Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 110802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
“My demon briefly surfaced to talk to the redhead,” replied Harper. Whenever that happened, her contacts disintegrated. “Let’s eat.”
After having a Chinese meal at the food court, they finally stepped out of the mall. Harper was honestly surprised that Keenan didn’t fall to the ground and kiss it in relief. She smiled at the sight of Larkin, Knox’s fourth sentinel, waiting there. The stunning, slender harpy moved like a warrior; her gray-blue eyes missed nothing.
“Hey,” greeted Larkin. “Keenan said you were done.” Obviously they’d had a telepathic chat.
“Tell me you’re here to say they’ve found Crow,” Harper said.
Larkin’s smile dimmed. “I wish. No, I’m here because Knox wants you to have two bodyguards while the place is so hectic.”
Great. “That’s not necessary,” Harper told her as they began to walk. “I have Keenan, and none of my girls here are weak.”
“No, but Primes need to keep themselves well-guarded,” Larkin said. “You’re a Prime now.”
“I’m so looking forward to the celebration!” said Raini. “You could look a little excited, Harper. It’s partly to celebrate you being Knox’s co-Prime.”
“You know me well enough to know that it’s not something I’d ever want to celebrate,” said Harper. She was getting a headache just thinking about it.
Larkin’s mouth quirked. “I don’t think I’ve met another demon who has no interest in power.”
“Well, you’d better get used to it, Harper,” began Keenan, “because you wield a shitload of it now. Being mated to Knox Thorne was never going to be a simple thing.”
“Where is Knox?” Devon glanced around. “I thought he was meeting you here.”
Harper shrugged. “He said he would.”
“He’s in the Underground,” said Larkin, “but he’s at his office. Jonas appeared as he was leaving and asked to speak with him.” Jonas was another Prime. “He brought Alethea with him,” Larkin told Keenan, whose brows flew up. The two sentinels exchanged some sort of meaningful look.
Harper halted. “What? What don’t I know?” And who the hell was Alethea? Since it was pretty much impossible for any female to be around Knox without wanting him, Harper had to ask, “Is she an ex of his?”
“Ex?” Keenan stretched out the word.
“Ex-bed buddy,” Harper amended.
“I wouldn’t describe her as that,” said Keenan. “More like they had the occasional one-night stand over the centuries.”
“Centuries. Right.” Harper’s stomach rolled. She hated jealousy. It was a wasteful, pointless emotion. “What is she?”
Larkin bit her bottom lip. “She’s an encantada.”
Gut twisting, Harper blew out a breath. “He shook the sheets with the ultimate sex demon. Good to know.” Encantadas and their male equivalent, encantados, were all exceptionally beautiful and well-known for their powers of seduction. They could also shapeshift into dolphins, which she thought was pretty random.
“Encantadas might be powerful, but they can only enchant humans. Succubae and incubi – we can enchant anyone.” Keenan lowered his voice as he added, “Almost anyone.”
That didn’t make her feel better. Harper tried to shove the matter out of her mind but, dammit, it was hard not to be bothered by it. Just like it was hard not to be bothered by having two bodyguards; both of whom were now crowding her. And just like it was hard not to be bothered by her life suddenly changing in dozens of ways and how she was now co-running a freaking lair.
She didn’t regret or resent any of it, but adjusting wasn’t easy. What she’d love right then was a distraction. Something. Anything.
Hearing a loud, ‘Yee-ha!’ in the near distance, Harper looked to see a small rodeo arena. She looked at Khloë. And they both smiled.
Fingers steepled, Knox said, “Jonas, Alethea, what business brings you here?” His tone wasn’t the least bit welcoming. He’d come to the Underground with the intention of finding his mate and taking her home. He wasn’t in the mood for meetings, but Jonas was one of his business associates, so Knox had agreed.
He had no idea why Alethea was there, considering she didn’t usually accompany her brother anywhere and she wasn’t involved in any of Jonas’s businesses. Knox didn’t particularly care so long as the meeting was over with quickly.
Cordial smile in place, Jonas settled on the chair opposite Knox while Alethea sprawled on the sofa near the window that overlooked the combat circle.
“We heard about the problems within your lair,” Jonas told him.
Knox arched a brow. “Problems?”
“Lawrence Crow,” said Alethea, lips flat. She was a little miffed that Knox hadn’t greeted her with a kiss on the cheek.
Knox narrowed his eyes. “And just how do you know about the problems within my lair?”
“I would imagine many people know,” Jonas told him. “We were having drinks in a bar just now when one of your demons approached us. He’s walking around the Underground with a photograph of a woman; says she’s his mother and has been taken by a rogue, Lawrence Crow. He wants to know if anyone has seen her.”