Sometimes he forgot that his mate was ruthless in her own way. “You fight half her suggestions on principle, don’t you?”
“Of course. If she was nice, I’d be much more accommodating.” Harper gave him a quick kiss. “See you later. Have a good day.”
Knox grabbed her wrist before she could leave. He felt like a bastard for not spending any time with her. She was right; he’d been brooding. Brooding when he should have been with her, making up for the fact that her grand opening had been tainted by this mess. “You know you’re my priority, don’t you?” No matter how much time he spent in his office or anywhere else, she came first. Always would.
“I’m not judging you for wanting some time alone,” Harper said truthfully. “Everybody needs that sometimes. And I know you’re feeling helpless now that Crow could be on the loose once again and that we have no idea who’s pulling his strings. You hate not being in total control. I can completely understand you wanting to address that helplessness and take back the control by being proactive. I really do get it, which is why I’m not mad. I just wanted to check that you were okay before I left.”
He swallowed. She got him. Understood him better than anyone else and let him be exactly who he was without judgement. “What would I do without you?”
“Kill lots of people?” she quipped.
He chuckled and kissed her again. The kicker was… she was right. If he lost her, many would die in the destruction that followed. He broke the kiss as his office phone rang. “I’ll see you later tonight.”
“Tonight,” she agreed. Harper headed for the door, but she came to an abrupt halt when she heard Knox say, “Morning, Dario.” Brows flying up, she pivoted on her heel just as Knox pressed a button that put him on speakerphone.
“Ah, Knox, I hear that your sentinels have been asking questions about me and the rumors that are currently circulating.” There was a lazy amusement in the Prime’s voice.
“Should I be concerned by what I heard?” Knox asked, planting his hands on the desk.
“Concerned about which rumor exactly? The one that I’m turning rogue or the one that I’m building an army?” His tone said he found each of them ridiculous.
“Both,” replied Knox, eyes on Harper as she approached the desk.
“Neither are true. I simply wish to be left alone to grieve in peace,” Dario added, a note of emotional weariness in his voice.
“Strange that such an innocent thing would be twisted.” Which was why Knox wasn’t convinced that was all there was to it.
“I thought so. That’s why I had my sentinels work to find out where exactly the rumors came from.”
“And?” prompted Knox.
“They were unable to find out. But I at least know why the rumors were started.”
“And why is that?” he asked Dario, watching as Harper slid half her delectable ass up on to the desk.
“For the same reason that a rumor is now circulating about you.”
Knox stiffened. “What rumor might that be?”
“That you accused a psi-demon of being close to rogue in order to discredit his claim that he foresaw you fathering a child that could obliterate us.”
“Motherfucker,” Harper mouthed. It was one thing for the Primes to speculate on it at a meeting. It was another to spread it around when it could potentially cause panic among the demon population.
“Who is claiming this?” Knox asked, forcing himself to unlock his jaw.
“You need not worry,” Dario assured him. “The rumor is not being taken seriously, since the psi-demon butchered a member of your lair and attacked your mate. It is clear his mental state is not what it should be.”
That didn’t placate Knox much. “Who began the rumor?”
“Come visit my home today. Bring your mate with you, since she is your co-Prime. We should all talk.”
“You expect us to visit you when we’ve heard you’re building an army?” Knox asked in surprise.
“I expect nothing. I am simply inviting you. Whether or not you take me up on that invitation is entirely up to you.” The line went dead.
Looking at the phone, Harper spoke. “He sounded… like himself. I don’t think he’s near-rogue. Do you?”
Knox shook his head. “He was too calm.” There were no short, choppy sentences. No notes of agitation in his tone. “I can’t say for certain whether or not he’s building an army, but my gut tells me he isn’t close to rogue. And if that rumor isn’t true, maybe the other isn’t either.”
“Maybe. After all, the one about you isn’t true.” Harper slid off the desk. “I’m coming with you.”
Knox’s jaw tightened. He didn’t want her around Dario when he couldn’t be sure that the demon wasn’t a threat to her. “Harper…”
“This is Prime business.” She lifted her chin. “I’m your co-Prime.”
“A position you don’t like, as I recall. You can’t play that card when it suits you.”
She gave him a bright smile. “Sure I can.”
“You have a shopping trip to attend, remember?”
