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Ashes(9)

By:Suzanne Wright




Unlike what some human religions believed, archdemons didn't serve Lucifer; they served hell itself. They were as callous and conscienceless as their inner demons; were born to control, command, and destroy. And yet, Harper accepted him, trusted him, loved him.



It wasn't that she was willfully blind to his power or his true nature – no, she knew exactly what he was, and she'd walked into their relationship with her pretty eyes wide open. But she'd still taken him as her mate, still exchanged rings with him, and still even accepted his inner demon.



In short, she fucking owned him. But that was okay, because she in turn belonged to him.



"No more talking." Grabbing the remote from the nightstand, he lowered the electronic shades, plunging them into utter darkness. "Now close your eyes. I'll stay with you until you've fallen asleep, and I'll be here when you wake up."



Luxuriating in the way his hand gently played with her hair, Harper closed her eyes and let herself drift off.



The boards of the boathouse creaked beneath Knox's feet as he stalked down one of the narrow walkways that separated the three chrome and fiberglass boats. Moonlight filtered through the windows of the building, illuminating the anxious face of the hunter who sat bound to a wooden chair. He didn't struggle, didn't make a sound. All Knox could hear was the water lapping against the hulls and the creak of the taut ropes as the boats rocked slightly.



How's Harper? asked Levi, his tall, broad frame standing near the wall. He was vibrating with anger. The sentinel didn't like many people, but he liked and had a great deal of respect for Harper …  which was probably why there was one hell of a bruise on the hunter's jaw. 



She's fine. Sleeping, thankfully, Knox replied. He came to a stop in front of the hunter, who Levi had divested of his camo outfit and combat boots, leaving him in only his boxers and socks – no doubt to make him feel even more vulnerable than he already did.



Knox didn't bother to conceal his rage. He let it fill the boathouse, just as he'd let it fill Harper's office. He also allowed his demon to surface just enough to release a low growl. The stench of the hunter's fear joined the other smells of water, wax, and motor oil.



Knox liked the way the hunter's tanned face paled and his brown eyes flashed with fear, but he much preferred him as a whimpering mess, huddling in a corner. "Feeling better? That's a shame." Casually, Knox stuffed his hands in his pockets. "The upside is …  you can talk. And that's exactly what you're going to do."



He snorted, but the sound was too faint to be derisive. "Like I'll believe you'll let me live."



"I don't recall saying that I'd let you live." It was truly laughable that the nightmare would think any differently. "We're not making a deal here and exchanging information for your life. I'm telling you that you're going to answer my questions truthfully."



The hunter lifted his chin slightly in a gesture of defiance so weak that Knox's demon rolled its eyes, despite its anger.



"I've interrogated several nightmares in the past," said Knox. "I've found that I prefer interrogating your kind. You see, I can effortlessly thrust my mind into someone else's and find all the information I need. There are few whose shields present a challenge. My mate's shields are very unique; they have the psychic equivalent of steel barbs, meaning I'd have to shred my own psyche to get past them." That she had such tough defenses made him proud.



Knox began to circle the hunter as he continued. "Your shields are solid, but not impenetrable. Still, it's never good to read the mind of a nightmare." But if he delved into the hunter's mind, all Knox would find would be his own personal nightmare. "But I'm not deterred by that, because I like the challenge. I like being able to really enjoy the interrogation process. It feeds my demon's need for violence."



As Knox moved to stand once again directly in front of him, the hunter swallowed hard and said, "I didn't hurt her."



"No, but you pinned her down while another did. You stood by and did nothing while she was in pain. That's just as bad." Knox's demon pushed for freedom, wanting to make the nightmare pay. Soon, Knox promised it. "Sphinx wings sure are beautiful, aren't they? I'd imagine that the wings of a powerful Prime like Harper would be worth the sort of money that would set you up for life." Knox cocked his head. "Just who offered you that money?"



"No one. We were just being opportunists."



Knox sighed. "It's always so disappointing when people lie to me. I don't like to be disappointed."



"It's the truth."