Page 32 of The Bonds of Indigo

“And that is…”

I clear my throat. “You can’t go back on that blood bind, right?”

“No…” She sounds apprehensive. “Why?”

Weighing my options, I look at the TV and hum. Telling her immediately shouldn’t be a problem, but she could make this harder and try to fight.

I guess worst case scenario, I’ll sling her over my shoulder and drag her along. Annoying, but I’ll get what I need.

“I need you to open the gates to the Beyond for me.”

The thud of her heart drowns out the newscaster. When I look back, her face has drained even paler than before, her freckles seeming to vanish along with the color.

“Okay…” That surprises me, until she continues, of course. “You’ve lost your mind. Either that, or your joke didn’t hit. You seem like a funny guy, so I’m surprised you delivered that so poorly.”

I shift my legs off the bed and stand. “I’m not joking. You’ll open the gates⁠—”

She bursts out in laughter, cutting me off. “You’re suicidal! No, I can’t do that.”

“The person I’m looking for is in the Beyond, you have to.”

Her mouth drops open as she shakes her head. “Oh my Gods, I’ve been kidnapped by a crazy person.”

I roll my eyes. “I’d classify me as your savior for taking you away from that dreaded place, but whatever you say, little slayer.”

“Stop calling me that. Do you understand the laws of our worlds?” She shifts, her gaze dropping to the door behind her before coming back to me. “You don’t look too smart, so I’m guessing not. But regardless, I haven’t channeled in seven years. Do you know how much power Vendra will have to grant me to do that?”

“Don’t know, don’t care. Also, did you just call me stupid?”

“If the person you’re looking for is in the Beyond, Butcher, they are dead.”

“They aren’t,” I quickly interject.

“I can’t bring people back to life!” She’s literally screaming now, hands stabbing downward for emphasis. “Mortal bodies weren’t meant to go into the Beyond. You’ll die, and… and then…”

This must be about that stupid blood thing.

“Then let me kill whoever you want me to first to satisfy my end of this deal.”

She shakes her head. “That isn’t how it works. It has to be fulfilled in the order of request. You asked me for help and I agreed on a condition.”

“Fucking RULES!” I seethe. “Whatever, you have to help me. You’ll open the gate. I don’t plan on dying… Also—” I close the distance in a step and slam her against the door; her knee snaps up and connects with my thigh. I shift quickly to protect my jewels. “Disrespect me again, and I will hurt you.”

Squeezing her throat just enough to cut off her air, she swings a fist up to my jaw. I flinch—not because the hit that landed hurt, but because the force in it should be impossible for someone who looks so fragile.

Then she spits on me.

She fucking spits on me.

Using the last of her breath, she wheezes, “Fuck… you… Butcher.”

I tut and release her throat. “You wish.”

Chapter 9

I’ve been staring at the basket of clothes for a long time, ignoring the looks I’m getting and just… trying to keep my head down.

After another back and forth with Butcher about opening the gates to the Beyond, we finally left the hotel and caught a cab to the next town over. We’re about four hours from Blackthorn now, but he keeps stating we have to go farther.