Page 218 of The Bonds of Indigo

Nodding, I grin. “I had an objective, and they were in my way.”

“Surprised you left the prisoners alive.”

“They weren’t in my way.”

“Fair point.”

“Alaric”—he grumbles loudly—“told me that the only person that could open the gates would be another Demon or a Yldarwright.”

“You spoke with that piece of shit? I asked him where you were… I’ll kill him.”

I know he wants to end that Fallen for more than this reason.

“He probably didn’t tell you because he knew my goal was to go to the Beyond. By telling you, that’s telling Xera. You’d have tried to help, which would’ve⁠—”

“Yeah, yeah. Don’t defend that piss-stain.”

“My bad.” I chuckle. “Anyway, he knew of my girl, and so…”

Then I dive into pretty much every detail—from leaving Orwyn to them finding us in Demour. I’m fairly sure I talk for a solid two hours with minimal interruptions. Kai’s only question was about the bond and how it felt. Seems like it’s a similar sensation as his with Xera, but he’s upset he can’t communicate with her through it.

By the time we’re done, we’ve circled back to the house, and Lucifer is in the kitchen with Xeraphine. I think we’re walking in just as they start interacting, because they may as well be hissing at each other like feral cats.

“It was stupid!” Lucifer whisper-shouts.

“I… don’t… care,” she delivers slowly while pointing her sharpened nail at him. “He deserved to know.” It’s now she turns to us, but her eyes don’t linger on me for more than a mere second before they’re on her Mark. She doesn’t smile, but I can hear her heart spike then come back down to normal at his return.

I make my way beside Luce, who turns to look at me before sighing.

“Let me guess, you’re scolding her for telling me where you were.”

“Yes.” He doesn’t hesitate to respond. “Because it was stupid. Anyone that knows you well enough would know you’d do something crazy and come get me in the Beyond.”

Xeraphine simply shrugs her shoulders.

“I’d have wanted to know,” Kai says as he wraps his arm around his girl’s shoulder. “I’m definitely not stupid, and I would’ve gone to the Beyond for her.”

“You’re kind of stupid…” she murmurs. “But that’s beside the point. You two can deal with your partner-problems separately from this. Lucifer, I want to know what your father’s plans are.”

I lean against the kitchen counter that rests between the wall-to-wall cooking space and the living room. The place is dark woods and black countertops, with dark hardware and tasteful features like crown molded edges and designs. It’s minimalistic, but it works for the two of them. While this cabin has three full size bedrooms and equal bathrooms, it really is just meant for these two, plus Mister, who’s jumping up onto the counter.

“First, tell me what your deal was with him.”

Xera tsks. “You won’t come into my house, after I saved your happy asses, and demand I tell you shit.”

I keep my eyes on Kairhyse who stares down at her with a shit-eating grin.

Absolutely obsessed Vampire. She was right.

“I’m your elder, so I can.”

That has her laughing so damn loud, it bounces around for several seconds. “Oh, fuck no, you didn’t just pull that card.”

“Enough of this.” Zuhara’s voice comes just before she jumps onto the counter.

“Gods! You aren’t a house cat!” Xera shrieks. “Get off!”

“It’s alright, little demon.” Kai leans in and pets the lioness across her big head, which she leans into without hesitation.