CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“Harper, if you don’t want me to break the dog in half, you need to get him away from me now,” Devon warned.

Sighing, Harper glared at Tanner, who sat further along the bench beside Devon, sniffing her. He’d accompanied Harper, Raini, Devon, and Khloë around the Underground while they went shopping before finally stopping at a restaurant…and he’d done nothing but taunt Devon the entire time. “Tanner.”

“She doesn’t need your help, Harper,” said Tanner with a smile, his eyes on Devon; there was a challenge there. “She can take care of herself. Can’t you, pretty kitty?”

“He’s trying to rile you because he wants to know what you can do,” she told Devon. It was a stupid move on his part, since Devon could seriously hurt him if she wished to do so.

Devon’s smile was a little feral. “You want to know what I can do, pooch? I can shove my foot so far up your ass, you’ll feel it in your throat.”

“Now you’re just lying.” That got him an exasperated hiss.

Harper shuffled along the bench, making room between her and Khloë, whose attention was fixed on her BBQ wings. “Devon, come sit here.” The hellcat did so with a huff. Harper turned back to Raini. “Now…you were telling me about everyone’s response to Malden’s speech last night.”

“Like I said, most people don’t like him much – he’s got a real smarmy way about him.” Raini paused to drink some Coke through her straw. “But his promise of a voice really got people’s attention.”

Devon nodded. “A lot of demons are mistreated by their Primes. They don’t wish to leave their lair because it would mean leaving their home and family, but they also have no one to go to for aid. Malden is offering that.”

“And the fact is that he’s right – our Primes make our decisions for us,” continued Raini. “We don’t have a say whenever there are debates among the Primes, even though the results of the debates affect us. It doesn’t bother everyone, but it does bother most.”

Swallowing a bite of her steak, Harper frowned. “Does it bother you?”

“No, because I trust Jolene to always look out for us,” replied Raini. “But not all Primes have the best interests of their lair at heart.”

“And there are times when the other Primes overrule Jolene,” began Devon, “which means that even though her actions benefitted us, they came to nothing simply because the other Primes didn’t support her. If every demon had a voice, things like that wouldn’t happen.”

“Yeah,” agreed Harper, “but I don’t believe Malden would truly act on votes.”

Devon’s brows drew together. “What do you mean?”

“Seriously, why would someone in such a high position of power leave major decisions up to ‘the little people,’ huh? He wouldn’t. He would hold a vote, sure, but he wouldn’t count the votes and base his decision on them. It would just be for show.”

“Giving people the illusion of power so they didn’t feel controlled when, in fact, they had no say whatsoever,” Devon realized. “You’re right. But I don’t know if the public will see that and – oh my God, stop sniffing me!” She whirled on Tanner, who had moved so that he was once again beside Devon.

Wiping her hands with a napkin, Khloë stared at him curiously. “Why are you sniffing Devon?”

He smiled. “She smells like candy.”

“Yeah? What kind of candy?” Khloë sounded genuinely interested.

“Don’t encourage him,” hissed Devon.

Khloë raised her hands. “Fine. Hey Harper, how come Knox didn’t join us for lunch?”

“Just because he’s my anchor doesn’t mean we’re together 24/7.”

“Yeah,” said Khloë, “but you guys have been doing the hunka-chunka.”

Devon’s face scrunched up. “Doing the what?”

“You know…Riding the flagpole. Roasting the broomstick. Going deep into the bush. Pounding the punanni pavement.”

“Stop, stop,” laughed Raini, her hand on her chest.

Khloë rolled her eyes. “Prudes.” She looked at the chuckling hellhound. “Come on, don’t pretend you didn’t know.”

“I knew.” He shrugged at Harper. “You wear his scent.”

Harper wasn’t sure she liked the sound of that. “I, what?”

Devon explained, “It happens sometimes when demons are—”

“Playing a little how’s your father,” supplied Khloë.

