Page 176 of The Immortal’s Mark

Seeing no other option, I lift my neckline to protect my mouth and nose from the smoke and move toward the inferno.

A flash of light streaks in my peripheral vision.

I whirl around and stumble when Adir and Des fall through a rip.

White and red bolts of lightning crack through the air, each aimed at the other Immortal’s chest, only to be thwarted by the other Immortal’s power.

Thunder echoes in my head. I cover my ears and spin around, searching for cover, but there’s nothing but barren trees and smoldering grass.

Shit.

A furious roar bellows through the air.

My head snaps back, and my heart falls to the ground.

Des falls to one knee, clutching the side of his neck where charred black skin smolders and blood gushes.

No!

I’m running before I can take another breath.

My lungs tighten, and my eyes burn, but I don’t slow, not even when my feet slip out from under me. I stumble, but push myself up and keep going. I can’t stop running. My soul screams at me to intervene before it’s too late.

Adir’s malicious smirk burns into my eyes, more painful than the smoke, as he strides toward Des, who is hunched over, struggling to breathe.

Tendrils of red light flicker over Adir’s palm. His lips move, but sound is lost to the blood pounding through my eardrums.

He lifts his hand.

My soul screeches.

I’m too far away!

I won’t make it.

A scream tears from my throat.

Adir’s head snaps in my direction. His open mouth gives way to a pleased grin, and amusement dances in his eyes as he watches me race to stop the inevitable.

“Hello, love,” his oily words seep through my panic and torture my mind. “I’m glad you could make it for the grand finale.”

He flicks his finger, and the red light dancing along his hands flies out and strikes Des’s temple.

My heart shatters, along with the rest of the world as the burning scene around me crumbles like a kicked sandcastle, and I am flung back and strike the ashy ground with breath-stealing force.

“AH!” I gasp and bolt upright.

Or try to.

But firm arms are banded around me.

The solid surface behind me isn’t the ground. It’s a muscular chest.

“Darcie?” Des murmurs near my ears. “Are you awake?”

I whip my head to the side, and tears roll down my cheeks when I take in his uninjured neck and clear eyes.

“D-des,” I croak and swallow. “You’re all right.”