Page 160 of The Immortal’s Mark

“AH!” I cry out.

Red lighting zips up my arm, burning me from the inside out.

“YOU’RE DEAD!” Des roars. A loud clap booms. Blinding white light floods the room.

Pain dominates my senses, but Adir’s scream breaks through the agony. “Finish the bond!”

No!

I try to roll away from the altar, but the pain is too much. I curl into a ball, gritting my teeth, begging the Creator to end my suffering.

The ground under me shakes. Debris falls from the ceiling, but I can’t even lift my arms to shield myself.

My muscles seize. The golden light resumes its ominous crawl over my skin, and panic grips my chest.

The tendrils that will bond me to Adir reach my heart. The edges poke and prod, preparing to weave through my soul and link it to the treacherous Immortal forever.

I whimper.

Please…no!

“You must intercept it, Des!” Lome’s shout pierces my mind. “Claim what is yours!”

“NO!” Adir screams.

A gust of air blows over me, and arms slip under my back.

Time suspends.

I’m lifted up, and my heartbeat slows.

Pain dulls, but it won’t last.

Danger hovers on the edge of awareness, patiently waiting for the chance to overwhelm me.

My eyes crack open. Tears soak my face, blurring my vision, but I’d know the owner of the emerald eyes hovering over me even in the dark.

“Des,” I sigh.

His firm lips press together. “Please forgive me.”

“For what⁠—”

His mouth crashes against mine.

Time snaps back to its normal pace.

Agony returns.

I buck in Des’s arms, but he doesn’t release me.

This kiss isn’t soft or affectionate.

It’s desperate, but not in a good way.

The golden light around my heart sparks, then dives through my chest.

I yelp, then flinch when Adir’s infuriated scream hits me before it's cut short.