BURN (9 page)

“Odd that you would criticize people for wanting power when you yourself are asking for power over us all,” observed one of the Primes.

Her face hardened. “There’s nothing wrong with wanting power. But if the search for it makes our kind suffer, it’s not a good thing.”

“The U.S. has had a Monarch before,” called out a Prime at the far end of the table. “It didn’t work. It resulted in lairs constantly attempting to overthrow others.”

“Yes,” confirmed Isla, “but there wasn’t a pyramid hierarchy then.”

Raul crossed his arms over his chest, looking bored and tired. “Explain this pyramid hierarchy.”

“There would be levels of power and influence,” she said. “A layout of authority exists within each lair; there’s the leader, the sentinels, the Force that defends the lair, and the other demons that are part of it. Layouts work.”

One of the Primes scoffed. “You want some of us to be sentinels for you?”

“Not at all. I am simply making the point that each level within a lair’s hierarchy has a certain amount of authority – the same would apply to the pyramid hierarchy I am proposing. Depending on where a Prime sits within the structure depends on how much power they have.”

Another Prime spoke up. “And what about Primes that sit on lower levels?”

“Obviously they wouldn’t be influential over the others,” replied Isla, “but it means they would have the protection of the others. At the moment, small lairs are very vulnerable to larger ones. Plenty of small lairs have in fact been overtaken by others. I’ll bet even some of you here are guilty of that.”

Harper watched as some of them averted their gaze or shuffled in their seats.

“We have no laws,” continued Isla. “Nothing in place to protect the demons of our country. Having a Monarch would prevent that.”

“That’s a very pretty answer,” said Jolene, lounging casually in her chair, “but realistically all lairs existing on the lowest level would be crushed under the power of the others if such a hierarchy was implemented.” Murmurs of agreement spread throughout the room.

Isla arched a brow. “Are you not crushed now?”

“No, because there’s no law or Monarch that says I can’t retaliate against any lair that tries to give me trouble. If we accept your changes, it would mean lairs with a high level of power and authority over me could come along, demand I hand over my lair to them, and there’d be nothing I could do about it. Of course, I’d tell them to shove that order up their ass. I don’t think they’d like that. So we’d war. It’s possible I could lose. Then what?”

“You could come to me, I would ensure the crime was punished.”

“But it’s not a crime if their authority exceeds mine. And by then, I’d probably be dead, so I’d be unable to go to you for help. That would make me very unhappy.”

Harper’s mouth twitched into a smile.

“Okay, here’s what I don’t understand,” began another Prime. “Why would you care about the fate of small lairs, Isla? They don’t affect you in any way.”

Isla looked affronted. “The suffering of any demon should be the business of all of us.” She suddenly appeared saddened. “There’s also been an issue with the strays in Nevada – many of them have gone missing.” She looked at Knox, daring him to deny it.

Knox narrowed his eyes. “Now just how would you know about that?”

“I know everything that occurs in my country. Never doubt that.” She swept her gaze around the room as she continued. “If strays living in the state of who is potentially the most powerful demon alive are not safe, who is?”

That comment had a lot of people casting nervous glances at each other.

Raul sighed heavily. “All right, let’s put this to a vote. All those who aren’t in favor of a change, raise your hands.”

Almost every demon raised their hands, and Harper noticed that Isla seemed startled to see that Knox was one of them. It was as if Isla had assumed he’d automatically support her, no matter what she did…much like an anchor would.

Raul turned to one of the Primes who hadn’t voted against Isla’s proposal. “Dario, you’re the last person I’d have thought would be happy to answer to someone else.”

Dario shrugged. “I think the idea of a Monarch has merit. I would be interested in such a change. But…I would wish to be the Monarch.” That had Isla scowling at him while whispers circulated the table.

Malden, who also hadn’t voted against Isla, spoke then. “I, too, support a change. But I will not answer to another – not to a ruler, and not to a demon on a ‘level’ higher than mine in any kind of hierarchy. For that reason, I am proposing that I be Monarch.”

Raul looked at Knox curiously. “You’re not interested in electing yourself as Monarch?” It probably did seem odd that someone as powerful as Knox wouldn’t take this chance to get more power.

“I will never bow to another,” said Knox. “But I do not have any desire to rule over every demon within the U.S. I’ll never support any changes. The fact is that power structures do not work for our kind. When such a structure
was
in place, too many demons were vulnerable. The strongest were plucked from their lairs and forced to join the more powerful ones, making the large lairs stronger while making the small lairs weaker. Only the demons that were considered ‘upper class’ had any real say in their own lives, and the small lairs became nothing but packs of servants. It’s been proven time and time again that that kind of power corrupts – there would be chaos, not peace among us.” Many nodded their agreement.

Raul shrugged at Isla. “Only two other Primes are in favor of your proposal, which means you’ve been overruled, Isla.”

“No, I haven’t,” she insisted, appearing oddly pleased with herself. “The U.S. as a whole hasn’t been given a chance to vote.”

Raul pinched the bridge of his nose. “What are you saying?”

“I don’t think this matter should be decided by Primes. Demons who hold no power shouldn’t be overlooked. The decision should be as much theirs as it is ours. Here we are, speaking for our lairs and families. But is it fair?” She looked around the room as she continued. “There you sit with your family or anchors, but they’re given no say. Does it occur to you that they may feel differently? I suppose Knox’s demons will feel whatever he feels, since no one will go against him,” she chuckled. “But dismissing me now will not silence me. I feel too strongly about this.”

“As do I,” said Dario. Malden nodded. Apparently the idea of having ultimate power over the other Primes was attractive enough to make them fight the decision.

