Page 98 of Jake

Chapter Sixteen

Jake’s chest heaved, grief twisting through him as he cradled Kai in his arms. He winced, yanking the blade from her gut.

“Quint,” he screamed, unaware the entire building had gone silent.

The vampire flashed to his side and knelt to Kai’s lifeless body. “She’s barely there.”

“You can’t let her die. I need you to fix this. Now.” Jake embraced her, rocking her slowly. “No, this can’t be happening.”

“I can’t promise anything.” Quintus laid a palm on her arm, and Jake’s shoulder.

“The hotel’s not safe. If they took Cassandra…” Jake glanced to the stage; only an empty St. Andrew’s cross remained.

“She’s gone,” Quint said.

“Jesus. We’ve got to get out of here.” Jake’s mind spun. They could get back to the jet but he questioned the safety of that idea. “I don’t want to go to the hotel. Hunter’s got a place in Big Sur. The pack doesn’t know he’s got it. Get us there, and I’ll call him.”

“Close your eyes, and picture it,” Quintus told him. “Hold on.”

Jake lay halfway on the bed, his feet dangling over the edge. His mind immediately went to Kai, who lay unresponsive in his arms. “Quint. We’ve gotta do something. She’s dying.”

“If she’s gone…Jake, we’ve talked about this. Even a pixiu can die.” Quintus lifted her wrist, checking her pulse. A somber expression crossed his face. “She’s fading. I don’t know.”

“Say it,” Jake pressed. His chest tightened, suspecting the answer.

“I might turn her. I don’t know for sure what will happen.”

“Jesus Christ, Quint. I don’t know if that’s what she wants.”

“It’s not for everyone. I…”

“I’ve never wanted it. Logan, Dimitri. They knew.” Jake glanced to Kai’s pale face.

Emotion bubbled inside his chest, and he struggled to comprehend a life without his mate. Unwilling to simply let her go, he’d make the decision for her and for him. I need her to survive. The death of his mate would devastate him; his wolf might not rally. Anzober Wolves needed an Alpha who could lead the pack. You choose the pack over yourself. It had been ingrained in him since a child and now as Alpha, it was no less true.

“I need her, Quint. She’s my mate,” he told him, his eyes locked on the vampire.

“Do you fully understand this decision?”

“Yes.”

“She may be vampire when she wakes. I cannot control this.”

“Swear she will not be under your control. She must lead with me. She can’t have another master.”

“I swear it but Jake…”

“Do it, Quint. Kai just got a taste of freedom. And her sister is still out there. She needs her too. Kai would want this. Fucking hurry before she dies.”

Quintus tore off his leather jacket and kicked off his shoes. “Get comfortable, friend. This,” he sighed, “it will be as before. Her response. I can’t predict what will happen. Her creature could accept it or revolt. I’ve never done this before to a pixiu.”

“Just do it. Save her.” Jake’s voice cracked. He closed his eyes, listening. “Her heartbeat is slowing. Do it now before it’s too late.”

Jake quickly peeled off the backpack and her jacket, tossing the items onto the floor. He lifted her gold-stained shirt revealing her bloodied flesh. While the wound appeared inconsequential, she’d critically injured herself. She’d sacrificed her life, successfully destroying the deity.

Quintus bared his fangs, and bit his wrist. Blood dripped from his mouth as he looked to Jake for assurance. The Alpha nodded in approval. “This was my decision. If she turns, I’ll take responsibility. Please. Save her.”

As the vampire pressed his arm to her mouth, Jake laid his head next to hers.