Burn

by Suzanne Wright

  Harper nodded. Thanks for the advice, Grams. Sensing Knox’s stare, she realized he was looking curiously at her. “Everything okay?”

  He leaned closer, bringing them into their own little cocoon. “Who were you talking to?”

  “I was just chatting to Jolene.” His expression turned expectant; he was clearly waiting for her to repeat the conversation. “You’re so damn nosy.” His smile was unrepentant.

  Like yesterday, the food was amazing. It was mere moments after the tables had been cleared that Knox went rock solid at her side. “What is it?”

  “Hello Knox,” said a pleasant voice. Isla. How delightful.

  “Isla,” he greeted simply.

  Her lips briefly thinned before breaking into a polite smile as her gaze swept along everyone at the table. “I hope you all enjoyed your meal. I must say, Jolene, I was surprised that your family joined us this weekend. I wouldn’t have thought your lair would particularly care about the election. After all, you haven’t bothered much with political events in the past.”

  Jolene’s smile was all teeth. “How could we miss this? We’re looking forward to watching you crash and burn.” Yeah, her grandmother had no tolerance for Isla, since she believed the bitch sent the dark practitioners after Harper.

  Isla’s pleasant act disappeared. “You would do well to remember that there’s a high chance I’ll soon be an authority over you.”

  “‘High chance’ might be overstating things a little.”

  “I suppose you believe you can offend anyone without consequences now that you’re linked to Knox through his anchor.”

  “At least you’re acknowledging that I’m his anchor,” said Harper, not entirely convinced Isla genuinely believed that.

  “As I said to Knox when we spoke earlier today in his office, if he’s so very certain that you’re his anchor, it must be true.”

  Harper nodded. “Yeah, he’s not the delusional type.”

  With one last fake smile, Isla headed for the dais.

  Lifting her champagne flute, Harper quietly said to Knox, “You didn’t mention Isla paid you a visit.”

  “I was distracted by…other things.”

  Picking up on his insinuation, she snorted.

  “Are you still wet?”

  She nearly choked on her drink. “Of course not, I’m bone dry.” He just chuckled. “Do you think she’s honestly accepted that she’s not your anchor?”

  “I doubt it.”

  “It seems it’s time for Isla to have her moment,” announced Jolene as the vamp-banshee leaned on the stand. Silence descended, but it was a wary silence.

  “Good evening, everyone,” said Isla with a courteous smile. “I have long believed that it should be a basic right for each demon to have a say in their own life, which is why I have fought hard to have this election and enable every demon to have a say in this matter.” She looked at the camera as she continued. “Many of you will already be aware of my opinion that it will benefit our kind to implement a pyramid hierarchy of power within the U.S. Malden will tell you that a hierarchical system will never work.” She chuckled. “But this is the same person that said the Underground would never be a success, and look where we all are now.”

  To be fair, that was a good point.

  Gratification lit her face. “There is no stronger preternatural species than ours. None. We can pride ourselves on that, and we do. Yet, our kind suffers more deaths than any other species. Why? Because we have no laws, we have nothing at all in place that gives us any protection – not from outsiders, and not from ourselves.

  “Lairs target each other in the hope of expanding their power. In doing so, they cause suffering to their own. How is that beneficial for us? How many of you have lost people you cared for? How many of you have suffered because of such greed? I do not feel I can allow that to continue, and I find it difficult to believe that any of you can overlook this.”

  If I didn’t know what good a liar she is, I might have bought that devastated look on her face, said Knox. His concern was that many others would buy it.

  “It is not simply strays and small lairs that are vulnerable,” she continued. “Each and every one of us are in a weak position when it comes to the matter of our main enemies – dark practitioners. Do we unite against them? No. Primes are so busy keeping power for themselves that they are blind to the truth. We have made ourselves easy prey. Demons are not built to be prey. We are predators through and through. Still, this is what we have done to ourselves. Apart, we are vulnerable. Together, we are strong.”

  She focused on the camera. “If I am elected, I will put in place a pyramid hierarchy that is similar to the layout of authority that exists within each lair. A constitution will be formed that stipulates and restricts the power and influence of each level within the hierarchy. Primes will still have power, but they will also have regulations that prevent them from warring with each other. This will protect all of you.”

  Her hand balled into a fist. “Our kind needs a Monarch that will bring changes, will find solutions, and will give equal rights to every demon. Malden promises us all a voice, yet his lair stole my campaign materials and removed them from every establishment within the Underground.” Whispers traveled around the room, and an angry flush marred Malden’s cheeks. “That not only takes away my voice, it takes away your right to have an unbiased opinion. He doesn’t promise you a voice. He promises you the illusion of a voice.”

  Even Harper could admit that much was true.

  “What do I promise you? Security. A guarantee that no one will ever again target you, no matter who you are – a stray, an average demon, a Prime. If you elect me, I will build a Force that will protect us against dark practitioners; a Force that will hunt down and punish those who have taken our friends or families. I will provide protection for strays, who have the right to be without a lair and still have the protection that every other demon is granted. I will ensure that lairs are no longer able to terrorize others.

