CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER FIVE

“Of course you have a private jet,” Harper said dryly. Didn’t everybody?

As Knox guided her inside, she saw that the interior of the sleek black jet was just as impressive as the outside. She should have guessed the rich bastard would have his own plane. Sinking into a gray leather reclining seat that seemed to mold itself to her body, she happily accepted some refreshments from the animated stewardess.

Opening a can of Coke, she said, “Okay, I’ll admit, this is seriously cool.”

Sitting opposite her with only a walnut table between them, Knox briefly peered up from his phone. “Glad you think so.”

Tanner and Levi had taken seats in a separate cabin at the other end of the jet, giving Knox and Harper plenty of privacy. Watching as Knox’s fingers moved furiously over the screen while his face was set into a mask of concentration, she said, “A bit of a workaholic, aren’t you?”

“There are worse things to be obsessive about.” He’d no sooner put his phone away than the aircraft began to move. “Why didn’t Jolene want to travel with us?”

“She thinks you and I should have plenty of ‘alone time’ to get to know each other the way anchors should.”

“She’s right.” Knox twisted his mouth. “So…if you don’t date demons, does this mean you’re celibate or that you stick to humans?”

He had a way of totally throwing her by shooting random questions. She had a feeling that was exactly why he did it. “What does it matter?”

“I want to know.” As her mouth set into an involuntary pout, he smiled. “You really do hate personal questions, don’t you?”

“It’s something we have in common.”

He inclined his head. “All right. How about an exchange? You answer my questions honestly, and I’ll do the same for you. Nothing too invasive.” The latter words were both an assurance and a warning.

If he was anyone else, the offer wouldn’t have at all appealed to her. But the guy was such an enigma that he had her curiosity well and truly roused. It was frustrating that he had the very same effect on her libido. While she believed it was better not to know what he was, she couldn’t help but want to know. “Fine. To answer your earlier question, no I’m not celibate. I only date humans.” He narrowed his gaze at that. “Now it’s your turn to answer a question.”

Her eyes were daring him to back down. Knox didn’t. “Ask.”

“Does anyone know what you are?” He was silent for so long she didn’t think he was going to respond.

“Only my sentinels,” he finally replied. “Do humans totally satisfy you and your demon?” He didn’t expect her to answer that, but she surprised him – as always.

“No,” she reluctantly admitted. “Are you really as brutal and unforgiving as everybody says?”

“Yes.” If that answer scared her, she didn’t show it. “Are you at all afraid of me?”

“Sometimes.” She was afraid of her body’s response to him, and she would be dumb if she wasn’t at least a little unnerved by something so dangerous. “Why are you secretive about what you are?” Because that could give her a clue as to just what he was.

“Our kind fears me enough as it is. They don’t need an additional reason.” He drummed his fingers on the armrest. “What do you think I am?”

“When I was coming up with a worst-case scenario, it crossed my mind that you could be one of Lucifer’s offspring.”

He laughed. “Lucifer keeps his offspring close; you should know that.” He tilted his head. “That’s the best theory you have?” If so, he was disappointed.

“That’s another question. I haven’t had a chance to ask mine yet. Are you a hybrid?”

He frowned. “There are no hybrids in the demon world.” Even cambions – demons that were half-human – were still classed as a demonic breed in their own right.

“I know, but stranger things have happened.” Like the fact that she was even answering personal questions.

He deliberately nudged her knee with his beneath the table. “No other theories?”

“None. Some think you’re some kind of super incubus. Don’t act like you don’t know the effect you have on people.”

“I’m not a…super incubus.” He smiled at her irritated look. She clearly didn’t like being in the dark about anything. “Why don’t you get involved with our kind?”

She arched a reproachful brow. “That’s a little invasive.”

“Asking me what breed of demon I am isn’t invasive?”

“Ah, but I didn’t ask you what breed you are. I asked questions that might hint at the answer. That’s different.”

“Okay, I’ll rephrase. Do you avoid getting involved with demons because one once hurt you?”

“No. How old are you?” She could tell he wanted to pursue his own line of questioning, but he didn’t push.

“Much, much older than you.”

She narrowed her eyes at his evasive response. “Can you really call on the flames of hell?”

“Maybe. Do you expect me to leave you, abandon you?”

