He sighed. “Yes, Hector got word to me telepathically that she made a play downstairs.”
“She wants me to think you guys have a thing.”
“What she wants is to be my co-Prime. Why does that make you snort?”
“You’re too controlling to share the power you have. I’m kind of surprised that hasn’t occurred to her.”
“I’m sure it has occurred to her. But Marcella’s sense of ambition knows no boundaries. She doesn’t like to back down or give up. And now I’m done talking about her—she isn’t important. What is important is that you and I get one thing clear.”
She groaned and picked up her glass. “I hate it when you say that. It always means you’re going to tell me there’ll be a new thing you want me to do or allow you to do that comes under the whole ‘me not obstructing your attempts to ensure my safety’ condition.” And she went along with it without complaint for two reasons. One, she wouldn’t go back on a deal. Two, it was sort of fun to let him think he truly held all the control here. “What is it this time?”
“From now on, you won’t drive to and from the club. Either I or one of my sentinels will teleport you here and then later return you home.”
Raini narrowed her eyes. “Why?”
“It’s simpler and safer.”
“Simpler and safer,” she echoed. “You’re not thinking the dagger was deliberately hurled at me, are you? Because if so, that’s just plain paranoia at work. It hit me by accident.”
“I like to err on the side of caution.”
She sighed. “Fine, then go err.”
“You’re not going to object?”
“Object to not having to haul my ass all the way here and back home again? No. Teleportation is a much quicker and more convenient way to travel.” She sipped at her wine. “Did you find out anything about the dagger?”
“It’s too common a model to trace to a particular store or buyer. There was no magickal fingerprint on it, which you don’t look surprised by, so I’ll assume Jolene’s investigation revealed the same. If another attack is made on Knox, we may learn more. If there is a next time, you won’t get caught in the crossfire,” he said, his voice dark and cold.
“That’s the plan.” She felt a thoughtful frown furrow her brow. “It’s kind of weird that the guy struck when and where he did. He could have waited until Knox was alone. Well, he’s rarely alone in public. Still, Mr. Astral could have at least attacked when Knox only had a sentinel or two with him.”
Maddox knocked back the last of his drink. “Striking while Knox had a large entourage was a strategic move. As there was a high number of demons there, they arrogantly assumed they could take their attacker, so no one teleported to safety. There were several people, lots of confusion, plenty of chaos … and the fact that you were badly hurt got lost in the midst of all that. The attacker kept everyone distracted by astral projecting from one spot to another, giving the dagger time to do its job so he could retrieve the blade once it was done— although Knox was the target, the attack wouldn’t have been a complete failure so long as the dagger came back full of gifts that could be sold.”
Huh. She hadn’t thought of it like that.
Maddox drained his glass and then pushed to his feet. She watched his very fine ass as he headed to a high, circular table on which a few bottles were set.
“Pulling your power back … that was impressive, Raini.” He topped up his glass with more whiskey. “You effectively fought magick and broke a spell. That’s no easy thing to do.”
“Which was why I passed out.” Her demon was still rather aggrieved by that, viewing it as a weakness.
Turning back to her, he pinned her gaze with his as he took a swig from his tumbler. “I sensed the minute I first met you that you were powerful. Still, what you did last night surprised me—and not much does that. It makes me wonder, though, why Jolene never made you a sentinel. She doesn’t even have you on her Force.”
Ugh, well of course his sharp mind would go there. “I don’t want to be part of her ranks. She respects that.” Close to squirming at being the focus of those steely eyes, Raini casually stood and moved to the wall of glass that overlooked the dance floor.
“No Prime would let an asset go to waste,” he went on. “Jolene Wallis is a master manipulator. She knows how to get what she wants. If she truly wanted you in her ranks, that’s exactly where you’d be.”
He had the right of it there.
“But she’s content to let you do your own thing, which makes others assume that you’re not strong enough to be of any great use to her. I have to ask myself if she wants people to assume that.”