She pushed to her feet. “I want to come with you.”
He sighed. “Harper —”
“Nu-uh. I’m fully healed, I’ve had a decent sleep, and there’s too much going on in my head for me to relax. Also, this is no small situation.” Slyly, she asked, “Wouldn’t you rather have me with you, where you can see for yourself that I’m fine?”
He narrowed his eyes. “You play dirty.”
“Thanks.”
“I’d still rather you stayed here, within these four walls, where you’re safest.”
She frowned. “Whatever made you think I’d be staying inside these walls all day?”
He tensed. “You intend to go to work?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“Maybe because you were attacked there yesterday.”
“If you think I’ll let anything or anyone taint my studio, you’re out of your mind. I will not be scared in my place of work.” It was her baby; she loved it. “It’s sweet – and undeniably irritating – that you want to wrap me up in cotton wool, but it will never happen. It’s not like it was the first time I was ever attacked. And if this is you trying to distract me from what we were talking about, it won’t work, Thorne.”
He ground his teeth. “I just want you safe.”
“I know that.” Moving to him, she deftly fastened his tie and smiled sweetly. “But, really, what safer place is there for me to be than at your side?”
His little sphinx always knew what buttons to push to get what she wanted, Knox thought with an exasperated sigh. His demon wanted to take her with it; wanted her where it could keep an eye on her. If the entity had its way, she would never leave its side.
The demon became very easily bored and had little patience for people. Harper was really the only thing that gave it a sense of contentment. It was totally charmed by her, found her company… fulfilling. She never failed to amuse and entertain it. When she was around, the demon was more passive and well-behaved.
Knox traced the tattoo-like collar of thorns on her neck with the tip of his finger. It was one of three brands of possession that his demon had left on her skin. He had to agree with Harper that, yes, putting a brand on her throat where it was so highly visible was the equivalent of an “All Rights Reserved” sign, but his demon wanted it to be clear that she was taken. Any demon who saw the brands on her flesh would know what they were; would understand that she was his and his alone.
Just as possessive, her demon had left two brands on him – one on his nape, and one across the back of his shoulders, making each seem more like an extension of the other. Both were tribal and masculine with thick, pointed curves and solid, black lines. Knox wouldn’t lie; it was a total turn-on for both him and his demon that they’d been branded by hers.
“Come on, Knox, you know nobody can keep me safe better than you can.”
She was right on that. “You’re very good at getting your way.”
Harper grinned. “I learned from the best.” Her mate was damn good at making things go his way. He could certainly talk her in circles at times. She’d had to learn fast how to keep up or he’d walk all over her – it was simply in his nature to forge ahead when he wanted something.
“I’ll help you get dressed.”
“I don’t need —”
“Just let me take care of you.”
Sensing that he needed that, she relented. “Okay.”
Harper’s demon rather liked how carefully and reverently he touched her as he stripped her naked and then dressed her in the blue jeans and black, long-sleeved shirt she chose. He even insisted on brushing her hair – something he did often, as if it soothed him somehow.
When they were both finally ready to leave, he took her hand and guided her down the curved staircase, along the wide hallway, and over to the marble foyer. There, he helped her slip into her jacket before guiding her outside and down the wide steps with a hand on her lower back.
Levi opened the rear door of the Bentley – one of several luxurious cars that Knox kept stored in the garage. Once Harper and Knox slid inside, Levi drove along the long, curved drive; passing the extensive, beautifully landscaped lawn and the security gatehouse.
The estate was bordered by high, brick walls that would have been plain had it not been for the ivy that trailed along them. At first, Harper had felt a little intimidated by the size of the estate. It was a far cry from the many homes she’d grown up in with her nomadic father. But now… well, now it felt like home.
The mansion was an expansive, lavish, beautiful piece of modern architecture, but it wasn’t excessively extravagant. Wasn’t showy or ostentatious. Instead, it possessed a warm elegance and the same undeniable charm as its owner.
It also had blue-tinted, bulletproof windows that Harper found totally awesome.
As the black, heavy, metal gates swung open, Knox spoke. “How do you feel about going somewhere for a few days? Maybe spend some time on the yacht?”
Considering she was used to his overprotective ways, Harper figured she really should have seen this coming. Crossing one leg over the other, she gave him a sideways glance. “Really, Knox, I’m not traumatized by what happened. I don’t need to get away from Vegas.”
Knox stroked her thigh. “No one would blame you if you did. It hasn’t exactly been a relaxing place for you over the past year. Plenty of people would want a break from it in your position.”
“I’m not plenty of people. Knox, seriously, I really am fine.”
