She lightly skimmed a hand over his short, stylishly cut hair; it was as dark as his eyes and soft as silk. If her back still wasn’t throbbing with pain, his otherworldly potent sex appeal would have sent her libido into a frenzy. He was nothing like the guys from her past with his GQ-style, Armani suits, and badass predatory edge. Tall and solid and dominant, Knox had a raw sexual gravity that drew people to him. All that supreme confidence, leashed power, and animal grace totally rung her bell.
“Talk me through exactly what happened,” he said, stroking her wing. It was like touching hot silk. The feathers might be soft, but they weren’t fragile. He found the contrast as fascinating as he did the female beside him.
She grimaced. “Um… yeah, I’m not sure that’s the best idea.” He was already pissed beyond belief and she didn’t want to provoke the rage she knew was still simmering beneath the surface. Her demon was just as wary of stoking the fire.
“Harper, this is the kind of situation where not knowing is worse.” Ignoring her pleading expression, he pressed, “Tell me.”
She sighed. “Fine.” Inhaling deeply, she took in the scents of clean linen, fragrant oils, and Knox’s dark, sensual cologne. “I was minding my own business, searching for the damn keys, when the hunters just seemed to appear out of nowhere. One slammed me over the table while the other stood in front of me and pinned my hands still. I couldn’t fight them at first, because the one trapping my hands – the one who’s still alive – sent me into a dream. I kept snapping in and out of it.”
Knox frowned. “I sensed that he’s a nightmare. The breed can sometimes send people into dreamlike states, but they don’t control the content of the dreams. What happened in it?”
“I was here, in our room. There was no furniture except for a cradle. There was a baby – I don’t know if it was supposed to be a girl or a boy, I couldn’t tell. It had flames for eyes.”
“Considering a delusional demon claimed you’d have a ‘child of flames’ who would destroy us all, it’s hardly a surprise that you had a dream about it,” he pointed out. Not so long ago, a demon from their lair who was near-rogue had targeted Knox, convinced that killing him before he could breed would save the world. After several unsuccessful attempts, Laurence Crow had then kidnapped Harper and tried to give her a hysterectomy to prevent her from having Knox’s child. She’d killed the bastard instead.
They’d soon discovered that Crow’s strings had been pulled by a group of demons that called themselves The Four Horsemen – a group that wanted to overthrow the Primes and have domination of the US. They believed that Knox, being so powerful, was in their way.
Knox had also discovered that he’d already killed one of the Horsemen… or Horsewoman, really. Isla had wanted to not only have a US Monarch, but to be the Monarch. When her plan failed, she’d attacked Harper. Naturally, he’d killed the bitch.
Isla’s death hadn’t made the other Horsemen back off, though. Instead, they had tried and failed to cause a political war between the Primes, hoping they would turn on each other. It was only when Harper was bound to a table while Crow stood over her with a scalpel that another of the Horsemen waltzed in – a demon, Roan, from their lair. He was also Harper’s half-brother, and he was now as dead as Crow.
It meant that two Horsemen were still out there, and Knox had to wonder if they were behind the attack at the studio.
“They were going to take my rings too,” said Harper. “They were going to sell them.”
His demon snarled at the idea. “Most hunters sell things on the black market. Sometimes they’re hired to obtain something specific. We knew there was a risk that hunters would come for your wings if people were to find out that you could now call them to you.” Sphinx wings were widely coveted. Until some of his power had poured into her mind and given her wings whatever push they’d needed to surface, she’d been known as the sphinx without wings. “We kept them a secret for that very reason, so what I want to know is how the fuck someone outside our close circle of people could have found out about them.”
“The hunters mentioned a guy; it sounded like they were hired by someone.” That suggested the hirer was either stupid or suicidal, in Harper’s mind – and not just because Knox was a powerful Prime of a lair that spanned most of Nevada and even some of California. No, it was also because harming the mate of a demon who was thought to be the most powerful in existence wasn’t advisable – especially when it was rumored that said demon could also call on the flames of hell.
If the hunters’ employer knew just what breed of demon Knox was, Harper strongly doubted they would have fucked with her, no matter how dumb or tired of living they’d become. But very few people knew what Knox was. That only increased the fear that their kind already felt. And since fear and awe came hand in hand in the brutal world of demons, Knox was widely respected and admired.
Being a billionaire who owned a chain of hotels, casinos, bars, restaurants, and security firms, Knox was just as respected and influential in the human world. He hid in plain sight, just like most of their kind. It was hardly surprising to Harper that he was such a powerful figure. Demons loved power, challenges, and control. As such, many were CEOs, politicians, entrepreneurs, bankers, stockbrokers, lawyers, surgeons, police officers, and even celebrities.
“Well, we have someone who can give us the answers that we seek,” said Knox. The hunter was currently in the boathouse on the grounds of the estate. Knox was raring to get his hands on the little fucker.
“You’re going to talk to him now, aren’t you?”
