Beneath the sounds of people talking and laughing was the hum of the ceiling fans and the clinking of flutes. Harper peeked through the black curtain to take a good, long look at the ballroom. “There’s a whole lot of people out there, Tanner.” Not the entire lair, which was unsurprising. Their lair was particularly large, so many families often sent one or two of their own to represent the family and hear whatever announcement was made. It meant that the events weren’t too hectic and crowded, which worked out best for everyone.
“You don’t need to be nervous,” Tanner assured her, like, for the tenth time. “The lair won’t respond badly to the pregnancy.”
Harper turned back to him, hiding once more behind the curtain on the small dais. “Probably not, but I’ll have to, you know… talk to people. Mingle.” Harper was dreading it. She simply didn’t have the people skills required for it. Luckily, her mate did.
She hadn’t seen Knox since breakfast, and she knew he was currently dealing with some issues within the hotel. As hiding her rounded stomach while walking through the Underground wouldn’t have been the easiest thing she’d ever done, she’d had Ciaran teleport her and Tanner from the mansion to the penthouse suite. There, she’d showered and changed into a long, white, chiffon dress that wasn’t loose-fitting yet cleverly made her baby bump a lot less distinctive.
Tanner, Keenan, and Larkin had then walked her to the dais of the ballroom. Keenan and Larkin were circling the ballroom, on guard. Everyone was ready and in place. Now, all they were waiting for was for Knox to show up.
The last time she’d telepathically spoken to him had been twenty minutes ago, when he’d informed her that he was heading to the penthouse to quickly shower and change. Since Knox was wicked fast at getting ready, she could only assume that he’d been waylaid by his staff yet again or he’d be here by now. Where are you?
Within moments, his mind brushed against hers. Dealing with a minor matter before the concierge starts to cry.
She chuckled. At Tanner’s questioning look, she waved a hand and then peeked through the curtain again. People mingled as they sipped wine and nibbled on appetizers being served by waiters that circulated the room. Other guests were gathered around the tall, high tables on which bowls of pretzels and flickering candles were placed. Keenan and Larkin were patrolling the room, their eyes sharp. “I don’t see Carla, Bray or Kellen.”
“Did you expect to?” asked Tanner.
“No.” In fact, she’d been hoping that they wouldn’t attend. Maybe that was mean of her, but she simply didn’t trust them not to cause a scene.
“They’re leaving in three weeks anyway, so nothing you say tonight is anything they need to hear.”
He was right, she thought, as she closed the curtain. Harper smoothed a hand down the side of her dress. “I wish we didn’t have to make a huge, public announcement.”
“The lair needs to know.”
“Yeah, I know that, but I would have preferred it if we didn’t have to make a big thing out of it. It would have been easier to just ask you and the other sentinels to pass on the news.”
“You’re their Prime, and there are certain expectations that come with that position. Making public announcements about key information is one of them. Celebrating important events is another. Your pregnancy is both of those things.”
“Yes, but have you not seen how people respond to a pregnant woman?” By the way his brow furrowed, no, he hadn’t. “Everyone’s suddenly an expert on babies and they’re all full of advice and nosy-ass questions. I’m glad my stomach’s not that big – people are a hell of a lot worse if there’s a bump. They try rubbing it like it’s a damn genie-infested lamp.”
“Genie-infested?” he chuckled.
“You get my point.”
“I do. How about this? If anyone seems like they’re about to say anything inappropriate or touch your belly, I’ll step in and interrupt the conversation.”
“That would be good.”
“Then that’s what I’ll do.” Tanner folded his arms. “On another note, Keenan said you called Lucian earlier.”
Harper nodded. “I thought it best that he found out about the pregnancy from me.”
“How did he take the news?”
She pursed her lips as she thought back to the conversation…
“Are you freaking kidding me?” Lucian burst out.
Harper sighed. “Lucian —”
“It’s not enough that you mated the psychopathic bastard, you’re now going to have his psychopathic spawn?”