Knox could sense that she truly believed that, but he wasn’t convinced – not given that her body was screaming, “stressed!” He knew she was far from fragile, but it was difficult to remember that when she looked so drained and weary. “I need you to promise that if you do feel overwhelmed —” he gently tapped her temple “— you’ll call me.”
“I promise.”
“And I need you to also promise me that you’ll be alert. There is a possibility that more hunters will be sent. I doubt it, because, although hunters are greedy, they aren’t stupid enough to pursue something that got two others killed. Still, there might be some who’ll do it for the right price. Everyone has a price.”
“I’ll be alert,” she vowed.
“Good girl.” He kissed her softly, barely resisting the urge to take her mouth hard and feast on her. He held himself in check, but it was a struggle. “I don’t know who found out that you can fly. The sentinels know, your family knows – it’s possible that someone overheard one of them talk of it. If so, I suspect that someone may have passed on this information to another person who would want it. Either that or they themselves covet your wings. They may also know just how unique your wings are.”
“If they do know, they didn’t tell the hunters. They were sincerely surprised when they saw the colors of my wings.”
“In any case, they obviously have no idea that you can conjure the flames of hell or I doubt they would have risked trying to obtain your wings.” The flames of hell could destroy anything aside from archdemons – nothing else was impervious to the flames, which was why Knox took great care in ensuring the demon world didn’t discover that he truly could call on them.
As a disturbing thought occurred to Harper, she sat up straighter. “Or maybe that’s why they did it. If someone was in possession of wings that were sort of… birthed from the flames of hell… they’d have a lot of fucking power if there was some way they were able to tap into it. The kind of power only you could fight.”
Knox twisted his mouth, pondering it. “True, but I don’t believe they could tap into it. Not unless they have some way of fusing your wings to them – and I’m quite sure that’s impossible.”
“It doesn’t mean there isn’t someone who’s willing to try it. It’s just something we should consider.”
“And we will,” he assured her. “While we’re busy finding who’s behind the attack, we’ll have to put aside our investigations into the remaining Horsemen.”
“Which could be exactly
what someone wants,” she pointed out. “The Horsemen could have hired the hunters to either piss you off or distract you – maybe even both.”
That was something he had already considered. “Yes, but I need to be sure. Any immediate threat to you needs to be eliminated.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “I’d feel a lot better if you’d agree to learn how to call on the flames. Then you could have called on them yesterday.”
“I caused a lot of destruction last time.” Enough to scare her into never wanting to do it ever again.
“That was mostly your demon.”
“Yeah, I remember it got high on the power. It would love another try at it.” Just the thought had it fairly rubbing its hands with glee.
“But if you don’t learn how to call and direct the flames, you could call them by accident – I don’t think you want that.”
She sighed, knowing and resenting that he was right. “Fine, I’ll learn.”
“Right decision.” He kissed her palm. “Are you sure you won’t take at least one day off work?”
“Not happening, Thorne. You know me well enough to know that I can’t sit around the house doing nothing – I’ll go crazy.”
Yes, Knox did know that. He even understood it, but he’d still rather have her at home. Still, Knox knew better than to browbeat her on anything – she’d object just to be contrary. Her obstinateness was typical of both imps and sphinxes. She had many sphinx qualities, despite being more of an imp by nature. Her breed was much like a bird and a lion rolled into one. In addition to being graceful and difficult to pin down, Harper was fierce and strong.
“All right,” he said. “I’ll trust you to call me if the day catches up with you.” He’d also tell Tanner to keep a close watch on her and ensure that she ate well through the day to build up her strength.
A short time later, Levi parked the Bentley outside a small, detached house. As he opened the rear door, he said, “I think it’s best if I wait in the car.” He tipped his chin toward the group of teens who were staring at the Bentley with covetous eyes.
“We won’t be long,” said Knox. He took Harper’s hand and led her up the narrow, cobbled path. She pressed the doorbell and stood back.
Within moments, Wyatt opened the door. He nodded in deference. “Mr. Thorne, Ms. Wallis.” He stepped aside, inviting them to enter.
A redhead stood behind him, gray eyes bright, smile strained. Her face was narrow and pale, rather unlike her mate’s – he had an almost square face that was as tanned as the rest of him. It was easy enough to sense that Wyatt was a cop, Harper thought. It was in his stance, his expression, and the authoritative air about him.
“We haven’t met before,” she told Harper. “I’m Linda. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you face-to-face, Miss Wallis.”
Harper gave her a quick smile. “It’s good to meet both of you. Call me Harper – the Miss Wallis stuff makes me feel awkward.”
Rather than leading them further into the house, Wyatt lowered his voice as he spoke. “The clean-up crew you sent to the hospital to destroy the boy’s hospital record and blood samples were almost done when I left.”
Knox nodded his approval. “How is he?”
