"I promise."
"And I need you to also promise me that you'll be alert. There is a possibility that more hunters will be sent. I doubt it, because, although hunters are greedy, they aren't stupid enough to pursue something that got two others killed. Still, there might be some who'll do it for the right price. Everyone has a price."
"I'll be alert," she vowed.
"Good girl." He kissed her softly, barely resisting the urge to take her mouth hard and feast on her. He held himself in check, but it was a struggle. "I don't know who found out that you can fly. The sentinels know, your family knows – it's possible that someone overheard one of them talk of it. If so, I suspect that someone may have passed on this information to another person who would want it. Either that or they themselves covet your wings. They may also know just how unique your wings are."
"If they do know, they didn't tell the hunters. They were sincerely surprised when they saw the colors of my wings."
"In any case, they obviously have no idea that you can conjure the flames of hell or I doubt they would have risked trying to obtain your wings." The flames of hell could destroy anything aside from archdemons – nothing else was impervious to the flames, which was why Knox took great care in ensuring the demon world didn't discover that he truly could call on them.
As a disturbing thought occurred to Harper, she sat up straighter. "Or maybe that's why they did it. If someone was in possession of wings that were sort of … birthed from the flames of hell … they'd have a lot of fucking power if there was some way they were able to tap into it. The kind of power only you could fight."
///
Knox twisted his mouth, pondering it. "True, but I don't believe they could tap into it. Not unless they have some way of fusing your wings to them – and I'm quite sure that's impossible."
"It doesn't mean there isn't someone who's willing to try it. It's just something we should consider."
"And we will," he assured her. "While we're busy finding who's behind the attack, we'll have to put aside our investigations into the remaining Horsemen."
"Which could be exactly what someone wants," she pointed out. "The Horsemen could have hired the hunters to either piss you off or distract you – maybe even both."
That was something he had already considered. "Yes, but I need to be sure. Any immediate threat to you needs to be eliminated." He tucked her hair behind her ear. "I'd feel a lot better if you'd agree to learn how to call on the flames. Then you could have called on them yesterday."
"I caused a lot of destruction last time." Enough to scare her into never wanting to do it ever again.
"That was mostly your demon."
"Yeah, I remember it got high on the power. It would love another try at it." Just the thought had it fairly rubbing its hands with glee.
"But if you don't learn how to call and direct the flames, you could call them by accident – I don't think you want that."
She sighed, knowing and resenting that he was right. "Fine, I'll learn."
"Right decision." He kissed her palm. "Are you sure you won't take at least one day off work?"
"Not happening, Thorne. You know me well enough to know that I can't sit around the house doing nothing – I'll go crazy."
Yes, Knox did know that. He even understood it, but he'd still rather have her at home. Still, Knox knew better than to browbeat her on anything – she'd object just to be contrary. Her obstinateness was typical of both imps and sphinxes. She had many sphinx qualities, despite being more of an imp by nature. Her breed was much like a bird and a lion rolled into one. In addition to being graceful and difficult to pin down, Harper was fierce and strong.
"All right," he said. "I'll trust you to call me if the day catches up with you." He'd also tell Tanner to keep a close watch on her and ensure that she ate well through the day to build up her strength.
A short time later, Levi parked the Bentley outside a small, detached house. As he opened the rear door, he said, "I think it's best if I wait in the car." He tipped his chin toward the group of teens who were staring at the Bentley with covetous eyes.
"We won't be long," said Knox. He took Harper's hand and led her up the narrow, cobbled path. She pressed the doorbell and stood back.