  “This is not just about electing a Monarch, it is about choosing how our kind would like to live. None of us want our species to remain prey. You can change that. How? By electing a Monarch; by electing me. I hope you make the right decision.”

  “That was a clever speech,” allowed Jolene. “And that worries me.”

  Isla smiled, spine straight. “If anyone has any questions, I will be happy to answer them.”

  A female Prime called out, “What makes you think a hierarchy will be better than simply having a Monarch?”

  “Look at your lairs. You have a hierarchy within each one, do you not? It helps maintain order. It makes people feel secure, because they know exactly where they stand. It helps the demons on the lowest level of that hierarchy feel secure, because they have the knowledge that they are protected. Rules and regulations keep things running smoothly. At present, we do not have those.”

  There was a small silence before another voice asked, “How would you choose where each Prime exists within such a hierarchy?”

  “The decision would depend upon their individual level of power. They need to be strong enough to hold their position.”

  “Why?” a different Prime asked. “You’re promising a future without war. Why does it matter if they can hold their position?”

  “Demons respect power,” she replied as impatience very briefly flickered across her face. “A Prime on a high level would need the respect that ensures Primes on levels below them take their authority seriously.”

  “But what about the Primes you decide should be placed on the lowest level?” called out Malden. “They would have no real power at all. It would only be a matter of time before they started challenging Primes on higher levels in an attempt to overthrow each other.”

  “They would need my permission to battle; such a rule would be in writing.”

  Jolene scoffed. “And we’re supposed to wave that piece of paper at any lair who bothers us and hope it makes them go away?”

&nb
sp; Isla’s jaw clenched. “If a Prime did such a thing, they would be severely punished.”

  “But the damage would already be done,” Malden pointed out.

  “Yes,” allowed Isla, “but once they were punished, the rest of our kind would be very hesitant to do so again.”

  “You say that small lairs are vulnerable now,” began another Prime. “Your plan – which would include placing us on lower levels – would simply make us even more vulnerable.”

  “You would have the protection of the higher levels.”

  That same Prime addressed everyone as he asked, “Can any Prime in this room say they haven’t punished one of their Force or sentinels for abusing their power over the other lair members? The same would happen to each Prime if a hierarchy was implemented,” he told Isla. “That power would be abused, and the vulnerable would pay for it.”

  Isla shook her head. “If we implement my hierarchy, there would be better order, less demons being harmed, and safer streets. In addition, we would not have divides. We would effectively be united. It would put us in a good position if somehow our existence was exposed to humans.”

  Someone from the back of the room snorted. “It’s been exposed many times to humans, and we’ve dealt with it each time.”

  “Yes,” agreed Malden. “One point I want to make is this: if you really had such faith in your own plans, you wouldn’t try to attack my character and my promises by fabricating stories about me stealing your materials.”

  She regarded him with disappointment. “You and I both know it’s the truth.”

  Raul spoke then. “I asked Malden this question yesterday, and I’ll ask you the same thing. How do you think you can exert your authority over Primes who are more powerful than you?”

  “There are few Primes more powerful than me,” replied Isla, her tone arrogant. “In any case, I don’t need to be more powerful than someone to exert authority.”

  Raul snickered. “How else could you keep someone like Knox Thorne in check? If you tried to punish him, he wouldn’t stand there and take it. He’d retaliate.”

  “Knox would never harm me.”

  Harper turned to Knox. “I think she truly believes that.”

  “He and I go back a long time,” Isla went on. “We have too much regard and respect for each other for him to harm me.”

  Raul raised a brow at Knox. “Is that true?”

  “I wouldn’t like to harm you,” Knox told her. “But that doesn’t make you safe from me. And I’ll never give you or anyone else any power over me.” Never in his life would anyone ever control him again.

  That response had Raul smiling. “Let’s pretend you’ve been elected, Isla. You’re Monarch. He’s refusing to do what you want. So, what do you do?”

  Face hard, she responded, “Punish him, of course.”

  “How? How can you be expected to take him on?”

  “All of us here would stand united against any crime committed. That means we would unite against him. I doubt even Knox could defeat us all as a unit.”

  “And what if we don’t want to join you in standing against him?” asked the Prime directly behind Harper. “What if we’d rather mind our own fucking business?” Some chuckled at that.

  “That would be considered a betrayal.”

  Raul sighed, waving a dismissive hand. “Maybe the public might be in favor of your hierarchy. But as far as I’m concerned, there’s nothing realistic about it. Like Malden, you’d be biting off more than you can chew.”

  She licked over her front teeth. “I’m sorry that’s how you view things, Raul. It’s true that we can keep our ways as they stand. But then our problems will also remain. Think on that.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  There were certain types of people who were only interesting when they were drunk. Dario was one of those people. Sadly, he wasn’t drunk.

  As he did his best to convince Harper that electing a Monarch would benefit the U.S., she got the feeling he was hoping that if he could get her onside, he could thereby get Knox onside. Snort. No one had that kind of influence on Knox. The idiot should know that.