Wyatt jiggled his head from side to side, but his tousled peanut-brown hair didn’t move, thanks to whatever gel he was using. “He seems all right, which I didn’t expect. His mother didn’t just try to burn him in the oven, she tried to burn the house down – as if to be sure he died. McCauley told the police that he managed to get out of the oven before she switched it on and then he scrambled out of the house. Since he has no burns, they believe him.” Demons were impervious to normal fire, so the oven would have done him absolutely no harm. “Danielle Riley” – another demon from their lair – “was his appointed social worker; she’s going to log in her file that he was placed with relatives and make it all look official.”
“Who do you think his biological parents are?” Linda asked Knox, folding her arms.
“I’m not sure yet,” replied Knox. “But I’ll find them.”
“He’s welcome to stay here until then,” Linda offered, sounding overly casual. “I mean, if that’s okay with you?”
“If you’d like to take care of him temporarily, that’s fine,” said Knox. Linda’s relief was clear to see on her face. Wyatt didn’t look so delighted, Knox noticed. “Where is he?”
“The living room,” said Linda.
“Lead us to him.”
With a nod, Wyatt headed down the thin hallway and into a homey room with apricot walls, a lush beige carpet, and a cream leather sofa. In front of the large T.V. sat a little dark-haired boy, eyes locked on the cartoon that was playing.
“McCauley,” said Wyatt, “these are the friends I was telling you about.”
The boy turned to look at them, his face surprisingly blank. Being part of a large family, Harper was used to being around kids. Used to their nervous energy, their tendency to hop from one thing to another, and their boundless curiosity. But this boy’s big brown eyes held no curiosity. No interest, no wariness, no happiness, nothing. And something about that raised her hackles.
Given what Knox had told her about changelings, Harper had expected him to be so low down on the power spectrum that he could pass for human. No demon would ever mistake this boy for human – he was by no means weak.
Knox spoke first. “Hello, McCauley. I’m Knox. This is Harper.”
The boy’s eyes bled to black as his demon surfaced, making its presence known and sizing them up. It retreated after only a few moments.
Knox tilted his head. “It fears me, doesn’t it? The entity inside you. The one that drives you. I have my own, just as Harper, Wyatt, and Linda do.”
McCauley didn’t react.
Harper caught sight of the drawing on the coffee table. It was a standard family drawing, really – two adults, one boy, one girl, and a dog that looked like a golden retriever. But his pen control and attention to detail were impressive. “You’re good. Is that you?”
He nodded.
She pointed to the little girl. “Who’s that?”
He shrugged.
“Your mother has been arrested,” Knox told him.
“Teri wasn’t my mother.” It was said with no emotion whatsoever. It didn’t even seem like he was suppressing emotion. He genuinely didn’t seem affected by the matter, one way or the other.
“No, she wasn’t,” Knox agreed. “Do you know who is?”
The little cambion shook his head. He didn’t look particularly bothered by that either.
“I intend to find the answer to that question. In the meantime, you’ll stay here with Wyatt and Linda. All right?” A nod. “Good.”
“Do you need anything?” Harper asked him.
“No, thank you.” Such a well-mannered phrase, yet there was no real “thanks” there. No gratitude. No anything.
“We’ll see you again soon,” Knox told him.
The kid’s demon rose to the surface again; there was a challenge there this time. Knox’s own demon surfaced and glared down at the boy, intimidating his demon into submission.
When both entities retreated, Knox warned, “Don’t let it borrow trouble, McCauley.” Taking Harper’s hand, Knox led her to the front door. Before opening it, he turned to Wyatt. “You sure you want to keep him here?”
It was Linda who answered. “Positive.”
Knox raised a questioning brow at Wyatt, who gave a simple nod. “All right,” said Knox.
“Was there another child?” Harper asked, remembering the picture he’d drawn.
“The only people who lived in that house were him and the human female who’d raised him,” said Wyatt. “Her husband left and remarried long ago. He has a daughter with his second wife, but he has no contact whatsoever with McCauley.”
Harper thought it likely that McCauley had drawn a picture of himself immersed in that family… or maybe he’d drawn the family he’d wished he had. “Don’t hesitate to call us if y
ou have any problems with him.” The couple smiled, but Wyatt’s smile was weak.
Once they were back in the Bentley, Knox gave Levi a rundown of what had been said.
“I like kids, I really do,” said Harper. “But that kid was creepy. And he’s not low down on the power scale.”
Knox took her hand. “He’s fairly powerful for a cambion.”
“And pretty robotic. There’s nothing, well, child-like about him. No crazy energy, no humming or fidgeting.” There didn’t appear to be any wasted movements with him at all. “He feels… cold.”
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