Page 156 of The Bonds of Indigo

Zuhara stayed with Amarah after I’d left for the Vayl, saying she sensed my concern for the girl. That creature had said her family was under attack, and as hard as Amarah tried to stand, she was completely depleted.

Word of a group of Yldarwrights being slaughtered reached the Beyond not long after. Putting two and two together wasn’t difficult.

My request had depleted her, keeping her from getting to her people. She said yes for a fucking mirror.

“I have so many questions,” I finally say, cutting into their silent staring.

Kayn shifts, turning his shoulders toward me, and that same dominance that once drew me to him makes something deep inside me vibrate.

“You’ll answer mine first, Lucifer. Why did you leave?”

Bloody Beyond, he goes straight for the hardest question. I cross my arms in defiance, because honestly, he doesn’t get to walk in here and demand anything. This was reckless and dangerous and stupid…

But fuck, it’s good to see him.

And her, too, honestly. I’m glad she’s alright. At least—I think she is. The scar on her nose and chin says otherwise, but she’s alive and free.

Suppose that’s better than where she was before.

“I—”

Static crashes around the room as the Phantasm rips open. Zuhara lands hard, hissing. “He is coming.”

Dread floods my entire body as I lock eyes with Kayn. He’s as stubborn and resilient as he’s always been. He won’t leave willingly.

I could throw him back through the gates he came in from, or new ones.

I should.

But selfishly, I want the conversation he’s waited hundreds of years for—the one I’m terrified to have.

Snapping my attention to my Familiar, I gesture toward Kayn. “Take him into the Phantasm. Keep him safe.”

“Don’t you fucking⁠—”

Zuhara cuts Kayn off by literally tackling him to the ground. With a loud oof, she lands on top of him. “I’ve missed you, big guy.”

She drags her long tongue across his face just as the portal opens to Hex, then quickly closes, swallowing them both.

“Kayn!!” Amarah shouts, rushing toward the spot where they vanished. She’s about to collapse to her knees when I draw my shadows around her, making her gasp.

“Sorry to do this to you, dollface, but you’ve put me in quite the predicament.”

With one strong pull, I yank her against me. My shadows—thick as smoke but stronger than Kayn’s fists—coil around her waist and throat.

I can feel my father approaching my room.

Mere moments to calculate a plan.

“Forgive me, hmm?”

“W-What’re you⁠—”

I catch her chin, and before she can finish the question, I answer it. My lips crash into hers, and a new worry creeps up my spine. I’m certain someone will have to pry me off her to make me stop.

Chapter 40

My entire body erupts into metaphorical flames. What is actually happening right now?!