  Glancing at the reception desk, she saw that Knox was still there; flicking through papers with the concierge, who had rushed to him as they exited the restaurant not long after Isla’s speech. Knox had left her with Tanner while he quickly helped his staff deal with something. Dario must have seen it as an opportunity to speak with Harper without any interference.

  “Isla was correct when she said that electing a Monarch could bring some form of order,” said Dario. “But, like Malden, she wants to be Monarch for all the wrong reasons.”

  “Is that right?” Harper’s disinterested tone didn’t faze him.

  “What they want isn’t order. It’s power. Nothing more, nothing less.”

  “Hmmm.”

  “They’re not interested in the well-being of our kind. Surely you see that.”

  She sighed. “Let me just save you some time, Dario, and make it clear that nothing will warm me to the idea of having a Monarch.”

  “Then you’re failing to see the bigger picture.” He stepped close to her, too close. Beside her, Tanner growled, but Dario didn’t seem to notice. “You’re a smart girl, Miss Wallis. I can see that sharp mind right there in your eyes. You have to know that electing a Monarch is the way forward.” He held out his hand. “How about you and I go to the bar, discuss this further?”

  “Why would we do that?”

  Knox’s mind brushed against hers, bringing a shocking vibe of black jealousy. Why is Dario so close he’s practically touching you?

  He’s just trying to get my vote. And she didn’t appreciate the accusatory tone of Knox’s voice…like she was flirting with the asshole or something.

  “Dario,” Knox drawled as he and Levi joined them. Knox didn’t return to her side. He moved to Dario’s side instead, but his focus was on Harper – his brooding eyes glittered with jealousy, possessiveness, and anger.

  As Dario turned to face Knox, he immediately stepped back at his dark expression. “I was just talking with your anchor.”

  “I see that.” And it took everything Knox had not to gut the prick, especially while his demon’s predatory possessiveness was whipping through him. It wasn’t just because Dario had edged into Harper’s personal space. It was because not only was there a covetous glint to his eyes, a greedy desire to possess, but because Dario was telepathically broadcasting that desire loud and clear.

  Knox was powerful enough to pick up stray thoughts and images from people’s minds if their shields weren’t solid. Dario was very clearly imagining Harper naked beneath him, her legs wrapped around him while he fucked her hard. Not a picture Knox wanted in his head.

  He could understand Dario’s urge to have her. Harper was beautiful, unique, without guile, and so aloof that it was a challenge to any male demon worth his salt. Knox had picked up that challenge. But she was also his and…and now Dario was fantasizing about her sucking him off.

  “I suggested that she and I could go to the bar for a—”

  “That won’t be happening,” Knox rumbled. “And neither will the shit that’s going through your head.”

  Dario paled. “We were just going to discuss the election, that’s all.”

  Knox could sense Dario doing his best to clear his mind, to keep a firm grip on his fantasies, and to focus totally on Knox. But, as if the pressure was simply too much for him, Dario’s fantasies all burst out of that mental grip and flashed through his head like a flicker pad: images of him fucking Harper, tasting her pussy, tying her up, sucking on her nipples, having her ride him, and forcing her to suck his cock…It was too much for Knox, and it was far too much for his demon.

  Harper inwardly cursed as Knox’s eyes bled to black. Head tilted, the demon slowly advanced on Dario like a predator closing in on its prey. The rage emanating from it sent apprehension prickling down her spine. Hey, just because she knew it wouldn’t hurt her didn’t mean it wasn�
��t a scary fucker – especially when she had seen for herself exactly what it was capable of doing to someone that pissed it off.

  To Dario’s credit, he stood his ground against that chilling presence. She had no clue what was going on, but she could sense that Knox’s demon was seriously unhappy.

  “I see what you want,” it told Dario, who swallowed hard. “I see it all.” It slowly shook its head. “You can’t have her. She’s mine.”

  Clearing his throat, Dario nodded. “Understood.”

  Yeah? Well she was glad someone understood, because Harper was still a little confused here. She looked from one male to the other as Knox’s demon retreated. “I really hope that wasn’t about me. We were only talking about the election.”

  Knox turned to her. “Really?”

  “Yes, he thinks that—” Harper nearly jumped out of her damn skin when an ice-cold fingertip flicked her clit. No, he hadn’t just done that in public! He hadn’t just—

  She jerked as the same fingertip circled her clit, making it heat and tingle. Oh, the bastard.

  Dario frowned at her. “Are you all right?”

  “You don’t look too good, baby,” commented Knox, ensuring he looked the image of concern. “Your cheeks are flushed. Must be all the champagne.”

  An icy finger slid through her folds, and Harper had to lock her knees to stay upright. Stop it, she hissed. Knox didn’t. As he and Dario talked, the finger casually slid through her folds over and over, pausing now and then to play with her clit. She didn’t know how something so cold could give off so much heat. I will kill you for this. The psychic finger sank inside her, and she couldn’t hold in a gasp.