when I escaped Kasdeya. And the third … "

"Sneaky little pixiu," Quintus said. The corner of his lip crept upward.

"I can't do it on the fly like you do, but I imagine with practice … " Kai shrugged. "I guess now that I have Jake, now I'm somewhat disguised with him, I could practice. If we get in trouble with Kasdeya, I'm not sure I could do it again. Same with shifting … it just happened."

"You were amazing," Jake stated, pride in his voice.

"It's true. You're magnificent."

"What … what did I look like?" Kai nervously bit her lip and crossed her legs.

"You were … " Jake glanced at Quintus and back to his mate. "Golden. You had wings, fangs. I imagine your bite is deadly."

"If you go for the throat? Most definitely." The vampire nodded.

"Sweetheart, I know you're a little scared, and I'm not sure how much you're remembering just yet. I know when I first shifted, it was all a little fuzzy. Sure I was feeling good, running all around but the rest of it … my interaction with the pack, my Alpha. It took a few times to get used to it."



       
         
       
        

"The little girl said I would fly." She looked sheepishly at Jake. "When you spoke, I wanted to resist. Like that time with Jonathon. I wanted to kill him … but I couldn't. It was you."

"I know this master business is unsettling. To think someone else owns you. But I was just telling Quintus that when I've commanded you, it is as if you're wolf. I don't know what it's like for others, but I think because I'm Alpha, you're like pack."

"I don't know, Jake. I'd like to believe that but I've been a … "

"Alone. I get it. You say that all the time, but no matter how all this plays out, you're not alone anymore. You've got me. You've got Quint." Soon you'll have an entire pack behind you. Jake wasn't sure how the other wolves would accept her or how she'd accept them. As his mate, she'd have to move from Wyoming. It was too soon to talk about the details, so he opted to leave the future out of the conversation. "And as far as Kasdeya is concerned, I'm bettin' you'll give that bitch a run for her money. Those demon assholes didn't take too kindly to you."