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)
Malden’s cheeks flushed with outrage. “No, I was not.”
Raul raised his hands, smirking. “Hey, I’m not judging. To each their own.”
A lot of rumors going around lately, said Harper.
Knox put down his glass. It would seem so.
Bushy Brows looked at Knox. “I heard one of your demons turned rogue.”
What’s his name? she asked Knox. It’s annoying to call him Bushy Brows in my head. A vibe of amusement touched her mind.
Thatcher. “Not rogue,” corrected Knox. “He is, however, close to the edge.”
“I also heard he had a strange vision,” added Thatcher. “Is that correct?”
Knox tapped his fingers on his crystal tumbler. “Depends what you heard the vision was.”
“That you and your mate would give birth to a soulless child that would demolish the universe itself,” said Thatcher, a challenge in his tone.
Harper rolled her eyes. “The power of Chinese whispers…”
Knox spoke. “Crow claims to have had a vision that Harper and I would have a child and it would be powerful enough to destroy us.”
“More apocalyptic visions,” scoffed a Prime who hadn’t spoken until then. “One of my near-rogue demons also claimed the end of the world was coming, though he didn’t mention you.”
“Maybe Crow really did have a vision that you would have a child capable of destroying us all,” said a female Prime. “You and your mate are both powerful. It would be no surprise if you had a powerful child. Perhaps even so powerful that it can in fact annihilate us.”
Jolene snickered. “You’re making about as much sense as a demon on the edge, Mila.” Raul and many others looked equally amused by Mila’s theory.
“Any other issues?” Jonas asked, waving Mila’s concern aside. A few minor things were raised and dealt with, and then Jonas planted his hands on the table and said, “Well, if no one has any other issues, I think we can agree to end the meeting here.”
Knox nodded. Having exchanged farewells with Jonas and Raul, Knox cupped Harper’s elbow and began to lead her out of the dining hall; Levi, Tanner, and the imps stayed close behind. As they reached the doorway, Alethea slipped in front of them.
“Harper, I’m sorry that I spoke so sharply to you.” Alethea sounded sincerely regretful. “It was uncalled for.”
Harper inwardly snorted. The bitch wasn’t sorry at all. Still, Harper inclined her head ever so slightly.
Alethea then turned to Knox. “I hope none of the rumors about Dario are true. But I’m hoping that if the worst has happened and he’s turned rogue, I will then have your support dealing with him.”
“Why?” challenged Harper.
Alethea blinked. “Excuse me?”
“Why?” repeated Harper. “Jonas is powerful, right? There are plenty of other Primes who could have your back. So why do you so badly need Knox involved?”
“I don’t badly need him to be involved —”
“That’s right; you don’t. But you think the easiest way to get this done would be to use Knox to do your dirty work. He’s not a weapon to be used, and he’s not a shield for you to hide behind.”
“Shield?” echoed Alethea.
“You think there won’t be any repercussions if Knox is involved. If you want to start shit with another Prime, you start it and end it on your own.”
Alethea arched an imperious brow. “You speak for him now?”
“When I think someone is trying to use him like that? Damn fucking straight. And he’d do the same for me.”
Knox stepped forward. “Which is why I’ll address the little stunt you pulled at Harper’s studio. You’ve never been anyone to me, Alethea; I know that, you know that. Most importantly, Harper knows it. You heard what happened to Isla, didn’t you? It happened because she dared to hurt Harper. Think about that before you do anything else.” Knox then guided Harper out of the hall, through the mansion, and out of the building.
On the steps, Jolene said, “Well, that went pretty much as I’d expected.”
“I really don’t like that little bitch,” said Martina, rooting through a wallet that obviously wasn’t hers. “I heard from Khloë that she appeared at the studio. Ooh, there are some nice credit cards in here.” She pulled out a thin, silver box and opened it up with a bright smile. “Mint, anyone?”
Beck held out his hand. “I’ll have one.”
At the faint scent of smoke, Harper sighed at Martina. “I don’t even want to know what you did.”
Jolene kissed Harper on the cheek just as the valet pulled up in her Mustang. “I’ll see you again soon, sweetheart.”
As the imps drove away, Tanner grinned. “Your family has a way of spicing up politics.”
Harper blew out a breath. “Imps don’t take politics seriously.”
The valet brought over the Bentley next, and they all hopped inside. As they drove through the gates, Levi said, “It surprised me that anyone would put any stock in Crow’s vision, especially Mila. She never seemed the paranoid kind.”