“This is way more important than shopping. Look, I know you’re wary about me being in Dario’s company. I’m just as worried about you being around him. But we’ve agreed it’s unlikely that he’s near-rogue, and I don’t think you believe he’s building an army any more than I do.”
She was right about that. “You’re asking me to risk you.”
“And you’re asking me to stay at home while you risk yourself.” She shook her head. Not going to happen. “If it’s too dangerous for me, it’s too dangerous for you.”
Knox shoved a hand through his hair. On the one hand, he liked that she was so protective of him. On the other hand, it could be pretty inconvenient at times. “Stay by my side while we’re there. Just because my gut says Dario isn’t near-rogue doesn’t mean I trust it’s safe for you there.”
Harper saluted him. “When do we leave?”
“No time like the present.”
A few hours later, they parked the jet at a landing spot near Dario’s home, which turned out to be a cute little castle that sat smack bam in the middle of a privately owned island. Though the building wasn’t huge, it was regal and stately. Harper kind of liked it. It had real character.
With Levi and Tanner close behind them, she and Knox walked across a wooden bridge to where a bearded demon stood, wearing a long, leather jacket. He had “bad-ass” written all over him.
“Reece,” greeted Knox.
Harper didn’t recognize him, but she nodded all the same.
He inclined his head in greeting. “Follow me.” Apparently he wasn’t the conversational type.
He didn’t lead them inside the castle itself. Instead, he led them through the courtyard to a glass building at the side of the castle that Harper quickly realized was a greenhouse.
Reece stopped near the door and gestured for them to enter. “Regardless of what you may have heard, Dario is not near-rogue.”
Yeah, Harper would believe that for certain once she’d seen Dario for herself. Knox entered the glass structure first, keeping her hand in his. It was hot and moist and smelled strongly of damp soil, sun-warmed earth, fresh flowers, and sweet herbs. Among the sounds of insects buzzing and a hose spraying mist was the precise snipping of scissors.
They followed the snipping; passing potted plants, hanging baskets, bags of compost, and trowels. She tucked her arms tight into her body, but leaves still brushed her skin as they walked deeper into the greenhouse. Soon enough, they found Dario. He was pruning dead leaves from a plant. The sun streaming through the glass roof illuminated his expression. It was one of total serenity.
“I wasn’t sure if you would come,” said Dario, eyes on the plant. “After all, the rumors about me have been quite serious.”
Knox stopped a few feet away from him, keeping Harper slightly behind him. “I’m willing to hear you out.”
“But if I make a wrong move, you will kill me,” said Dari
o, a smile in his voice. He turned to face them, his close-set blue eyes pink-rimmed. He looked tired and drawn. She’d never before seen his lean figure in anything but a suit. Today, he was wearing old jeans and a V-neck T-shirt. “How are you finding being a Prime, Harper?”
“It has its challenges,” she said vaguely.
Dario nodded his agreement. “Indeed it does. Many times I’ve wondered if the power is worth those challenges. Are you satisfied that I’m far from rogue, Knox?”
“Yes,” replied Knox. There was no way Dario could manage to look so very calm otherwise. Act calm, sure. But he looked it. There were no twitchy movements, no turmoil in his gaze, and no dark vibes coming from him. “But it doesn’t look good to others that you’ve become a recluse. It gives weight to the rumors.”
“I know.” Dario’s brow furrowed and pain etched his features. “My concubine of fifty years died recently.”
Harper bit her lip. Fuck. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
Dario shot her a sad smile. “I was not in control, and I did not trust myself not to act irrationally while I was so deep in grief. I locked myself away for the safety of myself and others. My control has improved enough for me to leave the castle, but I want solitude while I do my best to find some peace. Without it, my control could splinter again.”
“Understandable,” said Knox. And sensible. Near-rogues didn’t make sensible decisions.
“But you do not fully trust it is true.” Dario put down the scissors. “There is another reason I invited you here. Come to my garden. There is someone you should see.”
Knox slowly lifted one brow. “Someone?”
“Yes. They are hoping to speak with you and your mate, but it is of course your choice whether or not you come along.”
Harper stayed at Knox’s side as he followed Dario out of the rear exit of the greenhouse and down a long stepping stone path. At the end was a pretty floral arch with vines twined around it. They walked through the arch into a maze-like garden of carefully plucked bushes. They made a serious of short, sharp turns until eventually they came to a small opening.