“Hey! My child is not psychopathic.”
“Don’t kid yourself. If it takes after you, it’ll be a treasure. If it takes after him, it’ll be a living nightmare.”
Harper scratched her chin. “He took it pretty well.”
Tanner snorted in disbelief.
The door behind her creaked open, and Knox’s cologne drifted to her. She turned as he and Levi entered the small space. She couldn’t stop a smile from curving her mouth as she got a good look at him in all his GQ motherfucking glory. No one had the right to exude so much sex appeal. No one. But as he crossed to her, emanating raw power and masculine intensity, a hot and heavy need unfurled inside her.
And he’s all mine, she thought to herself. Her demon was just as smug about it.
Knox actually stopped in his tracks as he absorbed the sight of her. Standing there in the pure-white sleeveless, ankle-length, one-shoulder dress, she made him think of a mythological Greek goddess. Her ivory skin had tanned into a pretty gold shade that matched the ends of her dark hair and gave her skin a healthy glow. Her hair was currently bunched up into some kind of elegant updo that appeared to look deliberately tousled.
Best of all, he could see part of his brand on her breast.
Knox crossed to her with a smile and slid an arm around her. “You look beautiful. Sorry about the delay.” He fingered one of her white-gold earrings. As always, seeing her wearing something he’d bought her stoked the possessive streak in him. He gently rubbed her stomach as he reached out and gently touched the baby’s mind. All he sensed was contentment. “You ready?”
“Not really.”
“It will be fine.” He kissed her. “Now, we need to be clear on a few things. At no point tonight will you be on your own. When it’s time to work the room, I’ll be with you. When you need to use the restrooms, Larkin will accompany you. It’s not that any of us believe you’re in danger from our lair – it’s that we refuse to take any chances.”
“I don’t want to take chances either.”
“Good.” He stroked her stomach again. “I’ll go begin the announcement. You know when to join me, don’t you?”
“Don’t worry; I haven’t forgotten anything.”
Let your anxiety go, baby. Don’t let them see you nervous.
She nodded and breathed away the tension in her spine.
“That’s my girl.” Knox released her and slipped out from behind the curtain. The murmurs and laughter died down as people spotted him, and all eyes turned his way as he crossed to the stand in the center of the dais, where a microphone waited.
His amplified voice came over the sound system as he spoke. “First of all, thank you all for making it here tonight. I’ll begin by assuring you that this isn’t a gathering to discuss the Horsemen or any issue within the lair. I’ve called you here because I have some good news to share.” He paused for effect. “In approximately two months, there will be a new addition to the lair.”
There was a rustle of fabric as the curtain opened and then Harper and Tanner stepped out. Tanner and Levi melted into the shadows while Harper crossed the space to Knox. In that dress, her bump wasn’t at all obvious, but enough of the crowd caught his meaning to study her closely. Then applause and cheers rang throughout the room.
“It isn’t something you need to keep secret,” Knox told them when the applause faded. “But news travels fast among our kind, and we wanted you all to hear it first.”
A waiter stepped up onto the dais and handed Knox two glasses. One was filled with champagne and the other with water, at Knox’s earlier request. He gave Harper her glass and they both then raised them to the crowd, who raised theirs right back.
Knox clinked his glass against Harper’s, and they both sipped at their drinks. “Now we mingle,” he said. “Just a couple of hours; then we can leave.”
Bracing herself, Harper inhaled deeply. The scents of perfume, cologne, fresh flowers, and scented candles washed over her, making her nose wrinkle. “Let’s get it over with.” Her low heels clicked along the glossy hardwood floor as she walked off the dais. People immediately came forward, faces beaming.
“Congratulations!” one of them fairly sang.
Harper returned the smile. “Thanks.”
The two words were repeated over and over as a continuous flow of people passed on their best wishes. Harper’s face soon began to ache from smiling. As Knox charmed them all, Harper mostly just sipped from her glass. She had to admit, her mind occasionally drifted, especially when any of them tried chatting business. Hell, even watching champagne bubbles rise in the flutes was more entertaining than that at times.
