Embers (Dark in You 4)

Asher looked at him with a delighted smile and clapped. “Da!”

Knox brushed his mind over Asher’s—it was a greeting and a reassurance. He didn’t dare go to him, though. Black shucks could kill with a single bite. Not that Asher seemed at all worried by its close proximity. On the contrary, he seemed pretty content. As for Harper … she didn’t appear so happy to see Knox. In fact, she was glaring at him hard.

This is your big plan? she clipped. Walk right into the line of fucking fire? Seriously, are you out of your everloving mind?

“Charles,” clipped Jonas.

A mere moment later, a band of dark magick surrounded Knox. Then, suddenly, he was inside a glass cube. No, not a cube. It was a large display box, much like the one that the incorporeal had spent God-knew-how-long trapped inside. Knox didn’t react other than to casually stuff his hands in his pockets.

His demon did nothing more than bare its teeth. Its anger was no longer hot and out of control. It was now vibrating with a cold fury that allowed the entity to think. It knew Knox’s plan and had confidence in it. Moreover, it had confidence in Asher’s demon; believed it would protect him.

Knox didn’t say a word as the siblings exchanged smug smirks, practically bouncing in delight. He’d purposely approached them from behind so that they’d have to turn their backs on Harper and Asher to look at him. Knox wanted their attention divided. Wanted to make it hard for them to keep tabs on him, Harper, and Asher at the same time.

Eyes bright, Alethea laughed and pointed a finger at Harper. “And you thought he couldn’t be caged.” She laughed again, turning to face Knox. “See, no one is omnipotent.”

Knox simply looked at her, bored. Her smugness faded. She seemed … disappointed. As if she’d expected panic and anger.

Alethea jutted out her chin, defensive. “It was easy enough to capture you once we discovered what you are.”

They know what I am? Knox asked Harper.

They seem to think they do.

Jonas tilted his head. “I must admit, I was surprised when Drew told me that you’re a phoenix. They are so few of them left. No more than a handful. But it makes sense. They’re strong, powerful, and dangerous. They’re also practically impossible to destroy, since they are reborn from their ashes over and over. But there are ways to kill them for good. And we know just how to make sure you’re not reborn this time.”

It didn’t surprise Knox whatsoever that they were still clueless as to what breed of demon he was. Still, he said nothing.

How tough is that damn box? Harper asked Knox.

It can’t keep me contained. It’s designed to keep a phoenix contained. I’m not a phoenix. He could pyroport out of it, no problem. Let them relax in the illusion that they’re safe, baby. The shuck and the hellcat will relax too and hang back a little, giving Asher space. Then I can pyroport to him and take him to Davis and Noelle. Levi and Tanner will deal with the hellcat and the shuck, and you and I can then take out these other motherfuckers.

I absolutely adore my part in your plan, but don’t wait too long to act. Alethea and Jonas plan to get a video of Asher being torn apart by the two beasts while we’re caged and forced to watch.

Bastards. His demon roared its fury, but it kept a grip on its control. Is there a reason the shuck keeps whining and acting odd?

If there is, I haven’t the faintest clue what it could be. Where’s Levi and Tanner?

They’re close. And they’d follow what orders Knox had given them.

A smirk spread across Alethea’s face as she tapped her nail on the glass box. “I’ll bet you’re surprised to learn that Jonas and I are Horsemen. I’ll bet you didn’t think I was smart enough to carry out such a plan. Wrong. Jonas and I have worked together every step of the way.” She slung a put-out look at Jonas, adding, “Except for the part where you tried getting an alliance with Lucifer and the use of an archdemon, of course. You’d failed to tell me about that.”

“Which I apologized for,” Jonas said through gritted teeth. “Let it go.”

She sniffed. “Fine. Let’s get on with this. I’ve been looking forward to the moment when Knox would be forced to watch his mate and child die.”

Harper glared at them. “You could really stand there while two beasts tore an innocent child to pieces?”

Pursing his lips, Jonas was quiet for a moment. Then he smiled and glanced at Harper over his shoulder. “Yes, I believe I can.”

“I guess it’s not like you haven’t killed a kid before,” Harper clipped, referring to whatever demonic child was sacrificed to free the incorporeal.

“No, it’s not,” Jonas freely admitted. “I first killed a child when I was seven. Cordell ordered it done. As I said, he was insane. Being without an anchor was too much for him.”

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nbsp; Harper’s face fell. “He forced you to kill other children?” She sounded unable to wrap her head around it.

“I can’t count the number of times I whipped or caned another child for ‘rebuking’ his advances or some imaginary slight.” Fury blazed in Jonas’s eyes. “That sick fuck liked children, you see. He would take in stray demons and their children; then he would kill the adults and keep the children for himself.”