Page 69 of Jake

“Neither did you. But this kind of stuff happens for a reason. And honestly, after talking to those kids upstairs, I’m wondering who the hell the wolf was. Chaz was a piece of shit Alpha, but he’s dead. I can’t help thinking to myself that maybe some of the problems the Anzober pack is having in California might be related to Kasdeya. She’s vampire…but also wolf and human.”

“Let’s talk on the plane.” Quintus stared out the window, his eyes squinting as lightning flashed.

“Oh my Goddess.” Kai jumped as thunder roared, shaking the house. Sheets of driving rain slammed against the windows, the patter growing louder as the storm moved closer. “It’s on top of us.”

“We’ll make a run for it. I’ll go first and clear the path, get the door open,” Jake told them. “Quint, you bring up the back. If anything happens, you need to zap us out. Otherwise, we hop in the car and drive straight to the airport. As soon as we get there, we’ll go to the Acadian hangar.”

“I’d say let’s just go now and leave the car, but the Kris…I’m concerned about how that might affect things. I’ve gotten into a few snags over the years trying that shit. Mystical objects…they don’t always materialize well. Depends on the situation. I’m not sensing any of Kasdeya’s demons right now.”

“Everyone ready to do this?” Jake asked. Keeping the Kris tight in one hand, he opened the door with the other.

“Hell yes. Let’s get out of here.” Kai nodded, stepping forward as it slid open, following into the courtyard.

A breeze of petrichor rushed in at her, its fresh scent giving her a false sense of security. But as she stepped out from underneath the awning onto the uneven stones, thunder rumbled, reminding her of the turbulent weather. Kai shielded her face from the pounding rain, chasing after Jake. By the time they’d reached the gate, water had soaked through her shirt. A gust of wind blew, sending a chill through her.

Jake struggled to open the locked gate. He tugged hard, until the metal door flew open, slamming against the home. Kai heard the faint sound of the car beeping open as she ran onto Bourbon Street. She turned back to Quintus, her heart pounding as she caught sight of the demons barreling toward them, casting dark shadows on the macadam underneath the street lights.

“Jake!” she screamed.

“Get in,” he yelled as she darted around the back of their SUV. Jake jerked on the handle, ducking as the demons lobbed an orb at him.

A red hot demon ball flew at Kai, and Quintus flashed in front of her to block it. As it tore through his back, the vampire collapsed.

“No!” Kai cried as Quintus fell onto the ground, blood bubbling from his abdomen. Without thinking, she stepped into the spray of ethereal bullets and fell to her knees. Quintus blinked up at her. Although his lips moved, she was unable to hear his whispers through the din. Anger and grief twisted through Kai, her beast raging to the surface. The creature formed as a speck in her mind’s eye. As it drew closer she marveled at the sight of the great animal galloping toward the surface.

Kai glanced to her hands, her eyes widening as talons sprung from her fingers. A slice of pain ripped into her as the wings tore open on her back. Her focus went to Jake who ripped the towel from the Kris and held it in the air.

As the demons swooped in on her mate, she lost control. Her arms transformed, the slight golden hue deepening until she no longer recognized her own body. The great creature crashed forth, splitting open her clothes and skin, until she’d fully morphed. Her sharp teeth gnashed together, a great roar coming from within her soul. As she opened her mouth, a bright light seared into the street, sending the incarnate apparitions screaming into the darkness.

“They’re gone, Kai. I need you back now. Come on, girl. Shift back for me.” Jake rushed to their side, but stopped short as Kai flapped her great wings.

Cognizant of his demand to shift, she blinked her golden eyes at him. She gave a brief growl as he approached, aware her master had commanded her to stop. Like a tornado sucking her beast into the air, it helplessly retreated. As her human form crumpled into the wet puddles, she gasped for breath.

“Jake,” she managed, shocked at her transformation.

The Alpha knelt in front of her, setting the Kris on the street. His hands gently cupped her cheeks. “Are you all right?”

Unable to process what had just happened, Kai nodded, tears streaming down her face. Quintus moaned, and her heart caught as she recalled how he’d been attacked.

“Quint.” Jake leaned over him, his face inches from his friend’s.

Kai pressed her palm to the vampire’s cool forehead. “Quintus. I’m sorry.”

“This isn’t your fault, bella. Ahh…” he groaned, clutching his gut.

“Fuck. Just wait a second, man. We’re gonna get you outta here. Get you some blood. I’m sorry if this hurts but let’s call it payback for what you did to me in New York,” Jake said. His eyes darted to Kai’s as he slid his arms underneath the tall vampire. Cradling him to his chest, he lifted Quintus and shoved up onto his feet.

Despite her bare skin, Kai didn’t hesitate as she jumped up off the ground, swiftly opening the back passenger door. She reached for the Kris as Jake eased Quintus inside the car.

“I’m just gonna set you inside here, Quint. Easy now.” Jake slammed the door and looked to Kai, who stood shaking with her arms crossed over her bare breasts. Pulling his shirt over his head, he slipped the sopping wet fabric onto her. “Jesus. This isn’t the best, it’ll have to do for now.” He reached for the passenger door, opening it. “Get in. You’re going to freeze to death.”

Kai jumped inside, and jolted at the sound of the car door slamming closed. She set the Kris on the floor and leaned over her seat, placing her hand on Quintus’ arm.

“I’m so sorry.” The vampire’s eyes cracked open, and he winced. “This shouldn’t have happened to you. Oh Goddess…Jake, he looks like he’s lost a lot of blood.”

“Hold on. I already told Logan to have the jet waiting. The airport’s not far.” Jake slipped into the car and shut his door. The engine roared to life as he gunned the pedal.

Kai turned to him, somber. “These things are going to follow us.”