That question demonstrated a perceptiveness she didn’t like. “Maybe.”

“I won’t.”

He didn’t say anything else, and she knew that was as much as both of them were prepared to reveal for now.

The flight to Manhattan felt a lot longer than it probably was. A short drive later they arrived at a high-rise, black glass building. Tanner and Levi flanked Harper and Knox as they strolled through the foyer. Recognition flickered across the faces of the staff as they spotted Knox, quickly followed by a dose of fear.

A demon nervously directed Knox, Harper, and the two sentinels to a room at the rear of the building. As they entered, Harper’s brows flew up at the size of the long, square boardroom table that looked like it would fit better at a wedding reception. Many demons were seated while others were standing in small groups as they chatted quietly. Every single one of them had the same reaction to Knox – their eyes flashed with respect, awe, and blind fear.

It was easy for Harper to forget just how much of a threat to their kind he truly presented, because she felt safe with him; had that instinctual knowledge that he would never hurt her, his anchor. Oh, she still found him unnerving and she never forgot she was in the presence of a powerful predator, but she also never felt threatened by him like these demons here did.

Her inner demon didn’t like being in the company of all these Primes, didn’t like their curious, assessing looks as they noticed Harper. Knox must not have liked it either, because his hand slipped around her nape as he guided her to the table, broadcasting that she was under his protection. Tanner stood on guard behind her chair while Levi took position behind Knox’s seat.

“Jolene’s not here yet,” she noted with disappointment. She whispered, “Which one is Isla?”

Knox glanced around the room. “She hasn’t arrived yet.”

Hearing the empty chair beside her scrape along the floor, Harper turned her head to – oh joy – see a familiar male. Malden Lester had an alliance, though it was tenuous at best, with Jolene. He flashed Harper a wide charming smile, like they were good friends. Sure, she’d met him a few times, but they were barely even acquaintances.

“Hello, Harper,” he drawled. Why he seemed to think he was suave and charismatic, she had yet to figure out. In reality, he was sly, smarmy, and bursting with a sense of self-importance. He had to sit pretty high on the power spectrum, but she suspected he wasn’t quite as powerful as he liked to believe.

Harper forced a smile. “Hi, Malcolm.”

“Malden,” he corrected; a muscle in his cheek ticked – just as it always did when she called him that, knowing he hated it.

“Sorry, I’m not good with names.”

Draping an arm over the back of her chair, Knox looked at Malden. “I see you’ve met my anchor.” Knox also saw that Malden was trying to charm her, and he didn’t like it.

Malden’s gaze danced from him to Harper. “Yes, I have. I know Jolene quite well. Here she is now.”

Harper couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her grandmother, aunt, and Beck. Harper rose to her feet, immediately gaining their attention, and they headed straight for her. Jolene had a very confident walk – shoulders back, spine straight, chin up, and her stride purposeful. No one walked better in high heels than Jolene Wallis. A smile spread across her face as she reached Harper and gave her a one-armed hug. “Harper, I’ve missed you.”

Stepping back, Harper said, “Grams, you look smart.” Jolene had a very natural veneer of elegance, her clothes always sleek skirts and blouses.

“As do you. I’m guessing you’re uncomfortable like that, though.”

“So true.” Harper nodded at the burly guy who was Jolene’s anchor. “Hey, Beck.”

He winked at her. The guy was like an annoying yet amusing uncle.

As her aunt pulled her in for a hug, Harper had to force a smile, wondering why the hell Jolene would bring her to something like this. Martina Wallis was fun, high-spirited, and so beautiful she could bewitch any male. She also liked to set shit on fire.

“Aw, it’s so good to see you.” Martina kissed Harper on the cheek.

No fear in her eyes, Jolene turned to Knox, who was also standing. Not much rattled Jolene. And if something did, she destroyed it – problem solved, in her opinion. “Knox Thorne, it’s always a pleasure.”

He nodded, a slight smile curving his mouth. “Jolene.”

“I expect you to be a good anchor to my granddaughter.”

“I expect you wouldn’t allow anything else.”

Jolene cackled, clearly quite happy with his answer. “I didn’t realize you had a sense of humor. You’ll need one if you have Harper in your life. Let’s sit.” She looked down at Malden. “You don’t mind shuffling along, do you um…?” She clicked her fingers, as if struggling to recall his name, but she knew damn well what it was.

