Chapter Two
Concealing her true nature had driven Kai Beckett to exhaustion. Only eleven years old, she’d been the very reason her birth parents had been killed. Vampires had raided her village, seeking out the child whose luminescent charm would bring them good fortune.
When she’d immigrated to America with her sister, Shilan, in the early 1900s, they’d been attacked again and that’s when she knew she’d have to forever hide or risk death. So rare a being, others would seek her out like an endangered animal, syphon her blood for the luck they believed it would bring.
Nearly a hundred years ago, she’d met the witch in New Orleans, and had paid Ilsbeth to glamour her powers. For decades after, Kai had successfully hidden in Wyoming with her sister. Shilan harbored distinctive gifts other than Kai’s, but they’d both been at risk due to their relationship. Until recently, the only supernatural in the area to know of her existence had been the local Alpha, Hunter Livingston, who had agreed to allow her to live in his territory. On the barren outskirts of Yellowstone, she’d successfully worked as a geologist, studying and monitoring the caldera. Her sister, Shilan, a prominent seismologist, worked alongside her and the university team.
Three days ago, she’d tracked her missing sister to San Francisco. When the trail had grown cold, Kai sought assistance from the Elders. They’d led her to the vampire who’d once attacked her as a young girl. Kasdeya. The City by the Bay had been under her control for as long as Kai could remember. As a child, she’d been terrified of the vicious vampire.
Kai had gone alone to Kasdeya’s in search of her missing sister, but the spell that had long concealed her true nature failed. The demon mistress had tricked her, promising to reveal Shilan’s location in exchange for Kai’s blood. What Kai had thought a fair exchange quickly morphed into torture. Kasdeya’s demonic bite stirred the power of Kai’s beast. Traumatized, her thoughts had gone to the only other person who might be able to help her find her sister. Jake Louvière. For the first time in her life, she’d materialized, landing at his cabin. Disoriented and poisoned, she’d lost control, attacked the Alpha.
Quintus Tullius had intervened. All she’d ever known about the elusive mercenary was that he’d been involved in saving her as a child, ensuring her passage into America. When he’d materialized them out of the bayou and into his home, she’d had no choice. Kasdeya’s black essence had sucked the life from her body, and Kai had been helpless to refuse the blood he forced into her mouth.
Oh Goddess. Where am I? She trembled, the iron-tanged blood trickling down her throat. Kai fought the sexual attraction that she knew the vampire’s blood exchange would bring, yet her body tingled in arousal as she curled into a ball on the bed. His energy spiked through her, and she shoved his arm away.
“No more,” she cried, tears streaming down her face.
“It’s okay.” His palm settled on her shoulder.
“No, please don’t.” She shuddered at his touch.
“Kai. You know who I am without ever seeing my face.”
“I…I don’t know how…” Kai wiped her cheek with the back of her hand and glanced to the intimidating vampire. Something about Quintus…his voice, his touch; it was oddly familiar.
“You are a very special being. Rare and precious,” he said, his voice smooth.
As he stood and strode across the room to the window, Kai scanned her surroundings. Gas lamps flickered light on the walls, their old-world ambiance illuminating the room. Deep emerald velvet curtains pooled onto the floor, and the cream-colored crown molding contrasted with the cardinal walls. She glanced to the ceiling of the four poster bed, its sheer canopy floating over its edges.
His fingers tapped on the woodwork, and her gaze went to his.
“Others seek to steal your power. That bite,” he said, pressing his palm to the glass.
“Why are you helping me?” Kai brushed her fingers over the newly healed skin, and her stomach clenched in nausea.
“You are weak,” he responded.
“You didn’t answer me.” She sucked a deep breath and shoved up to sit on the bed. Her head spun with his essence, and she flattened her palms onto the mattress, steadying herself.
“You feel me, bella?”
“What have you done to me?”
“I assure you, it’s temporary. I have not taken your will. We have no bond.”
“Where am I?” Anger shot through her as her energy returned.
“Do not test me, pet,” he responded, his gaze intense.
Kai’s eyes darted to the door. She leapt from the bed in an attempt to escape, but was thwarted as strong fingers clamped around her wrist. “Let go of me!” she screamed.