“Talk” wasn’t quite the word Knox would use, but there would be a little talking involved. He sifted his fingers through her hair, watching as the hazel irises of her glassy, reflective eyes suddenly swirled like liquid before turning into a deep ocean-blue. He suspected that no matter how many times he watched their shade change like that, it would always fascinate him. “Not until you’ve fallen asleep. You need rest.”
Harper didn’t want him to go, but she also didn’t want to have to walk him through the rest of what happened tonight, step by step. He was torturing himself enough as it was. “Thank you for somehow hearing me and coming for me.”
He kissed her, savoring her taste. “Thank you for being strong enough to make me hear you. I’ll always come for you.” He held her gaze as he added, “If somebody hired them, I will find out who it was, and I will kill them. I swear that to you.”
She smiled. “You don’t have to swear it. I already know you will.”
As always, her instant faith in him touched Knox. Before Harper, no one had ever looked at him with utter trust – and they’d been right not to do so. He was as ruthless, unforgiving, and merciless as he was rumored to be. He was loyal to very few people, and the only person on Earth who was completely safe from him was Harper. What amazed him about her was that she didn’t doubt that she was safe from him. Not even a little.
Truly, no one – not even Knox – could have blamed her if she did have doubts. She’d seen him at his worst, knew the level of chaos and destruction he could cause, and had watched him conjure the flames of hell. There was only one thing that was impervious to the flames; it was the very thing that was born from the flames. An archdemon. And that was exactly what Knox was.
Unlike what some human religions believed, archdemons didn’t serve Lucifer; they served hell itself. They were as callous and conscienceless as their inner demons; were born to control, command, and destroy. And yet, Harper accepted him, trusted him, loved him.
It wasn’t that she was willfully blind to his power or his true nature – no, she knew exactly what he was, and she’d walked into their relationship with her pretty eyes wide open. But she’d still taken him as her mate, still exchanged rings with him, and still even accepted his inner demon.
In short, she fucking owned him. But that was okay, because she in turn belonged to him.
“No more talking.” Grabbing the remote from the nightstand, he lowered the electron
ic shades, plunging them into utter darkness. “Now close your eyes. I’ll stay with you until you’ve fallen asleep, and I’ll be here when you wake up.”
Luxuriating in the way his hand gently played with her hair, Harper closed her eyes and let herself drift off.
The boards of the boathouse creaked beneath Knox’s feet as he stalked down one of the narrow walkways that separated the three chrome and fiberglass boats. Moonlight filtered through the windows of the building, illuminating the anxious face of the hunter who sat bound to a wooden chair. He didn’t struggle, didn’t make a sound. All Knox could hear was the water lapping against the hulls and the creak of the taut ropes as the boats rocked slightly.
How’s Harper? asked Levi, his tall, broad frame standing near the wall. He was vibrating with anger. The sentinel didn’t like many people, but he liked and had a great deal of respect for Harper… which was probably why there was one hell of a bruise on the hunter’s jaw.
She’s fine. Sleeping, thankfully, Knox replied. He came to a stop in front of the hunter, who Levi had divested of his camo outfit and combat boots, leaving him in only his boxers and socks – no doubt to make him feel even more vulnerable than he already did.
Knox didn’t bother to conceal his rage. He let it fill the boathouse, just as he’d let it fill Harper’s office. He also allowed his demon to surface just enough to release a low growl. The stench of the hunter’s fear joined the other smells of water, wax, and motor oil.
Knox liked the way the hunter’s tanned face paled and his brown eyes flashed with fear, but he much preferred him as a whimpering mess, huddling in a corner. “Feeling better? That’s a shame.” Casually, Knox stuffed his hands in his pockets. “The upside is… you can talk. And that’s exactly what you’re going to do.”
He snorted, but the sound was too faint to be derisive. “Like I’ll believe you’ll let me live.”
“I don’t recall saying that I’d let you live.” It was truly laughable that the nightmare would think any differently. “We’re not making a deal here and exchanging information for your life. I’m telling you that you’re going to answer my questions truthfully.”
The hunter lifted his chin slightly in a gesture of defiance so weak that Knox’s demon rolled its eyes, despite its anger.
“I’ve interrogated several nightmares in the past,” said Knox. “I’ve found that I prefer interrogating your kind. You see, I can effortlessly thrust my mind into someone else’s and find all the information I need. There are few whose shields present a challenge. My mate’s shields are very unique; they have the psychic equivalent of steel barbs, meaning I’d have to shred my own psyche to get past them.” That she had such tough defenses made him proud.
Knox began to circle the hunter as he continued. “Your shields are solid, but not impenetrable. Still, it’s never good to read the mind of a nightmare.” But if he delved into the hunter’s mind, all Knox would find would be his own personal nightmare. “But I’m not deterred by that, because I like the challenge. I like being able to really enjoy the interrogation process. It feeds my demon’s need for violence.”
As Knox moved to stand once again directly in front of him, the hunter swallowed hard and said, “I didn’t hurt her.”