“Malcolm,” Harper helpfully supplied.

“Malden,” he instantly amended, the tick in his cheek going crazy, though he did shuffle along. Jolene and Martina then sat on Harper’s left while Beck stood behind Jolene.

Jolene leaned into Harper. “And you criticize me for messing with people.” She patted Harper’s hand. “I taught you well.”

“You brought Martina?” Harper whispered.

“She distracts people, it makes them easier to read.” It was true that many of the males were drooling over the woman already. “The security here isn’t all that good, which concerns me.”

“You snuck inside, didn’t you?” Not that Harper would expect anything different from an imp, particularly a Wallis.

“Of course.” Glancing at the doorway, she said, “That’s Isla Ross.”

The woman was amazingly beautiful, her features were eerily perfect, and her skin was flawless…but there was something almost robotic about her as she slowly crossed the room. It was odd.

When Knox tensed ever so slightly, Harper knew he’d spotted her. “Here goes,” she said. His hand squeezed her thigh gently, almost soothingly.

Isla was searching for an empty chair when she finally glimpsed Knox. She came towards him with a half-smile. “Knox, it’s been a while.”

He stood, not speaking until she’d exchanged greetings with Tanner and Levi. “Isla, you look well.”

Her smile brightened a little. “Thank you. We should talk before you leave.” Then she walked on past, not even acknowledging Harper.

“That was easy,” Tanner said quietly.

“I don’t think she realized Harper was with us,” said Knox, retaking his seat. “I usually come to these events with only two sentinels as company.”

“Is there a problem I should know about?” Jolene quietly asked Harper.

Harper leaned into her. “In sum, there’s a possibility that Isla believes that Knox is her anchor, which means…”

“She might not be so happy to meet you,” finished Jolene. Then she shrugged. “You can take her.”

When a blond, smartly dressed male with an air of authority waltzed inside, all the demons standing then immediately took their seats. He settled in the chair at the head of the table. “Afternoon, everyone. For those of you who haven’t met me before, I’m Raul Harlan. As you all know, we’re here to discuss…well, the fact that Isla’s making a lot of noise about things that don’t interest me. But her noise is getting louder, and it’s time to get the whole thing settled.”

Harper liked his no-bullshit manner.

“Isla, maybe you’d like to explain to us why you wanted this meeting.”

The she-demon straightened in her seat opposite Malden. “In short, I’m proposing that a pyramid hierarchy be put in place in the U.S. as opposed to our lairs all existing around each other.”

“With you as the ruler,” said Raul, to which she nodded. “Why? Why fix what isn’t broken?”

“But it is broken. The small lairs have no protection from larger lairs, strays are easy targets because they have absolutely no one to turn to, and we are so divided that we are vulnerable to dark practitioners. If we worked together against them, they wouldn’t have a chance. But because we all cling so tightly to the idea of power and refuse to answer to each other, we’re making our kind easy to prey on.”

“Odd that you would criticize people for wanting power when you yourself are asking for power over us all,” observed one of the Primes.

Her face hardened. “There’s nothing wrong with wanting power. But if the search for it makes our kind suffer, it’s not a good thing.”

“The U.S. has had a Monarch before,” called out a Prime at the far end of the table. “It didn’t work. It resulted in lairs constantly attempting to overthrow others.”

“Yes,” confirmed Isla, “but there wasn’t a pyramid hierarchy then.”

Raul crossed his arms over his chest, looking bored and tired. “Explain this pyramid hierarchy.”

“There would be levels of power and influence,” she said. “A layout of authority exists within each lair; there’s the leader, the sentinels, the Force that defends the lair, and the other demons that are part of it. Layouts work.”

One of the Primes scoffed. “You want some of us to be sentinels for you?”

“Not at all. I am simply making the point that each level within a lair’s hierarchy has a certain amount of authority – the same would apply to the pyramid hierarchy I am proposing. Depending on where a Prime sits within the structure depends on how much power they have.”

Another Prime spoke up. “And what about Primes that sit on lower levels?”

“Obviously they wouldn’t be influential over the others,” replied Isla, “but it means they would have the protection of the others. At the moment, small lairs are very vulnerable to larger ones. Plenty of small lairs have in fact been overtaken by others. I’ll bet even some of you here are guilty of that.”

