Page 49 of The Immortal’s Mark

I close my eyes, arranging the facts into an order I can process.

When Des first told me I was half-breed, a witch, he called my visions the first stirring of my power. He did not mention that the next phase might burn me alive from the inside.

The terrace memory floods back, and I groan softly. “That’s what they were talking about.”

“Who?”

I pry my eyes open. “Des and Alex. I had a vision while I was…out. They were talking about me. And my birthday.”

Understanding flickers in Eshe’s gaze.

“Yes. Powers fully emerge by a witch’s twenty-first birthday. Yours must’ve been delayed.” Her expression darkens a shade. “Though they are not supposed to nearly destroy you.”

My forehead furrows. “So what happened to me isn’t normal?”

“No.” A fine line appears between her brows. “Not at all.”

Great…

I blow out a heavy breath.

Nothing about me can be normal. Can it?

“Eshe?” A male voice calls down the corridor, warm and familiar. “Are you in here?”

Lome strides into the room. His hazel eyes sweep the room once, then land on me and grow wide.

“Darcie?” Disbelief flips to joy in a blink. “You’re awake!”

He crosses the distance and folds me into a hug. The breath whooshes out of me in a startled laugh.

He jerks back instantly, contrition all over his face. “I’m sorry. I did not mean… Are you hurt? Did I–?”

“I’m fine.” I grin to prove it. “Tired and weak, but good.”

He perches on the bed, opposite Eshe, the mattress dipping under his weight. “You scared us half to death, girl. Don’t do that again.”

“No promises,” I joke. “But I’ll try.”

He manages to give me a small grin of his own.

“Did you need something from me?” Eshe asks, drawing her husband’s attention.

His smile falters. “Thane is hosting a meeting with Charmian and the clan who helped Darcie. I came to ask if you wished to attend?”

Her stunning dark eyes widen.

“A meeting?” I sit up and immediately begin to push the covers down my legs, ignoring my shaking muscles. “I want to go.”

Eshe’s hands land gently, but firmly, on my shoulders. “You just woke up, Darcie. You shouldn’t get out of bed. You need rest.”

“I feel fine,” I counter, even as I try to hide the dizziness the sudden movement has caused. “I want to hear why the clan came to help me, and why I needed help in the first place.”

Lome shifts, uncomfortable. “I don’t think Thane wishes to discuss your treatment. He’s more concerned with convincing them to join the alliance.”

I don’t care.

I keep working to free my legs from blankets. Eshe takes pity on me, withdrawing her hands, and slides the covers to my ankles.