“Because I had no idea,” Dario ground out, cheeks flushing.
Ignoring that, Thatcher added, “And let’s not forget that you were also one of the Primes who campaigned to be the US Monarch, just as Isla did.”
Dario’s face hardened. “Malden also wanted the position, if you remember.”
Malden tossed him a sour look. “Thank you, Dario, for shifting the suspicion so nicely onto me.”
“I don’t believe you are the Horseman, Malden,” Dario told him. “I’m merely pointing out that my campaign to be a Monarch shouldn’t be an indication of guilt. I also didn’t associate with Alethea.”
“Ah, but Jonas said she was being secretive before her disappearance,” said another Prime. “I don’t suppose either you or Thatcher have the power to steal or replicate people’s voices, do you?”
Dario’s lips thinned. “No, I do not.”
“Nor do I,” said Thatcher.
Before the conversation could become more heated, Knox cut in, “Jonas did manage to uncover one of the secrets that his sister was keeping.” Again, all eyes went to Knox. “She stole something from a private collector of rare objects.”
Raul’s eyes sharpened. “What exactly did she take?”
Knox didn’t answer for a long moment, studying each of the faces looking at him. “She stole a contained incorporeal demon.”
People gasped and muttered.
“Stole it?” asked Raul. “From who?”
“That I don’t yet know, but I intend to find out.” Knox drummed his fingers on the table. “I believe she freed it.”
The Prime opposite Jolene scoffed. “Alethea was strong, but not that strong.”
“I believe she had help,” said Knox. “The person who helped her may be the same person who killed her.”
Frowning, Raul said, “You think he used her, just as the other Horsemen used Lawrence and Linda?” He pursed his lips. “It would make sense.”
“Perhaps she got in his way by trying to prevent him from freeing the incorporeal,” Malden suggested. “But can we be absolutely certain that it was freed?”
“Recently, a demon physically imitated Harper in order to get near our son,” said Knox. “Asher wasn’t fooled. He threw up his shield. Harper fought and overpowered it. She’d just stabbed it in the heart when it faded before her eyes and disappeared, leaving no scent or blood behind. Yesterday, I also had an encounter with it. I even watched as it left the body of a female human.”
Thatcher sighed, looking genuinely weary. “Then it’s true. The incorporeal was freed. My guess would be that the Horseman is using it to get to you, Knox. He said on the footage that you were next.”
Knox draped his arm over the back of Harper’s chair. “And that tells us another thing about the Horseman—he’s not quite as powerful as he’d like us to believe or he wouldn’t need a minion. Just the same, he wasn’t powerful enough to free an incorporeal on his own; he needed Alethea’s help.”
“He must have promised her something good to get her to agree to be part of his plan,” said Jolene. “Not just because it was risky, but because she wasn’t a person who was interested in aiding others. Maybe she wanted you to be destroyed, Knox, just as the Horseman does. On the other hand, maybe she didn’t want you dead and that was what he meant by her being in his way.”
“He says the Primes must fall, but what does he expect to happen if such an event occurred?” asked Malden. “He can’t truly believe it would somehow lead to something good. There would be anarchy. Demons mind their behavior because they will answer to their Primes if they don’t. If they could act as they wished without consequences, the US would be in absolute chaos.”
“Maybe that’s what he wants,” suggested Harper with a shrug.
“But why?” Malden pressed. “What could he possibly gain from that?”
“At this point, I’m not sure he expects to gain anything.” Harper leaned back in her chair. “The Horsemen wanted domination of the US, but none of their games to make it happen worked. Each attempt failed. With each failure, one of the group lost their life. On the clip, he just said the Primes needed to fall—not that he intended to take over. Maybe all he has on his mind is revenge. After all, demons always get even.”
There was a short silence. People then nodded, murmuring that it was possible.
Harper continued, “On the other hand—because it’s important to consider both sides of the coin—maybe he wants chaos so that he can then step in and take over. I mean, if he succeeded in killing the demon who’s rumored to be the most powerful in existence, who wouldn’t fear him enough to heed whatever he said?”
Raul pointed at her. “I’m leaning toward your latter theory.”
“So am I,” Knox said to her. “Ending my life would be a massive show of strength on the Horseman’s part. However, we’ve already established that he doesn’t believe he can kill me himself or that he’s even powerful enough to free an incorporeal demon alone. As such, he doesn’t deserve to be as feared as he hopes to be.”