Ashes(113)

        



Jolene nodded. "Nobody blames you, Larkin. You were told to protect Harper and that was exactly what you did by keeping Carla away from her. You couldn't have known that Nora would mean her any harm, especially since the woman defended Harper against Carla in the coffeehouse not so long ago."



Larkin looked at Knox, eyes still clouded with guilt. "I understand if you want to execute me for failing Harper, but please allow me to help you find and save her first."



"I have no intention of executing you, Larkin. You're not at fault." That was the most reassurance that Knox could offer her while rage and terror were pumping through him. He rolled his neck and shoulders, trying to ease the tension in his muscles, but it didn't work. Nothing short of having Harper in front of him would calm him.



He'd worried enough about how smoothly the birth would go, though he'd hid those concerns from her. He'd sworn to her that he'd be with her the entire time. The thought that she'd be facing it alone, even if only for the short time it would take for him to get to her, flayed him.



His gaze snapped to the door as it swung open and Tanner entered with Dario.



The Prime looked around, seeming both curious and confused. "Tanner said you needed my help, but he didn't say what was wrong."



Knox pinned him with an unblinking stare. "Do you know what she's done? Are you part of this?"



Dario blinked. "What are you -?"



Knox lunged and fisted his shirt. "Do not fuck with me right now."



"I swear to you, I do not know what you mean." Dario looked to his sentinel for help, but the male was being held back by Tanner and Keenan.



"Nora took Harper," Knox rumbled.



Dario's eyes snapped back to him and he stilled, brows drawing together. "No. No, she wouldn't do that."



"Oh, but she did. I have an eyewitness that says she took her through a portal." Knox released him with a shove. "Harper herself has telepathically informed me that Nora is with her and wants the baby. She's inducing labor as we speak."



Righting his shirt, Dario frantically shook his head. "No, my grandmother would never do something like that. She has no reason to do it. She could not possibly gain anything from it."



Levi spoke, "There are plenty of reasons why someone would want Knox's child, and you know it."



"She's old -" 



"Just because somebody's old doesn't mean they're frail or harmless," said Jolene. "She also has help. She's not working alone."



Dario's mouth fell open. "Don't tell me you think she's one of the Horsemen," he scoffed.



"It's possible," said Levi. "She knew plenty about them. Maybe this was why."



Dario shot him an impatient look. "If she was one of them, why would she ever make you aware of them?"



"For the same reasons that serial killers tip off the police," said Levi. "For attention. To create fear. If people aren't aware that something or someone exists, it doesn't have any power over them."



"Face it," Knox snapped, "your grandmother kidnapped Harper. She wants my child. Make me believe you're not part of this plot and tell me where Nora would take her."



Scrubbing a hand down his face, Dario said, "I just can't believe that she would -"



"Believe it, because she has. Convince me you had no part in this, or I swear I'll end you right now."



Dario stood tall, looking ready to challenge Knox. Wisely, he didn't. "I have played no part in whatever has happened to your mate."



Knox, where are you? I don't want to do this alone.



He almost flinched. The pain in those words gutted him. "How much longer is this going to fucking take?"



"The process is slow-going, I know," said Thatcher, "but I'm going as fast as I can."



Knox softly brushed his mind against hers. You're not alone, he soothed. I'm right here, and I'll be physically with you very soon.



"Is there a limit to how many people can step through the portal?" asked Levi. When Thatcher shook his head, Levi turned to Knox and said, "I'm going with you."



"All four of us are going," said Tanner, referring to each of the sentinels.



Knox looked at Jolene. "I need you to stay here."



"You need me to guard the portal and ensure that Thatcher doesn't attempt to trap you there," said Jolene in understanding.



Yes, because Knox couldn't rely on his ability to pyroport if the place where Harper was being held would weaken him.



"I'll kill him on the spot if he does," Jolene vowed.