Shadows (Dark in You 5)

It was while Raini was making her little revelation to Harper that Devon’s cell phone began to chime. She knew from the ringtone that it was a video call. Seeing Spencer’s name on the screen, she headed out of the room and tapped the answer icon.

“Hey,” she said to the face staring back at her. Just like Reena and Kaye, he possessed Leticia’s almond eyes and prominent cheekbones. But Spencer also had his father’s blond hair, lean build, and strong jawline.

“I heard about what happened from Dad,” said Spencer. “I wanted to check how you were doing.”

Able to tell from the high windows behind him that he was in his office, she suspected the call would be a short one. Spencer was as much of a workaholic as his father. “I’m okay,” she replied. “Just frustrated that Asa won’t spill whatever names he might be holding back.”

Spencer nodded, jaw hardening. “Dad had a long talk to him. Asa refuses to admit there were any others in his group. Don’t worry, Dad will get him to cough up the info.”

“Jolene could make him talk.” And if that failed, Knox would certainly step in.

Spencer snorted. “No one’s going to hand Asa over to another lair. You don’t know the shit he did, Devon. Dad might have told you the bare facts, but there’s so much more. He and his group destroyed lives without even killing anyone. And they did it because they could. Dad’s never going to hand over that fucker to someone else.”

She sighed. She’d already figured as much, but it was still frustrating.

“He won’t let you down on this one, Devon. Trust him to get the answers you need.” He paused. “Reena told me that Tanner Cole considers you under his protection. That true?” He didn’t seem to believe it.

In answer, Devon held up her palm, showing him the mark there.

Spencer’s brows flew up. “Well damn. You realize hellhounds are super territorial of whoever they mark, right?”

“Yep.”

He puffed out a breath. “Good luck dealing with him. I’m pretty sure you’re going to need it.”

Yeah, so was she.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Resting his clasped hands on the office desk, Knox addressed all four sentinels as he said, “I’m hoping that at least one of you can tell me that your investigations into Sloan’s sentinels revealed something interesting about them or their abilities.”

“I spoke with my sources, some ex-members of Sloan’s lair, and even one of Sloan’s old girlfriends,” said Tanner, sprawled on the sofa. They hadn’t been alarmed by his questions; it wasn’t exactly uncommon for demons to try unearthing information on one another—it was that whole “knowledge is power” thing. “None could confirm if any of the sentinels had the ability to alter their scent or cause a heart attack.”

Beside him, Larkin blew out a breath. “Sadly, I got nothing.”

Keenan dug his flask out of his inner coat pocket. “Same here.”

Standing with his hip propped against the wall, Levi shook his head in the negative. “From what I did learn about their personalities, I’d say you could label the four sentinels Cocky, Surly, Dicey, and Robotic. The latter is Sloan’s most trusted sentinel, Colm. He’s also the one who’s typically sent to execute those who wrong the Prime. Very little is known about Colm, his roots, or his abilities.”

“Then it might be worth taking a much closer look at Colm just in case there’s something more interesting to find,” Knox mused. “Perhaps the demons that Sloan planted in our lair will have something noteworthy to tell me.”

“Do you still intend to spend some ‘quality time’ with them?” Levi asked the Prime.

“Yes, I do. Later tonight, in fact. And I plan to question them while I do.” Knox’s gaze danced from Larkin to Keenan. “After we’re done here, I want you to find and bring them both to my Chamber. There are plenty of delightfully torturous devices there that will get them talking.”

“Consider it done,” said the incubus. Larkin simply nodded.

Knox leaned back in his chair and turned his attention to Tanner. “Tell me what happened at the Damned last night.”

“I don’t have much to add to what I already told you,” said Tanner. He’d telepathed Knox and each of the sentinels the previous evening after his meeting with Maddox.

“I want all the finer details,” Knox told him.

“All right.” Once Tanner had finished recounting the events, he added, “I can’t say for sure whether Maddox was telling the truth that he didn’t broker the deal—he’s too good a liar—but I still think it’s wise to question Sheridan and Lockwood. Jolene and Ciaran are going to meet me at Urban Ink near closing time. The three of us and Devon will then go speak with Sheridan as he finishes work.”

“It’s possible that Maddox just gave you those names to divert the attention from him,” said Levi. “He’s usually not so cooperative. It makes me suspicious that he didn’t dance around your questions.”