Harper watched as some of them averted their gaze or shuffled in their seats.

“We have no laws,” continued Isla. “Nothing in place to protect the demons of our country. Having a Monarch would prevent that.”

“That’s a very pretty answer,” said Jolene, lounging casually in her chair, “but realistically all lairs existing on the lowest level would be crushed under the power of the others if such a hierarchy was implemented.” Murmurs of agreement spread throughout the room.

Isla arched a brow. “Are you not crushed now?”

“No, because there’s no law or Monarch that says I can’t retaliate against any lair that tries to give me trouble. If we accept your changes, it would mean lairs with a high level of power and authority over me could come along, demand I hand over my lair to them, and there’d be nothing I could do about it. Of course, I’d tell them to shove that order up their ass. I don’t think they’d like that. So we’d war. It’s possible I could lose. Then what?”

“You could come to me, I would ensure the crime was punished.”

“But it’s not a crime if their authority exceeds mine. And by then, I’d probably be dead, so I’d be unable to go to you for help. That would make me very unhappy.”

Harper’s mouth twitched into a smile.

“Okay, here’s what I don’t understand,” began another Prime. “Why would you care about the fate of small lairs, Isla? They don’t affect you in any way.”

Isla looked affronted. “The suffering of any demon should be the business of all of us.” She suddenly appeared saddened. “There’s also been an issue with the strays in Nevada – many of them have gone missing.” She looked at Knox, daring him to deny it.

Knox narrowed his eyes. “Now just how would you know about that?”

“I know everything that occurs in my country. Never doubt that.” She swept her gaze around the room as she continued. “If strays living in the state of who is potentially the most powerful demon alive are not safe, who is?”

That comment had a lot of people casting nervous glances at each other.

Raul sighed heavily. “All right, let’s put this to a vote. All those who aren’t in favor of a change, raise your hands.”

Almost every demon raised their hands, and Harper noticed that Isla seemed startled to see that Knox was one of them. It was as if Isla had assumed he’d automatically support her, no matter what she did…much like an anchor would.

Raul turned to one of the Primes who hadn’t voted against Isla’s proposal. “Dario, you’re the last person I’d have thought would be happy to answer to someone else.”

Dario shrugged. “I think the idea of a Monarch has merit. I would be interested in such a change. But…I would wish to be the Monarch.” That had Isla scowling at him while whispers circulated the table.

Malden, who also hadn’t voted against Isla, spoke then. “I, too, support a change. But I will not answer to another – not to a ruler, and not to a demon on a ‘level’ higher than mine in any kind of hierarchy. For that reason, I am proposing that I be Monarch.”

Raul looked at Knox curiously. “You’re not interested in electing yourself as Monarch?” It probably did seem odd that someone as powerful as Knox wouldn’t take this chance to get more power.

“I will never bow to another,” said Knox. “But I do not have any desire to rule over every demon within the U.S. I’ll never support any changes. The fact is that power structures do not work for our kind. When such a structure was in place, too many demons were vulnerable. The strongest were plucked from their lairs and forced to join the more powerful ones, making the large lairs stronger while making the small lairs weaker. Only the demons that were considered ‘upper class’ had any real say in their own lives, and the small lairs became nothing but packs of servants. It’s been proven time and time again that that kind of power corrupts – there would be chaos, not peace among us.” Many nodded their agreement.

Raul shrugged at Isla. “Only two other Primes are in favor of your proposal, which means you’ve been overruled, Isla.”

“No, I haven’t,” she insisted, appearing oddly pleased with herself. “The U.S. as a whole hasn’t been given a chance to vote.”

Raul pinched the bridge of his nose. “What are you saying?”

“I don’t think this matter should be decided by Primes. Demons who hold no power shouldn’t be overlooked. The decision should be as much theirs as it is ours. Here we are, speaking for our lairs and families. But is it fair?” She looked around the room as she continued. “There you sit with your family or anchors, but they’re given no say. Does it occur to you that they may feel differently? I suppose Knox’s demons will feel whatever he feels, since no one will go against him,” she chuckled. “But dismissing me now will not silence me. I feel too strongly about this.”

“As do I,” said Dario. Malden nodded. Apparently the idea of having ultimate power over the other Primes was attractive enough to make them fight the decision.

