Page 142 of The Immortal’s Mark

I don’t respond.

I just stare, pouring every ounce of hate and resentment I have into my gaze, wishing it could burn holes through his pretty face.

“Oh, come on.” His voice is slick as oil. He flicks a strand of golden hair away from his forehead. “Don’t be this way. I went through a lot of trouble to find you.”

A shiver skates down my spine despite my effort to stay still.

I maintain my silence.

With a disappointed sigh, Adir moves until he stands beside Bella. He places a hand over her bony shoulder.

I clamp down on the urge to tell him not to touch her.

“I suspect Bella has updated you on the state of our dealings,” he says with a smirk. “I’m sure you’re happy to see she is unharmed and that she is not my prisoner as the alliance would lead you to believe.”

I would hardly call Bella’s hollow-eyed, subdued state “unharmed,” but I keep the thought locked behind my teeth.

Adir’s sapphire eyes harden as his mask slips, just enough to show the villain underneath. “I suggest you start responding to me, Darcie, or I’m afraid I will not be able to guarantee your friend remains unharmed.”

I shift an inch closer to Gregory.

“He’s your descendant,” I snap. “Are you really the type of person who would harm your own family?”

“That vampire is an abomination.” He removes his hand from Bella. “He is the product of a vampire and human relationship, and his kind should not exist. The only reason he isn’t already dead is because my son is fond of him.”

I force my face to stay blank.

I will not react and give Adir a single clue about what I know, or don’t know, about his relationship with Alex.

Or Gregory’s bloodline.

“Nothing to say?” He tuts softly. “I’m disappointed. I thought you cared for your friends more than that.”

He raises an ominous hand toward Gregory.

“What do you want?” I demand. “Why am I here?”

Adir lowers his arm.

“That is a complicated question.”

It really isn’t.

I grit my teeth and wait, refusing to play into whatever web he weaves as much as possible. But I won’t stand by and stay silent if that means he leaves Gregory alone.

Adir watches me. Bella does, too.

My focus remains on the unstable Immortal, braced for what comes next.

“My initial hope was to utilize you and your abilities for my cause.” Adir rocks back on his heels. His lips lift into an eerie grin. “You must understand, not every witch or warlock has the strength to withstand an Immortal’s powers like you did in the dungeon. For that reason alone, you are valuable.”

“Not to mention,” he adds, with a wistful note, “possessing you would cause unfathomable distress to the rest of my siblings.”

A shudder shakes my entire body.

“And now?” I clip out. “Why do you want me now?”

“It’s an interesting story, actually.” He begins to walk the length of the room, his tone easy, conversational. It grates my nerves. “For weeks, I’ve been trying to figure out a way to lure you out of the brothers’ mansion, but I could not come up with an idea. Until lovely Bella, here, reminded me about your father.”