“—intimate for a while.” Devon threw Khloë a look of exasperation. “But only if the intimacy exists on more than one level. You guys are anchors, so you’re intimate on a psychic level. Having sex means you’re also intimate on a physical level.” She took a sip of her lemonade. “It’ll wear off when you stop sleeping together.”

“If they stop sleeping together,” said Raini.

Khloë frowned. “Why would they stop sleeping together?”

“Knox’s demon gets bored easily.” Harper veiled the dangerous disappointment that knowledge caused her. The brands hadn’t began to fade yet, but they would soon enough. “Speaking of boredom, I’m done shopping, let’s—” She cut herself off as four shadows fell upon them. Looking up, her stomach sank. Her inner demon went from laidback to infuriated in a heartbeat.

Harper knew who they were, but it was the small, nervous she-demon who had most of Harper’s attention. She hadn’t been this up close to Carla since she was a baby, hadn’t realized just how very little they looked alike. Maybe it was petty, but she was grateful for that.

“We just wanted to stop and introduce ourselves,” said the cheery male beside Carla. “I’m Bray, and this is my mate, Carla. It’s a pleasure to meet Knox’s anchor.”

Harper forced a smile. “The pleasure’s all mine.” He doesn’t know, she said to Tanner. Carla hasn’t told him I’m her daughter.

That’s why she looks terrified. She’s afraid you’ll blurt it out right in front of them and ruin the fabric of her little world.

I irritate her enough purely by existing, I don’t need to go to extra measures.

“And these are our sons, Roan and Kellen,” continued Bray.

It was so much harder than she’d thought it would be to look at her half-brothers and pretend she didn’t know who they were. “Good to meet you both.”

Roan, who greatly resembled Carla, nodded. “And you.”

The younger brother looked more like his father. “Yeah, you too,” said Kellen, eyes narrowed. There was a knowledge in his gaze that shouldn’t be there. He knew something. What, she wasn’t sure. How, she wasn’t sure.

“This is Raini, Devon, and Khloë,” said Harper. “And, of course, you know Tanner.”

Carla stiffened at Khloë’s glare. She knew the she-demon was a Wallis, and that seemed to increase the panic she was already feeling.

“We’ll leave you to finish eating your lunch. We just wanted to formally introduce ourselves.” Bray gave Harper one last bright smile and then headed for a table; his family followed, though Kellen was slow in removing his gaze from her. Only then did Harper’s demon relax slightly.

“That kid knows something,” whispered Raini.

Harper sighed. “I was thinking the same thing.”

“I swear, I could disembowel that bitch and not blink an eye about it,” Khloë practically growled. “I don’t know how anyone can just stand there and treat their own daughter like she’s a perfect stranger.”

Harper moved to sit by Khloë and curled an arm around her. Her cousin’s parents were fabulous; worshipped the ground their children walked on. Khloë knew from experience what a real parent was. She genuinely couldn’t understand how Carla could have abandoned Harper. “She’s not important, Khloë.”

“That doesn’t mean I can’t visualize ramming a chicken wing up her ass.”

Harper smiled. “No, it doesn’t.”

“How about we get out of here?” proposed Raini.

Devon rose to her feet. “Great idea. I’m done and – stop sniffing me!”

Knox had just finished a phone call with a difficult human business associate when there was a knock at the office door. He hoped it was Harper, since splaying her delectable body on his desk would go a long way to improving his mood. Instead, he found that it was none other than…“Isla.” His inner demon snarled, not at all happy to see her despite their history.

Her smile was pleasant and gracious. “Good afternoon, Knox.”

“Something I can help you with?”

She glanced around his office. “I’ve been at the hotel for almost two days and we’ve spent no time together at all. You always made time for me in the past.”

Yes, he had. Whenever he’d looked at her, he’d remembered the child who had been dumped at the children’s sanctuary, bruised and bleeding; it was almost a month before she’d spoken a single word. Whenever he looked at her now, however, he remembered finding Harper in an alley with two dark practitioners.

Isla took a step toward his desk. “How about we go get a drink? You can tell me what I’ve missed since we last spoke in New York.”

