Page 234 of The Bonds of Indigo

“Fuck that!” Kayn growls.

“I second that.”

Kai nods, and so does Xera, who continues, “They agreed, but Atlas said they have a hex on him. If the deal is broken, he’ll die. That part sounded off, but again… I’m still learning how to do this without seeing the person.”

“You did great, little demon.” Kairhyse takes her wrist and gives her a reassuring smile.

“The deal is just for the mirror?” I ask.

She nods, but hesitantly. “He doesn’t believe them. I could hear it in his words. I didn’t need to see his aura to know he…” For someone usually so emotionally detached, the pain in her pinched brows says enough. “He’s accepted his fate.”

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…” Amarah sobs. “I-I told him not to go back to her. I’m sorry…”

“Shh, shh,” Kayn soothes. “This isn’t your fault.”

I lean closer, my fingers caressing up and down her shaking arm.

“He’s alive. We can get him. We’ll figure it out without giving them the mirror⁠—”

“No!” She pulls back from him. “I’m giving it to them. I have no idea how they know I have it, but they aren’t Yldarwrights. They’ll kill themselves trying to use it, and good fucking riddance. Even if they somehow figured out how to break her out, Atlas’s life matters more. I won’t risk him dying because of me!”

Kayn puts his hand onto the back of her head and pulls her tight to his chest again.

“Why… why… Vendra, please…”

“They gave her a day,” Xera continues. “Which means you’ll need to use the Phantasm.”

“There’s no way they could’ve known we’d be able to get to Nevadia that fast.” The anger in my Vampire’s tone tugs at my own—there’s far too much information being left out for my liking.

“I don’t know, but you’ll need to think quick.” That’s when Xeraphine stands. “We aren’t going with you.”

“Of course not,” I say with a tut. “Why would you help⁠—”

“If we go and something happens, who will come save your asses? We’ll all be caught in this trap!”

Before she can step into our space, Kairhyse is between her and us. “You’re right, little demon. It’s best they go.”

“I know I am,” she huffs loudly. “Take Mister. He can communicate with Kai’s shadows. Leave us the big cat.”

“Zuhara,” I correct.

“She can send us in if you need us.”

I look back to Kayn and Amarah, and it’s the first time I’ve ever seen her break down like this—not even when she panicked about me telling him she sacrificed those kids. Atlas must mean a lot to her… and to Kayn. Which means I need to take this just as seriously.

“We’ll get him, dollface. Look at me.”

She turns her puffy, red face toward me, those damned cracks appearing again across her beautiful skin.

“Take a deep breath and let’s think of a plan. The three of us can do this. Alright?”

Her lips tremble, and she sucks in a deep breath through her stuffy nose. “Okay…”

Kayn gives me space as I lean in and press a kiss to her temple. “Shh.” Her arm closest to me wraps around my waist, and I pull both of them into a hug. “Go ahead and let it out, then we’ll put our heads together.”

She nods.

“We’ve got you.”