Page 40 of The Immortal’s Curse (Bound to the Immortals #2)

DARCIE

Warm, humid air wraps around me like a memory I never meant to keep—familiar, heavy, and impossible to ignore as I trail behind Des. Flashes from my first vision slam into me.

A stubborn part of me had clung to the hope that all this talk about visions and curses was a bizarre fluke. But as we move deeper into the dungeon, déjà vu tightens around me like a second skin. I know this place. I’ve seen it before.

I need to figure out more about these visions, the curse. But it will have to wait.

Once the meeting with Adir is behind me and I’ve relayed what I learned to the alliance, I’ll ask the brothers for help. I need to know what’s happening to me.

A light brush at my back pulls me from my thoughts. Alex . He walks with silent steps, but I feel his presence close behind as the three of us descend the winding stone stairs.

I glance back. His jaw is clenched, every muscle in his frame drawn tight. He and Des have been on edge since the steel dungeon door groaned open.

I face forward again, steadying myself with a hand on the cool stone wall as darkness presses in .

Des lifts a subtly glowing hand, signaling us to stop. My inhale stutters, trembling, as fear snakes up and wraps itself tight around my chest.

He turns to me, his voice low and sharp. “Stay close. And for the love of all that’s good in this world, don’t let Adir get the best of you.”

I nod, my throat dry. You can do this, Darcie.

Des’ gaze lingers on me. Then, without another word, he strides into the dungeon’s main chamber. My eyes sweep across the rows of empty cells until they land on the only one that isn’t.

Adir.

He’s right where I saw him in my vision, seated in that worn wooden chair, the air around him thick with expectation. And when his eyes find us, his face lights up.

“I see my son has delivered my message.” Adir’s eyes never leave me as we close the distance. I drop my eyes to the ground, taking care not to slip or stumble on my trembling legs.

“Well done, Alexander,” Adir adds, voice slick with mock praise.

I don’t have to turn to know Alex is still at my back, steady, silent, protective. He doesn’t respond.

Des stops feet away from the cell’s bars, well out of arm’s reach.

With a deep breath, I lift my eyes to study Adir. Weeks in a dank, dark dungeon haven’t touched him. No weight loss, no signs of fatigue. Only his clothes betray him, fabric rumpled and stained by grime.

Either Thane’s making sure Adir is cared for, or Immortals don’t wear down the way humans do. My money’s on both.

“You’re looking well, Darcie.” Adir’s gaze drags across me, slow, deliberate. Every hair on the back of my neck bristles. An unsettling smile tugs at his lips. “Yes… very well.”

“Say what you need to say and be done,” Des growls, voice sharp. “We won’t play your games. ”

“Always so serious.” Adir sighs, rising from his seat. He lifts his arms above his head, stretching like he has all the time in the world, then drops his arms to his side. “Before we dive into business, I was hoping you’d indulge a quick question, Darcie.”

I blink, tension snapping through the air. Both Des and Alexander go still beside me.

“Sure,” I say, voice steady. Barely.

He tilts his head, eyes gleaming with cruel curiosity.

“How are you coping with the latest revelations ? It’s not every day a human learns monsters from bedtime stories are real, that creatures like my son exist. How does it feel, knowing the brothers forgot to mention such a fascinating detail about your world? ”

He’s poking at cracks, looking for a way to drive a wedge between me and the brothers.

It won’t work.

I cross my arms over my chest. “You didn’t tell me about them, either.”

He chuckles. “True. But I never swore to protect you. I had no obligation. Unlike Des and his brothers...” He turns to Des, smile curdling as he adds, “They kept you in the dark, didn’t they?”

My heart pounds, but I roll my eyes. “Why are we here, Adir? Is this just another attempt to shake my trust in them? Because if so, you’re wasting your time.”

A flicker of surprise flies across his face. Then, unrestrained laughter bounces off the stone walls, filling the dungeon.

“ Finally ,” he says, delighted, “our little Darcie’s grown a backbone. Outstanding!”

Heat flares in my cheeks, my jaw tightening as I force myself not to snap back. Des’ warning echoes in my head: Don’t let him get to you.

I won’t. At least… I’ll try not to.

Des steps so he’s slightly in front of me. His muscular back is rigid. “Tell us what you want, Adir. Why did you want to speak with Darcie?”

Adir’s eyes stay on me, hungry for a reaction.

“How do you do it?” he asks, voice softening with fake wonder. “How do you stand so close to a creature of the night and not flinch? Don’t you know what my son is capable of? Do you know what lives in his blackened soul?”

I fight not to react, but my gaze betrays me. I look at Alexander.

Do vampires have blackened souls?

I don’t think so. Not Alex.

He doesn’t meet my eyes. His jaw is clenched, but his expression is locked down tight.

I glance between him and Adir. They resemble each other, but one has warmth under the surface, whereas the other has nothing but malice.

“Enough of this,” Des snaps. He spins away from Adir, voice clipped. “We’re done. Let’s go.”

He brushes past me, walking toward the winding staircase. Alex turns to follow, dismissing his father without so much as a goodbye.

I hesitate.

Part of me wants to stay, to hear whatever Adir has to say. But maybe that’s exactly what he’s counting on. Maybe this whole thing was just bait.

I step after Des, one foot, then the other, only to slam into something solid.

“Ow!” I stumble back, hand flying to my nose as pain flares hot and sharp. Des keeps walking, oblivious, but Alex halts mid-step.

I reach out, fingertips brushing against something smooth, unmoving. A barrier. Real and invisible.

“What the?— ”

“Did they really think I had no allies down here?” Adir’s voice slides into my ears, soaked in smug satisfaction.

I whirl around. He’s at the bars now, face glowing with triumph.

“Des was so easy to manipulate. It took almost nothing to lure him away from your side.” He smiles, a slow, razor-edged grin that chills my blood.

I spin back around. Des and Alex have noticed my predicament. They slam their fists against the invisible barrier, mouths moving, but I hear nothing. Not a sound.

I’m sealed in. Trapped.

And just like that, my worst fear has come true.

This was a setup.