Page 73 of The Immortal’s Mark

I can’t stomach making myself vulnerable to him. Not again. Not anymore.

So, I fight the desire to call out and summon Des back to my side—to demand he and I make a final decision on how to handle our connection going forward.

To demand that he no longer kisses me.

That he no longer holds my hand.

That he doesn’t stare at me with those soul-breaking emerald eyes.

Because despite what the Creator intended, Des and I will not end up together.

Our future rested on Des’s shoulders for weeks, and he has carried it away, never intending to pursue it.

And I just have to accept that.

There’s no other choice.

19

DARCIE

The undeniable feeling that something bad is going to happen hovers throughout Thane’s office. The dread coagulates in the air, pressing down on me like a weighted blanket I can’t shirk off.

I sit in the oversized leather chair in the corner with a soft beige blanket tucked around my legs, staring at Des and Alex standing in the corner, speaking in low tones.

Neither so much as glanced my way when Gregory escorted me into the room this morning, only one night after I successfully threw my consciousness into the past through Des’s mind.

The same can’t be said for Thane.

The leader of the Immortal brothers has not looked away from me since I sat down. His intense, assessing stare is nothing short of unnerving. I can’t tell what he’s thinking. I’m not sure I want to.

“Are you certain you’re warm enough?” Gregory asks.

I look over my shoulder at my vampire bodyguard and force a grateful smile that I’m sure comes out strained.

“I’m good. Thanks.”

I don’t mention that the chill in my bones has less to do with my incredible feats of magic, but rather my continued emotional turmoil regarding a certain broody Immortal.

His lips tighten, and his eyes hold mine. “You will tell me if that changes. Yes?”

“Yes. I promise.”

With a firm nod, a stoic mask slips into place as he resumes his guard duties, scanning the office, eyes catching on Thane, who sits behind his heavy wood desk in the center of the room.

I blow out a breath when Lome and Eshe walk into the room. They immediately cross the space and settle onto the couch situated in front of me.

“About time,” Thane huffs. He flicks his fingers, and the office door shuts with a gust of wind.

Lome shoots his brother a cheeky grin. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Sure, you are.”

Eshe gives me a small smile before turning her attention to her brother-in-law. “Now that we are here, care to tell us what this meeting is about?”

“And why isn't it limited to family?” Lome adds, his gaze shifting between the two vampires in the room.

“We are here to discuss Darcie,” Thane says. “And both Alexander and Gregory will need to know what we decide in order to keep her safe.”