Keys, Imps, and Intruders

Harper Wallis, a tattoo artist raised by imps but biologically a sphinx, is introduced in her demon-run Las Vegas studio. Her quirky, criminally-inclined family and friends set the tone for a world where security is never taken for granted. Harper's life is a blend of mundane (lost keys) and supernatural (her mate, Knox Thorne, is a powerful demon Prime). The chapter quickly escalates from everyday annoyances to a brutal attack: Harper is ambushed by hunters who attempt to saw off her newly manifested sphinx wings, a rare and coveted prize in the demon world. The attack is both physical and psychic, involving dream manipulation and a desperate fight for survival. Knox arrives in time to exact a savage, hellfire-fueled vengeance, but the trauma leaves Harper—and her relationship with her demon and mate—forever changed.

Wings, Hunters, and Hellfire

Harper's recovery is both physical and emotional. Knox's guilt over not protecting her is palpable, and their psychic bond is tested by the attack's aftermath. The demon world's politics come into play: sphinx wings are highly prized, and the attack may be more than a random act of greed. The couple's relationship is defined by mutual protectiveness, possessiveness, and the unique dynamic of demon mating—where anchors stabilize each other's inner darkness. The threat of the mysterious Horsemen, a group seeking to overthrow the demon hierarchy, looms in the background, and the couple's enemies are both personal and political.

Aftermath: Healing and Vengeance

Harper's circle—family, friends, and sentinels—rallies around her, but the attack's psychological scars linger. Knox interrogates the surviving hunter, uncovering that the attack was orchestrated via anonymous, untraceable means. The couple's world is one of constant vigilance, where even loved ones can be suspects. The demon lair's politics, the risk of exposure, and the need for secrecy about Harper's wings and powers become central. The couple's bond deepens, but so does the sense of looming threat.

Changelings and Family Ties

A subplot emerges: a demon child, McCauley, is discovered after surviving a changeling swap gone wrong. His biological mother, Talia, is a troubled stripper who abandoned him, and his human "mother" tried to kill him. The Sanders, a demon couple, take him in, but McCauley's cold, emotionless demeanor and latent power unsettle everyone. The theme of family—chosen, biological, and found—runs deep, as Harper's own complicated relationships with her parents and siblings are mirrored in McCauley's story. The lair's sense of community is both a strength and a vulnerability.

Secrets, Suspects, and Schemes

Knox and his sentinels investigate the black market for demonic wings, uncovering a web of collectors, incantors, and possible Horsemen. Suspects include Primes like Thatcher and Jonas, and the enigmatic collector Dion Boughton. The investigation is hampered by secrecy, misdirection, and the demon world's cutthroat politics. Meanwhile, Harper's family drama intensifies as her estranged mother, Carla, confronts her, blaming her for her brother Roan's death. The lines between personal vendetta and political conspiracy blur.

The Child of Flames Prophecy

A recurring vision haunts Harper: a cradle, a baby with flaming eyes, and the prophecy of a "child of flames" destined to destroy demonkind. This prophecy, once used to justify attacks on Harper and Knox, now colors every threat they face. The couple's enemies may be motivated by fear of this child, and Harper's own anxieties about motherhood and legacy are magnified. The prophecy becomes a plot device that justifies both external attacks and internal doubts.

Hexes, Betrayals, and Blocked Powers

Harper is struck by a mysterious, life-threatening fever—revealed to be a hex cast by an incantor. The attack is sophisticated, requiring personal items and blood, and nearly kills her and her unborn child. The lair's healer is powerless, and only quick thinking and a cold bath save her. The betrayal is close to home, and suspicion falls on several Primes and their associates. The attack exposes the vulnerability of even the most powerful, and the need for trust is pitted against the reality of betrayal.

Pregnancy Revealed, Enemies Unmasked

Harper discovers she is pregnant, and the news is met with both joy and dread. The pregnancy is kept secret as long as possible, but the lair's politics and the risk of further attacks force a public announcement. The couple's protectiveness intensifies, and security is tightened. The lair's response is a mix of celebration and anxiety, as the child's potential power—and the prophecy—make it a target. The Horsemen's machinations continue, and the circle of trust narrows.

The McCauley Enigma

McCauley's story comes to a head: his presence is linked to a series of deaths, including his biological grandparents. The Sanders, who hoped to adopt him, are forced to confront the reality that his demon is dangerous and possessive. The theme of nature versus nurture is explored, as McCauley's demon "parents" him in the absence of human connection. The lair's responsibility to its weakest members is tested, and the cost of compassion is high.