“I don’t have time for that.” The words came out harsher than he’d intended.

“Why the cold shoulder?”

Why? Because Knox didn’t trust her. She was quite possibly the person responsible for what happened to Harper. “I’m not what anyone would call ‘warm.’”

Her eyes narrowed. “Is this because of the tiny confrontation I had with your imp?” Her tone insinuated that such an explanation would be dramatic.

“It certainly didn’t win you any points.”

“You’ve known her two weeks. You’ve known me—”

“How do you know how long I’ve known her?” No response. “Shall I tell you what I think, Isla? I think you heard about Harper before the New York conference. I think you sent Silas—”

Her brow furrowed. “Silas?”

“—to test me. And I think there’s a very good chance that you’re the one who sent dark practitioners after Harper.”

Isla appeared suitably offended. “I may not have any regard for the imp, but I wouldn’t betray you by targeting someone in your life. And if you truly believed I had betrayed you in some way, you would have tried to kill me by now. I say ‘tried’ because, let’s be honest here, you couldn’t have killed me. You couldn’t have brought yourself to do it.”

“Is that what you think? You believe you can fuck with me and I won’t retaliate?” His demon released a dark laugh at the idea. “I’m a lot of things, Isla – merciful isn’t one of them.”

She cocked her head. “You are quite fond of your little imp, aren’t you? It’s a shame for you that your demon won’t form that same attachment. It means you’ll have to give her up soon enough. So sad.” Her voice hardened as she added, “If I wanted to hurt the imp, I wouldn’t have ‘sent’ anyone. I would have gone after her myself. I don’t use minions, and you know that.”

“Yes, I do…and that would make you an unlikely suspect, wouldn’t it? Maybe that’s exactly what you’re counting on.” His next words came out in a dark rumble. “Hear me when I say this, Isla: If I do discover that you targeted my anchor, I’ll destroy you.”

“You truly believe she’s your anchor?”

“I’m positive that she is. So do the wise thing and let this go, concentrate on the election.” Her confidence crumbled, and she suddenly looked lost, reminding him of the terrified, injured child she’d once been. “Has it occurred to you that just maybe you convinced yourself I was your anchor back then because, at the time, you felt you needed one? That you felt you needed the assurance that someone would always be there for you, always protect you?”

Affronted, she argued, “I need no one to protect me.”

“Not now. But back then, you weren’t as strong.”

She spoke in a low voice. “You always protected me in that place.”

“I did. But not because I ever believed you’re my anchor.”

She was silent for a few minutes. “If you’re so very certain the imp is your anchor, I will accept that. I obviously confused your protective behavior for being something more. It was my mistake. I apologize.” She studied his face. “You don’t believe me.”

“You’re a very accomplished liar, Isla.”

She smiled. “That is true. You will just have to trust me.”

“That’s the thing: I don’t.”

Her smile widened. “You always were smart. Be assured, however, that your imp is safe from me.” With those words, she strolled out of his office.

It was really no surprise that Levi, who had been guarding the door, waltzed inside. “I don’t know about you, but I’m not buying a word of what she just said.”

Knox sighed, sinking into his chair. “I can’t say I’m all that convinced either.”

“You know, I’ve always wondered…”

“What?”

“When we were in the sanctuary, Isla used to talk about going to live on a farm, surround herself with animals. You remember?”

“Yes.”

“Instead, when she left us because she was pissed that you wouldn’t accept her as your anchor, she joined a lair. She later became Prime of that lair, she took over human businesses, she enlarged her lair, she sought more and more power – even going as far as to have a vampire attempt to convert her in the hope that it would make her more powerful. Which it has.”

“I know all this. What’s your point?”

Levi folded his arms across his chest. “If Harper had denied being your anchor, would you have believed her?”

“No. I know she’s my anchor.” He knew it with every fiber of his being.

“And Isla believes you’re her anchor. Let’s say Harper had walked away from you instead of forming the bond.”

“I wouldn’t have let her walk away. I would have made her face the truth and accept reality.”