Raul looked like he wanted to bang his head on the table. “There are twenty-two Primes in this room. We have all humored you by having the vote. We don’t want another one, we—”

“When the rest of our kind learn that their right to vote on something so serious was dismissed, they will not like it,” said Isla. “Naturally most Primes don’t want to lose any of the power they hold. But the rest of our kind have little to no power, and they are the ones that will be affected most by the changes. Is it not fair that they have their say? How do you think your families, friends, sentinels, and Force members will feel when they learn you didn’t give them a chance?”

Knox raised a brow. “Are you threatening us?” Because it sure sounded like Isla intended to spread the word of what had happened to incite other demons.

“Of course not. I’m merely pointing out that many demons already heard of the changes I requested, and many know this meeting is being held. If they learn that their votes were discounted when three Primes here spoke up on their behalf, they won’t like it.”

Irritatingly, Isla was right. Demons, especially sentinels and Force members, would be angry that they weren’t considered important enough to have a say – despite that they served their Prime.

“The problem is I don’t see how we can involve other demons in this decision,” Dario said to Isla. “There’s no way we can hold an event for every American demon to attend.”

“No, but we can hold an event for any Prime who wishes to come forward with suggestions for changes. It can be recorded live. Demons unable to attend can still learn the facts. Afterwards, we can put it to a vote.”

Malden frowned. “That wouldn’t be something that could be done in one day.”

“Then we hold a weekend event during which each Prime wishing to be elected as ruler can suggest their proposed changes and present their promises for the future,” said Isla.

Malden nodded. “The voting could be held a short-time later and—”

“Wait, you’re automatically assuming demons will want a Monarch,” interrupted Knox. “That may not be the case. It certainly isn’t the case for me.”

“Knox is right,” said Raul.

Dario proposed, “Then we’ll make it so that when each demon is required to vote, they are asked to state ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to a change, and if they do vote ‘yes’ they then have to state their chosen Monarch.”

Isla smiled. “Sounds fair to me. And if the rest of you truly feel a hierarchical structure will not appeal to the rest of our kind, what harm is it to hold a voting?”

Seeing that there was a very high chance this voting would take place, Knox offered, “I’ll hold the weekend event at one of my hotels in the Underground two weeks from now.”

Harper almost rolled her eyes. It was typical of Knox to attempt to take control of the situation.

“This doesn’t mean I support a change,” Knox added. “I’ve made it quite clear that I don’t, and I will not change my mind on that.”

Isla actually smiled. “Don’t be so cynical, Knox.”

Rising from his seat, Raul shook his head at Isla. “You won’t get what you want.” Then he crossed the room to one of the Primes, dismissing her.

“I had a feeling this would happen.” Jolene stood just as Harper did. “The bitch will have known in advance that the people here won’t want to lose any of their power; she always intended to suggest we include all U.S. demons in the voting.”

“I doubt anyone in our lair will be in favor of it.”

Jolene snickered. “Of course they won’t. My demons are smart. She doesn’t seem to be, though.” She gestured over Harper’s shoulder, and Harper twirled to see Isla walking toward Knox with her guards close behind her. Great.

“I was expecting you to support my proposal, Knox,” Isla admonished gently.

He shrugged, though he didn’t look casual. “I won’t vote for something I don’t believe in.”

“You would go against me on this?”

“I would.”

“Sweetheart, I have to leave,” Jolene said louder than necessary, kissing Harper’s cheek. “We’ll talk again soon. Knox, you take good care of her.”

Isla, having overheard the little exchange, peered at Harper. “And who is this, Knox?”

As he slightly tugged on her wrist, Harper stepped forward. Figuring it was best to get it over with, she said, “Hi, I’m Harper, Knox’s anchor.”

For a few seconds, Isla didn’t respond at all. Then her face hardened, her body tensed as if to spring, and her eyes bled to black. The demon glared at Harper with a promise of pain. Knox, Tanner, and Levi gathered closer to Harper protectively even as Harper’s dark protective power rushed to her hands, ready to deliver some soul-deep pain. Still, her inner demon literally charged to the surface and took control.

Alarm shot through Knox when a chill surrounded him and Harper’s demon rose to the fore. As it looked out at the predator that lived within his anchor, he saw a fierce temper – saw an entity that would protect Harper against absolutely anyone or anything.

