Page 232 of The Bonds of Indigo

Although Xeraphine and I will likely never be “friends”, I trust she wouldn’t put Kayn in danger. Her word, along with Mister’s, about my father not showing up does settle me. Their presence will keep me from persistent nightmares.

This morning we all came together, none the wiser about the extremely loud session we had last night. Suppose it’s good the other occupant of this house is a Succubus. She probably fed second-hand off all of us.

I didn’t ask if she had or not, but based on her far-more-pleasant attitude during breakfast, I’m guessing she at least fed off her Vampire.

After eating, all five of us, along with the two Familiars, came outside. Xeraphine and Amarah are up ahead, while the three of us men give them a moment for girl talk.

Neither of them described it that way, but that’s exactly what’s happening.

Amarah cast some spell that prevents us from hearing their conversation, but one look at Kairhyse and I’m not concerned. He looks relaxed, body lounged back in a reclining pool chair, a smile on his face. Though, he never takes his eyes off Xeraphine when they’re in the same vicinity.

Kayn does that with Amarah—and with me. I wonder if it’s a Vampire thing.

“You’ll make me jealous, little deviant.”

My back snaps straight and I jerk my head in his direction. “What?”

“He’s good-looking, but I think I’m more your type.”

My loud huff of a laugh has him cheesing. “I promise you have nothing to fear. Bloody Beyond, what would I do with him?” I sneak a peek back at Kairhyse, who is nodding in agreement with me.

“Even if I was into that—which, by the way, there’s nothing wrong with it, my little demon is pansexual.” He throws his hands up in defense. “She’s as possessive as I am. Anyone touches me? Dead.”

“I don’t die,” I remind him.

“Yeah, well, neither did her mother.” He gives me a look of I win and turns back to the girls.

Fair point.

It’s then that I hear a phone ring, and it’s Kai who pulls one out of his pocket and places it to his ear.

“K, here.”

He leans forward after a few seconds and then turns his attention to Kayn. “Hey, do you know someone by the name of Atlas?”

“Ah, shit,” Kayn groans, crosses the space in front of me, and sits on the foot of my lounger. “Is that him?”

Kai nods. “Yeah. He’s looking for someone named Ivy.”

“Who is Ivy?” I ask, looking up at my Vampire, who slowly narrows his eyes.

“How’d he get your number?” he asks, and Kai relays the question through the phone.

He pulls the cell away from his face after a minute of silence, presses a button, and hums. “He says he’s been trying to reach you. Called around through the militia. Someone gave him a contact for my group. Only a few people knew I found you, but they didn’t tell him for certain; just gave him my number. He knew me by my full name.”

“Yeah, he knows of you from me. He probably put two and two together.”

“Who is Ivy?” I ask again.

“Ivy is Amarah’s mother’s name. She gives it to people in situations where she doesn’t want to provide her name or an excuse why she can’t.”

I don’t ask the next question, because it’s obvious. Why is he asking for our girl?

“Let me talk to him.”

Kairhyse’s eyebrows pinch. “He says not to hand you the phone for your own… safety.”

My heart nearly stops.