Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 119942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
“We know that. But I have a feeling that most of the public don’t. And that’s not good.”
Harper sighed. “No, it’s not.” The polling would take place in two days’ time in the same Underground hotel that the speeches were held. “The whisper campaigns have done some damage, though not the damage the Primes had intended.” Instead of making the public choose one Prime over the others, it had made them too confused to trust any of the candidates. As such, a lot of demons weren’t so keen on making any changes.
“I gotta tell ya, Harper, I’m no longer so sure that it’s dark practitioners behind the attacks on you. At first, I thought you were right. But now that I know what Isla’s capable of, how good she is at hiding her true self from anyone, I’m thinking maybe Knox is right and Isla’s the culprit.”
“She’d certainly get off on it. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s her.”
“Speaking of another possible culprit…Has Knox or his sentinels figured out who the Kendra impersonator really is?”
Harper shook her head. “They can’t find her either. Not even with a bounty on her head.”
“She’s probably stole another person’s identity, hiding in plain sight.”
“That’s what I’m thinking.”
Khloë braced her elbows on the desk and began playing with Harper’s stapler. “Enough of all the depressing shit. What are you doing for your birthday tomorrow?”
Harper happily went along with changing the subject. “Knox is being very mysterious about it. All I know is that he’s taking me somewhere.” Demons didn’t do the whole card and gift thing like humans, but they did celebrate their birthdays. Some liked to indulge in a good ole adrenalin rush, others might prefer a night in the Underground, and – in the case of imps – some might be more attracted to the idea of breaking into a bank vault for fun.
“What about Lucian?”
“He called me yesterday. It’ll be a few days before he can make it here. He said he can’t find anyone to take care of his emu while he’s gone.”
Khloë gaped. “An emu? That guy is just warped.”
Harper chuckled. “I’m actually glad he won’t be here for another few days. I’m not at all eager for him to meet Knox.”
Putting down the stapler, Khloë smiled. “Knox is gonna verbally kick his ass. You know that, right?”
“I know.” Harper sighed. “I’ve tried to explain that Lucian’s not as bad as he thinks, but I’m not getting through to Knox.”
“He’s your mate, he’s protective of you. That’s a good thing. So…has he told you what he is yet?” Her tone warned that there would be repercussions if he hadn’t.
“Don’t interfere. He’ll tell me when he’s ready.”
“But—”
“Khloë.”
“Fine, fine, whatever. I suppose we can’t really be upset with him for holding back from you, since you’re keeping a whopper of a secret from him.”
“I am?” This was the first Harper had heard of it.
“Yes…unless you’ve finally told him that you love him.”
Harper spluttered. “I didn’t say that I love him.”
“Be honest, you do.” When Harper didn’t speak, Khloë groaned, her expression a plea. “Come on, you can tell me, Harper. I know I’m an irritating bitch, and I know I’m full of advice that you don’t want to hear, but we’ve always shared shit.”
She made her confession quickly. “Yes, I love him. No, I haven’t told him.”
“You don’t want him to know you love him until you’re sure he loves you right back,” Khloë guessed.
“I’m honestly not sure if ‘love’ is on Knox’s emotional scale.” It wasn’t something she begrudged him for. He was the way he was, and she had to accept that.
“At least you’re not denying that you love him.”
“Now that you have your answers, can we move on to another – and much more casual – subject?”
Khloë gave her an apologetic smile. “I just want you to be happy.”
“I am, doofus.”
Harper? Knox’s velvety voice slid over her skin.
Yeah?
I need you to go with Tanner. He’ll bring you to me. A vibe of frustration accompanied the words.
What’s wrong?
Carla’s secret…it’s out.
Well, shit.
A short while later, she and Tanner were entering Knox’s Underground office above the combat circle. He stood near the window while Keenan and Levi lounged on the sofa.
“What’s happened exactly? Who blabbed?” She wondered if it was Kellen, but—
“We actually don’t know.” Knox came to her, every muscle in his body tense, as if he was coiled to spring. As usual, he looked totally calm, despite the anger pulsing in the air. “Like with the whisper campaigns, the news seemed to come out of nowhere. It has spread around the Underground like wildfire.”
Harper cursed. She’d known it was highly likely that the truth would one day come out. She just hadn’t expected it to be so soon. As Tanner had led her to the office, people had stared and whispered. The fact that everyone knew…she hated that.