“Don’t,” it warned Isla’s demon. “You won’t find me the easy prey you assume me to be.”

“You are nothing,” scoffed the other demon.

Harper’s demon smiled cruelly. “You are not what you pretend to be. I see it. I see what you are.”

His anchor had a real talent for surprising him. Knox had never known anybody to sense that there was more to Isla than what their kind believed. “Isla, seize control before this goes any further.”

She blinked a few times, and then Isla was once again in control. Her glare shot to Knox. “You refuse to see who I am to you. I have been patient. My patience is fast running out.”

“I’m not your anchor, Isla. I never was.”

“You can’t change the truth, Knox, whether you choose to accept it or not.” She cast Harper a scathing glance before striding out of the room.

Knox slipped his hand around Harper’s nape, hoping to soothe her demon. “She’s gone.”

Black eyes honed in on him. “If the bitch attacks me, I will kill her.” It was a warning: the demon knew he had a long history with Isla and it was letting him know that it didn’t give a flying fuck. Then Harper was back, her eyes a swirling ocean-blue that told him her contact lenses had dissolved when her demon surfaced.

“My demon really doesn’t like her,” stated Harper.

“That’s a bit of an understatement,” chuckled Martina. As she kissed Harper and started babbling about her new boyfriend, Knox turned to Tanner and—

If you ever hurt my granddaughter, I will hunt you down. I don’t care who you are or what you can do.

Knox almost laughed. Nothing in Jolene’s expression gave away that she’d just threatened him. She’s the one person I’d never harm.

Jolene studied him for a long moment, then nodded.

Tell me why she’s so reluctant to bond.

That’s for Harper to tell you. Amusement was in every word. I should warn you that Lucian won’t like this anchor business. He’s not the most attentive father, but she’s still his baby girl and he’ll see you as too dangerous for her. Carla probably won’t like it much either.

She told me that she tried to see Harper several times in the past.

A snort. She always was a good story spinner. Jolene touched Harper’s arm. “We need to leave now, sweetheart, before people start to realize that Martina has stolen their wallets or that she set her ex’s car on fire.” Jolene hugged Harper once more. “You take care now.” She shot Knox a warning look before leaving with Beck and Martina in tow.

Tanner smiled at Harper. “You’ve gotta love Wallis imps.” She just snorted.

It wasn’t until they were back on the jet, high up in the air, that Harper’s demon finally settled down. Isla had really pushed its hot buttons, and that was largely because the bitch had tried to lay claim to Knox – someone the demon believed belonged to it.

“I wondered when that demon of yours would show itself,” said Knox. “It’s very protective of you. And very feisty.”

“My demon seems to think that Isla isn’t just a banshee. In fact, it picked up a vampire vibe from her. But I don’t see how that can be possible.”

“She is a banshee…to an extent,” said Knox. “A vampire tried to change her. She was strong enough to survive a transition that has killed many other demons, and so she is a blend of the two species. It’s not known if it was done against her will or not, but I believe it’s something she did in the hope of gaining more power.”

No wonder Knox worried so much that Isla would try to hurt her. She was basically a Super She-Demon-Slash-Vamp. Possibly even invincible to most demons…except for the person opposite her. “But you could kill her.”

“I could.” He hoped it wouldn’t come to that. But if he had to choose between Harper and Isla, he’d choose Harper. “That’s why I wanted to be present when you two met. I had hoped she’d realized I wasn’t her anchor, but apparently not. And that presents us with a big problem. To her, you’re an imposter. A creature she believes she could easily crush, since she believes you’re an imp and knows that you belong to a small lair.”

Harper narrowed eyes that were currently amethyst. “I’m not going to move to your lair. Why do you look so surprised that I’d guess you would ask it of me? You’re set on ‘improving’ my life. It wasn’t such a stretch to conclude that your next step would be getting me to switch lairs.”

“You would be safer that way.”

She smiled knowingly. “And if you were my Prime, I’d have to answer to you. You’d have a level of authority over me. You’d just love that, wouldn’t you?”

Knox cocked his head. “I’m beginning to find that I don’t want to control you. You’re much more interesting as you are.”

Okay, that comment totally threw her. “You do it on purpose, don’t you? Try to catch me off-guard.”