Parade of Power and Peril

A lair-wide parade is held to celebrate Harper's pregnancy, but the event is fraught with tension. Old enemies, jealous rivals, and the ever-present threat of the Horsemen make the celebration a potential trap. Harper's discomfort with public attention is matched by her demon's wariness. The parade is both a show of strength and an invitation to attack, and the couple's unity is tested by the demands of leadership and vulnerability.

Nora's Trap: The Vortex

Harper is kidnapped by Nora, a trusted elder revealed as one of the Horsemen and a powerful incantor. She is taken to a remote energy vortex where time moves differently—an hour for her is a minute for the outside world. Nora's plan is to induce labor, steal the baby, and use it to control Knox. Harper is stripped of her powers, restrained, and forced to endure labor alone, while Knox and the sentinels race against time to find her. The betrayal is devastating, and the sense of isolation and helplessness is acute.

Labor, Loss, and Survival

Harper's labor is long, agonizing, and dangerous. She is taunted by Linda, a midwife and co-conspirator, who plans to take the baby for herself. The incantors' chanting, the malevolent energy of the vortex, and the threat of death hang over Harper. She draws on the vortex's power, risking her own soul, to fight back. The baby's latent power manifests, protecting her and destroying some of her captors. Knox and his demon finally arrive, unleashing hellfire and annihilating the remaining enemies in a display of apocalyptic power.

Flames of Hell, Bonds of Blood

Knox's archdemon emerges, nearly losing control in its rage and grief. Harper, weakened but defiant, manages to reach him and bring him back from the brink. The couple's bond—psychic, emotional, and physical—is the only thing that can anchor such destructive power. The aftermath is one of relief, exhaustion, and the realization that their enemies are not all vanquished. The cost of survival is high, but the family is intact.

Asher's Arrival

Back home, Harper gives birth to a son, Asher, with Knox and their closest allies by her side. The birth is both a triumph and a release, marking the end of one ordeal and the beginning of another. Asher's power is evident from the start, and both parents are awed and anxious about what his future holds. The lair celebrates, and the couple's love is reaffirmed. The theme of family—chosen, forged, and fought for—is at its most poignant.

Family, Forgiveness, and the Future

In the aftermath, the lair rallies around Harper, Knox, and Asher. Old wounds are addressed, forgiveness is sought and sometimes granted, and the couple looks to the future with both hope and caution. The threat of the remaining Horsemen lingers, but the family is stronger for what they have endured. The story ends with a sense of hard-won peace, the promise of new beginnings, and the knowledge that love, loyalty, and power are always intertwined.

Characters

Harper Wallis

Harper is a sphinx by blood but an imp by upbringing, blending cunning, mischief, and fierce independence. Her psychological complexity is rooted in abandonment, trauma, and the need to prove herself in a world that undervalues her. Her relationship with Knox is both a source of strength and vulnerability—she is his anchor, and he is hers, but their bond is tested by constant threats. Harper's development is marked by her journey from self-reliant survivor to protective mother, her willingness to trust and be trusted, and her refusal to be defined by prophecy or fear. Her demon is both a source of power and a challenge, embodying her darkest instincts and her capacity for ruthless love.

Knox Thorne

Knox is the most powerful demon Prime in the region, a billionaire with a reputation for ruthlessness and control. His psychological landscape is shaped by centuries of isolation, the burden of leadership, and the constant struggle to contain his inner demon. Harper is his anchor, the only person who can stabilize him and keep him from going rogue. Knox's development is a journey from emotional detachment to deep, possessive love, and from absolute control to the vulnerability of fatherhood. His archdemon is both a weapon and a threat, capable of apocalyptic destruction but ultimately bound by love.

The Demon (Knox's Inner Archdemon)

Knox's inner demon is an ancient, conscienceless entity that craves control, vengeance, and the safety of its mate. It is both a source of power and a constant threat, capable of overwhelming Knox and unleashing hellfire. Its attachment to Harper is absolute, and its willingness to destroy the world for her is both terrifying and redemptive. The demon's development is tied to its growing acceptance of love and family, and its grudging respect for Harper's strength.

Jolene Wallis

Harper's grandmother and the Prime of the Wallis lair, Jolene is a force of nature—shrewd, unpredictable, and utterly loyal to her family. Her psychological makeup is defined by her refusal to be underestimated, her willingness to break rules for those she loves, and her capacity for both nurturing and destruction. Jolene's relationship with Harper is one of tough love, and her role as a leader is both a burden and a joy.