“Reality…That can be different things to different people. For a very long time, Isla’s ‘reality’ has been that you’re her anchor but you just wouldn’t accept it. I saw her face the day she left all those years ago. There was a lot of rage there. Rage, resentment, and spite. To her, you were rejecting her. ‘Are you saying I’m not good enough for you?’ she asked. Remember?”

Knox drummed his fingers on the desk as he thought back on that day. “I remember.”

“I can’t help but wonder if Isla became a Prime, took over all those businesses, enlarged her lair, and made herself into something unique all in an effort to be your equal. I think she thought that being your equal would make you want her as an anchor. Only it hasn’t, has it?”

Knox considered that for a minute. “It’s possible that was her plan. But if that’s true, I think she long ago abandoned that plan. She does the things she does now because she’s become obsessed with gaining power. Anyone can see that.”

“Yes, because power corrupts. The more power Isla got, the more she got a taste for it. But I don’t think she wants to be Monarch of the U.S. out of greed. I think she wants to have control over you. Either to force you to accept the anchor bond or to punish you for not accepting it. She may not know why, but she knows that the one thing you can’t tolerate is anyone controlling you. This would hit you where it really fucking hurts, just like you hit her where it really fucking hurts.”

It made some sense, but…“I don’t know, Levi. There are a lot simpler ways to let someone know you’re pissed at them.”

“Demons hold grudges, Knox – especially she-demons. Isla’s got a big one. Not only did you deny her, you then declared another she-demon is your anchor. That would have sent Isla into a rage.” Levi shrugged. “I could be wrong. Isla could be telling the truth. But I still believe her motivation behind becoming a Monarch is to punish you for turning your back on her. After all, wasn’t that what her mother did when she killed herself? We know how much hatred she harbors for her mother.”

Knox thought on how Harper had been abandoned by both parents, yet she wasn’t filled with hate and bitterness. Oh, there was some righteous anger in her system, thanks to what she called with a roll of her eyes ‘textbook abandonment issues,’ but nothing corrosive. She still had the inner strength to bond with him and trust that he wouldn’t do what her parents had done. Hell, she was stronger than most people he knew. And he wouldn’t let her down. “Then it looks like Isla’s our prime suspect, doesn’t it?”

As he exploded inside Harper, Knox sank his teeth so hard into her nape it was a wonder he didn’t taste blood. She slumped on the bed beneath him, tremoring with little aftershocks. She’d just gotten out of the shower when he entered the hotel suite, and he hadn’t been able to resist bending her over the bed and fucking her into oblivion.

Knox licked over the fresh bite. His demon wasn’t the only one who liked to mark what was his. It had been two weeks since the first time he’d had Harper in his bed, and boredom hadn’t even begun to set in for either him or his demon. How could Knox possibly get bored of her? He liked her company. Liked having someone who was capable of surprising him, who didn’t fear speaking their mind to him, and who wouldn’t obey his every order.

When she’d dressed in Jolene’s suite the previous night instead of coming straight to him on arriving at the hotel, it technically should have pissed him off a little. Instead, although he hadn’t liked that she hadn’t come to him, he’d found himself smiling. Even his demon found it amusing. Their little sphinx had her own mind and no one – not even him, except for maybe in bed – would ever control her. The frustration she caused him actually invigorated him.

“Now I’ll have to get another shower,” she grumbled.

Slipping out of her, he stood upright. “You can shower with me.”

“If I do that, we’ll end up fucking again.”

“Of course we will.”

“Which means we’ll be late for dinner.”

“Not if we get dressed quickly.” He spanked her ass, making her shoot to her feet and whirl on him. “Shower. Now.”

“Bastard.”

His gaze roamed over her naked body, and his demon rumbled its satisfaction at the sight of the brands. “You’ll still let me fuck you.”

She snorted as she strode past him, chin up. “Don’t be so sure.” But she did, in fact, let him take her again.

Half an hour later, they were both ready to leave. And the sapphire strapless dress that had a slit which ran from knee to mid-thigh made all sorts of fantasies swirl around his head. “I’m not sure what I want most – to flip up the dress or to whip it off altogether while I fuck you fast and deep.”

