Page 24 of Jake

Chapter Six

Kai slid behind the clothing display, and selected an off the shoulder, black maxi dress. She smiled at the quirky saleswoman, who wore an artificial flower in her hair. Giving a quick nod, the woman pointed to the dressing room, ushered her in and closed the door. Kai leaned against the wall, clutching the envelope of cash she’d received from the gold dealer down the street.

Her mind played over how she’d left Jake’s house. After she’d taken a shower, she’d rummaged through his drawer, and donned a pair of his shorts as well as one of his large t-shirts. She’d cracked the bedroom door open, and had heard the vampire discussing her with the wolf. Listening, a sense of appreciation for their concern washed over her, but as soon as they’d brought up Ilsbeth, she went cold. Why the vampire wouldn’t reveal her secrets to Jake, she wasn’t certain. Yet they both knew that she needed protection. Kai didn’t have the energy to argue with them, nor would she allow two men to determine what she did and didn’t do.

She’d returned to the bedroom, frustrated and angry. Everything she’d owned was lost in San Francisco, and she needed money. But as she caught sight of her necklace curled on his dresser, she’d hoped to engineer an escape. Kai had always worn a gold chain, a reminder of her innate powers. She never took advantage of her gift, but its existence was a safety net. For as long as she could remember, the fine metal had emanated from her pores, and she controlled it like the moon did the tides. The magick came from within, and she’d let her power morph the elements, multiplying it within her hands. Within seconds she’d created enough gold to exchange for money.

Although she’d only materialized once, it had been enough to teach her the basics. Wearing only Jake’s shorts and a shirt, she transported herself out of his home, settling onto the rocks on the riverfront, near Jackson Square. She’d taken several minutes to compose herself before trekking her way to Royal Street in search of a dealer who’d give her compensation for the thickened gold necklace. After making the exchange, with nearly fifteen hundred in cash, she made a beeline for an electronics store, picking up a new cell phone, then headed straight to a clothing boutique.

Inside the changing room, Kai made quick work of getting dressed. It was just a matter of time before Jake and Quintus discovered she’d gone missing. The vampire had already demonstrated his formidable powers and Jake knew the city like the back of his hand. She wouldn’t be surprised if he’d alerted all of the wolves and set up a search. In New Orleans, most humans had no reason to be afraid of shifters, and were familiar with Acadian Wolves. Although Kai had deliberately chosen a shop with a human clerk, she couldn’t be sure the saleswoman wasn’t working with supernaturals.

With no time to waste, Kai opened the door and made her way toward the counter, snatching a canvas backpack and a pair of flip flops off a rack. Kai slid the saleswoman a hundred dollar bill, and stuffed the envelope and cell phone into her bag. By the time the clerk was finished making change, Kai was already out the door, flagging down a cab. Seconds lingered like hours as she slipped into the taxi and they pressed into the midday traffic. Tick tock. Tick tock. Her Alpha would come for her, she knew, but he’d have to find her on her terms. Kai sought the witch, would get the spell she needed and then she’d find her sister.

Kai stared up at the huge Victorian mansion. It had been over a hundred years since she’d stood in the same place, yet oddly, the home remained the same in many ways. She closed her eyes, attempting to reach out around her, sensing if any supernaturals were present. Although nothing registered, she suspected protective wards had been erected around the home.

She took a step onto the walkway, and immediately sensed the magick. It swirled around her like spun sugar in the air, thick and sweet, feminine in nature. As Kai set a foot onto the stairs and ascended to the wooden porch, she suspected that more than one witch was present in the home. From what she’d overheard Jake and Quintus discuss, Ilsbeth had been injured. No matter what they’d said, Kai couldn’t fathom the fierce witch incapacitated for very long. If she was breathing, she’d find a way back from whatever hell she’d seen.

Placing her palm on the beveled glass door, Kai tested the energy around the house. Her skin buzzed from the hum of magick. She raised her fist but before she had a chance to knock, the door opened.

“We’ve been expecting you, Miss Beckett,” an attractive young female greeted her. She flipped a lock of her thick blonde hair away from her perfectly painted face, ushering Kai into the foyer.

“Thank you. I’m here to see Ilsbeth,” she answered cautiously. This person was not Ilsbeth and although she appeared to be in her mid-twenties, it was likely she had lived many more years on this earth.

“Samantha will join you soon. She’s very busy this time of year. Many, many ceremonies will soon commence. Please.” She snapped her fingers, mumbling a word. The walls appeared to give way, opening to a sunny parlor.

Kai vaguely recalled the unique architecture, and was aware the home held many secrets. As she stepped into the room, she turned to her host. “I need to see Ilsbeth. She knows my name.”

“Samantha is aware of your existence, and is expecting you,” she repeated. “It’s a lovely time of year in New Orleans, don’t you agree?”

Flaky witch, she thought, recalling Jake’s dislike for their kind. At the time Ilsbeth had done the spell, Kai had respected her candor. Aware that the witch did nothing for free, Kai had willingly accepted the cost of the exchange. Somewhere in this house, Ilsbeth stored a vial of her blood, but the price had been well worth it.

“Excuse me, but do you know how long it will be before Ilsbeth can see me?” Kai asked, ignoring the female’s insistence that Samantha would join them.

“My name is Holly. You know, like the plant,” she answered. Wearing nothing but a cropped t-shirt and cut-off jeans, the girl appeared to float across the room, and began setting teacups on a bar. “Would you like peppermint tea?”

“I…uh…I’m not thirsty,” Kai sighed.

“I much prefer peppermint in the summer. I know it seems like a winter tea but it’s quite refreshing. We have lemon if you’d like.”

“Really, it’s okay.” Kai was hesitant to ingest anything within the walls of the coven.

“Tea is good for the soul they say. Perhaps a special blend? Jasmine is quite relaxing.”

“Lemon. Lemon will be fine,” Kai responded, struggling to conceal her irritation.

“Lupines enjoy lemon as well.” Holly produced a pot of steaming water from behind the bar and poured it. She scooped loose tea from two different jars into silver tea strainers and set them into the cups.

“I’m sorry, what?” Kai asked, intrigued that the witch had brought up wolves.

“Funny, you would think they’d choose pumpkin, but I’ll say, they do prefer lemon.”

“I wouldn’t know anything about that.” Kai eyed the witch as she picked up the teacup, taking care to note she didn’t put anything in it. “Would you mind seeing to Ilsbeth? I don’t have a lot of time.”

“The attraction to a strong wolf can be irresistible, even to witches. Well of course we cannot bear them children, but it’s understandable, the desire to mate.” Holly crossed the room and set the cup onto a pewter tray that rested on a white chemise ottoman. “Please sit. Samantha will be here within minutes.”

Suspicious of the witch, Kai walked toward the sofa and gently sat on its edge, ready to attack if needed. She scanned the conservatory. Entirely made of windows, its cathedral ceiling sprawled two stories high. Beyond the glass, an elaborate garden flourished, and she imagined the witches held moonlight ceremonies in the privacy of the ivied walls.

“I don’t recall this room being here. Is this new?” she asked.