Page 7 of The Bonds of Indigo

Alcohol doesn’t hit like it used to, not after a thousand years. These days, I need my meals heavily drunk just to feel a buzz. And while I might end the night sinking my fangs into one of these patrons, for now, I’ll have to wait.

This is the fourth time I’ve called Alaric, and if he ignores me again, he’ll regret it. Desperation’s setting in. Every dead end I hit trying to figure out how to open the gates to the Beyond—and survive the trip—just feels like I’m drifting further away from Lucifer.

Though, I suppose some would argue you can’t get much further from someone than existing on two different realms entirely.

“I swear to Serynne herself.” His slithery voice flows right through my earpiece. “I’m going to change my number.”

“Don’t waste your time, I’m resourceful and will find you.”

He groans. “What, Vampire?”

“You know why I’m calling.”

I spin around, crossing one leg over the other as I lean back against the bar top. The country joint is packed, the air thick with laughter and the stomp of boots against wood. The music’s loud, but not enough to drown out Alaric’s grumbling on the other end of the line.

“Listen,” I say, voice low. “It might kill me getting to the Beyond⁠—”

“It will kill you.”

“Perfect, so why not just assist me?”

“Kayn—”

“Listen, if you could call me Butcher, that’d be better. Having you use my first name feels too personal.”

That, and let’s be honest… having people call me by my last name is a power move. It’s dominating, and that’s exactly what I am.

He sighs, and I can’t help the satisfaction that comes with knowing I’ve irritated him.

“Butcher, the only people who can do that are Demons themselves…”

“From my understanding, you’ve opened them before.”

“No, I haven’t. Belial opened them. I’m a Divine being. Before my exile, I could have unlocked the passage to the Vayl—but that’s it.” His voice tightens. “I’m no Demon. I can’t help…”

His pause catches my attention, enough to make me glance away from the couple eye-fucking me from the dance floor.

“I sense a but coming,” I say.

“I’m currently looking into how Xeraphine and I can fulfill our promise to Belial.”

I roll my eyes and let them drift back to the dark-haired Mundane grinding against her partner. The guy smells like a Shifter—hard to tell what kind with all the bodies packed in here—but I’m intrigued either way. The woman presses harder against him, her tight red dress hugging warm brown skin and every delicious curve beneath it.

“I don’t know if I’m going in the right direction—” Alaric keeps rambling, and I only half listen. I know I called him, but he has a way of turning everything into a lecture that goes nowhere, and typically revolves around himself.

My attention stays on the Shifter, who’s now staring right back at me with the same hunger as his girl. I spread my legs, tilt my head, and raise a brow. If there was any question about my interest, the way my cock strains against my jeans should clear that right up.

“It’s possible that they could help you.”

“Hmm?” I clear my throat. “Who?”

“Butcher. You called me. Are you even listening?”

“Truthfully, no. You enjoy talking about yourself and I’m just not into it, your problems, or… you. So now, what was that you were saying about my problem?”

The girl gives me a flirty smile and I wink, before bringing my full attention to Alaric. “A Yldarwright.”

“Gazoontite.”