Harper arched her brows, impressed. It was like a little oasis with patches of herbs, colorful fragrant flowers, and the soothing trickle of the fountain. The chirping of the birds splashing in the bird bath added to the relaxing feel. The breeze rustled the leaves and flowering trees, and bees and butterflies swooped from bloom to bloom. What held Harper’s attention was the small old woman on the wooden bench, knitting what looked like a scarf, which was a little odd, considering the heat.
Dario gestured to the woman. “Meet my grandmother, Nora.”
Pausing in her knitting, Nora studied all of them. She spoke to Harper. “You’re smaller than I thought you would be. People often underestimate those who are short. I do enjoy shocking people by showing them what a mistake that would be.”
Harper couldn’t help but smile, since she could fully relate to that.
Nora’s eyes danced from Harper to Knox. “Your emotional bond is very strong. That is good. You will need each other if you are to face what is coming.”
“Nora has premonitions,” Dario told them. “She sees the future, but she does not have visions. She knows and feels things about the future.”
“I knew Dario wouldn’t win the election, but he didn’t listen to me.” Nora shook her head. “It’s rare that he ever does,” she muttered.
Dario looked close to rolling his eyes. “Can you not just get to the point?”
“I could.” The woman cackled at his exasperated expression.
She makes me think of Jolene, Harper told Knox. Harper kind of liked her already.
Nora resumed knitting as she spoke. “I’m sure all of you have heard the rumors about Dario, just as we have heard the rumors about you and the other Primes. So many rumors,” she mused. “Rather odd, don’t you think? Obviously someone started them, but it seems such a petty thing to do… unless their aim is to cause discord among the Primes, of course.”
It wasn’t a theory that Knox hadn’t already considered. It held merit, but… “Who would want such a thing?”
“I did not see their faces, nor do I know their names. But they call themselves ‘the Four Horsemen.’”
Harper frowned. “Like the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?”
Nora placed her knitting beside her and smoothed the creases out of her long gypsy-like dress. “Yes, only they do not want to see the end of the world. They want to see the fall of the US Primes. They want domination of the entire country. But they’re having to use underhanded methods to achieve that because they cannot destroy all of the Primes by themselves.”
“They need the Primes to destroy each other,” said Levi.
Nora nodded. “They believe that causing a political war will lead to a physical one. As such, they are trying to cause arguments amongst Primes and make them distrust each other in the hope that they will turn on each other.”
Harper recalled the tension and distrust at the annual meeting; the rumors were certainly having some effect, even for those who didn’t fully believe them. “I don’t think Crow is one of the Horsemen.”
“He is merely a tool,” Nora confirmed. “A tool his manipulator is having difficulty controlling. But, really, they should have thought of that.”
Knox spoke. “He was sent after Harper, not me.”
Nora smiled. “Very good. I wasn’t sure if you would see that for yourself. This person planted the idea of the vision in Crow’s head, so you need not worry that there’s any substance in it. But there will be a child one day. And others will come for it. You will both need to be prepared for that.”
Harper swallowed, anxious at the idea of not only being a mother – after all, what did she know about parenthood? – but also at the idea of people seeking to take the child.
“What about the unpredictable weather?” asked Knox.
Dario cleared his throat. “I will accept the blame for that, but not publically. It would be used against me to support the ‘I’m turning rogue’ rumor. I was grieving, and my control over my gifts was not at its best.”
Given that Knox had lost his mind when he’d almost lost Harper, he could understand. “Why trust us with this when you don’t trust the other Primes?”
“Because I believed you, as a mated couple, would understand the depth of pain that would come with losing someone you treasure,” said Dario. “And because Nora felt you should hear her premonition.”
“You have already killed one of the Horsemen,” said Nora.
Shocked, Knox stiffened. He didn’t want to believe it, but he had to wonder if she meant… “Isla?”
Nora gave a slow nod.
“Well, shit,” muttered Levi.
Tanner cursed under his breath. “Why would she want to see the fall of all the US Primes if she was one of them?”
“She wanted more power. It was her addiction,” said Nora. “There are three Horsemen left. As I said, I do not know their names and I did not see their faces. But I know – I feel – that the one manipulating Crow is not a Prime. There is so much greed in their cold heart. They want power. They want people to envy them as they envy others. They do not see it, but nothing will ever make them feel happy or satisfied. There is a void inside them that will never be filled.”