Ashes(38)

Once Linda was inside the house, Knox turned to Wyatt. "How has McCauley been?"



"Not an ounce of trouble," replied Wyatt. "Almost painfully polite. You wouldn't think the kid had been through a traumatic experience. He never talks about his human parents or what happened to him." He shrugged. "Maybe he's in denial or something, I don't know."



"Your mate loves him," said Tanner.



Wyatt gave him a weak smile. "She loves that she has someone to love."



"I'm going to be honest with you," began Harper. "If you ask me, there's something not quite right about that kid."



Wyatt sighed. "I know what you mean. Something about him rubs my demon up the wrong way. But he's just a kid, and – whether he's traumatized or not – he's been through something awful." 



Harper raised her hands. "If you're happy for him to stay here, we won't interfere with that. But you have to be sure, Wyatt. Because even though the kid freaks me out a little, I don't want him to have to bounce from home to home. He needs stability."



Wyatt gave a slow nod. "I agree. I'm happy for him to stay with us."



Well he sure didn't look happy about it. Harper figured he was doing it for his mate's sake. Noticing movement in her peripheral vision, Harper looked to see McCauley staring out of the living room window. She waved to him, forcing a smile. He waved back, but the move was almost mechanical.



"All right," said Knox. "He can stay with you if you're positive that it's what you want."



"I'm certain," Wyatt told him.



Knox nodded and then ushered Harper back into the Bentley as he spoke to Wyatt. "I'll check in occasionally to make sure this arrangement is working for everyone. I trust that if you have any problems, you will call me."



"I will," Wyatt promised.



As Levi pulled away from the curb, Tanner spoke to Knox. "Leaving him with the Sanders was the right thing to do."



"Yeah, for McCauley," said Harper. "But maybe not for them." Time would tell, she supposed.





CHAPTER SEVEN





Knox glanced around the large living room that was all marble floors and dark woods. When Francisco had said that Dion Boughton liked to surround himself with the unique, he hadn't been understating things. The island upon which his grand, opulent home sat was a tropical paradise. The home itself was filled with antiques, vintage items, unusual ornaments, expensive vases, and servants who were rare breeds of demon.



Dion sat on a throne-like chair opposite Knox, regarding him with a studious gaze that held an excited glitter. Like someone who was giving an antique a thorough appraisal. Knox's demon curled his upper lip, not liking that at all.



He's excited to see you because you're as unique as they come, said Levi, who was the only one to have accompanied him into the room. Armand, Keenan, and Larkin waited outside.



"Are you sure you wouldn't like coffee or some refreshments?" Dion asked.



"No, thank you," said Knox. "We just have some questions."



Dion's smile faltered. "This isn't a social call, is it?"



"I don't do social calls, Mr. Boughton."



Disappointment clouded his expression. "Very well. How can I help you?"



"I don't know how up to date you are on what happens in the outside world," began Knox, "but my mate was recently attacked by hunters."



Dion looked both stunned and incredulous. "I wouldn't have thought anyone would dare risk your wrath. Or her wrath, for that matter. Sphinxes aren't forgiving creatures, and I saw your mate in action on the video footage of the elections when Isla attacked her. I don't watch much television, but the elections weren't something I was prepared to miss. Your mate is powerful."



"She is," Knox agreed. "And yet, someone hired hunters to steal her wings."



Dion's brow furrowed. "But she doesn't have wings."


      ///
       
         
       
        



"No, she doesn't. But it would seem that someone either isn't aware of that or simply doesn't believe it – whatever the case, it means the hunters died a very painful death for no good reason." Knox once more studied the room. "I can't help but notice that you're quite the collector. I hear you have a museum here."



All emotion left Dion's face. "You believe I hired the hunters."



"Did you?"



Dion's back straightened. "No, I did not. Have I hired hunters to acquire things for me in the past? Yes. Did I hire them to steal wings that your mate does not possess? No."