Devon tilted her head. “Has he ever done any of that to you?”
“He tried. It didn’t work out so well for him. He was also stupid enough to try it with Knox.”
“Really?” asked Harper, brows lifting. “What did Knox do?”
“Fried one of Maddox’s sentinels alive right there on the spot—it took mere seconds. Maddox was pissed, but he respects power. Respects guts.” Tanner pinned Devon’s gaze with his own. “I don’t think I need to tell you to be on high alert today. Whoever hired the incantor could make another try for you, thinking to take you off-guard.”
“I noticed you stationed Enzo and Lex outside,” Harper said to him. She gave a nod of approval. “Good thinking.”
Devon felt her mouth tighten. “That’s not—”
“You’re not weak, we know that,” Tanner quickly cut in. “But Asa’s friend now knows that too, since you managed to escape the cabin. Where’s the harm in you having backup just in case you need it?”
Khloë skidded into the room. “Okay, the suspense is killing me. What did Finn say?”
“Devon will tell you all about it when I’m gone,” said Tanner. “Before I go, how’s your palm, kitten?”
Devon stiffened. Oh, he just had to bring that up, didn’t he? “It’s fine.”
Harper looked at her, frowning. “Did the incantor hurt your hand? Which one?”
“I’m not hurt, I’m fine.”
Nose wrinkling, Khloë walked further into the room. “Then why is he asking about your palm?”
“The same reason he chases his tail and licks his own asshole—he’s dumb,” said Devon.
Tanner chuckled. “You can’t keep it a secret, kitten. People are going to notice it.”
“Notice what?” Harper seized Devon’s hand and studied her palm. She blinked. “He marked you? Seriously? How in the hell did that happen?”
“It wasn’t supposed to happen,” clipped Devon. “He said it would work, but I didn’t believe him.”
“I wouldn’t have believed him either,” said Khloë. “It’s pretty. Is it sensitive or anything?”
“No,” said Devon. “It’s like a tattoo. Only it glistens. And smells like wet dog.”
Tanner’s mouth kicked up into a smile as his mind touched hers. His voice flowed into her head. You like my scent.
Not in the slightest, pooch. Ha, such a lie! He had a rather scrumptious scent. It was dark, rich, and smoky with notes of cinnamon spice.
Khloë looked at him, her face all scrunched up. “Your demon is actually protective of Devon? Really?”
“She wouldn’t be wearing my mark if it wasn’t,” he said.
“Huh.” Harper scratched her chin. “And your feline hasn’t tried clawing it off?”
Devon shook her head. “It appears to think he’d make a good ally. For now, anyway.”
Harper pursed her lips. “Well, it’s right.”
Tanner glanced at his watch. “I have to go. Enzo and Lex will be outside; they’ll keep watch over you,” he told Devon. “Don’t give them any shit or try sending them off to take a break. No, don’t pretend you wouldn’t have messed with them. And don’t let Khloë mess with them either.”
The imp blinked. “What makes you think I would?”
Tanner just snorted and then tugged on one of Devon’s curls. “Be good.” He said his goodbyes and then headed out.
Khloë exhaled a mockingly dreamy sigh. “You guys would make such a cute couple.”
Devon glowered at her. “Don’t make me hurt you.”
Khloë shrugged innocently. “Hey, I did some digging on Maddox Quentin. None of the things I heard were good.”
“By the sounds of it, he isn’t good.” Devon relayed to her what Tanner told her about the descendant’s abilities.
“My hackles are rising just thinking of you in the same room as the guy,” said Khloë. “You have tough mental shields, but they’re not impenetrable. Do you think he’ll try getting in your head?”
“Not while Tanner and Jolene are right there—they’d fuck his shit up. Jolene could bring the whole building tumbling down around him—and she wouldn’t hesitate to do it, since she could shield me, her, and Tanner at the same time.”
“He doesn’t sound like a guy who’d let a little thing like danger stop him from doing anything he wanted to do,” said Harper.
Yeah, that was what worried Devon.
CHAPTER FIVE
Knox’s main office within the Underground was quite close to Urban Ink, so it was mere minutes before Tanner arrived. The space was sleek and modern with a large window that overlooked the combat circle. There was ample seating with the desk chair, sofa, and cozy chairs—all of which were upholstered in rich Italian leather.
Tanner tipped his chin at Larkin. Sitting near the window with her cell phone wedged between her ear and shoulder, the harpy raised her brows at him in greeting as she chatted to whoever was on the other end of the line.
Looking up from where he was seated behind the executive desk, Knox gave Tanner a short nod. Papers, memos, and stationery cluttered the surface. There was also a top-of-the-range computer, printer, and copier machine.