Page 59 of The Bonds of Indigo

My mother’s voice rushes through me, sending clarity into my head. I thrust my arms outward, feeling energy blaze across my skin. When I reopen my eyes to see the creature, it’s gone. The mirror in front of me is no longer shattered, and the steam that had consumed it has vanished.

My eyes are glowing gold, but indigo roots creep from my scalp over my white hair, and the darkness surrounding my eyes has receded. However, the crack coming from my hairline on the right side of my face has dragged closer to my eyebrow.

Then suddenly, the door to the bathroom crashes open. My fighting instinct kicks back in, and I thrust out the magic I managed to channel to escape the Grimhorn.

Pain rips through my chest as it makes contact… with Kayn.

The moment it slices across his upper arm, I sever the connection.

Bright sparks of light burst between us, like small fireworks in the night sky.

He looks furious, but that doesn’t stop him from whipping his head around like he expects the creature to appear again. “Where is he?”

My heart feels like it’s ready to climb out of my throat as he hurries in front of me. “Amarah! Answer me. Where is he?!”

“W-Who…?” I just nearly cut his head off, and I’d have put myself into a worse fate than the one I’m already living.

When my knees wobble, he grabs my arms and keeps me upright. “The person that called your name. Where… is he?” he grits out through his teeth, and I’m stunned, but not for any reason he could ever understand.

“You… heard it?”

His bright crimson eyes lock on mine. “Yes.”

I turn to the mirror that shows no evidence of the horror I just went through, where I’m greeted once more with the hexed indigo, and a hollow expression on my face. The broken girl staring back at me—sunken cheeks, darkened eyes—is far more exhausted than she seemed just moments ago.

Swallowing, I look back at Kayn, but not at his face—just his chest, rising and falling. Vampires don’t need to breathe, yet he struggles like he can’t find his breath.

“It…” My body fights me, and I shake my head, knowing I can’t explain it without telling him everything. “I was talking to myself.” The knot in my stomach makes me feel like I’m seconds from vomiting.

His hand engulfs my chin, fingers pressing firmly as he tilts my head up, forcing me to meet his gaze. “That wasn’t your voice,” he grits out, “and I… Something was off. What happened?”

I smile somberly. “Nothing, Butcher… Absolutely nothing that concerns you.”

For the first time since meeting him, I truly fear him. His eyes darken to half-mast, the frown on his face stabs right into my gut, and the low, throaty growl rumbling out of him slides straight down my spine.

“Psycho and crazy.” He releases my face and steps away from me. “What a combination, Holloway.”

Turning my head away before I start screaming, I cross my arms under my chest and fold into myself.

He tuts and steps away from the door. “Go to the car.”

I don’t wait for a second command. I run.

The next couple of hours are quiet. It’s like Atlas can sense something happened, but refuses to ask. I don’t blame him; neither Butcher nor I would answer if he did, and it’s like he knows it.

When we pull off the road and down a rocky trail, finally coming to a stop, I’m ready to be free of this cramped space.

“I’ll make your tent,” Atlas says with a smile directed right at me.

I don’t know if he feels bad for me or if he genuinely wants to help, but I appreciate it. As much as I’d like to be independent enough to put it together myself, I’m exhausted and my arms hurt.

That damn Grimhorn broke me mentally, shattering whatever strength I had in keeping my past separate from my present. It was a sign that she can—and will—reach me. I was safe behind the wards.

Vendra?

I sigh as I watch both Atlas and Kayn work in the dark to set up camp for the night.

I’m mad at him for being so attractive. The Vampire. Atlas is handsome, but my Gods…