Page 78 of The Immortal’s Mark

Longing flashes across Thane’s face.

A path forward rolls out under my feet, one I am determined to follow.

I will travel with a search party. I’m tired of being stuck in the mansion, making little progress with my powers. I will train while the others search for my friends, and I’ll find a way to do it even if I have to sneak out under the Immortal leader’s watch.

The waiting stretches taut as a bowstring.

Thane’s jaw works, conflicting desires warring across his rigid features until he finally speaks.

“Very well.”

I release a heavy exhale.

Gregory squeezes my shoulder.

Thane adds, “But we must decide who we trust to keep Darcie’s location a secret.”

“I already have some ideas,” Des says, his narrowed eyes locked on the hand resting on my shoulder.

“Good.” Thane’s stern gaze returns to me. “We should also take a moment to pray to the Creator that this isn’t a mistake, and that we aren’t walking right into Adir’s trap…again.”

And with those words, my earlier dread sharpens and twists around my chest in a warning impossible to ignore.

But I must.

For Bella, I will endure whatever comes next so the alliance can find her.

She would do the same for me.

20

DARCIE

The next two days are utter mayhem.

The brothers, Council, and other prestigious members of the alliance can be heard arguing at all hours of the day and night as they strategize and formalize the details of the next wave of task forces they will be sending to search for Bella.

Tension hums in the air like a live wire that buzzes over my skin whether I’m in my bed, a lounge chair in the garden, or a fainting sofa in the parlor. While the others plan, I’ve been tasked with recovering despite insisting I am well.

Sure, my head is still a little fuzzy and my limbs are weak, but I’m far from the debilitated state from nights ago.

But Thane doesn’t care. If I want to join the search parties, I need to rest.

So, I do.

And I rely on Gregory for information. He reports every detail he can gather about each of the three task forces—who’s assigned where, which regions are considered high risk, and what kind of resistance they expect.

I memorize every name. Every plan. Every possible danger.

Group one will consist of witches and warlocks already working for the alliance, as well as were-beast escorts known for their scenting abilities.

“They’ll investigate plausible sightings of rebels,” Gregory explains from his usual seat in the chair by my bedroom door. “If Adir has hidden strongholds, the were-beasts should be able to scent them.”

I pause taking notes on my cell phone and tap the case with my pointer finger. “And if they find them?”

“They will not engage unless necessary.”

Meaning, if they are cornered.