Of course, the boredom was often alleviated by those people who – just as she’d predicted – had some “advice” to impart. Some were nice about it and seemed to mean well. Others spoke with a smugly omniscient voice that grated on her nerves and pissed off her demon. By the sheer force of her will, Harper had held her smile in place and accepted their wisdom with a nod.
As he’d promised, Tanner stepped in when it became too awkward. Thankfully, no one tried touching her stomach, because she wouldn’t have been able to bite back any snarky remarks if they had.
The whole thing might have been easier if it wasn’t so damn hot. Knox must have sensed that it was getting too much, because he moved her to stand directly beneath one of the ceiling fans. She gave him a grateful smile… and then people once more appeared at their side. Again, Harper mostly stayed silent and just sipped from her glass.
“Here,” said Larkin. She exchanged Harper’s nearly empty glass of water for another. The ice cubes tinkled against the deliciously cold champagne flute.
Harper eagerly sipped from it, and a cube of ice bumped her lip. “You’re a gem.”
The harpy smiled. “And you’re doing well, considering you’re probably screaming inside your head.”
Harper couldn’t deny it. If it hadn’t been for the reassuring pressure of Knox’s warm hands, she would have undoubtedly snapped at someone by now. If his fingers weren’t splayed on her back, they were cupping her elbow or massaging her nape. Sometimes he kept his arm curled around her waist, as if suspecting that she wanted to bolt – which she did. He also laid the occasional soothing kiss on her temple, palm, hair, or wrist.
Each touch was a reminder that he was there; a reassurance that she was doing fine; and a reward for not complaining. Those touches and kisses also helped keep her demon at ease. It didn’t like crowds or mingling any more than Harper did.
At that moment, the concierge appeared and spoke quietly into Knox’s ear. He then gave him a helpless shrug and waited patiently.
Sighing, Knox turned to Harper. “I’ll be back in just a minute.” You’ll be all right?
“Okay.” I’ll be fine. I need to go pee anyway. Too much water.
Mouth curving into a smile, he kissed her. “I won’t be long.”
Her demon hissed at the sight of him leaving, feeling abandoned. Harper turned to Larkin. “Restroom?”
The harpy gestured ahead of them. “This way.”
Harper followed her, trying not to make eye contact with anyone for fear that they saw it as an invitation to approach. But, sadly, it wasn’t enough. Mere steps away from the restroom, a small woman with a beehive appeared in her path. Harper recognized Polly as a regular at the coffeehouse. She was nice enough, but she was also a terrible gossip.
“Congratulations!” said Polly, beaming. “I’m just so happy for you. When is the baby due?”
Harper had been asked that question so many times throughout the night that she found herself grinding her teeth. “I have eight weeks left to go.”
“Eight weeks?” Polly’s eyes widened. “Really?” She assessed Harper carefully. “Your belly is quite small for someone so far along.”
It wasn’t a compliment; it was a judgement… like Harper was deliberately depriving her child of the nutrition it needed or something. At her side, Tanner stiffened, so Harper put a hand on his arm to stay him.
Polly smiled at her again. “I’ll bet you’re hoping it’s a little girl.”
Um no, Harper was just hoping the baby was healthy.
“Are you scared about… you know… the labor?”
Of course she was, but she’d obviously rather not discuss it with someone who was essentially a stranger.
Polly moved closer and spoke in a low voice. “I won’t lie, it’s not a walk in the park. I told myself that I wouldn’t have any pain relief and I’d do it all natural. But God, the pain! Honey, I don’t envy you at all, you poor thing.” She patted Harper’s hand. “My Aliyah – her head was huge – tore me right open until my vagina and anus was just one big hole. I had to have so many stitches, I could hardly walk afterwards. What made it worse was that I lost so much blood, I had to have a transaction.”
