Page 53 of Quintus

“I never would expect you to wait for me,” she insisted.

“I’m bonding with another,” he confessed. “Please, Mao. I’m so fucking sorry. If I’d known you’d been taken…Jesus, you know how things were back then. It was impossible.”

“You’ll come to me, Quintus,” she told him, her eyes hopeful. “Whatever this is…I assume it’s that wolf. She’s not the real thing. We were. We will be again.”

“We’ve got to get you to safety.” Quintus changed the subject, doubting her words. It was normal to expect denial, he reasoned. “The Alpha. He’s going to take you back with him. Last month, I met another pixiu. She’s in California. I doubt you’re related, but she’s of your kind.”

“I don’t need protection. I want to stay here with you.” She shook her head, and her eyes filled with tears. “I know I’m damaged but you have to give us a chance.”

“I’m sorry, Mao. I’ve got some things I have to do. Gabriella…she’s in danger. I can’t explain it, but I’ve got to take care of this situation. When I return, when things are settled, I’ll come visit you. I promise I won’t leave you by yourself.”

“Please don’t leave me here,” she begged. “I don’t even know where I am.”

“Mao. Think about this. Whatever you went through changed you. We aren’t even speaking in Chinese. Did you think of that? How do you know how to speak English? You smell like…the scent of a demon’s all over you.”

“I can’t explain any of this. It’s a blur…but I’m me. It doesn’t matter what language I speak. I’m the girl you met from the village.”

“You are…” Maybe yes, maybe no. “Look, at the very least, you’re traumatized. Once whoever put you in Hell finds out you’re missing, they might go looking for you again. I have to go to France. Hunter’s an Alpha. A shifter. He can keep you hidden and protected until I get back. He’ll be back in a few hours.”

“No, I’ll go with you.”

“No, Mao. You won’t. We may not be bonded but I’m not allowing you to go.”

“You can’t make me go with him. He’s a stranger.”

Quintus took a deep breath, considering the situation. He wasn’t convinced the woman in front of him was Mao. She looked like her…talked like her, but whoever she was, she was no longer his. Perhaps Hell had changed her or something worse, but caution warned him to go slowly. Still her fragile state pulled at his heart. He’d once loved her, would have died to save her.

“I can’t stay with you…” He sighed, plowing his fingers through his hair. “Viktor. You remember my brother, si?”

“Of course. He helped us so many times. He brought me here.”

“If you won’t go with Hunter, you can stay with him until I return.”

“I should go back to China. This country of yours…this is not mine,” she told him.

“No matter where you go, you’re going to have to start over, start a new life. I think it’s best to stay here but I can’t stop you from going back to your homeland. This demon who took you? Is he still alive?”

“I don’t know,” she said.

“Then it’s possible he’ll be back for you. You can’t leave my home. It’s the only thing that will protect you.”

“How long will you be gone?” she asked, a demure tone to her voice.

“I don’t know…a few days,” he told her. After they found what they needed in Paris, they’d go to New Orleans. Quintus didn’t trust Absinthe, yet he had no choice but to pursue the only lead they had. He questioned her motives for sending them to France. Witches notoriously sought rare ingredients for spells, and he suspected she was sending him on a wild goose chase.

“The wolf?” Mao asked.

“What?”

“The wolf at the party. She consumes you?”

“Yes.” It was of no use to lie. “We’ve already begun the bond.”

“She’s in trouble?” Mao asked, touching his arm.

Quintus’ gaze fell to her hand, still confused that he wasn’t stirred by her touch. “Yes, but…” He looked up to her, searching her eyes for deception. “Gabriella is no concern of yours.”

“I could help.”