Page 86 of The Immortal’s Mark

“Of course.” Thane releases the were-beast. “I am indebted to you and your second for offering protection for Darcie.

“As you all know,” he pauses, his gaze sweeping the group, “she is invaluable to my family, but her training with the Nightsbane clan is of the utmost importance.”

Heat floods my cheeks. I avert my gaze.

Unfortunately, it lands on Des.

We haven’t spoken since our argument. Now he’s here, and he isn’t avoiding me.

The conversation around us continues, but I’m caught in the gravity of his loaded stare.

He clears his throat. “Can I have a word, Darcie?”

I blink. “Sure.”

He holds out his hand.

After a brief hesitation that I’m sure doesn’t go unnoticed, I place my hand in his. Sparks pepper my palm, zipping up my arm and settling in my chest.

The garage quiets, but I still don’t look away from Des. Not until he turns and leads us to the open garage doors.

Grass brushes against my legs as we cross the field sprawled out behind the mansion. My leggings do little to protect my ankles from the itchy blades, though Des subtly moves ahead of me, clearing a path where he can.

The small gesture makes something warm bloom in my chest. But just as suddenly, reality returns like a bucket of ice poured over my head.

What am I doing?

I tug my hand.

Des releases me.

He glances over his shoulder. “Is everything alright?”

No.

“Where are we going?”

“Somewhere we can talk without being overheard.” He gives me nothing else.

And I don’t ask.

I follow him through the field, admiring the way the sun highlights the lighter strands in his dark hair and the way his back muscles shift under his shirt with each step.

I sigh and drop my gaze.

I’m glad I’ll be traveling with the task force.

Maybe another couple of weeks of distance will cure me of this undeniable pull I feel for the broody Immortal.

Unlikely.

The field reaches the edge of a small copse of trees. The air cools beneath the canopy. Leaves filter the sunlight into soft patterns across the ground.

I draw close to Des’s back as he leads us through the winding trees.

Humidity makes my shirt cling to my skin. I tug the fabric away when we take a final turn and come up on a building.

A very old building.