Page 88 of Jake

Chapter Fifteen

With his feet propped up on the armrest, Jake lay back on the sofa studying the Kris. The intricate markings ran from the hilt to its tip, and he racked his brain, attempting to place the unique writing. From military weapons to sacred sacrificial tools, he’d seen hundreds of knives over the years, but never a rare blade like this one. With its curved and razor edging, he imagined that once stabbed into its victim, it would resist being withdrawn. Its unfamiliar magick hummed as he ran his fingertips over it.

The creak of a door opening drew his attention, and he glanced across the room. Quintus guided a shaky Cassandra toward the door. What the hell? Jake set the Kris down on his lap, studying the interaction. Quintus gave him a sly smile, and quickly returned his attention to the delicate human.

“Thank you, bella,” he crooned, cupping her cheek.

“Cass?” Jake called to her, concern in his tone.

“Jake,” she replied, her voice airy as if she’d just woken. “I…I was just leaving.”

“You all right?”

“I’m good. Text me tomorrow if you need to stay longer.”

“You’ve got to go now,” Quintus told her, placing her red pumps into her hands.

“I’ve got to go now,” she repeated.

“It’s all good,” the vampire told Jake, and then turned to Cassandra. “Until we meet again, my sweet.”

Jake shook his head, irritated by their interaction. As Quintus leaned in to her, Cassandra tilted her head to kiss him, and Jake’s eyes widened at the sight of the bite marks on her neck. Fucking Quintus. His blood boiled in anger. Although he had no romantic interest in Cassandra, he’d never meant her harm.

“What the hell is going on?” he asked.

“Just chill.” Quintus held up a dismissive hand. Pressing his lips to her cheek, he gave her a quick kiss and ushered her out the door.

“I thought you were getting a fucking donor.” Jake rolled his eyes and shook his head.

“Ah yes, well you see, she was a no show and the lovely Cassandra offered to assist me…”

“Cass doesn’t like vampires.”

“But I’m not just any vampire, my friend. And Cassandra, she’s not your ordinary human.”

“Yeah, okay, big man. You’re something special all right.” Jake lifted the knife, and set his focus on the object. “You better not have hurt her.”

“Seriously, wolf. Don’t you know me by now? I’d never hurt a hair on her precious head. She’s special.”

“Whatev. She looked dazed to me. What kind of fucking vamp mumbo jumbo did you lay on her?”

“She’s relaxed from the bite is all.” Quintus shrugged, and made his way to the mini bar. Rummaging through it, he retrieved a bottle of Pelligrino and twisted off the cap.

“I know what your bite feels like, asshole, and that’s not the look I had.”

“She’s human. It’s altogether different. I’m careful to restrain the energy that comes through but with humans…it’s always difficult to gauge what will happen their first time. But as you can see, she’s walking and talking. She’s brilliant. All’s good.”

“I’m serious as fuck, asshole. What did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything except feed. And I must say, she was delicious. But out of respect for your mongrel ass, that’s as far as it went.”

“I don’t want you eating my friends.”

“You let me eat Kai,” Quintus snapped back with a raised eyebrow and a grin. He turned to the bar and set the cap aside, taking a long draw of his water.

“I’m starting to regret it.” Jake eyed the raised scars that striped the vampire’s back then turned his attention back to the knife. Whatever had caused the injuries had been done before he’d been turned, but Jake was reluctant to ask.

“Cassandra is perfectly fine. And yes, she does seem to have a thing for vampires, and not in a good way.”