Page 14 of The Bonds of Indigo

“Cause trouble, double the standing time.”

I smirk, listening in on her heart that is bound to betray this act she’s putting on, like she’s bored.

However, to my shock, there’s no difference. It’s just as steady as it was the moment I walked in. I run my fingers through my let-down hair and hum.

Interesting.

“Do you understand?”

This time she nods, and while I am a man of words, it doesn’t seem to bother Warden Sook. “Jozier will⁠—”

“I would like to speak with her alone.” I turn to look at him, and he appears anything but pleased. The smile he’d worn for me earlier is gone completely.

“I said we can’t have that,” he grits out.

“Listen, I get it, really.” I shrug nonchalantly. “I’m not here to compare dick sizes… unless you make me.” I’m willing to do anything to get Lucifer back, and I quite literally mean anything.

Glancing between the three of them, the officers look uneasy, while the warden just seems baffled—at my audacity, maybe, or at the way I roll my shoulders and pop my neck side to side, like I’m readying for a fight.

“You could try to drag me out, or you can let me get what I want, then I’ll be on my way.”

I smile genuinely at him.

A moment of silence passes; the room so still that even the chains don’t rattle. I have to admit, I’m impressed by the Witch’s composure. Maybe she’s just hungry, her stomach did growl while I was talking earlier. She’s likely hoping good behavior earns her a meal. Or maybe it’s just the psychopath in her. Probably the latter.

“Cuff her hands behind her back,” Sook finally bites out. “You have ten minutes.”

“Plenty of time.”

“The door stays open⁠—”

“No.” I cut him off.

“The wards will keep us from hearing anything.”

“I said…” I take a step forward as Jozier moves behind the Witch and out of my peripherals. “No.”

“We are doing you a favor here, Butcher.” I’ve clearly worn through his patience—unfortunate, but not my problem. After this, I won’t be needing anything from him anyway.

“Last favor, then,” I say coyly. “You know… for my rank and all.”

The moment his mouth opens to say something stupid, I bare my teeth and snap, “It’s not a request, Warden. Get the fuck out and close the door.”

So much for playing nice.

After steadying himself from nearly stumbling at the sound of my raised voice, he glances at his officers, and they hurry out without a word. I watch them go until the scrape of metal across the floor pulls my attention back to the Witch.

She’s sitting now, and the subtle tremble of her eyelids makes me wonder if her eyes are rolling back. There’s no sigh of relief, but her shoulders slacken just slightly, and I can hear her heartbeat slowing.

The loud clack of the door closing behind them prompts me to take a deep breath. The air in here smells… odd. Not foul, just strange—like something natural, but tainted. Like the forest after a fire.

“Lily of the Valley,” I say while taking a seat. “We don’t have much time, which I can’t say I’m upset about. So if you can give me what I want, I’ll leave, and⁠—”

“Okay.” She cuts me off. Her voice is gentle, not hushed, and surprisingly clear, not husky like I’d somehow expected.

“Okay, great. I need to find a Yldarwright.”

Her eyebrows raise as she shrugs her shoulders.