Page 68 of Jake

The blade appeared to quiver in the light and Kai prayed it was playing tricks on her eyes. Its hilt was banded in striated pewter. The blade had been etched with unfamiliar markings, its curved metal snaked six times before ending in a razor sharp point.

Kai imagined how it had pierced Serafine’s flesh. Cold and dark, its demonic history remained a mystery. What does it do? How is this supposed to help me? Kai wished she still had her book, recalling seeing a similar knife many years ago.

“Careful, sweetheart. I think maybe we should wrap it in something. We don’t know exactly what sort of fucked up demon magick is warped into that thing.”

“Is there a blanket or something we can use?” Kai asked. Fear twisted through her as she studied the intricate designs. This weapon had killed three children, and she suspected it hadn’t been the first time it had been used.

“Here. Lay it on this,” Quintus directed, placing a hand towel onto the bed.

“I can’t believe we found it.” Kai gently set down the Kris, carefully wrapping it. She lifted it, and gave it to Jake. The wind howled, and she jolted upward. “Do you think she’s found us?”

“Her demons are looking for you, but this place…it’s sealed tight with some kind of magick.” Quintus crossed the room and gazed through the glass doors. “Even though they were on our trail, it will confuse them.”

“It makes you wonder though? Like what the hell did Dominique go through?” Jake reached for Kai’s hand, helping her off the bed.

“Kade turned her,” Quintus stated flatly. “He was young when he did it. Can’t remember the exact circumstance.”

“I thought you were like the granddaddy vamp. Don’t you keep track of all your boys and girls?” Jake asked.

“Not my responsibility. I’ve only sired a few vampires in my lifetime. Should they choose to turn someone, that’s on them. Leo knows I’m here if he needs me. As for Dominique, I’m not certain of her nature. She endured the torment of the witch. It’s likely the demon touched her magick.”

“It definitely messed with her head. Leo said she doesn’t speak anymore.” Jake sighed. “And the thing is, it doesn’t surprise me. I saw her in that cave. She was barely alive. I hardly recognized her. I don’t know if that’s something you can recover from.”

“We’re immortals. But we’re not invincible,” Quintus mused.

“But what happened to her children? This was done when she was human. I can’t imagine her heartbreak. She must have been devastated,” Kai said, following Jake out of the room and into the dark hallway.

“I’m sure she was. I’m just wondering how she got the Kris. Whatever went down in this house, it hardened her. Dominique is…was tough as nails,” Jake said.

“Life is full of hard lessons, I’m afraid.” Quintus followed them down the stairs.

“I’m sorry,” Kai said, detecting the hint of sadness in his voice “I know you’re right. It’s just, it sounds as though Dominique, she’s gone to great lengths to hide this. Makes you wonder how she got it? What did she plan on doing with it?”

“Probably planned on using it someday to get revenge. If Kasdeya really is a demon goddess, a triad, it makes you wonder if the demon that may have helped torture Dom might have been looking for it. Or maybe Mick wanted it?” Jake theorized. “We could ask Kade if he knows. But since she’s not responding to anything or anyone, Dominique isn’t going to be much help.”

“We’ve got to figure out the best way to get home. I know we drove, but the weather’s kickin’ up,” Quintus told them.

“Y’all know how it is down here. We’re expecting storms.” Jake eyed the courtyard through the door window.

“Let’s get to the car if we can but if anything goes down, I’m buzzing us back to my house.”

“If something goes down, you’d better think of getting us to my private plane. I can fly all our asses to San Fran. We could be there by the morning.”

“I wish I could get all three of us to California but I’m afraid that’s beyond my capability,” Quintus admitted.

“Just when I thought you were like a superhero?” Jake joked, his hand on the door handle. “You crush my dreams, man.”

“I’m good but not that good. If it were just me or maybe two of us, yeah, I’ve got that. But three adults? Thousands of miles away? Probably not a good idea. Might have to make a pit stop to feed, and I don’t think we can chance landing in the open.”

“Where are we going to stay when we get there?” Kai grew anxious as they spoke of returning to The Golden City.

“Kai, I know this isn’t going to be easy, but Quint and I aren’t going to let anything happen to you,” Jake assured her. “We’re going to find Shilan and kill Kasdeya. There’s going to be an end to this.”

Kai prayed like hell he was right. Kasdeya would be waiting, and she feared no one could protect her.

“We’ll do this together, pet. I have a score to settle,” Quintus said, placing his hand on her shoulder.

“I’ve gone so many years without being around supernaturals. The last time I was there looking for my sister I nearly died. Kasdeya wants me dead…wants my power.” Kai took a deep breath and shook her head. “I won’t let her take me. I’m going to get Shilan back. She didn’t ask for any of this.”