Page 148 of The Immortal’s Mark

My blood boils.

I don’t know whether to throw something at him or shrink away.

Before I can decide, Bella places a gentle hand on my shoulder and guides me back into the room, her touch careful, like she’s afraid I’ll shatter.

“Very good,” Henry praises insincerely, watching me retreat. “Perhaps you can be obedient, after all.”

That snarky comment makes the decision for me.

I fling the decorative pillow with all my strength, aiming straight for his smug face. I want to scream until my throat bleeds. I want him to pay for betraying me and the alliance.

But the door shuts just as the green fabric collides with it.

My hands clench into fists until my knuckles go white.

And through the thick wood, Henry’s laugh bellows, fading slowly as he strolls away.

36

DARCIE

The sun starts to set, and Adir still hasn’t shown his face again.

I should rest and prepare myself for whatever comes next. But I can’t.

The room is too quiet, and the questions in my head are too loud.

Bella left shortly after Henry did, saying she’d be back soon.

Since the moment the door closed behind her, I’ve paced the length of the room over and over again, sitting, then standing again.

I watch the shadows stretch across the carpet, my chest constricting, feeling like danger is closing in and there is nothing I can do to stop it.

I don’t know how long I’ve been here, how much time has passed since Henry stole me away from the safehouse, but surely the task force has noticed I’m gone. They must realize both Gregory and I are missing.

I stare out the wide windows. The beauty of the Italian countryside is lost to my worries.

I can’t believe Bella is helping Adir.

And why.

The fact that she cheated on Thane is nothing less than shocking. The Immortal couple seemed so perfect, so far above such betrayal that it never would have ever crossed my mind as a possibility.

But even knowing what happened in the past, I don’t understand Bella’s willingness to betray everyone now.

She believes she’s helping Thane—that forcing him, Lome, and Des to step down as the Council’s enforcers will benefit them.

But knowing what I do about the brothers’ powers and how humanity influences them, that will never happen.

By the Creator’s design, they will always remain more powerful than their fellow Originals, and the Originals will always be more powerful than the lesser Immortals and half-breeds.

There will always be someone who wants more power. Disrupting the current balance will only bring chaos.

How does Bella not see that?

The bedroom door creaks open.

I spin around, heart in my throat, but most of my dread fades when I recognize the petite brunette stepping into the room.