Raul looked like he wanted to bang his head on the table. “There are twenty-two Primes in this room. We have all humored you by having the vote. We don’t
want
another one, we—”

“When the rest of our kind learn that their right to vote on something so serious was dismissed, they will not like it,” said Isla. “Naturally most Primes don’t want to lose any of the power they hold. But the rest of our kind have little to no power, and they are the ones that will be affected most by the changes. Is it not fair that they have their say? How do you think your families, friends, sentinels, and Force members will feel when they learn you didn’t give them a chance?”

Knox raised a brow. “Are you threatening us?” Because it sure sounded like Isla intended to spread the word of what had happened to incite other demons.

“Of course not. I’m merely pointing out that many demons already heard of the changes I requested, and many know this meeting is being held. If they learn that their votes were discounted when three Primes here spoke up on their behalf, they won’t like it.”

Irritatingly, Isla was right. Demons, especially sentinels and Force members, would be angry that they weren’t considered important enough to have a say – despite that they served their Prime.

“The problem is I don’t see how we can involve other demons in this decision,” Dario said to Isla. “There’s no way we can hold an event for every American demon to attend.”

“No, but we can hold an event for any Prime who wishes to come forward with suggestions for changes. It can be recorded live. Demons unable to attend can still learn the facts. Afterwards, we can put it to a vote.”

Malden frowned. “That wouldn’t be something that could be done in one day.”

“Then we hold a weekend event during which each Prime wishing to be elected as ruler can suggest their proposed changes and present their promises for the future,” said Isla.

Malden nodded. “The voting could be held a short-time later and—”

“Wait, you’re automatically assuming demons will
want
a Monarch,” interrupted Knox. “That may not be the case. It certainly isn’t the case for me.”

“Knox is right,” said Raul.

Dario proposed, “Then we’ll make it so that when each demon is required to vote, they are asked to state ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to a change, and if they
do
vote ‘yes’ they then have to state their chosen Monarch.”

Isla smiled. “Sounds fair to me. And if the rest of you truly feel a hierarchical structure will not appeal to the rest of our kind, what harm is it to hold a voting?”

Seeing that there was a very high chance this voting would take place, Knox offered, “I’ll hold the weekend event at one of my hotels in the Underground two weeks from now.”

Harper almost rolled her eyes. It was typical of Knox to attempt to take control of the situation.

“This doesn’t mean I support a change,” Knox added. “I’ve made it quite clear that I don’t, and I will not change my mind on that.”

Isla actually smiled. “Don’t be so cynical, Knox.”

Rising from his seat, Raul shook his head at Isla. “You won’t get what you want.” Then he crossed the room to one of the Primes, dismissing her.

“I had a feeling this would happen.” Jolene stood just as Harper did. “The bitch will have known in advance that the people here won’t want to lose any of their power; she always intended to suggest we include all U.S. demons in the voting.”

“I doubt anyone in our lair will be in favor of it.”

Jolene snickered. “Of course they won’t. My demons are smart.
She
doesn’t seem to be, though.” She gestured over Harper’s shoulder, and Harper twirled to see Isla walking toward Knox with her guards close behind her.
Great
.

“I was expecting you to support my proposal, Knox,” Isla admonished gently.

He shrugged, though he didn’t look casual. “I won’t vote for something I don’t believe in.”

“You would go against me on this?”

“I would.”

“Sweetheart, I have to leave,” Jolene said louder than necessary, kissing Harper’s cheek. “We’ll talk again soon. Knox, you take good care of her.”

Isla, having overheard the little exchange, peered at Harper. “And who is this, Knox?”

As he slightly tugged on her wrist, Harper stepped forward. Figuring it was best to get it over with, she said, “Hi, I’m Harper, Knox’s anchor.”

For a few seconds, Isla didn’t respond at all. Then her face hardened, her body tensed as if to spring, and her eyes bled to black. The demon glared at Harper with a promise of pain. Knox, Tanner, and Levi gathered closer to Harper protectively even as Harper’s dark protective power rushed to her hands, ready to deliver some soul-deep pain. Still, her inner demon literally charged to the surface and took control.

Alarm shot through Knox when a chill surrounded him and Harper’s demon rose to the fore. As it looked out at the predator that lived within his anchor, he saw a fierce temper – saw an entity that would protect Harper against absolutely anyone or anything.

“Don’t,” it warned Isla’s demon. “You won’t find me the easy prey you assume me to be.”

“You are nothing,” scoffed the other demon.

Harper’s demon smiled cruelly. “You are not what you pretend to be. I see it. I see what you are.”

His anchor had a real talent for surprising him. Knox had never known anybody to sense that there was more to Isla than what their kind believed. “Isla, seize control before this goes any further.”

She blinked a few times, and then Isla was once again in control. Her glare shot to Knox. “You refuse to see who I am to you. I have been patient. My patience is fast running out.”

“I’m not your anchor, Isla. I never was.”

“You can’t change the truth, Knox, whether you choose to accept it or not.” She cast Harper a scathing glance before striding out of the room.

Knox slipped his hand around Harper’s nape, hoping to soothe her demon. “She’s gone.”

Black eyes honed in on him. “If the bitch attacks me, I will kill her.” It was a warning: the demon knew he had a long history with Isla and it was letting him know that it didn’t give a flying fuck. Then Harper was back, her eyes a swirling ocean-blue that told him her contact lenses had dissolved when her demon surfaced.

“My demon
really
doesn’t like her,” stated Harper.

“That’s a bit of an understatement,” chuckled Martina. As she kissed Harper and started babbling about her new boyfriend, Knox turned to Tanner and—

If you ever hurt my granddaughter, I will hunt you down. I don’t care who you are or what you can do.