Page 13 of The Bonds of Indigo

A woman.

“This is inmate 0338,” Sook says. “Lily of the Valley, you have a visitor.”

Holy fuck.

Alaric, who the Beyond did you send me to?

Chapter 4

Lily of the Valley.

She stands against the wall, both wrists bound in metal cuffs pulled taut by chains that vanish into two small holes, likely slackened when it’s time for her to sleep. Her back is to me, and her white hair cascades all the way to the floor, curling around her feet with how damn long it is.

I take a step toward her, and only then does she move, her head turning slightly. She wears a dark blue gown with long sleeves that drape to her wrists, the hem brushing her ankles.

I’ve definitely heard of this Witch before. “I was under the impression she was killed.” The moment I speak, her hands begin to curl and uncurl into fists.

“No. The officials decided that killing them didn’t send a strong enough message. So while the public thought it died that day, the Witch community knew the truth.”

How the fuck did Alaric know she was here? I remember pretty quickly that he is a Fallen. Guess it makes sense.

Suddenly, the chains holding her arms up give way and drop to her sides. A soft sigh escapes her as she quickly leans against the wall.

I’m usually a sympathetic person—truly, it’s part of my charm. But not with this one. I know exactly what she did seven years ago, and sore arms is the least she deserves.

“Turn and face us, 0338.”

She shifts, rolling her shoulders as she presses her back against the wall, squaring herself to follow the command. Again, her hands clench and unclench; now that I’m watching closely, I see why. They’re puffy and pale, her fingers tinged with a bluish-red hue, and her veins appear blotchy beneath the skin.

I shift my gaze up to her face, and… Vayl above.

She looks a mess.

Alright, that’s not what has me surprised. She’s quite young looking.

Her skin is pale, almost alabaster, scattered with freckles of varying sizes across her cheeks, nose, and faintly on her forehead. But they don’t hide the long scar that cuts across the bridge of her nose. A dark pink line, nearly the same shade as her dry, thick lips, which press together and stick slightly.

The skin beneath and around her eyes is dark, like smeared makeup, but I know it’s not. It’s natural, just like her long lashes, my Gods. I’m sure she was beautiful once. But I’m the kind of man who sees past appearances, to the nature buried underneath.

This, no—she, is a murderer.

I’m no saint, but I draw the line at killing kids. She massacred an entire town, including one-hundred-and-thirty-six children.

I’d heard what happened in Sylverton in the days after the attack. The small town, tucked away in the Kulbolt Mountains, had been easy prey—barely four hundred people lived there. All the adults were slaughtered brutally, and the children… their hearts ripped from their chests.

It was hard to believe a single person could have done it, but then again, people like Lucifer exist. The species responsible was never disclosed. Even with my connections, that information was sealed tight. All but that title ‘Lily of the Valley’ I knew.

I suppose that makes sense now.

I have to admit, looking at her now, it’s hard to imagine she could’ve caused that kind of destruction. The gown hides most of her figure, but she can’t be taller than, maybe, five foot nine at most, and that’s being generous. Her shoulders look frail, though that might just be from a lack of regular meals.

The sudden sound of metal against concrete pulls me from staring at the girl.

Glancing over my shoulder, I spot Jozier dragging the table in from outside, with the other officer following behind, carrying the chairs. They set it up to my right; two seats, one facing the other.

“0338, you have a visitor. You’ll behave yourself.” The warden slams his hand onto the table. I’m not entirely sure if it was meant to startle the girl, but she doesn’t move a single muscle. “And answer his questions.”

She stays quiet, not even giving the guy a simple nod of acknowledgement.