Spencer’s brows flew up. “Well damn. You realize hellhounds are super territorial of whoever they mark, right?”
“Yep.”
He puffed out a breath. “Good luck dealing with him. I’m pretty sure you’re going to need it.”
Yeah, so was she.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Resting his clasped hands on the office desk, Knox addressed all four sentinels as he said, “I’m hoping that at least one of you can tell me that your investigations into Sloan’s sentinels revealed something interesting about them or their abilities.”
“I spoke with my sources, some ex-members of Sloan’s lair, and even one of Sloan’s old girlfriends,” said Tanner, sprawled on the sofa. They hadn’t been alarmed by his questions; it wasn’t exactly uncommon for demons to try unearthing information on one another—it was that whole “knowledge is power” thing. “None could confirm if any of the sentinels had the ability to alter their scent or cause a heart attack.”
Beside him, Larkin blew out a breath. “Sadly, I got nothing.”
Keenan dug his flask out of his inner coat pocket. “Same here.”
Standing with his hip propped against the wall, Levi shook his head in the negative. “From what I did learn about their personalities, I’d say you could label the four sentinels Cocky, Surly, Dicey, and Robotic. The latter is Sloan’s most trusted sentinel, Colm. He’s also the one who’s typically sent to execute those who wrong the Prime. Very little is known about Colm, his roots, or his abilities.”
“Then it might be worth taking a much closer look at Colm just in case there’s something more interesting to find,” Knox mused. “Perhaps the demons that Sloan planted in our lair will have something noteworthy to tell me.”
“Do you still intend to spend some ‘quality time’ with them?” Levi asked the Prime.
“Yes, I do. Later tonight, in fact. And I plan to question them while I do.” Knox’s gaze danced from Larkin to Keenan. “After we’re done here, I want you to find and bring them both to my Chamber. There are plenty of delightfully torturous devices there that will get them talking.”
“Consider it done,” said the incubus. Larkin simply nodded.
Knox leaned back in his chair and turned his attention to Tanner. “Tell me what happened at the Damned last night.”
“I don’t have much to add to what I already told you,” said Tanner. He’d telepathed Knox and each of the sentinels the previous evening after his meeting with Maddox.
“I want all the finer details,” Knox told him.
“All right.” Once Tanner had finished recounting the events, he added, “I can’t say for sure whether Maddox was telling the truth that he didn’t broker the deal—he’s too good a liar—but I still think it’s wise to question Sheridan and Lockwood. Jolene and Ciaran are going to meet me at Urban Ink near closing time. The three of us and Devon will then go speak with Sheridan as he finishes work.”
“It’s possible that Maddox just gave you those names to divert the attention from him,” said Levi. “He’s usually not so cooperative. It makes me suspicious that he didn’t dance around your questions.”
“I wouldn’t call exchanging info for hellcat venom ‘cooperative.’” Larkin fiddled with the end her long braid. “But, yeah, I agree that he’s not normally so forthcoming.”
Keenan shrugged. “Maybe he just didn’t like the thought of having Knox and Jolene on his ass, so he didn’t bother with his usual games. Whatever the case, I agree it’s wise to speak with Sheridan and Lockwood.” His gaze cut to Tanner. “If it turns out that Maddox has you chasing shadows, it’ll become clear soon enough.”
“There’s something else,” Tanner said to Knox. “It turns out that Maddox is Raini’s anchor.”
Levi let out a low whistle. “Did they form the bond?”
“No,” replied Tanner. “She marched out of the club, and he didn’t try to stop her.”
“Do you think he’ll want to bond with her?” Levi asked no one in particular. “I mean, he rarely concerns himself with demons outside his own breed. She’s not a descendant.”
“I might have said no if I hadn’t felt the pull of the anchor bond myself,” said Knox. “It’s very strong, and his demon will no doubt be pushing him to seek her out—that’s not easy to ignore.”
Tanner rubbed at his nape. “I’m not certain he’d have much success convincing Raini to form the bond. She wasn’t whatsoever happy to learn that he was her anchor.”
“Well, if Raini and Khloë had just stayed at home like they should have, Raini might never have known about it,” clipped