“A transfusion,” Harper corrected.
“That, too. Don’t you worry none about putting on weight. Some men… well, they like a woman with a bit more cushion.”
Harper forced a smile. “That is a comfort. Now I don’t mean to be rude, but I need to use the restroom.”
“Oh, of course, I apologize for keeping you.”
“Have a good evening.” Harper raced to the door. Tanner then leaned his back against the wall, on guard, as she and Larkin headed inside. Larkin entered first, and she’d only taken three steps when she came to an abrupt halt. “Well, well, well. I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Harper peered around her, and inwardly cursed as she saw Carla leaning over the sink, chest heaving. Her demon hissed, wanting to claw the bitch. Carla stood upright, her movements stiff and awkward, eyes flaring.
In all the times she’d come across Carla over the years, Harper hadn’t seen the woman experience any real depth of emotion. Oh, she’d seen flashes of feelings such as irritation or anxiety in Carla’s eyes, but nothing deep. Right then, however, Carla was seething. And that, Harper thought, was bad. A narcissist in a rage was an irrational creature… though perhaps not as irrational as a she-demon that had an unborn child to protect.
Not wanting to appear as though she was cowering behind the sentinel, Harper moved to Larkin’s side. The harpy went rigid, not liking it, but she didn’t argue. Harper was their Prime; it was her right to deal with whatever came next. She was about to advise Carla to scamper when she spoke.
“I came because I needed to know if you’d found out something about the real Horsemen – I want my son’s name cleared. Imagine my fucking surprise when I heard that you’re…” Carla cut off, as if the sentence would be too hard to finish.
Larkin jutted out her chin. “You should leave.” It wasn’t a suggestion.
Carla gave a mocking smile. “But I should be part of the celebrations, right? I’ll be a grandmother,” she said bitterly.
Larkin arched a brow. “How can you be a grandmother when you’re not even a mother?”
Carla flushed, and her gaze cut to Harper. “Nothing to say?” She huffed. “Well, that’s a first.”
“Larkin’s right,” said Harper, tone flat. “You need to leave.” Harper might not have particularly wanted to make a public announcement, but she sure didn’t want anyone spoiling the evening.
Fingers flexing, Carla crossed to Harper. “You took my baby from me.” Her lips trembled and then pressed into a flat line. “How is it fair that you now get to have your own?”
Fair? The woman wanted to talk about “fair”?
“And I was your baby once,” began Harper, “but you gave me away – you sold me… but that was only after aborting me and trapping my soul in a jar didn’t work. So, with all that in mind, how is it fair that you would think to judge me for anything?”
Carla scowled. There was no flicker of guilt, no ounce of regret, just sheer fury. “Roan —”
“This isn’t about him,” Harper scoffed, voice hoarse as she fought her demon from surfacing. “Oh, I’m not denying that you’re upset by his death – he was your son, you cared about him in your way. But this isn’t why you’re standing here, shaking with rage. No. You’re pissed because you wanted the lair to turn against me for killing Roan, but they didn’t.”
Carla’s eyes flickered.
“You want, as the grieving mother, to be the center of attention, but you’re not. For you, that’s hell in its purest form.” Because Carla needed attention like she needed to breathe – it gave her a feeling of worth that nothing else ever would. “Especially since the person getting the attention you desperately want is me – someone who sees right through your bullshit. Isn’t that right, Mother?”
Just as the concierge had said, Malden and one of his sentinels were waiting near the boardroom where Knox had held a meeting with the Primes only weeks ago. He gave Knox and Levi a courteous nod, lines of strain marking his face. “Knox, I’m sorry if I’ve disturbed anything. I heard you were here and hoped I might have the chance to speak with you. It’s important.”
“All right.” Knox swiped his key in the door lock and opened it, allowing all four of them to slip inside the boardroom. Closing the door, he turned to Malden. “What can I help you with?”
Malden hesitated. “I’ve been arguing with myself for weeks about whether or not to tell you this.”
