Jake (Immortals of New Orleans #8)(95)

"Hey. You all can play kissy face when this shit is all over. It's been nightfall for about thirty minutes. Who knows how long this is going to take us?" Quintus reminded him.

Jake ignored the vampire, and pulled her toward him, his lips capturing hers. His tongue swept inside her mouth, tasting her like a man who'd been starved.

"Fuck you guys. Okay then. Do whatever you want." Quintus shook his head, his nose crinkled in disgust.

Jake tore his lips from his mate's. Embracing her, he whispered in her ear. "We'll finish this later, sweetheart." He pressed a soft kiss to her cheek, and slipped on his coat.



       
         
       
        

"I'm ready," Jake declared, giving Quintus a broad smile, enjoying how he'd annoyed the ancient vampire.

"'Bout fucking time." Quintus turned to Kai. "I can flash us anywhere but I need a location."

"It doesn't work like that. I told you. We have to meditate to be drawn to the Elders."

"Are you serious?" Quintus asked.

"Come on, big guy. Y'all know you're lovin' every minute of this."

"Yeah, it's been a good time," Quintus replied, his voice thick with sarcasm.

"You weren't complaining on the plane." Kai winked at him, and smiled at Jake. "Come on. There's room over here near the window. The moon is out tonight. The lunar pull will help us with our thoughts."

"I can't even believe I'm doing this new age shit," Quintus complained.

"Haven't you ever done yoga?" She asked.

"I'm good right here." Quint nodded, watching Kai settle onto the floor.

"You need to get out more." Jake slung his drawstring bag over his shoulders and joined Kai. "Get your ass over here. We don't have all day."

"Fine. This better work." Quintus sat, placing his hands onto his bent knees. "Now what?"

"I'm not that experienced at materialization, so once we start to go, if you both could lend me your energy, I'd appreciate it. I think maybe we should join hands."

"Are we supposed to say a spell or anything?" Quintus asked, reaching for Kai and Jake.

"I think it's like she said. They come for us. So let's hope like hell they still want Kai." Jake held on to both his mate and Quintus.

"It's not about wanting me. They're my Elders. It's about whether I'm deserving of their knowledge." Kai took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "We have to clear our minds. Let peace fill the space. Think of nothing else. I will ask for help."

Jake glanced to Quintus who rolled his eyes. He shook his head no at the vampire. When Quintus finally shut his eyes, Jake followed suit. Knowing Kai would sense his annoyance, he emptied his thoughts.

"That's it. All is quiet. Just let me go … I'll find them."

Jake relaxed into the moment, but his wolf searched for his mate. In his mind's eye, he saw her magnificent creature rear up. Her mighty wings unfolded and began to flap. The wind kicked up and the great beast took off in flight. The Alpha growled, sprinting after her. The harder he ran the further up she went. Up, up, up into the sky, she soared. So far away but not out of sight, Jake kept watching, his heart pounding in his chest. His anxiety rose as she flew away, disappearing into the clouds. He yelled her name over and over, his paws lifting off the ground. 

"Jake … Jake … " Kai's voice woke him from the nightmare, his eyes blinded from the light and he squinted. The scent of his mate told him she was near, but he couldn't see her.

"Jake," Kai repeated.

As the Alpha's blurred vision cleared, he stretched his neck from side to side. A rush of nausea rolled through him and he turned to cough.

"Hey, you all right?" he heard Quintus ask.

A firm hand brought new energy into his body, and he blinked his eyes open to find the vampire looming over him. Kai's warm touch brushed his cheek and his gaze landed on hers.

"What the ever loving fuck just happened?" he asked, breathless.

Quintus extended his hand to him and Jake reached for it. Kai wrapped her arm around his elbow, standing as he did.

"Wolves. You're so sensitive," Quintus commented, brushing the dirt off his jeans.

"Fuck off, Quint. I should have left your ass on that plane."

"Silence!" A loud voice bellowed.

Jake went on alert, withdrawing his gun.

"No, Jake, don't," Kai begged, her hand tugging at his arm.

"You have no need for that here," the strange voice said, its tone calm.

Jake glanced to the cathedral ceiling as the room slowly brightened. Hundreds of miniature recessed lights peppered above like stars. The walls appeared to undulate in a rippling waterfall, but he couldn't discern the cause of their movement. A candle in the far corner came to life, and he took sight of a tall figure as it turned to face them.