Page 56 of The Immortal’s Mark

He rises and folds his arms over his chest. “When you were a child.”

The memory hits with cruel clarity: a tall man with ink-black hair kneeling, long fingers cool against my temples.

I lean back. “So that was you.”

“I’m surprised you remember,” he admits. “I placed a strong mental block on you that day.”

My gut clenches.

“Well,” I say, my voice brittle, “my brain’s been training for the Mind Olympics lately, breaking blocks left and right. Don’t be too hard on yourself.”

He doesn’t smile.

I inhale through my nostrils. “How did the clan know I was in trouble?”

“I reached out to them.”

“Why?”

“Because what is happening to you also happened to your mother when she gained her powers. The Nightsbane clan had to put her in a rejuvenating coma until the worst passed.”

I scramble to understand. “Is that what you did to me?”

He nods. “Your mind wouldn’t have been able to cope with the pain your powers inflicted on your body. You needed to be disconnected.”

What the hell sort of power is coursing through me?

And how does my alleged transformation to immortality affect it?

“I get it...” My shoulders slump, and I rub my tired eyes. “Can I go back to the balcony now?”

“Absolutely not.”

My head snaps up, and I glare at Alex. “Excuse me?”

“You need to be resting.” His stare is unwavering. “Gregory, take Darcie back to her room.”

Gregory steps forward.

“No!” I lean back into the chair. “Stop. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Yes, you are.” Alex’s jaw ticks.

“No. I. Am. Not.”

“Darcie,” Eshe says, words uncharacteristically soft.

My eyes cut to her. “What?”

She doesn’t flinch. “You almost fainted.”

“I was in shock,” I insist. “I haven’t seen my mom in years. Forgive me for being overwhelmed.”

Eshe purses her lips. “Okay. But your body is still trying to recover from five days of sleep. You can’t walk. Why not just go back and rest for a while? Give yourself one more day.”

“I want to know what they’re talking about,” I say, frustration unraveling my sentences. “I–I want to hear her explain. I…I want to talk to Des.”

My soul titters at the admission, satisfied.