Page 201 of The Bonds of Indigo

“I’ll just trap your soul for eternal damnation until she gives me what I want.”

Every bone in my body shakes.

No. No. No.

He can’t be serious.

Lucifer suddenly appears—an explosion of black wings and blood—his fist smashing into his father’s face. Belial takes the hit, almost amused, then uses Lucifer’s arm as leverage, hurling him with such force the chandelier overhead rattles like bones in a crypt.

Then the ruler of the Beyond crouches in front of me.

“I don’t need much strength to kill you here.”

“Be vigilant in there. Be safe… Things from the Beyond can kill you, regardless of the Hex.”

If he takes my life now, before I break the bond, Kayn dies with me.

“N-No, wait…” I choke out, panic flooding my veins. “J-Just h-hold on⁠—”

“A simple⁠—”

His words cut off as his hand lashes out, the backhand so fast I barely see it.

The impact sends me flying.

I don’t know what hurts more—the crack against my skull, or the way I slam into the wall, all air punched from my lungs. Church bells roar in my ears. My vision flickers, then collapses into darkness. My body seizes, twitching uncontrollably as pain rips through me.

The last thing I hear is my name before, I think, I die.

Chapter 49

I’m pretty sure this bread will need to be thrown out by the time they get back. I’ve been picking at it since they left, and of course it’s been several hours.

Amarah checked in throughout the day, only going quiet recently. I feel bad for how worried I’ve been, but she doesn’t seem to mind me lingering in her head.

Even if she did mind, I’d still do it. I’ve said it before—I’m obsessed. And I’d be a fool not to admit I’m in love with that girl. It’s obvious, and once we’re back, I’m going to tell her. I’ll tell Lucifer, too.

I was too terrified to tell him when we were together. My constant worry it would have him disappearing kept my lips sealed.

Look where that got me anyway.

His life may be eternal, but mine can end any moment, and from him—no, them—how much I love them, is that stupid I swear I’m not.

“Nervous Vampire,” Zuhara says with a coy look on her furry face.

“Are you supposed to be sitting on the island?”

She hisses playfully, her head resting down mere inches from the bread. “He will keep her safe.”

“I know he’ll try. I’m pretty sure Luce is as protective over her as I am. It’s nice to see.”

“Did you worry what those two would be like together?”

I shake my head. “They are quite similar, so no, I wasn’t.”

“Good, because I think fate… has…” Her voice trails off as she stands on all fours. “I do hate that man.”

“Who?”