Kai nodded, fear surging as Jake stepped over the threshold into the alternative reality. Her breath caught, her eyes drawn to the stone arches. Gothic murals depicted the angels. A cathedral? Fucking figures, she thought. Kai suspected the demon mocked the Goddess, transforming a place of worship into a blasphemous spectacle. As she caught sight of an enormous stage, her pulse raced. No, no, no. Kasdeya thrived on attention. The anticipation of the kill was just as satisfying as the act. When she'd bitten Kai, she'd done it in front of her court, laughing as she drained her. Kai blinked, shaking off the memory that still haunted her.
A strong hand squeezed hers, and she jolted back into the moment. As her eyes locked on Jake's, his powerful energy seeped into her pores, calming her nerves. Although he never spoke a word, she heard her Alpha's voice. You're all right. Keep close. She swallowed the terror that threatened to paralyze her, and kept moving.
A hooded stranger bumped into Kai, and she stumbled. As the figure disappeared into the crowd, she steadied her feet and increased her pace, determined to stay near Jake. No matter how many of the vampires ignored them, Kai had a sickening feeling they knew they'd arrived. Like a cat watching minnows in a pond, Kasdeya played with them, waiting to strike.
Jake backed up against a column, and they stopped, sizing up their surroundings. Deafening thrash metal pounded as a red velvet curtain crept open, revealing the stage. Kai's eyes widened at the sight of the familiar female. Cassandra. Her cream-colored sundress had been torn wide open, her nude body dangling from the wooden x-shaped St. Andrew's cross. She was restrained, and her reddened eyes bulged, blood dripping from puncture wounds dotted across her body. Cassandra appeared lifeless, but Kai suspected she'd passed out from the torture.
"Oh Goddess," Kai whispered.
"Goddammit," Quintus muttered, his sight set on the human.
Jake stepped forward, and Kai grabbed onto his jacket but the leather slipped through her fingers. She glanced to Quintus, who bared his fangs, remaining at Kai's side.
"Kasdeya!" Jake growled, his eyes glowing like red hot embers. "Where are you? Show your face, you fucking coward."
Kai screamed as two vampires rushed toward him. Without missing a beat, Jake withdrew his weapon. Firing off two rounds, he clipped each of them in the neck, and they dropped to the ground.
"Any of the rest of you want a go at me? Because I'm itching to kill every last one of you assholes."
"Wolves," a female mused, her voice echoing throughout the chamber as the din silenced at her presence.
A tall lanky woman emerged from the darkness onto the stage. A chrome spiked crown sat atop her red mane; perfect locks spiraled down her back. Black eyeliner darkened her eyes, her bow lips painted a deep crimson. Lights reflected off her black latex mini dress, the wide lace sleeves brushing her bony wrists. She towered over them. Wearing five-inch pumps, she effortlessly glided across the stage.
"We're here for Shilan, you three-headed bitch. Where is she?" Jake yelled.
Kai's heart pounded at the sight of her mate alone in the sea of blood-sucking vermin. Her creature roared, refusing to leave his side. She went to move forward but Quintus blocked her with a strong arm.
"Stay back," he warned.
"This is my fight," she insisted.
He shook his head no, but again she persisted. "I'm going. My sister. My mate."
"He's going to kick my ass," Kai heard Quintus comment but she didn't bother with a response as she took off toward Jake.
"Where is she?" Jake repeated.
"I want my sister back!" Kai screamed.
"Ah, the shy little pixiu finally arrives. I've been waiting for you. Hmm," she hummed with an evil smile. Kasdeya slid her finger down over Cassandra's breast, pinching a bloody nipple, eliciting an ear-piercing scream. Kasdeya gave a wicked laugh and licked the sticky substance off her thumb. "She's been fun to play with but hardly as tasty as you were. You lasted much longer." She sighed. "Until you flew away … disappeared like the wind."
"Tell us where she is or you're going to die," Jake stated, aiming the gun at her.
"Your bullets will not work on me," she sneered.
"You're right." Jake spied a vampire standing in the wings, and fired off a shot. It fell to the ground. "But it works on your buddies." A vampire sped towards him from behind, and Jake swiftly turned and aimed. The bullet tore through his groin and he fell screeching onto the concrete. "I can do this all damn night long."