Linda Sanders

Linda is a demon whose longing for a child drives her to betrayal and madness. Her psychological unraveling is rooted in loss, envy, and the inability to accept reality. Her relationship with McCauley is both nurturing and possessive, and her alliance with Nora is born of desperation. Linda's development is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked longing and the ease with which love can become obsession.

Nora

Nora is an elder incantor, once a Prime, whose bitterness over lost power drives her to become one of the Horsemen. Her psychological profile is marked by resentment, ambition, and a willingness to sacrifice anything for her vision of equality. Nora's betrayal is the ultimate violation of trust, and her manipulation of time, power, and prophecy makes her a formidable foe. Her downfall is a testament to the dangers of unchecked ambition and the corrupting influence of power.

McCauley

McCauley is a cambion (half-demon, half-human) whose early trauma and neglect leave him cold, detached, and potentially dangerous. His demon "parents" him in the absence of human connection, and his presence is linked to a series of deaths. McCauley's development explores the limits of compassion, the dangers of unchecked power, and the question of whether love can redeem even the most damaged.

The Sentinels (Levi, Tanner, Keenan, Larkin)

Knox's sentinels are his inner circle—each with their own quirks, loyalties, and strengths. They serve as protectors, investigators, and confidants, and their relationships with Harper and Knox are marked by both camaraderie and tension. Their psychological roles are as much about grounding the protagonists as they are about providing muscle and support.

Carla

Carla is Harper's biological mother, whose inability to love or accept responsibility makes her both pitiable and infuriating. Her psychological makeup is defined by self-absorption, emotional stunting, and a perpetual need for attention. Carla's confrontations with Harper are less about love or loss and more about her own wounded ego.

The Horsemen (Thatcher, Jonas, Alethea, et al.)

The Horsemen are a group of powerful demons seeking to overthrow the established order. Each is motivated by a mix of ambition, resentment, and fear—particularly of Knox and the prophesied child. Their psychological profiles are varied, but all are marked by a willingness to use any means necessary to achieve their goals, including betrayal, magick, and murder.

Plot Devices

Psychic Bonds and Anchors

The anchor bond between Harper and Knox is both a source of strength and a plot engine. It allows for telepathic communication, emotional resonance, and the stabilization of their inner demons. The bond is tested by separation, betrayal, and the threat of loss, and its resilience is a measure of the couple's love and trust.

Prophecy and Foreshadowing

The prophecy of a child destined to destroy demonkind is a recurring motif, driving both external attacks and internal anxieties. Visions, dreams, and warnings foreshadow key events, and the characters' responses to prophecy shape their choices and relationships. The prophecy is both a justification for violence and a challenge to be overcome.

Political Intrigue and Misdirection

The investigation into the attacks on Harper is marked by misdirection, false leads, and shifting suspicions. The demon world's politics are cutthroat, and trust is a rare commodity. The use of anonymous emails, encrypted communications, and black market dealings adds layers of complexity and tension.

Time Distortion and the Vortex

The energy vortex where Harper is held distorts time, raising the stakes and intensifying the sense of isolation and urgency. The device allows for extended suffering, delayed rescue, and the exploration of endurance and hope. It also serves as a metaphor for the ways trauma can warp perception and experience.

The Inner Demon as Character

Both Harper and Knox's inner demons are treated as distinct characters, with their own desires, motives, and voices. The struggle for dominance, the temptation of power, and the need for balance are central to the narrative. The demons' actions are both plot drivers and reflections of their hosts' psychological states.

Analysis

Ashes is a dark, emotionally charged urban fantasy that explores the intersection of power, love, and survival in a world where trust is scarce and danger is omnipresent. Suzanne Wright uses the supernatural as a lens to examine real-world themes: the trauma of violence, the complexities of family, the burden of legacy, and the redemptive power of love. The novel's structure—alternating between action, investigation, and intimate character moments—mirrors the psychological ebb and flow of trauma and healing. The psychic bond between Harper and Knox is both a literal and metaphorical anchor, grounding them in a world that constantly seeks to tear them apart. The recurring motif of prophecy challenges the characters to define their own destinies, while the ever-present threat of betrayal forces them to confront the limits of trust. Ultimately, Ashes is a story about forging family in the fires of adversity, about the courage to love fiercely in the face of loss, and about the hope that even the most damaged can find healing and belonging.

Last updated: May 21, 2025