Page 185 of The Bonds of Indigo

Speaking of that Vampire, he’s already on his feet. “It’s Lucifer. Stay here.”

My heart betrays every calm front I try to maintain. He’s insane if he thinks I’m not going with him.

He’s much faster than I am and vanishes up the stairs. I follow, but by the time I reach the top, he’s already disappeared down the hall.

The sound of my bare feet on the hardwood does nothing to mask the worry in Kayn’s voice when he says, “What happened? Are you alright?”

I’m three doors from his room when Lucifer groans. “Yes… Bloody Beyond, I hate him.”

As I step into the doorway, I catch Kayn on his knees, one hand supporting Lucifer’s head while he braces himself against the floor, turned away from me.

His shirt is torn down the back—two large slits starting at his shoulder blades and running halfway down. The horns on his head are pulling back into his skull, and a chill crawls down my spine. I don’t miss the deep shade of black slowly peeling back from him, revealing the pale skin I’m used to.

There wasn’t a naïve part of me that didn’t expect he’d have a demonic side, but unlike his father’s, his is not red. It’s black.

“I think he told you to stay downstairs, dollface,” he murmurs, voice soft and utterly exhausted.

“What happened?” I echo Kayn’s earlier question.

Lucifer lets out a pained groan and, with Kayn’s help, pushes himself upright on his knees. “Nothing.”

“Bullshit.” Our brute doesn’t bother softening his tone. “You’re completely depleted, Lucifer.”

The Incubus only shrugs his shoulders. As he does, I step cautiously into the room. There are still patches of black across his skin, and his fingers—his nails—have extended so far, they tap against the floor where his palms brace him. He still won’t look at me. I can see the angle of his face, the way he keeps it turned just enough that I won’t catch his eyes… even though I already have, just barely, from the corner.

They’re a deep, glowing red, no evidence of the violet color that’s so similar to mine, I’d even question who I was looking at.

“Just trying to keep…” He cuts off with a raw cough, then forces himself to continue. “Keep her safe… I’m sorry.”

Lucifer doesn’t look up at me, but instead straight into Kayn’s eyes. “Tomorrow, I have to bring her with me to his estate…”

The vein in Kayn’s neck pops as he stiffens. When his gaze meets mine, a million apologies sit in them. I don’t want him to be sorry. I’m glad we got to Lucifer—but this is all fucked.

Why does he care that I’m here?

Suddenly, Lucifer’s hand curls behind Kayn’s neck and drags him closer. “He sent me on tasks that took me across this realm for no fucking reason…”

The moment they’re close enough, their mouths meet in a kiss.

Every inch of my skin lights on fire.

“He’s kept me this way,” Lucifer murmurs as he turns his head, pulling Kayn back in. “Exhausted. Drained.” His voice transitions as he keeps his lips on Kayn’s, now speaking through our link. “Not letting me feed. He knew I’d never be strong enough to keep him safe if I defied him. Now, he’s doing it so I can’t keep you protected.”

I’m not entirely sure if he’s sharing it through their connection or not, but judging by the intensity of their kiss, I think he is.

Kayn grips the back of Lucifer’s head and practically shoves his tongue into his mouth.

I should feel like I’m intruding. That maybe I should leave and let them have this moment. I’m still not sure I’m ready for Lucifer to touch me… Not in any way beyond the small, careful moments he already has.

But every butterfly capable of flight erupts in my stomach, and heat like the scorching sun coils low in my abdomen. Gods, even my clit tingles when Lucifer slides his hands up Kayn’s thighs and squeezes.

“I can feed now… untapped…” His breathless tone paired with that accent actually makes me whimper. Oh, fuck me. Why is this so hot? “So I can keep her safe, Kayn.”

Kayn hums, then wraps his hand around Lucifer’s throat with a slow, wicked grin. “I know you would do everything to keep our girl safe.”

Our girl.

Oh… oh, my heart.