Burn (Dark in You 1)

The moment Keenan’s hooded, blue eyes met hers, waves of need assailed Harper, bringing her senses to life. Incubus, she knew. Like succubae, they oozed sex and stirred a person’s lust with a mere look. Still, it was nothing compared to the effect that Knox had on her body.

Keenan was what someone might call cutely hot with his boyish face, adorable smile, and tall, defined body. Larkin was, in a word, stunning. She had a warrior-type figure, and her wide eyes were an unusual blend of gray and green. She was also the female who, with Tanner, had escorted Harper to Knox’s office in the Underground. Harper wasn’t sure what breed she was.

“A whole building of strays has gone missing,” revealed Keenan. “You know how they sometimes group together for protection, right? Well, every single stray in that building has gone.”

“Where did this happen?” asked Knox.

“In a neighborhood close to where Harper lives.”

Knox stiffened. “No witnesses? No sign of foul play?”

“None,” said Larkin, lounging on one of the sofas. “They just disappeared.”

Harper spoke. “Strays have been going missing?” Knox merely nodded, his gaze suddenly burning with intensity as it focused on her. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Your current address isn’t a safe place. It’s in a high crime area.”

“I’m aware of this. But you say it like this makes me a special case. Lots of people live in that area and similar areas.”

“Their lives aren’t important to me. Yours is.”

As understanding hit her, she shook her head. “Hell no, you are not setting me up in another apartment.”

“You heard what’s happening. Strays near you were taken. I know you’re not a stray, but you can’t deny that it would be better for you to be in a more secure building in a safer area.”

“You installed a security system at my building, remember?”

Keenan suddenly spoke to Harper, wonder in his voice. “You’re not an imp, are you? I figured you were the same breed as the rest of your family.” He studied her closely as he and the other male sentinels took a seat. “What are you?”

Harper didn’t answer, too intent on making Knox see reason. “A better apartment doesn’t equal safety. People from all walks of life are targeted by criminals.”

“Moving away from there would dramatically reduce your chances of being targeted. If you’re worried about rent, don’t. I own the building I have in mind for you.”

“Of course you do,” she muttered. “I’m not accepting any grand shit from you.”

“Is this about pride? Pride won’t keep you safe, Harper.”

“Come on, tell me, what are you?” Keenan begged her as he pulled a flask out of his jacket.

Again, she ignored him. “I can protect myself just fine. I’ve been doing it for a long time.”

The reminder that she’d pretty much raised herself didn’t lessen Knox’s frustration. Just as agitated, his demon pushed to the surface – making Knox’s eyes bleed to black for a second. Knox pushed it back down. “I don’t doubt that you’re capable of protecting yourself. But those strays were probably capable of it too. Yet, they were all taken.”

Keenan interrupted, “Seriously, what are you?”

She sighed at him. “I’m a sphinx.” Seeing that Knox was about to speak again, she held up her hand. “I appreciate the gesture, but no. I don’t want expensive things from you, and I don’t want to move away from my lair. It’s not going to happen.”

“So damn stubborn.”

“I believe I did warn you about that.”

“She did,” Levi verified, smiling.

It took supreme effort to make Knox stop grinding his teeth. The she-demon drove him insane. It was a wise person who acknowledged their strengths and their weaknesses, and Knox was smart about many things. He was good at reading people and what they wanted, at predicting how people would react to situations, and at figuring how to get what he wanted from them – and then at getting it. Harper, however…she left him stumped. “Then we find a compromise.”

“What kind of compromise?”

“Something that enables me to ensure your protection without requiring you to change address. You can come with me to the conference.”

Taking a swig from his flask, Keenan’s brow furrowed. “It might not be a good idea for Harper to be there.”

“Why?” asked Larkin.

“Isla might be offended by Harper’s presence,” Keenan pointed out. “Might even try to harm her.”

“Isla Ross?” Harper turned to Knox. “Is she some kind of jealous ex? Did you two shake the sheets in the past?”

Knox frowned. “No.”

“Then why would she have an issue with me?” When Knox didn’t respond, she sighed. “Fine, you don’t have to tell me.” Harper refused to believe that it was disappointment that hit her on the realization that he didn’t trust her.

If he hadn’t spent the past week studying Harper so intently, he might have missed the hurt in her tone. “It’s not that I don’t trust you with this information. But much like you, I don’t like sharing details about my personal life.” Especially anything related to his past. Seeing that she looked mollified, he relaxed. “But…I won’t have you walk into a situation blind, and as I fully intend to take you to the conference, I will trust you with the facts.”