“Listen carefully, Kai Ling Zhou.”
Shock rolled through her at the sound of her given birth name that she’d long ago changed. No one had spoken it but her sister. Both terrified and enraged, she yanked her arm out of his grip. “How do you know my name?”
“I suspect for the same reason you know my name,” he replied, his tone cold. “It’s no matter to you at this point. All you need to know is that I saved your lovely ass.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She’d heard rumors of him, that much was true.
“Flashing to the Alpha as you did. What made you think you would have been safe with an entire wolf pack? You were injured, no less. Stupid girl.”
“I took care of myself.” Barely. Jake had immediately been suspicious and cautious of her presence. She’d meant to seek his assistance, not to hurt him.
“The wolf could have killed you,” Quintus scoffed. He walked to the dresser, opened a drawer and retrieved a shirt.
“But he didn’t. He’s just a wolf.” She averted her gaze. Kai had been unable to reach Alexander, the Alpha of Anzober Wolves. But according to the Elders, there’d been rumors that an emerging Alpha had once ruled the California pack. Jake Louvière. Kai recalled the strange sensation she’d experienced in his presence. “I had to get away from the vampires. I needed to talk with…”
“Just a wolf? I’ve got news for you. He’s much more than ‘just a wolf’, but time will show you the way,” Quintus interrupted with a laugh as he deposited the neatly folded clothes onto the bed. “I’m afraid I don’t have anything that will fit you, but you can wear this until I have something suitable delivered. You’re welcome to shower and change.”
“Like hell I will.” Kai rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. “I’m out of here. I need to go back to the wolf. He knows…”
“You will shower. Then you will rest. Tomorrow night, there’s a party.”
“Are you fucking high?” Kai’s eyes widened. Does he seriously think I’m staying at his house? “I just told you. I have to go…my…”
“Your sister is lost. I know this.”
As if she’d been punched in the gut, Kai lost her breath as the vampire spoke of her sister. So many secrets for so many years. She wondered about his involvement. How much did Quintus know about her?
“Calm down,” he warned. “Your pulse is too fast.”
“Don’t fucking tell me how to feel or what to do. I don’t even know who you are. You fed me your blood. Why are you doing this?”
“I don’t have time to repeat myself.”
“How do you know about my sister?” she demanded, ignoring his condescending remark.
“I know many things. And as I’ve already told you, I’m not here to hurt you.” Quintus crossed the room to the entryway, and stared at her. “Contrary to what you believe, not every vampire is here to steal your power. And your sister, while you may not understand her potential, will be quite formidable in her own right…if she survives.”
Tears brimmed in Kai’s eyes and she forced herself to remain quiet, memorizing his every word. If he was lying, she’d kill him when she regained her strength.
“There’re dangerous, evil beings that seek both you and your sister. As for you? They’ve wanted you for a long time. But I suppose someone sensed her abilities as soon as she left her sanctuary. In California, you know, there are many from the old country…many who’d sell their soul to deliver your head on a platter. But just because I’m vampire that does not mean I am the same as them. So for now, we’ll have to reluctantly agree to trust each other.”
“How can I trust you? I don’t even know you.” Kai shook her head, nausea settling in her stomach as the vampire blocked the doorway.
“Tomorrow we go see the wolf. You may not realize just how important you both are to each other…to all of us. We must find your sister and take down those who have her.”
“What do you think I was doing tonight?”
“I just told you, there are others…supernaturals. They want you. They watch you. You cannot be alone. I realize you don’t think you’re vulnerable but you are. No matter what you’ve been told about your powers, I can tell you’ve never used them until tonight.”
“Not that it’s any of your damn business, but I’ve used them before,” she lied.
“You lack control. I suspect it’s the first time you’ve gone up against a wolf. The wolf.”
“Wolves…they’ve never attacked me. Your people on the other hand…my family…”
“The wolf, he’s feral at times. He resists challenging his Alpha. He contemplates what to do. You need him, all right, but not when he’s with his pack.”