“It’s only fair. You surprise me all the time. My own personal little mystery. I asked Jolene why you’re hesitant to bond. She wouldn’t tell me.”

“Ah, maybe this is why you haven’t walked away from me yet. You not only see me as a challenge, but you find the mystery refreshing.”

“Let’s find out. Tell me why you’re really so hesitant to accept me as your anchor.”

She balked at that…but maybe she should tell him. Maybe the sooner he solved the mystery and she was no longer so interesting to him, the sooner he’d walk away. “Although anchor bonds only exist on a psychic level, it doesn’t stop some anchor pairs from wanting something more. I’ve seen firsthand what happens when a demon falls for their anchor and those feelings aren’t reciprocated.”

Knox stilled as realization dawned on him. “Carla and Lucian are anchors.”

She nodded. “He never wanted the bond because anchors need to stay in contact; Lucian doesn’t like attachments. But he had no problem sleeping with Carla and setting her aside. The problem was that Carla and her demon also wanted Lucian as a mate, but neither he nor his demon wanted them.”

“He rejected her on two levels.”

“Yes. And I can understand that must have hurt, despite that she had to have known in advance that Lucian didn’t do commitment. And I can understand that her inner demon must have been enraged that the attachment it had formed to Lucian was only one-sided. It’s really no surprise that Carla turned bitter and hateful towards him. But those feelings twisted her up so much inside that she abandoned her child simply because it reminded her of him and she wanted to hurt him.”

When Knox’s expression darkened, she added, “Don’t get me wrong, I don’t feel sorry for myself. I have a family who loves me and I’ve had a good life, even if it wasn’t a typical upbringing. But it wasn’t easy being a single sphinx among a family of imps.”

Knox got it then: she’d become so much like an imp because it enabled her to blend.

“Kids can be mean about shit like that. When neither of your parents are around, it’s easy to believe that those kids are right and your parents don’t think you’re good enough for them. Jolene never stood for that shit, though. She made sure I knew that I wasn’t at all to blame for the mistakes of either Carla or Lucian.”

“Is this part of why you avoid having relationships with demons? You don’t want to repeat their mistakes?”

She sighed. “It’s more that male demons make relationships too complicated. I don’t want that.”

He was silent for a minute. “I can understand now why you’re hesitant to bond. But we’re not Carla and Lucian. You’re not delusional and selfish, and I’m not a self-centered playboy. As for you avoiding relationships with demons…”

“What?”

“What happens when your demon decides it’s ready for a mate? It won’t settle for a human, and it will drive you insane because you’re not giving it what it wants and needs. You know what happens to people who do that, because you’ve seen that firsthand too.” People like that became like Lucian – lost.

“I’ll deal with that when it happens,” she said with a nonchalant shrug. In truth, it was a worry, but she didn’t let it play on her mind.

Figuring one truth deserved another, Knox said, “The fact that my demon gets bored very quickly with women isn’t the only reason I don’t do relationships. I know I wouldn’t be good at them, and I don’t like being involved in things I’m not good at.”

She laughed. “So you’re a perfectionist as well as a total control freak.”

“And yet, your rebellious personality doesn’t irritate me the way it should. Except for when you fight accepting me as your anchor, of course.”

She gave a little shrug. “I’m just not convinced that accepting this anchor thing is the smart thing to do, I told you why.”

“It’s not just about Carla and Lucian’s experience though, is it?” He was coming to read her quite well.

“No, it’s not.”

“Is it because I’m controlling or because of what Isla might do?” He doubted it was the second. “Or because you find it too strange and uncomfortable to have someone look out for you?”

Sensing that he was playing with her somehow, she said nothing.

“The first should only bother you if you believe I have the power to steamroll you.” Yes, that was a little reverse psychology but he wasn’t above using it.

“You don’t.”

“The second should only bother you if you don’t believe you can truly protect yourself or that I will protect you if necessary.” Yes, more use of reverse psychology.

“I can protect myself.”

“And the third…I’m not going to imply that it shouldn’t be strange for you, because I understand. But is it really so bad having someone there for you?”

No, it wasn’t. Although she didn’t say that aloud, it must have been in her expression because a hint of smugness glistened in his eyes. “Arrogant bastard.” His smile widened.