Page 96 of Jake

Jake backed up against a column, and they stopped, sizing up their surroundings. Deafening thrash metal pounded as a red velvet curtain crept open, revealing the stage. Kai’s eyes widened at the sight of the familiar female. Cassandra. Her cream-colored sundress had been torn wide open, her nude body dangling from the wooden x-shaped St. Andrew’s cross. She was restrained, and her reddened eyes bulged, blood dripping from puncture wounds dotted across her body. Cassandra appeared lifeless, but Kai suspected she’d passed out from the torture.

“Oh Goddess,” Kai whispered.

“Goddammit,” Quintus muttered, his sight set on the human.

Jake stepped forward, and Kai grabbed onto his jacket but the leather slipped through her fingers. She glanced to Quintus, who bared his fangs, remaining at Kai’s side.

“Kasdeya!” Jake growled, his eyes glowing like red hot embers. “Where are you? Show your face, you fucking coward.”

Kai screamed as two vampires rushed toward him. Without missing a beat, Jake withdrew his weapon. Firing off two rounds, he clipped each of them in the neck, and they dropped to the ground.

“Any of the rest of you want a go at me? Because I’m itching to kill every last one of you assholes.”

“Wolves,” a female mused, her voice echoing throughout the chamber as the din silenced at her presence.

A tall lanky woman emerged from the darkness onto the stage. A chrome spiked crown sat atop her red mane; perfect locks spiraled down her back. Black eyeliner darkened her eyes, her bow lips painted a deep crimson. Lights reflected off her black latex mini dress, the wide lace sleeves brushing her bony wrists. She towered over them. Wearing five-inch pumps, she effortlessly glided across the stage.

“We’re here for Shilan, you three-headed bitch. Where is she?” Jake yelled.

Kai’s heart pounded at the sight of her mate alone in the sea of blood-sucking vermin. Her creature roared, refusing to leave his side. She went to move forward but Quintus blocked her with a strong arm.

“Stay back,” he warned.

“This is my fight,” she insisted.

He shook his head no, but again she persisted. “I’m going. My sister. My mate.”

“He’s going to kick my ass,” Kai heard Quintus comment but she didn’t bother with a response as she took off toward Jake.

“Where is she?” Jake repeated.

“I want my sister back!” Kai screamed.

“Ah, the shy little pixiu finally arrives. I’ve been waiting for you. Hmm,” she hummed with an evil smile. Kasdeya slid her finger down over Cassandra’s breast, pinching a bloody nipple, eliciting an ear-piercing scream. Kasdeya gave a wicked laugh and licked the sticky substance off her thumb. “She’s been fun to play with but hardly as tasty as you were. You lasted much longer.” She sighed. “Until you flew away…disappeared like the wind.”

“Tell us where she is or you’re going to die,” Jake stated, aiming the gun at her.

“Your bullets will not work on me,” she sneered.

“You’re right.” Jake spied a vampire standing in the wings, and fired off a shot. It fell to the ground. “But it works on your buddies.” A vampire sped towards him from behind, and Jake swiftly turned and aimed. The bullet tore through his groin and he fell screeching onto the concrete. “I can do this all damn night long.”

“But you can’t take me. That’s what matters, isn’t it? I’m afraid I’m stronger than all of you.”

“Not me,” Kai said, stepping forward. She closed her eyes, her anger rushing to the surface. An unearthly glow illuminated the room, emanating from her skin. Her beast reared up, attempting to morph. Dark magick seized the creature. It whined in agony, cowering, thwarted from transforming. Kai collapsed to the ground, and her eyes flashed to Kasdeya, who laughed wildly in response. “What did you do? She did something.”

“You gave me your blood.” The demon mistress sucked another finger into her mouth, releasing it with a pop. “A spell. I used it to stop your beast from disrupting my sanctuary. You’re powerless in here. It’s a beautiful thing.” She gave an eerie smile and glared at Quintus. “And you? Once upon a time you may have been able to kill me. That was before the merge. Not anymore.”

“You mean when you murdered Dominique’s children?” Quintus asked.

“The human souls were a minor cost for my transformation. I don’t normally kill children.” She looked to Cassandra, and grinned. “Only every now and then. Life gets mundane.”

“Innocents,” Jake growled.

“Exactly.” Kasdeya set her eyes on Jake, cocking a hip and jutting her breasts forward. With a flirtatious smile, she flipped her hair and licked her lips.

“Sorry bitch…not happenin’,” he told her.

“Stop stalling,” Quintus said, his voice terse.