“I don’t care. He might be able to help me. I don’t know where Shilan is, but there’s a chance she somehow got dragged into whatever is going on with the California wolves. Alexander Myers…I don’t trust him. I called, and he won’t even speak to me. The wolf from New Orleans settled things in that pack a few months ago. He’s an outsider who will give me the truth. I need him.”
“We all have a destiny. You. Him. Me. It may choose us but we will determine the outcome. You must not rush into things without thinking.”
“Look,” she sighed, giving a yawn. Exhaustion from searching for her sister had caught up with her. “Just let me go. I’ll find him again.”
“You don’t seem to understand, pet. This isn’t up for discussion. You have no choice. Get a shower. Sleep. Tomorrow we go to the party. We meet in public where we’re safe. It’s highly unlikely other supernaturals will cause issues at this event.”
“Where am I?” Kai stood on her tiptoes, attempting to see around him into the hallway.
“You are where you chose to be,” he answered with a crooked smile. “With the wolf.”
“Has anyone ever told you you’re difficult to talk to? Please, for the love of the Goddess, just tell me where the hell I am.”
“For one of the world’s leading researchers on the caldera, I would have thought you brighter. So many questions when I’ve already answered them. I just told you. We’re still with the wolf. New Orleans, of course.”
“Thank the Goddess.” Kai sighed, unsure how she’d be able to go anywhere else. Materializing for the first time to Jake’s cabin hadn’t been easy.
“And Kai?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t think of leaving. You will do as I say. I’ve had wards set around my home. No supernaturals or humans may pass in or out without my permission.”
“You’re an asshole, you know that?” Kai’s lips tensed, her fiery eyes trained on the window.
“So I’ve been told.” Quintus gave a smirk and closed the door, leaving her alone.
Kai couldn’t believe she’d allowed herself to be captured by a vampire. Goddess, I’m a fucking idiot. Anger coursed through her veins. She’d fucked up six ways to Sunday. Going to Kasdeya alone, thinking she’d had a shot in hell of getting help from the same nightmare who’d once attacked her and her relatives, had been disastrous. She’d been desperate, landing herself at the doorstep of an Acadian wolf she’d never met. She began to question his ability to even help her. If he didn’t have the guts to stay an Alpha once, why the hell would he ever go back to California and help a stranger find her sister?
Then there was Quintus. The ancient vampire could have drained her dry, forced her into submission. Yet he hadn’t. He’d simply saved her and was arranging for her to see Jake again. None of it made any sense, yet a sliver of what remained of her instinct told her the vampire wasn’t lying.
Kai stretched her neck and padded toward the bathroom. She turned on the shower spigot, blasting the hot water. As she flipped on an overhead light, she caught sight of her marred appearance in the mirror. She dropped the throw blanket from around her chest, and inspected the bruises and dirt that maligned her otherwise flawless skin.
Shower. Sleep. Pray like hell the vampire doesn’t kill me. It was the only plan that made sense. Even if she had the energy to try to break out of her gilded cage, she’d be forced to travel by foot. Her power hummed beneath her skin, never leaving her body, but it wasn’t enough to manage another manipulation of her cells so she could flash to another location.
As the grim reality of her situation set in, Kai’s resolve didn’t falter. She’d sleep with one eye open and get the hell out of this viper pit in the morning. Jake was her only hope and she’d go to him again, beg for his help. She couldn’t be sure if he’d believe her, or if he’d even care in the least about what was happening in Anzober wolves, but she had to try. Her sister’s life was at stake. Tomorrow would come soon enough and she’d fight another day.
Kai stood in front of the wall mirror, and smoothed down her red satin dress. The formal gown’s hem brushed the floor as she twisted to check the back zipper. She tugged on an over-the-shoulder sleeve, attempting to straighten it.
When she’d woken in the morning, she’d found a tray of food and piping hot tea at her bedside. She considered it could be poisoned, but reasoned if the vampire seriously planned to kill her, he’d do it in a manner that wouldn’t taint her powerful blood.
