Page 39 of The Bonds of Indigo

She moves away, and my hand, as if on pure instinct alone, clasps the back of her neck, keeping her right where she is.

“My name. Don’t say it.”

I tut. “You gave it to me, remember?”

For a heartbeat, I swear the ground vibrates.

“Release me.” She twists her shoulders, trying to shove me back. “Don’t say it again.”

I let her go and rest my arm on my knee, glaring at her like she’s lost her fucking mind. She can’t be serious.

“I didn’t want to give you anything, Butcher. I had no choice… as was the case with… everything…” She blinks as rapidly as her breaths come. “In… my life…”

She wavers and I register what’s happening just in time to catch her before she faceplants into the dirt. Sliding an arm under her legs, I lift her easily, cradling her against my chest.

“Stupid girl.”

Chapter 11

“It’s so boring…” Warden Sook’s voice grates on my nerves, each word scraping across my skull.

“She’s a Yldarwright. Although my kind hate them, we understand their strength. You won’t get any begging from her.” There’s a sharp edge of frustration beneath her tone. “Has she said anything?”

“No, it stopped making any noises. That includes speaking.”

I yank hard on my chains and slam my forehead against the cold wall in front of me. The metal bites into my wrists until warm liquid trickles down my arms, soaking into the thin white fabric that clings to me.

“And the wards are working?”

I turn my head just enough to see the blonde woman fix her gaze on me. Something flickers between her brows—empathy. She knows what they do to prisoners here, and she’s seeing firsthand that I’m treated no better.

No. I’m treated far worse.

“Perfectly. We thank you, Dr. Harper,” the warden says cheerfully.

“I need to get back to a very needy client. If I miss our appointment, I’m certain she’d kill me. I’ll see you in six months.”

My lips part, but I can’t even summon the strength to plead for her to stay. From my throat down to my toes, the ones that have long lost their nails, I ache. Gods, I hurt so badly.

As their footsteps fade, I press my forehead against my arm and let a quiet whimper escape.

“She needs water.” Dr. Harper’s voice lingers faintly as she walks away, trailing off like the last echo of mercy I’ll ever hear. “I also know this place has a reputation, but be mindful that she still has rights.”

Warden Sook just laughs, low and humorless. “People like that don’t have rights, Doctor. It’ll take its punishment for the ten life sentences it’s due to stay under our care.”

Care.

Fucking care.

A soft beep filters into my ears.

My head throbs as the darkness behind my eyelids thins, brightness bleeding in around the edges.

Groaning, I squeeze my eyes tighter before forcing them open. The harsh fluorescent light nearly drives them shut again, but I grit my teeth and push through. Square ceiling tiles, the antiseptic sting of bleach, the faint plastic tang—all of it tells me instantly I’m not in a hotel.

“And she’s awake.” The voice isn’t Butcher’s. Too light. Too friendly. But familiar enough that my pulse stays steady.

A warm palm presses against my forehead, sweeping back stray strands of hair before resting there solidly. “Fever’s gone. That’s positive.” The hand retreats, taking its shade with it and leaving me blinking up at the man it belongs to.