Ashes(71)

"Have the decency to wait for the meeting to start," Alethea playfully admonished her brother. She then leaned forward as she shook Knox's hand, and he got a whiff of her trademark rose perfume that never failed to make Harper's nose wrinkle.



Knox could see that she was waiting for him to kiss her cheek as he would have done long before meeting Harper, but tonight he didn't. And it scored a hit, because she narrowed her eyes as she straightened.



"Where is your sphinx?" asked Alethea, the words tightly spoken.



"At home, resting."



"Resting?" Concern creased Jonas' brow. "I heard about the hunters. Did more strike?"



"I'll explain everything once the others arrive."



Jonas reluctantly walked away without asking additional questions. Alethea shot Knox an unreadable look before trailing after her brother, hips swaying provocatively. Knox subtly inhaled, allowing the scents of coffee, polish, and citrus air freshener to drown out the perfume.



Standing near the far wall, Levi exchanged an impatient look with Knox. The reaper was still fuming about the hex and seemingly had no tolerance whatsoever for Alethea's brand of petty behavior right now.



Turning, Knox smiled at the sight of two imps approaching. "Jolene, Beck – glad you could make it."



Jolene's mouth curled. "Knox, always a pleasure."



"No Martina?"



"She's terribly upset about Harper. I couldn't guarantee that she wouldn't set anything in your beautiful hotel on fire."



Knox nodded in understanding. "I appreciate your foresight."



Jolene's smile widened. "I thought you might." I paid Harper a visit before I left for the meeting. Other than tired, she seems reasonably well, all things considered.



The hex doesn't seem to have caused any lasting effects.



Which means I don't have to blow up any more buildings. Jolene linked her arm through Beck's. "Ah, I see dear old Malden. It will be fun to have someone to toy with." She headed for the table, and Knox knew she'd undoubtedly tease the other Prime much like her granddaughter usually did.


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After the last three Primes arrived, and all were seated, Knox closed the door. His footsteps were silent as he stalked along the carpet toward the head of the table, passing light-gold walls that were bare, aside from the media screen at the front of the room. The voices fell silent, until all Knox could hear was the steady hum of the air conditioning.



Knox slowly sank into the seat at the head of the table, the media screen at his back. "Thank you all for coming. I appreciate you taking a break from your schedules to attend the meeting on such short notice."



"Did you find out something about the Horsemen?" asked Jonas.



"Did you?" Knox returned.



Jonas blinked. "If anyone knows anything, they're not talking."



Raul grabbed the pitcher and poured himself a glass of ice water as he spoke. "There are whispers of who they could be, but they seem to be merely speculation fueled by paranoia."



Knox leaned back in the chair, making the leather creak slightly. "What about you, Thatcher? Heard anything interesting?"



Thatcher adjusted his tie. "I confess, I haven't investigated the matter much."



Knox lifted a brow. "And why is that?"



There was a long pause. "I'm not convinced they are real," Thatcher finally admitted. "I am not calling you a liar, Knox. I just don't trust the words of a delusional, near-rogue demon."



Ordinarily, neither would Knox, but …  "It wasn't Laurence Crow who told me about the Horsemen. He wasn't aware they were using him like a puppet." Knox had learned of them from Dario and Nora, but since many back then had suspected that Dario was near-rogue, Dario had believed that to voice such a conspiracy would simply make him seem paranoid – a symptom of a rogue demon. As such, it would have then given credence to the near-rogue rumors.



Although the Primes wouldn't be so disinclined to believe Dario now, Knox thought it likely that they would be angry at Dario to hear that he'd warned Knox but not them. He had no interest in causing friction between the Primes or shifting their attention from the real issue – Harper's safety was at risk. As such, Knox said, "Roan talked of the Horsemen to Harper. He was cruel, but not delusional."



"Are you willing to trust the word of a dying, treacherous demon?" asked Malden, though there was no judgement there – merely curiosity.