Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 119942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
“I get why he might then suspect Kendra and Carla, but how could it be Isla? Silas came to my office before she…” Harper trailed off as understanding hit her. “You and Levi think it’s possible that she already knew about me before the meeting in New York.”
“Isla prides herself on ‘being in the know.’ I was very vocal about the fact that I’d found my anchor, and I ensured that you and I were seen together all over Vegas. The news could have reached her if it traveled outside of Vegas.”
“But she seemed genuinely surprised at the conference when I introduced myself as your anchor.”
“Maybe she was so surprised because, until that moment, she’d believed it couldn’t be true.”
“Yeah, but if she is the one who sent Silas, he would have reported back to her. You made it very clear to him that I’m your anchor. Wouldn’t she have accepted that?”
“Isla and I have known each other a very, very long time. In all that time, she’s fully believed that I’m her anchor; has convinced herself that one day I’ll finally see this and that I’ll then bond with her. It would take a lot to shake such a fixed deep-seated belief, especially for someone who thinks of herself as superior to most people. In Isla’s mind, others couldn’t possibly know better than she does.”
“You could be right. Devon told me that someone’s spreading rumors that I’m not really your anchor; just your newest side piece who’s claiming to be your anchor to protect myself. If that’s Isla, it’s clear she believes I’m simply a bed-buddy to you. It suits her to believe that.”
“Recall her departing words. She said, ‘You can’t change the truth, Knox, whether you choose to accept it or not.’”
Harper snorted. “We could say the same to her.”
“While I hope it isn’t Isla, considering how dangerous she is, I also don’t like the thought of how it would hurt you to know your own mother or half-sister was responsible.” She’d already been let down enough by her family. “I really do doubt that it’s Carla.”
“It’s all right, you don’t have to reassure me. Parents are just people, and people can be shitheads. I know that well. You’ve never talked about your parents.”
Knox tried not to tense. “No, I haven’t.”
His tone didn’t welcome further questioning. Harper folded her arms across her chest. “You know, it’s shitty of you to do that. Since the first day we met, you’ve done nothing but quiz me about my family, my life, and my past. I didn’t ask you many questions, because I wasn’t planning to form the bond, so I didn’t see the point in getting to know you. We’re officially anchors now. Don’t you think it’s only fair for me to get to know you too?”
Picking up his glass, he swirled it a little. “You do know me.”
“I know you’re a dominant control freak who likes to always have his way.”
“You know many of the rumors about me are true. You also know that I spent a lot of my childhood in a children’s home for strays.”
She tilted her head. “What about your parents?”
“They’re dead. Have been for a very long time.”
She frowned. “Why didn’t you stay with your lair when they died?”
“I wasn’t part of a lair then.” He’d been part of something pure evil.
Harper sensed that to probe further into his childhood would make him shut down. She wanted to hear more about his life. “What happened when you left the children’s home with the sentinels? Did you all join a lair?”
“No. We considered ourselves strays, integrated ourselves into the human world.”
“A world you more or less conquered.”
He drank a little of his wine. “I suppose you could say I’ve achieved many things.”
“Ruthlessly.”
He smiled, admitting, “Yes.”
He’d gotten where he was through his own efforts and determination. Harper could respect that. “And the fact that you were seen as a power in your own right made demons gravitate toward you.”
He nodded. “Then, before I knew it, I was the Prime of a lair. A lair which has grown over the years.”
He was so uncomfortable talking about himself that it was almost amusing. “You can relax. I’m done.” She smiled. “For now.”
His eyes narrowed, glittering with humor. “So very tenacious.”
“Why, thank you.”
Knox? It was Keenan.
Yes?
I’ve got news you’re gonna want to hear. Call the others. I’ll be twenty minutes.
“I’m guessing there was some telepathing going on,” said Harper. “I felt the echo of the conversation because our minds are connected, but I couldn’t make out the words.” It was weird.
Knox raised his brows, once again surprised. “Strange. Apparently, Keenan has information. I have a feeling I’m not going to like it.”
By the time Keenan arrived at the mansion, Larkin, Tanner, and Levi were already waiting in the living area with Knox and Harper. “Tell me,” said Knox.