Knox’s brows lifted. “Tell me what?”
Again, Malden hesitated. “I know what Jonas wants from Lucifer.”
Knox hid his surprise. “Go on.”
Malden sighed, looking sad. “I’ve known Jonas a long time. I’ve always respected him as a person and a fellow Prime. We often have dinner together at each other’s homes. A few months ago, we had dinner and drank a little too much hard liquor. We got to talking about the Horsemen. Like Thatcher, Jonas is not convinced that they’re real. He said no one would be stupid enough to go up against you without having the kind of back-up that you could never hope to fight. I’ll admit, I thought he made a valid point.”
“What else did he say?”
“He said a lot of things – not all of them made sense. Like I told you, we were drunk. He talked about how tired he was of conspiracies and bullies and people always hungry for power. He said he could understand why some might be prepared to make a deal with Lucifer; said that he himself was tempted. I was shocked.”
Impatient, Knox asked bluntly, “What does he want from Lucifer?”
“An archdemon.”
Everything inside Knox stilled, but he didn’t betray his shock. He and his demon studied Malden closely. Had the Prime guessed what he was? Had he come here with a bullshit story to test Knox’s response to the mention of his kind? Knox didn’t believe so, but he wasn’t ready to dismiss the idea. “An archdemon?” he echoed flatly.
“You can understand why, can’t you? Archdemons are cruel, brutal, pitiless. They can’t be harmed by the flames of hell because they are the flames of hell. But I remember how the rogue archdemon nearly destroyed the world. I believe in the old adage that what’s born in hell should stay in hell. I told him that. He said that I was right. Said that it would take a deal with Lucifer to have possession of an archdemon anyway, and that he had nothing that the devil could possibly want. But what if he has thought of something that Lucifer could want? After all, why else would he request a meeting with him?”
Knox folded his arms. “Have you talked to Jonas about it?”
“Yes. After the boardroom meeting, I went to his house. I asked him if he had something to do with what happened to Harper and her cousin. He denied any involvement in it. But he admitted that, yes, he was prepared to make a deal with the devil. However, he wouldn’t tell me what it is that he’s prepared to give Lucifer. He said that it would never happen anyway, so what did it matter?”
Knox narrowed his eyes. “Why didn’t you come to me with this straight away?”
“You went on vacation.” Malden sighed, admitting, “And I struggled with the idea of betraying someone who’s been a friend to me all my life. I shall be honest with you, this is not me showing my loyalty to you. This is me being concerned that my friend is going to do something very stupid that leads to his own death. You talk to Lucifer. I am hoping you will ask him to turn down whatever offer Jonas makes him.”
“I won’t need to,” said Knox. “Lucifer has no interest in Jonas or any other Prime.”
Malden’s shoulders relaxed a fraction. “That is good to hear. I hope it will remain that way, for all our sakes. Whatever you are, Knox, I doubt even you would be a match for an archdemon.” With that comment, he signaled for his sentinel to follow him out of the room.
Once they were gone, Levi raised his brows. “For a minute there, I thought he suspected what you were and he was here to test his theory.”
“So did I,” said Knox. “But I think he’s telling the truth. For some reason, Jonas wants an archdemon. I’d like to know what that reason is, and if it’s at all related to what’s been happening to and around Harper.”
Knox, said Tanner, voice brisk. I went to check on Harper in the restrooms, since she was taking a while. It turns out that she’s having a verbal standoff with Carla.
He swore, and his demon went ape-shit. I’ll be right there. “Carla’s here.”
Levi’s face hardened. “Tell me the bitch is nowhere near Harper.”
Knox wished he could. Storming out of the room, he locked it with a swipe of his key card and headed for the ballroom. He reached out to Larkin. Why am I hearing from Tanner that Carla’s confronting Harper?
Harper’s co-Prime, Knox, replied Larkin. She has every right to put one of her lair in their place. It was a gentle, respectful reminder. If I thought she needed my protection, I’d jump in.
