Page 7 of The Immortal’s Curse (Bound to the Immortals #2)

DARCIE

The days stretch on, quieter than I ever expected.

No rebels. No magic. No Immortals.

Just the hum of normal life—a rhythm I worried I’d never get back. Not after meeting him.

"Darcie!” Carl leans over the counter. "Someone's here to see you."

I rise from where I’m restocking the fridge beneath the back counter. “What?”

“I said someone’s here.” He hikes a thumb over his shoulder. “Near the front door.”

I rise on my tiptoes, scanning past the group of college students debating what to order, but I don’t recognize anyone.

I ask, “Did they say their name?”

“Nope.” He shakes his shaggy hair and resumes sweeping the front of the cafe.

I smirk. Very helpful, Carl.

After smoothing down a few wayward strands of hair, I step out from behind the counter. The buttery and sweet scent of fresh pastries hits me from the display case against the wall.

I step around the students, and my eyes immediately lock on the tall figure leaning casually against the window by the door. I freeze.

Unease stirs in my chest, but it’s quickly replaced with amusement when I spot Susie batting her lashes up at the handsome Immortal.

I shake my head.

Just like last time.

Still, I’m not totally prepared when Lome lifts his eyes from the perky blonde vying for his attention and spots me. His smile widens instantly, lighting up his whole face, and he strides across the room without hesitation.

“Darcie!”

Before I can say a word, he sweeps me into a hug, lifting me off the ground like I weigh nothing.

“Hi, Lome,” I manage, laughing a little.

“Hi, Darcie,” he echoes, grinning as he swings me gently from side to side. “It’s great to see you.”

“You, too.” A glance confirms that Susie and the college students watch us. I tap Lome’s broad shoulder. “But think you can put me down?”

He chuckles and bends down. He waits until my feet are firmly on the ground before releasing me and stepping back. But he doesn’t go far.

Lome rests a hand on my shoulder and leans in, studying me with quiet intensity. “How have you been? Any complaints?”

I smile, touched by the genuine concern in his voice. His presence is unexpected, but knowing he came to check on me warms my heart.

“I’ve been good,” I smile softly. “No complaints.”

“Good.” He leans back and nods like my answer settles something for him. “That’s good.”

“How about you? How’s Eshe?”

His arm falls away, and he tilts his head to the side. “Eshe is fine. ”

“ Good .” The knot of anxiety that’s been lodged in my chest loosens. “That’s good.”

“Why do you ask?”

Aware we have an audience, I choose my words carefully, “Because Eshe was the only person I didn’t see after… that day.”

“Ah.” Understanding shines in his gaze, and his features soften. “I see.”

So many more questions sit on the tip of my tongue about Adir, the rebellion… about Des . But I hold each one back.

“Do you have a moment to catch up?” Lome asks, his gaze sliding past me to the register. His forehead furrows.

“What is it?” I look over my shoulder. Alex stands with his back facing us. He’s talking to Hannah, and based on the way his muscles tense, something’s wrong.

Hannah nods at whatever our boss says, eyes wide. Then, Alex storms down the hall, disappearing from sight.

I turn back to Lome. He’s frowning.

“Lome?” I shift my weight between my feet. “Is everything okay?”

His jaw tightens, then relaxes. “Yes. Sorry. I… never mind.” His smile returns, but it looks forced. “Do you have time to talk for a minute? I promise I won’t keep you long.”

My earlier unease returns, twisting my stomach. “Um… let me check.”

He nods and slides into one of the booths near the window, resting his elbows on the table as he waits.

My steps are heavy as I move behind the counter. I glance down the hallway to find the office door shut.

I wait for Hannah to finish ringing someone up, then clear my throat. “Hey, Hannah?”

She glances up from where she’s putting money in the register. “Oh, hi, Darcie. ”

“Is everything okay with Alex?” I wave vaguely toward the hall. “He looked… upset.”

“Oh. Yeah.” She frowns, tucking a five-dollar bill into the register and closing the tray. “I have no idea what happened. One minute, he told me to make a latte, and the next, he demanded that I take over the register.”

“Huh. Weird.” Alex has never so much as scowled at one of us in the weeks I’ve been working here. It’s not like him to lose his cool.

