Page 12 of The Immortal’s One (Bound to the Immortals #1)

We cross another side street. Brick Cottage’s old-fashioned wooden sign swings from a gust of wind up ahead.

“The timing just won’t work out,” I say. I’m not ready to tell anyone about Dad’s diagnosis. Not even Kayla knows.

“Have you thought about going to St. Phillips? I’m sure you’ll be accepted wherever you apply, but they might overlook an application deadline since your dad is faculty. You could start in January. I’m sure your dad would love to have you so close.”

I swallow the emotion clogging my throat. “I’m sure he would, but I don’t think I want to go there.”

I have nothing against St. Phillip’s, but it’s a small, liberal arts college. I’m not sure what I want to study yet, and I don’t want to limit myself by enrolling at such a small institution.

“Oh, I get it.” Amusement covers the words. “I bet you want to go to school out of the country. After all, you’re Darcie Abernathy.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“You know, you’re Brunswick’s little traveler. I’m pretty sure you’ve visited more countries than most adults in town.”

Ah.

Kevin’s talking about my early childhood, before Dad and I settled in Brunswick.

Dad and I traveled all over Europe during his post-doc. I think he would’ve been content to live that nomadic lifestyle, but then he realized he couldn’t supervise my education forever. So Dad got a job at St. Phillip’s, we moved to Maine, and I enrolled in school for the first time .

Being the new kid in a small town was tough, especially since I was more bookish than your average second grader. Thank God for Kayla and her friendship; she kept the worst of the teasing at bay.

For a while, though, I wished I had a normal upbringing. That I’d grown up in Brunswick with the rest of my classmates. I didn’t like being different. Memories of those days make me bristle, sinking my mood.

It's the only reason I can think of for the petty remark that slips out next. “I’m hardly little.”

“No.” Kevin’s voice catches. “You aren’t little.”

I lower my arms and turn to him with wide eyes. Now, it’s his turn to avoid my gaze.

Was that… a compliment?

The butterflies that had taken a breather flutter with new ferocity.

Get a grip, Darcie. Acknowledging someone is no longer a child isn’t a compliment.

My harsh inner voice effectively pins those butterflies' wings closed.

The rest of the walk to Brick Cottage passes in silence. A gust of wind blows a strand of hair across my face when we reach the front doors. I brush it away, then reach for the door.

Before my fingers can touch the handle, Kevin captures my hand.

My heart flips, and a rush of warmth floods me as I turn to face Kevin, no doubt with rosy red cheeks. “Kevin?”

“I have a question.”

I tilt my head to the side. “Okay?”

“What happened this morning?” His eyes search mine. “That guy—Thane? He said he hoped you’d feel better after this morning. What happened? ”

I wince, the memory of my father’s stubbornness creeping back into focus, the frustration overshadowing the thrill coursing through me from the fact Kevin is holding my hand.

“Oh. That.” I shrug, trying to mask the emotion in my voice. “It’s nothing. Just… something with my dad.”

Before Kevin can respond, a knock on the window beside us startles me. We both turn to see Kayla inside, tapping her phone against the glass. She glances at us, then gestures meaningfully at the screen, her eyes flicking pointedly to the time.

I glance at my watch. It’s 10:32. We’re officially late.

Kevin frowns at his sister. “Relax,” he calls through the window.

Kayla sticks out her tongue.

“Very mature.” He scowls.

She rolls her eyes and taps her phone again. This time, her eyes flick between me and Kevin’s still-intertwined hands.

Embarrassment floods me, and I choke out an awkward laugh. “I think Kayla is mad we’re late.”

He sighs. “Yeah, my sister’s not known for her patience. I blame our parents. They baby her.”

“Well, she is the baby,” I tease, trying to lighten the mood.

Kevin’s mouth twitches, but then he glances at the door with a slight frown. “Well… I guess we should go inside?”

Does he wish we had more time alone?

“Yeah… we should.” I loosen my fingers to release his hand and step toward the door.

But Kevin tugs on my hand, drawing me back. Renewed awareness buzzes through my body. My heart beats faster at our proximity.

Sincerity shines from his rich brown eyes. “Whatever’s going on with your dad, I hope it works out. ”

I swallow the knot in my throat, formed by emotion that has nothing to do with my dad’s condition. “Thanks.”

His smile is soft, and I find myself smiling back.

Then, a sharp, almost suffocating pain pierces my chest, and my skin tingles with the sense of being watched.

I scan the street. Nothing looks out of place. Tourists linger nearby, a couple sips hot drinks on a bench, and the world continues at its usual pace. But my unease refuses to fade.

I look across the street where the snow-covered mall stretches out, its white expanse appearing tranquil in the winter light. But when my gaze lands on the gazebo at the far end of the block, my heart leaps into my throat.

A figure stands near the steps, his dark coat and black pants blending with the shadows. The low beanie pulled over his head obscures most of his face, but his eyes are locked on me. I stiffen, my pulse roaring in my ears.

Kayla taps the window again, yanking me out of my trance.

I whip my head around.

What are you doing? she mouths, her gaze flicking between me and Kevin, then dropping to our joined hands again.

I raise a finger, motioning for her to wait, and turn back to look at the stranger.

He’s gone.

I swallow hard, confusion swirling in my mind.

“Darcie?” Kevin speaks slowly. “You coming?”

“Yeah,” I choke out with a nod, my thoughts racing, trying to shake the strange unease that clings to me. “Let’s go.”

He leads me to the door, still holding my hand. But before I step inside, I look back at where the mysterious figure stood.

Who was he?

And just like with Lome… why do I feel I’ve met him before?