“She’ll be all right, Knox,” said Levi, hot on his heels.
“She’d better be.” Knox pushed open the ballroom door and went straight to the women’s restrooms. He shoved open the door in time to hear Harper say, “Isn’t that right, Mother?”
Unwilling to give Carla the satisfaction of seeing just how infuriated she’d managed to make him, Knox hid his rage behind a blank mask as he stalked inside. No one said a word. Tanner and Larkin, who were stood slightly behind Harper, gave him a respectful nod as they moved aside to let him pass. Carla’s gaze skipped to his, and he was surprised by just how much anger blazed there.
Harper didn’t react at all to his presence. She hadn’t moved an inch, and her stare remained fixed on Carla. His demon respected that. But it also wanted Harper to move very far away from the threat in front of her.
Knox sidled up to Harper, glaring down at the she-demon who’d birthed her yet was nothing at all like her. “And just why are you here?” Even he heard the lethal note in his tone.
Carla’s mouth tightened. “I have every right to be here.”
“Do you?” he drawled.
“I have three more weeks —”
“No, you don’t. As of this moment, you are no longer part of this lair.”
Shock flashed across her face. “What?”
“I’m unsure why you’re so surprised. This is the second time you’ve confronted one of your Primes. That level of disrespect isn’t tolerated by this lair. As Harper’s mate, I’ll never tolerate it. Consider yourself lucky that you’re not being punished before being cast out. Not that I’m taking pity on you. No, I just refuse to waste any of my time or attention on you.” His demon surfaced, delighting in the way she paled and cowered. “Leave,” it ordered. “Never bother what’s mine again.”
Fists clenched, Carla hurried out of the room with her head held high.
Knox’s demon signaled for both sentinels to leave, but they lingered, clearly worried for Harper.
“I’ll be fine,” she assured them. When the door closed behind the sentinels, she turned to the demon and held up her hand. “Don’t tell me I should have called for you and Knox. I wasn’t in physical danger, and I had Larkin with me.”
“Not in physical danger,” it allowed. “But the child needs you relaxed, not stressed. Luckily, it is sleeping.”
Harper tilted her head. “How do you know that?” Demons could touch each other’s minds, sure, and they could even pick up surface vibes of emotion, but that was all. Even anchor bonds weren’t invasive – it wasn’t possible to sense emotions, pick up private thoughts, or know if the other was sleeping… yet the demon before her claimed to know something it not only shouldn’t, but that she didn’t know.
“I know plenty,” it told her. “Be more alert and cautious, little sphinx. The child will not respond well to you hurting.”
Harper’s stomach dropped. “What does that mean?” Because it sounded like a warning.
“It is best that you have no cause to find out.” It skimmed its thumb along her jaw. “I don’t like the smell of your fear.”
“I don’t fear you.” But his words… yeah, they were freaking her out.
Its black eyes softened ever so slightly. “No, you don’t.” It kissed her hard and long, hand clasping her nape possessively. Finally, it retreated. She swallowed as she looked up at Knox. “What did it mean, Knox?”
Hearing the tremble in her voice, he pulled her close and kissed her hair. “Ssh.”
She grabbed his arms. “What did it mean?”
Knox’s jaw clenched. “It’s not sharing the answer with me.”
Confused, she shook her head. “Why would it keep things from you?”
“It thinks that we’re not ready to know.”
Harper’s breath caught in her throat, and her demon felt the urge to slap his demon seriously hard. She put a hand to her chest. “I really don’t like the sound of that.”
Knox couldn’t say he much liked the sound of it either. “The demon might simply have been trying to scare you into being more careful.”
Maybe, Harper thought. But the demon claimed not to like the smell of her fear, and she couldn’t imagine it deliberately frightening her. Still, it was the answer that made the most sense, because there was literally no fucking way that the demon should have an invasive bond with the baby. “Can we go home now?”
“Yes, we can go home.”