Page 26 of Jake

“I don’t know. That night I went to her, I’d left it at the hotel. It’s a blur. It doesn’t matter. I need to hide. I don’t want to change into anything. I need the spell revived. Please. Where’s Ilsbeth?”

“And Jake? What are your intentions?” Samantha pinned her with a somber stare.

“Jake? Why do you ask about him?”

“Answer carefully. What are your intentions?” Samantha glanced to her fingernails and refocused her gaze on Kai. “Do not lie.”

“I…I…” Kai considered her answer, reflecting on the truth that lay in her heart. “Jake. There’s something about him. I came here for his help. He’s an Alpha. Whether he realizes it or not, Anzober Wolves…they recognize him as theirs.”

“And you?” Samantha asked.

“Well, I don’t know. He’s…” Kai recalled their intimacy. “He’s connected to me. I’m not sure how. It’s just,” she paused, aware she was disclosing her inner thoughts to a virtual stranger. Yet there was something calming about the witch. “The Alpha. I had to leave him today. I didn’t want to. But I need protection from Ilsbeth. He doesn’t understand this. She’s the only one who can help me. The strange thing is that when I’m with Jake, he doesn’t affect me like the others.”

“How’s that?”

“He’s the only supernatural who’s ever touched me. I don’t absorb his energy…I don’t know how. He’s different. Special.” Kai’s voice went quiet as she struggled to explain. She’d come undone under his command. There had been no one she’d ever considered submitting to, yet in his presence, she’d been willing to do anything. “I’m sorry. I really can’t describe it. But you must know I wish him no harm.”

“A pixiu,” Samantha stated plainly, her expression flat.

Kai sucked a breath, hearing the ancient word on the witch’s lips. Magick swirled around her and she responded.

“It’s what my mother always called me. My existence is only a myth. I’ve tried for years to deny my powers. Others, they’ve searched for me. And now they have my sister. What am I to do? I need to see Ilsbeth. I need to be hidden once again.”

“I understand your dilemma, Kai,” Samantha said. “But there are a few things I need to share with you.”

“Ilsbeth…she’s the only one who knew.”

“Come, give me your hands.” Samantha reached for her.

Kai hesitated at the request, aware of the power the witch emanated. Samantha knows what I am. Just do it. Her eyes went to the witch’s, and she took a deep breath. Samantha nodded, encouraging her to do as she was told. As Kai laid her palms onto hers, the jolt of energy took her by surprise. She attempted to yank her hands away, but Samantha held tight.

“Stay still. Close your eyes,” the witch instructed, her voice firm.

Kai did as she asked. In her mind’s eye, the beast roared, its spectacular wings extended as it stepped forward from the shadows, revealing itself for the first time. Oh Goddess, I can’t control it. Fear gripped her chest. It shook its golden mane furiously, its massive paws lifting off the ground. As it leapt toward her, Kai’s mind became one with the beast. With a massive bellow, it retracted its wings, and settled onto the ground. As her mind went silent, she heard the distinctive howl of a wolf in the distance. What the hell? Her eyes flashed open to Samantha’s, and she tore her hands away, protectively wrapping them around her midsection.

“It’s okay, Kai,” Samantha told her.

“No, no…what was that? What did you do?” Her voice rose in panic.

“Is this the first time?”

“That’s me? No, that thing, it can’t be me.”

“You are Pixiu, and you’re very, very special.”

“I’m dangerous, that’s what I am. They took my sister because of me.” Kai jumped up from the sofa and began to pace. “I haven’t ever shifted…”

“But you have the power to drain others?”

“Yes. No. I don’t really know how it works. It’s like this.” Kai nervously twisted a strand of her silky hair with a finger. “Good fortune. The magick of a supernatural. I absorb it. It goes into me and most of the time, I can’t stop it. Maybe if I had more experience I could control it but right now, I can’t.”

“And so you harbor it?”

“Yeah, I guess. But the other day, after Kasdeya bit me. I did something to Jake. I froze him. I think it was the poison. I don’t know if I could do it again.”

“But were you truly threatened?”

“I was afraid, angry, but no…he didn’t attack me. I suppose if he had…”