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“Julian.” Cassia shook off the dizziness and opened her eyes. The cold air stung her face as her brain struggled to process what she was seeing. “Jules. Where are we? Is that? No, that can’t be. Is that Mount Fuji? Are we in Japan?”
“Yes,” Julian answered. “That’s Yotei. It looks similar to Mount Fiji. Beautiful, isn’t it?”
Cassia glanced back to him, still in shock. Her focus remained transfixed on the snowcapped mountain. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw a woman wave to her. Sayuri.
“What is this place?” Cassia asked.
“Hokkaido. Northern Japan,” Julian answered. “Stay close. I don’t sense anything, but we don’t know her well.”
“It’s breathtaking.” Pink cherry blossoms painted the landscape, the ocean in the distance. Cassia turned and caught sight of Sayuri, dressed in a yellow patterned silk kimono.
“Konnichiwa.” Sayuri bowed and gestured to her home. “Do not worry. My home is properly guarded. “Alpha, Cassia, please, come in.”
“Ojama shimasu.” Julian bowed.
“I see your friends have arrived.” Sayuri gestured to the field.
A broad smile broke across Cassia’s face as Rafe, Greyson and Dominque strode toward them. Warriors … a family of badass creatures. Family. Pack. Our team.
“Sayuri.” Greyson stopped and bowed, his hands at his sides. He gestured toward the others. “Dominique. Rafe. This is Xavier. My brother insisted we take him. Kade is concerned about his dear Dominique.”
“I’m honored to meet you both. Sayuri.” Xavier bowed with respect, greeting her. “Alpha.” He extended his hand to Julian.
The tall, good-looking vampire carried a backpack. Wearing a black t-shirt and jeans, his pec muscles bulged from his arms.
Julian shook his hand and turned to his mate. “This is Cassia. She’s chameleon.”
“It’s lovely to meet you, Cassia. I’m sorry it’s under these circumstances. Given the recent events with demonic forces, Kade offers my services to you. Dominique is family. He shares concerns that you may need more assistance.” Xavier smiled at her.
“We are grateful to have her. As we are you. I’m sure Dom will appreciate the company.” Cassia smiled and glanced to Dominique.
“Please come in. We will have dinner shortly.” Sayuri gestured to a small cabinet near the door. “Please. Your shoes.” She clapped her hands and several maids dressed in long blue dresses with white aprons streamed into the great foyer.
“Arigato,” Cassia said as a maid dropped to her knees and removed her shoes, quickly replacing them with beige cotton slippers.
They followed Sayuri into a spacious great room. The sleek clean design was contrasted by black wooden furniture. The great blue Pacific Ocean beckoned through the floor-to-ceiling windows across the back of the room.
“Please. I’ve arranged for drinks in the dining room.” Sayuri led them to an open air area with an enormous low wooden table. She gestured to a rectangular pillow at the head of it. “Alpha, please sit.”
Cassia followed Julian and she slid onto the pillow next to him. She smiled at Greyson who sat across from her. His jaw ticked with annoyance and she surmised that he remained suspicious of Sayuri.
“No need for formalities. And as I’m afraid there’s no cause for a toast, please feel free to drink your sake or water,” Sayuri commented as servants placed goblets in front of Xavier, Greyson, Dominique and Rafe. “I have arranged for the very best donors in Japan to serve you. They shall arrive shortly. But for now, please enjoy this blood. It is warm, I assure you.”
A servant poured sake from a tokkuri into a gold cup, and Sayuri brought it to her lips. The others at the table followed, sipping their drinks.
With the egg tucked in her pocket, Cassia looked to Julian who nodded. She reached for the small cup. It warmed her palms as she lifted it to her lips.
“I am grateful for your presence,” Sayuri began. “It was essential that I spoke to you. I’m afraid Thorn can no longer assist you at this juncture due to his compromised position. If Hell became aware of his involvement to date, it is likely they’d insist he go back to Hell. He much prefers the human realm, so he cannot take any more risks at this time. After the event last night, I discussed my desire to help you, and he’s released me from service so that I may assist you.”
“Why would you help us?” Julian asked, his tone skeptical.
Sayuri set her cup onto the table and continued. “My motives are not entirely altruistic. My brothers are missing and I believe you may be able to help me as well. You see, I’m born of dragon and wolf … a hybrid.” Sayuri looked to Rafe. “One day, while I was away, something evil murdered my parents and took my brothers.”
“How do you know a demon took your brothers?” Greyson pressed.
“Because when I returned, I saw the cambions … I saw the portal … I saw it take them.”