“No, but you pinned her down while another did. You stood by and did nothing while she was in pain. That’s just as bad.” Knox’s demon pushed for freedom, wanting to make the nightmare pay. Soon, Knox promised it. “Sphinx wings sure are beautiful, aren’t they? I’d imagine that the wings of a powerful Prime like Harper would be worth the sort of money that would set you up for life.” Knox cocked his head. “Just who offered you that money?”
“No one. We were just being opportunists.”
Knox sighed. “It’s always so disappointing when people lie to me. I don’t like to be disappointed.”
“It’s the truth.”
“And that’s yet another lie, which you will pay for. You went after my mate – that’s a hell of a risk to take, considering she’s powerful and that you’d have known exactly what I’d do to you if you were caught. Besides, most of the demon world believes that Harper’s wings never came to her. I don’t see why hunters would randomly target Harper unless they believed differently. Very few know the truth, and I’m quite sure that the only way hunters would hear about it was if they were told by someone.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he stared at Knox, eyes fairly glowing with fear now.
“I can understand why you’d be so determined to hold back information. Personally, I wouldn’t have any interest in spilling everything I knew to the person who was about to kill me. But you really, really should spill it all.”
“I already told you, we were just being —”
“For every lie you tell, I’ll hurt you that much worse.”
“I can say we were hired if that’s what you want to hear, but it won’t be the truth.”
As his cell phone chimed, Knox said, “Hold that thought.” He pulled the cell out of the inside pocket of his jacket and saw “Jolene” flashing on the screen. Jolene Wallis was Harper’s grandmother, a shrewd and strong Prime, and a woman who would obliterate anyone who threatened her family. He wondered if she’d heard that Harper was attacked. No one had announced anything, but Jolene had sources everywhere.
“I need to take this.” Letting the hunter sweat a little would add to his demon’s fun anyway. Knox moved a few feet away and answered, “Hello.”
“I heard something happened in Harper’s office,” clipped Jolene, all business. “Is she all right? She’s not answering her phone.”
“She’s sleeping,” said Knox. “To put it briefly, she was attacked by hunters who were hired to steal her wings. They didn’t succeed and she’s healing well.”
A hiss. “Tell me they’re dead.”
“One is. The other will be once he’s given me the answers I want.”
“I need to see her.”
“Not now. Let her sleep. She needs it.” Especially since she hadn’t been sleeping well recently.
There was a resigned but long, suffering sigh. “Keep me updated. I want to know everything that bastard tells you. Make him pay.” The line went dead.
Tucking his phone in his pocket, Knox overheard Levi speaking to the hunter. “Don’t think that lying will help you. Knox wants answers, true, but he’ll happily torture them out of you. This is nothing but foreplay.”
It was true that Knox and his demon liked to toy with their prey. Moving back to stand before the hunter, he asked, “Where were we?”
“The more he lies, the more he’ll hurt,” said Levi helpfully.
“That’s right.” Knox sighed at the hunter. “And you lied again, as I recall it. Some people are masochistic that way. I suppose it’s good for you that you appear to like pain. It’ll help you get through the next few hours.” Knox conjured a ball of hellfire and bounced it on his hand. “Have you ever eaten one of these?”
The chair creaked as the hunter jerked back, looking shocked by the question.
“It’s a standard punishment within our lair, isn’t it, Levi?”
“It is,” the reaper verified. “I’ve heard it hurts like a son of a bitch. It burns your tongue, mouth, throat, esophagus, lungs, stomach, and finally your intestines before it sizzles away. Of course, it hurts a hell of a lot worse when it’s a high-powered, lethal orb. That will burn a person from the inside out, leaving their corpse a melting, blistering mess until it finally vaporizes.”
The hunter’s panicked gaze darted from Knox to the blazing orb in his hand.
Knox tilted his head. “You look surprised that anyone would use such a punishment. It’s no secret that I’m cruel and ruthless.” He looked at Levi. “Maybe some think I’ve gone soft now that I’m mated.”
“You soft?” Levi snorted.
“If anything, it’s made me harder,” Knox told the hunter, “because my drive to protect my mate is so intense and primal. Many have already died for harming he
r, so it truly does confuse me that anyone would assume that they could do so and not pay with their life. And yet, you hurt her.”
“It wasn’t me, I just —”
“Held her down so that she couldn’t defend herself while another sawed at her wings; yes, I know.” His eyes bled to black for just a moment, and the hunter nervously licked his lips.
“It was nothing personal. Just business.”
“Business?” Knox rumbled.
Levi gave a dramatic wince. “Damn, hunter, you’re just digging a deeper hole for yourself here.”
“I just mean that —”
“There’s really nothing you could say that would excuse what you did.” Knox took a step closer to him. “As I said earlier, I won’t be making any deals with you. You won’t die faster if you tell me the truth straight away. I won’t spare you any pain – not after what you did to my mate. But it is in your best interests to be truthful.”
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