“Yeah,” she agrees. “Really weird.”

The printer spits out another drink ticket. I reach for it. “I’ll help you make the drink orders.

“Wait. Are you done talking to your friend?”

My hand stills. “What?”

“Your friend. The hot one by the window.” Her eyes sparkle as she tilts her head Lome’s direction. “Are you done talking to him?”

I drop my arm. “Oh. Um… not really. But he can wait. I’ll take my break after we catch up with orders.”

“No need.” Carl reappears, tucking the broom in the back corner behind the counter. “I’ll help Hannah.”

He ducks his head so his hair falls in his face, but not before I catch the glance he sneaks at Hannah as he moves to wash his hands.

“Are you sure?” I look between him and Hannah. “I don’t want to leave you hanging.”

“You aren’t.” Hannah winks. “We’ve got it covered.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her it’s not what she thinks, Lome is just a friend. Considering how many times she’s seen Kevin drop by to say hi, the fact that she even thinks otherwise is surprising.

But instead of correcting her, I say, “Thanks,” and clock out on the computer for a fifteen-minute break.

I cross the café and slide into the booth across from Lome.

The déjà vu hits instantly. Thane, Lome, and I sat two booths away from this one weeks ago, before I knew the truth about Immortals and how I would be pulled into their world.

It’s crazy to think about everything that has happened since then.

“So…” Lome’s eyes dip to the nametag pinned to my shirt. “You got a job.”

“I did.”

“Good for you.” He leans back, resting one arm on the top of the booth. “Anything else new?”

I pretend to think. “Oh, nothing much. Except I enrolled at St. Phillips for this semester.”

His brows shoot up. “Come again?”

“I’m taking college classes.” I shrug with a smile. “I was tired of weighing all my options, wondering what I wanted to do next. It felt… nice to make a decision.”

After nearly dying at the hands of an Immortal, I realized life is too short to keep putting off the things I wanted to do.

He whistles low. “Good for you. I know how torn you were about where you wanted to study.”

“Thanks.”

“I bet your dad is glad you’ll be close to home.”

“Sort of.” My smile slips.

Dad is excited I’m home, but oddly insistent that I take school easy.

I’d almost call his behavior overprotective.

Even though he’s in Italy, he checks in on me every chance he gets.

If he knows I’m out of the house, I’ll get a text within the hour asking if I’m okay.

It’s so different from how he treated me as a teenager.

“Here’s that medium roast.” Susie interrupts, sliding a cup of coffee onto the table. Her eyes locked on Lome.

He blinks but quickly masks his surprise. “Thank you, Susie, but I think you’ve got the wrong table.”

“No, I don’t.” She winks. “This one’s on the house. ”

A shadow flickers over his expression, but it’s gone before I can name it. “That’s very kind of you.”

She beams. “Of course. Say goodbye before you leave, okay?”

His smile is tight. “Sure.”

I press my lips together to keep from laughing.

Was this how Lome looked the last time we were here and Susie flirted with him? Now that I know him, it’s obvious he’s only being polite. Was it the same back then?

Susie flips her hair and turns to me. Her smile dims. “Oh. Hi, Darcie.”

I barely hide a snort. “Hi, Susie.”

With an awkward wave, she retreats to the front counter.

Susie usually works midday, so I’ve only shared a shift with her twice. She’s nice, but she clearly saves her energy for flirting with customers.

Don’t be judgy, Darcie.

I turn back to Lome. “So. What are you doing here?”

There’s no point in beating around the bush. Clearly, something’s up.

“Checking on you, of course.” He sips his coffee like that should be obvious. “Do you wish I hadn’t come?”

“No,” I confess, surprising myself. “I don’t. But I can’t help but think you’re here for more than just a check-in.”

He frowns. “I promise you, I’m only here to make sure you’re okay. I’ve been worried.”

The sincerity in his voice catches me off guard.

“Sorry.” I lean back. “You surprised me, that’s all. I thought I might never see any of you again.”

And before this conversation, I would’ve said I hoped never to see any of them again. I’ll have to address my fickle feelings later.

