Page 49 of The Bonds of Indigo

Fifteen minutes later, we’re on the outskirts of Sylverton, the small town that houses a few hundred people. It’s a tourist destination, hugged beautifully between the Kulbolt mountains. The states fought for dominance during the reconstruction period after the Old War, but ultimately Nevadia won the bidding. Not that they need the income—the City of Lights brings enough of that.

Regardless, Sylverton has been stagnant in time since the war ended, which makes it popular for nostalgia. I’ve personally never been to the town’s center, and there’s no plan to do that now. There’s a small motel along the highway, a mechanic’s shop, a bar, and a deli across the road. Its only neighbors for miles.

After leaving Atlas to check us in, I move Amarah around the pool, which is barricaded behind a bright blue metal fence. The sun is setting now, casting a beautiful orange glow on the nasty green water sitting stagnant.

The motel is shaped like a large U, and when I glance up, the sign flickers, shifting to say No Vacancies beside the big Hillside Motel.

“Hopefully they don’t report Atlas,” she says, turning to face me, her chin tipping up to meet my gaze. “Could use him in situations like this. I can’t imagine our faces won’t be plastered everywhere shortly…”

When I meet her eyes, my heart slams right into my throat. It’s not the first time I’ve seen them, even this close. But when the setting sun hits them just right… they remind me of his.

“I’ve never met anyone with your colored eyes before, little deviant.”

“I wish you would stop calling me that… but I’m not surprised. Only pure-blooded Demons are blessed with purple eyes. Or someone’s been cursed with them.”

“Purple is too basic a color to describe what I see. They’re indigo, and I can’t explain it, but it feels like home.”

“K-Kayn. Don’t say that.”

“Why?”

“Because I can never be home to you…”

“Butcher?” Her voice ruptures my mind, and I shake my head clear of the memory of Lucifer.

“What?” Once I focus on her, her brows are pinched together, eyes bouncing between mine. “Sorry, what did you say?”

“Nothing. You’re just staring.”

I’ve inadvertently stepped closer to her, putting her back against the metal fencing.

“Before you were hexed…” I grab one of the bars just above her head and tilt my head. Her lips slowly part, eyes widening in surprise. “What color were your eyes?”

When she swallows and diverts her gaze, I assume she won’t answer. So when she finally says “Gold” it catches me off guard.

“Gold. Like a light brown?”

The urge to grab her chin and make her look at me is so fucking strong, I tighten my grip on the bar just to stop myself from doing something stupid.

I like that her eyes remind me of Lucifer. Not that they’re attached to her.

She wets her lips and shakes her head. “My mother would say my eyes were made from the riches dragons would protect in stories. My dad would call them a solar flare… dangerous, but beautiful.” A soft smile tugs at the corner of her mouth, and with the fading light brushing over her skin, her dark freckles stand out starkly. “Others would say… they were eyes of a destroyer.”

“Fitting.”

She hums. “Yeah…”

“They have two rooms.” Atlas’s voice cuts through whatever this is between us. He also snaps me back a step, and Amarah releases a heavy breath, clutching her bag of clothes tighter. “They aren’t close to one another.”

“I won’t run.” I’m not shocked she immediately defends herself—an action both Atlas and I were expecting.

I look at him, and he just crosses his arms over his bare chest. He managed to get cleaned up, but his pants are still soaked in blood. I really hope the attendant inside doesn’t call the authorities.

I’m starved and would like to get drunk off someone at the bar across the street.

“I’ll be able to find you anyhow, so I’m not worried.”

That’s a lie. I am concerned, but not about her running. I can’t trust her. And now that she’s channeled, the threat of… her feels much more real.