“Well, I might let you do one of those things. Later.”

“Before we leave…” He dipped his hand in his pocket and pulled out a square, velvet jewelry box that made her tense.

Harper’s eyes widened when he opened it, revealing a white gold necklace that had diamonds hanging from it like raindrops. She’d never seen anything that beautiful. “Holy fuck. Are those real diamonds?” His expression said ‘Don’t insult me.’ She blew out a breath. “I can’t accept his.”

“Of course you can.”

“I told you I didn’t want you buying me expensive things.”

“Yes, you did. But I didn’t tell you that I’d listen. If I want to buy you things or spoil you, I will.” It was almost cute how awkward she looked. He got the feeling no one had ever spoiled her. “Turn around.”

She grimaced, twisting her fingers. “What if I lose it or break it?”

“You won’t,” he chuckled. “Turn around.” He chuckled again when she stiffened her shoulders like she was going into battle. Slowly, she turned and he put on the necklace before trailing his finger down her spine. With a shudder, she turned to face him again. “Beautiful.” He cupped her hips and pulled her flush against him. “You’ll leave it on later when I have you again. Maybe just wear that and the heels.”

She laughed. “Let’s go get this dinner over with.”

He sucked on her earlobe. “Tanner said you saw Carla today.”

“Only for a few seconds.”

“What did she say to you?”

“Not a single word.” His eyes flashed demon. “Don’t get mad. It doesn’t matter.”

It did fucking matter, but Knox wasn’t interested in darkening her mood. Clutching one breast, he plumped it up to get another glimpse of the brand.

“Do you know how hard it’s been to find dresses that don’t flash this brand?”

Knox licked over it. “People would just think it’s a tattoo.”

“Right,” she drawled. “It has thorns on it. Anybody who saw it would have known what it was. Then they would have wondered if just maybe Isla’s little rumor about me being your new bed-buddy is true.”

“Anchors sometimes have sexual relationships.”

When he pressed a kiss to her neck and followed it with a nip to her pulse, she moaned. “Come on, we’ve got to get to this dinner thing.”

“I’d rather eat you.”

“You can’t say stuff like that when we have to leave,” she whined.

“Nothing tastes better than you do,” he rumbled in her ear, his hand proprietary as it splayed over her breast.

“You’re doing this on purpose.”

“And nothing smells better than you do.”

“Tanner said I smell of you.”

He arched a brow, tightening his hold on her breast. “That a problem?”

“I kind of thought it might bother you.”

“It doesn’t.”

As his hand snaked under her dress and cupped her, she gasped. “Don’t even—”

“Be still.” He slipped one finger inside her panties and thrust it inside her. “Nice and slick for me.” Withdrawing his finger, he sucked it clean. “Now I feel better.”

She shook her head at his crooked smile. “You’re such a bastard.” But she didn’t pull away when he closed his hand around her wrist and led her out of the suite. With Levi and Tanner as guards, they made their way to the restaurant. It wasn’t until Knox took his seat that the food was served. They sat at the same table as the previous evening; once again, they were joined by her family, Raul, and Tanya.

“Nice necklace,” commented Jolene, eyes narrowed.

Harper cleared her throat, feeling awkward again. “Thanks.”

“I take it Knox bought it for you.”

“Yep.”

Don’t think I don’t know something’s going on between you two.

Harper had known this was coming. Grams, leave it alone. It’s no big deal.

It is, sweetheart. Jolene’s telepathic tone was soft, understanding. In the early days before I met your grandfather, Beck and I were…close. It didn’t last long and it wasn’t serious, but it made things complicated when we both met other people. He was jealous of your grandfather for a long time. I’m not telling you to break things off with Knox. That’s your business. But I want you to be prepared for how hard things will be for a while. It passes with time, but it’s still hard. Don’t kid yourself into thinking that it’s ‘no big deal.’ That’s all I ask.

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?”

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.”