“There’s no need to apologize,” his voice softens. “I know my visit is unexpected. ”

I swallow the lump in my throat. “So… how are things with the rebellion?”

Lome takes another slow sip of his coffee, eyes steady on mine as he sets the cup down. “Stable, for now. But tensions are high.”

He glances at a nearby table where a woman quickly looks away. A chill prickles across my skin.

I can only imagine what’s happening among the Immortals now that Adir’s rebellion has been exposed.

What’s left of the rebels without their leader? Do they still exist? Or has everything unraveled without Adir pulling the strings?

I ask, “Has there been a trial?”

“Not yet.” His expression hardens. “But Des is pushing for it.”

At the mention of Des, a knot tightens in my chest.

“How is he?” I ask before I can stop myself, my voice quieter than intended.

Lome’s eyes gleam. “Who? Des?”

He’s messing with me. I refuse to play his game.

“Yes,” I answer. “How is he?”

He shrugs. “Des is Des. Irritable, hot-headed, and generally sullen when things don’t go his way.”

“But he’s okay?” I search Lome’s face, desperate for any hint of the truth.

Lome’s lips turn down. “Des is... troubled.”

I lean forward, my pulse quickening. “Troubled, how?”

I thought you wanted to stay out of the Immortals’ drama?

I scowl at my inner voice. Oh, shut up.

Lome looks past me and exhales a heavy sigh. “Des doesn’t believe the rebellion will stop with Adir in custody. He fears another attack. And I can’t say I disagree with him.”

Fear clogs my throat, but I manage to choke out, “What kind of attack? ”

Tired eyes meet mine. “ That , I do not know. But don’t worry, the protections around Brunswick are strong. Thane has done everything in his power to keep his promise to protect you.”

A worry I hadn’t addressed with him lifts off my shoulders, but several more remain.

The Council, specifically the brothers, ensure Immortals don’t harm humanity with their interference. If the rebellion finds a way to go against their rules, I’m not sure Thane’s efforts will be enough to save me from the fallout. I’ll suffer just like all humans.

Lome reads my feelings from my face. “My family won’t let anything happen to you, Darcie. Any lesser Immortal who dares come near you will be stripped of their immortality. If they’re lucky, they’ll get a few minutes to live as mortals.”

Shock ripples through me. “You can do that? Make Immortals human?”

“Not truly human,” he corrects. “But if the Council agrees, we can strip them of their immortality, subjecting them to the natural course of time and decay. A lesser Immortal could die from something as simple as the flu. It’s a fate worse than immediate annihilation for our kind.”

For some reason, Evetta comes to mind. Des banished her to the Underworld without hesitation. Why not strip her powers instead? Was that… mercy?

“Why would the rebels risk that?” I ask. “If I were an Immortal, the fear of becoming mortal would stop me from ever rising against the Council.”

A smirk plays at the corners of his lips. “Weren’t you raised by a scholar of ancient history?”

I frown.

“Even gods are tempted by power,” Lome explains. “Immortality means nothing to those who feel powerless or insignificant. ”

I tilt my head to the side in thought. “Does the Council make lesser Immortals feel insignificant?”

“Some do.”

“Hm.” A strand of hair falls over my face. I lift my hand and tuck it behind my ear.

“What’s that?” he asks abruptly.

“Huh?”

Lome stares at my hand. “Your hand. What happened there?”

“Oh.” I glance at the bandage. Blood seeps through the top layer. Time for a new one. “It’s nothing. Just a cooking accident.”

“You? An accident?” His voice drops to a playful drawl. “What happened to the graceful woman I danced with at the ball?”

I snort. “She returned to the life of a clumsy human.”

He laughs, and my earlier apprehension at seeing him fades away.

This is not the first time Lome’s humor has lifted my spirits, and despite the dark events that followed the ball, I did have fun dancing with him.

I take a deep breath and finally admit the truth:

At the end of the day, living among Immortals had its complications, but I don’t regret all I experienced.

I’ve learned so much about a world I never knew existed—a world other humans will never know about. And while it brought its share of danger, it’s pretty cool to know about the supernatural world.

Just as long as the rebellion stays far, far away… and I get to live my life on my own terms.