Page 146 of The Bonds of Indigo

“Thank you.” She folds her hands behind her back. “What was that thing?”

I don’t see a reason not to tell her; she seems kind enough, and she technically saved my life. “A Grimhorn. They are Belial’s servants, basically.”

Her eyes shift—no, change—gold flecks fluttering around in the blue depths. It’s like data processing on a computer; I wouldn’t have been surprised if script lines appeared.

“I see. Well, how about I get you back home⁠—”

“No.” I shake my head quickly. “I mean—not home. I was trying to come here, but not… here, here. Oh my Gods, what am I even saying?”

Heat rushes up my neck. I feel flustered, and I never feel this way. My heartbeat won’t slow, just like around Kayn, but with her, it throws me off in a completely different way.

Is it… her?

Am I attracted to her? No. That’s ridiculous.

Her lips press together softly, like she can feel the chaos swirling in me. “Alright, how about this: tell me what you need, and I’ll see if I’m capable of helping. No guarantees, though.” She lifts her hands in surrender. “I’m merely a guest here.”

“Why are you here? A guest? And who—who were you talking to?” The questions tumble out faster than I intend. I feel like I’m intruding. Like I shouldn’t pry into her life.

Well, because you are intruding, Amarah.

She draws a deep breath and glances over her shoulder. For the first time, I follow her gaze.

There’s a door, utterly out of place in this sterile white hall. Dark wood, scarred with scratches. Deep violet and red etchings glow faintly from beneath the surface, like the frame itself was carved from those colors and someone painted over it with brown.

“I cannot stay long. Time works differently down here, and I must admit, my partners can be quite protective.” She shrugs, lips pursed as she looks back at me. “Okay… less so for one of them. Though it is ironic I asked him to stay behind because I had an intuition he shouldn’t come.”

I definitely don’t miss the plural in partners. Honestly, lucky them.

“I’m personal friends with Death. We’ve known one another for several hundred years. I come every so often to spend time with my dog.”

Heat suddenly rises to my cheeks. I have no idea why. “Your dog? Friends with… Death?”

She shrugs again and gestures toward a door. “He wasn’t really mine, but I sort of adopted him. And yes, Death. You are friends with a God, it would seem. It shouldn’t be so outlandish.”

I swallow, readying myself to ask how she knows that, but think quickly on it. I’m able to speak to her through the same link as Vendra. It doesn’t take a genius to know I’m at least acquaintances with one.

“Suppose you’re right.”

Her head tilts slightly, the same way it did before—as if someone is speaking to her, or she’s hearing something I can’t. “Was there someone else who was supposed to be with you?”

Fear hits me like a slap to the face.

“Oh my Gods. Kayn!”

I spin in a full circle, not even sure what I’m searching for. The gate that dragged me here? My heart? Because it feels like it just fell out of me.

Azahara laughs softly, and it’s enough to pull my attention back to her. “Do not worry. He is here.”

She grips the handle of one of the strange doors, and as she opens it, she quickly steps aside.

A second passes.

Then another.

And then, barreling out of the darkness, comes Kayn.

I release a heavy, shaking breath the moment he appears, running straight through the doorway and locking eyes with me instantly.