“Who is claiming this?” Knox asked, forcing himself to unlock his jaw.
“You need not worry,” Dario assured him. “The rumor is not being taken seriously, since the psi-demon butchered a member of your lair and attacked your mate. It is clear his mental state is not what it should be.”
That didn’t placate Knox much. “Who began the rumor?”
“Come visit my home today. Bring your mate with you, since she is your co-Prime. We should all talk.”
“You expect us to visit you when we’ve heard you’re building an army?” Knox asked in surprise.
“I expect nothing. I am simply inviting you. Whether or not you take me up on that invitation is entirely up to you.” The line went dead.
Looking at the phone, Harper spoke. “He sounded… like himself. I don’t think he’s near-rogue. Do you?”
Knox shook his head. “He was too calm.” There were no short, choppy sentences. No notes of agitation in his tone. “I can’t say for certain whether or not he’s building an army, but my gut tells me he isn’t close to rogue. And if that rumor isn’t true, maybe the other isn’t either.”
“Maybe. After all, the one about you isn’t true.” Harper slid off the desk. “I’m coming with you.”
Knox’s jaw tightened. He didn’t want her around Dario when he couldn’t be sure that the demon wasn’t a threat to her. “Harper…”
“This is Prime business.” She lifted her chin. “I’m your co-Prime.”
“A position you don’t like, as I recall. You can’t play that card when it suits you.”
She gave him a bright smile. “Sure I can.”
“You have a shopping trip to attend, remember?”
“This is way more important than shopping. Look, I know you’re wary about me being in Dario’s company. I’m just as worried about you being around him. But we’ve agreed it’s unlikely that he’s near-rogue, and I don’t think you believe he’s building an army any more than I do.”
She was right about that. “You’re asking me to risk you.”
“And you’re asking me to stay at home while you risk yourself.” She shook her head. Not going to happen. “If it’s too dangerous for me, it’s too dangerous for you.”
Knox shoved a hand through his hair. On the one hand, he liked that she was so protective of him. On the other hand, it could be pretty inconvenient at times. “Stay by my side while we’re there. Just because my gut says Dario isn’t near-rogue doesn’t mean I trust it’s safe for you there.”
Harper saluted him. “When do we leave?”
“No time like the present.”
A few hours later, they parked the jet at a landing spot near Dario’s home, which turned out to be a cute little castle that sat smack bam in the middle of a privately owned island. Though the building wasn’t huge, it was regal and stately. Harper kind of liked it. It had real character.
With Levi and Tanner close behind them, she and Knox walked across a wooden bridge to where a bearded demon stood, wearing a long, leather jacket. He had “bad-ass” written all over him.
“Reece,” greeted Knox.
Harper didn’t recognize him, but she nodded all the same.
He inclined his head in greeting. “Follow me.” Apparently he wasn’t the conversational type.
He didn’t lead them inside the castle itself. Instead, he led them through the courtyard to a glass building at the side of the castle that Harper quickly realized was a greenhouse.
Reece stopped near the door and gestured for them to enter. “Regardless of what you may have heard, Dario is not near-rogue.”
Yeah, Harper would believe that for certain once she’d seen Dario for herself. Knox entered the glass structure first, keeping her hand in his. It was hot and moist and smelled strongly of damp soil, sun-warmed earth, fresh flowers, and sweet herbs. Among the sounds of insects buzzing and a hose spraying mist was the precise snipping of scissors.
They followed the snipping; passing potted plants, hanging baskets, bags of compost, and trowels. She tucked her arms tight into her body, but leaves still brushed her skin as they walked deeper into the greenhouse. Soon enough, they found Dario. He was pruning dead leaves from a plant. The sun streaming through the glass roof illuminated his expression. It was one of total serenity.
“I wasn’t sure if you would come,” said Dario, eyes on the plant. “After all, the rumors about me have been quite serious.”
Knox stopped a few feet away from him, keeping Harper slightly behind him. “I’m willing to hear you out.”
“But if I make a wrong move, you will kill me,” said Dario, a smile in his voice. He turned to face them, his close-set blue eyes pink-rimmed. He looked tired and drawn. She’d never before seen his lean figure in anything but a suit. Today, he was wearing old jeans and a V-neck T-shirt. “How are you finding being a Prime, Harper?”
“It has its challenges,” she said vaguely.
Dario nodded his agreement. “Indeed it does. Many times I’ve wondered if the power is worth those challenges. Are you satisfied that I’m far from rogue, Knox?”
“Yes,” replied Knox. There was no way Dario could manage to look so very calm otherwise. Act calm, sure. But he looked it. There were no twitchy movements, no turmoil in his gaze, and no dark vibes coming from him. “But it doesn’t look good to others that you’ve become a recluse. It gives weight to the rumors.”