She hadn’t seen him all day, but the ornately handwritten note he’d left on the dresser had given instructions to be dressed by five. Half tempted to tear it to shreds, she instead spent her energy attempting to leave her room. After hours of prying at the iron-clad locked windows and doors with various implements, she resigned herself to her fate. Her unsuccessful escape left her frustrated but also more aware of Quintus’ power. She suspected he’d hired witches to set the impenetrable wards. But given his age, it was possible he held his own magick.
A creaking of the door broke her contemplation. Her senses on alert, she whipped her head around, catching sight of Quintus brooding in the doorway. He impatiently tapped an intricately carved cane on the floor. The tails of his Victorian tuxedo brushed his thighs. The old-fashioned style had been updated with hand-crafted silver buttons. His top hat was tilted slightly, his thick hair pulled back into a ponytail.
“Ready to go, pet?” Quintus retrieved a pocket watch from his jacket and glanced at the time. “I don’t want to waste a minute with the wolves.”
“What makes you think for a minute I’m going anywhere with you?” she spat, irritated with his arrogance as he strolled through the very doorway she’d spent hours trying to escape…
“You want to talk to the Alpha?” He raised an eyebrow at her and slipped his timepiece into a pocket.
“Why all this?” She gestured to the dress he’d provided.
“You look lovely. The Alpha won’t be able to resist you.”
“What the hell am I? Bait? No, you listen to me vampire, I want out of this house.” Her eyes flashed to the locked windows.
“You want to meet him in a safe place? The charity ball is the perfect event to do so. I’ve already cleared it with Jax.” Quintus held the bronze end of the walking stick up in the air, fingering a metal raven.
“Jax?”
“Yes. The New York Alpha.”
“What the hell does he have to do with this? We’re in New Orleans.”
“That we are. Are you ready? Nose powdered?” He gave a condescending smile.
Nose powdered? Kai grimaced as her entire body went tense. “Logan is the Alpha of Acadian Wolves.”
“True, but Jax? Ah well, it’s a long story. One that we don’t have time for right now, but we are acquaintances, shall we say. His mate, she was close to the one we seek.”
“Jake?” Kai’s stomach tightened at the mention of another woman, and she wondered exactly how close he’d been with Jax’s mate. It shouldn’t matter, given that she barely knew him; still the nagging question lingered.
“Yes, they’re friends. Quite close. Jax holds influence here.”
“So what are you saying? They won’t attack you?”
“Precisely. You on the other hand,” Quintus sniffed into the air. “Ah, despite your clean scent, you smell distinctly of magick. Ilsbeth’s.”
“What?” Kai’s heart caught at the mention of the witch. No one knew of the spell besides her sister.
“Your secret is safe with me.” Quintus shook his head and approached her. “You may not remember but you told Jake you were looking for her. This did not sit well with him.”
“How do you know these things? How do you know what I smell like? Why are you doing this to me?”
“I have my reasons.” He paused, his expression thoughtful but distant. “I’m not here to hurt you, Kai. I’ve already said that. I’m powerful, no doubt, but I cannot do what needs to be done alone. You must engage the wolf. The California pack needs stability if we are to find your sister. And what happens between you and the wolf remains to be seen.”
“The wolf saw me in the bayou. He knows I have magick in my blood,” Kai whispered under her breath, glancing back into the mirror and then catching the vampire’s gaze. She’d never admit what she was, but the confession of how she’d transported to New Orleans slipped from her lips. “I materialized. It was my first time.”
“I suspected as much. Nearly got you killed.”
“What if he attacks me tonight? What if he told others?”
“I doubt he will. You are special. As is he. You must trust in fate. Now come.” He turned to the door and gestured, not offering his hand.
“Fate stole my sister.”
“All happens for a reason. We do not always have the answers. We only can seek them and learn.”
Kai took a deep breath and sighed. As she quietly exited the room, she mulled over his enigmatic words. She hated having to rely on the vampire, but given no choice, she’d acquiesce. As he ushered her into the limo and sat across from her, Kai’s eyes locked on his. His power pushed through her and she took a deep cleansing breath, accepting the calm waves tingling over her skin. Although tempted to tell him to stop, instinct told her to conserve her energy. The night was just beginning, and remaining hidden among supernaturals was paramount to her survival and finding her sister.