“Are you secretly worried that I’m not right for her?” he asked, mockingly. “Is this you being a protective brother, worried I might hurt her? I can assure you that will never happen. She will always be perfectly safe with me. It’s other people who need to worry… which is why it puzzles me that you would risk angering me.” A little of that anger leaked into his voice, which was undoubtedly why Roan took a step back.

Knox glided into his personal space. “Let me make myself very clear. You are to stop making such claims. You are to cease attempting to stir trouble. And you are to have more respect for your Prime. If you have a problem answering to Harper, feel free to leave the lair.”

“But —”

“But nothing. You are in no position to argue.” His demon lunged to the surface and said, “It would be so effortless to kill you. And so very satisfying.”

Roan blanched.

“I like the scent of your fear,” the demon told him. “You should be scared. Others have died for causing harm to what’s mine. You will too if you hurt her. Stay away from Harper.”

Nodding, Roan quickly retreated.

Knox took back the reins. “Don’t leave so soon, Roan. Maybe another Prime might give you some leeway for making such a grave mistake, given that your mother has disappeared. But I’m not one of those Primes. Harper is, which makes it rather ironic that you scorn her, doesn’t it?”

Levi, take him.

The reaper immediately entered the room and seized Roan. The demon didn’t pointlessly attempt to fight the sentinel as he dragged him out of the office, despite that his eyes were wide with fear.

Now Knox would need to make Harper aware of Roan’s rumors before someone else did. And he’d need to do it face to face. Harper, meet me in the side alley. He didn’t like people knowing that he could pyroport – he preferred to keep them guessing about what he could and couldn’t do – so he often met her outside the studio, where they could talk in private. There’s something you need to know.

Roan’s been spreading rumors about me.

He frowned. How do you know?

Jolene told me.

He didn’t bother asking how Jolene knew. The woman was shrewd and crafty and seemed to have sources everywhere. I’ve warned him to stop this behavior. I believe he’ll listen.

You’ll still punish him though, she guessed, sounding a little saddened by the idea. There was that marshmallow center at work again.

Of course.

A pause. What will you do?

It’s a standard punishment for a crime of that severity.

Harper must have decided she didn’t want to know what that was, because she didn’t ask. He’s going to hate me more than ever now.

It’s not you he hates. It’s that his life suffered a hard blow when Carla’s secret was exposed. As such, he resents answering to you. Knox slid his mind softly against hers, comforting her the only way he could right then. Don’t let this hurt you, Harper. He’s not important. He may be your half-sibling by blood, but blood doesn’t make family.

Totally true, she replied. Any news on Crow’s location?

Not yet. He’ll be found. Knox was determined that it would be soon. Unfortunately, I have to go. Remember, call me if you need me.

I will. See you later.

His demon rose to the surface and said, Be safe for me, little sphinx. Then Knox resurfaced and reluctantly broke the connection just in time to start his conference call.

CHAPTER FIVE

As the Audi braked outside the club, Harper noticed the long lines of people waiting to enter. Even for a Friday evening, it was pretty busy. Then again, it was a very popular place within Vegas. It also happened to be an entrance to the Underground.

Tanner turned to Harper. “Keenan will be your escort tonight; he’s waiting for you near the elevator.”

“You joining the hunt for Crow?”

“Nah, I just have a couple of things I need to do.”

“Like chase your tail and bury some bones?” said Devon.

Raini forced a smile. “Thanks for the ride, Tanner.” She then dragged the hellcat out of the car saying, “Control that mouth.” Khloë followed them, laughing.

Harper just rolled her eyes. “See you later, Tanner.”

Sliding out of the car, she led the way to the front door. The humans waiting behind the red ropes tittered at their appearance. Yeah, well, they hadn’t bothered changing out of their work clothes, since they were only planning to go to the mall. The people in the VIP queue didn’t bat an eyelid about it, since the line was solely for demons so they would understand.

Recognizing Harper, the doorman nodded respectfully and stepped aside. Giving him a grateful smile, Harper moved past him and walked straight to the stairs on their right. The girls stayed close behind her as she headed down to the basement and then over to the door at the back of the dark room. The brawny demons manning the door gave her a polite nod.

“This way, Miss Wallis,” said one of the guards as he urged them through the door and then over to an elevator. After punching in a code, the polished metal doors slid open. He inclined his head at Harper and then returned to the other guard.

As the four girls stepped inside and the doors began to close, Devon grabbed onto the handrail and asked, “Are you used to being so easily recognized by our kind yet?”

“Nope,” Harper replied. She found it a little uncomfortable. “It feels weird when they greet me by my name, like they know me.”