Page 15 of The Immortal’s One (Bound to the Immortals #1)

I scream. Or at least, I try to. The sound that escapes me is more of a croak, strangled by the remnants of the pressure that damaged my throat.

“Darcie.”

I drag my eyes from where the women had been cowering and stare into the face of the man who crashed into the restroom and saved me. His eyes are sharp with concern. His broad shoulders, tall height, and curled fists paint a formidable image. Lingering fury wafts off his body.

He knows my name. I should be afraid. But I’m not.

Recognition tickles the back of my head.

I need to get checked out by a medical professional ASAP.

"Darcie?" His firm lips form my name again, more insistent. "Are you hurt?"

I open my mouth to answer, but no sound comes out. I swallow thickly, wincing at the pain, but manage to choke out, "H-how do you know my name?"

He doesn’t answer. Instead, he leans forward, his voice low and commanding. "Darcie, focus. Are you hurt? "

A tug pulls my chest, urging me to get up and meet him halfway.

I imagine my butt is glued to the tile beneath me, desperately trying to avoid doing something mortifying, like throwing myself at this striking man.

There’s definitely something wrong with me.

"Darcie?" His tone softens, though impatience flickers in his gaze. Still, his concern is obvious.

"I'm okay," I rasp.

His gaze sharpens, and green flashes in his hazel eyes. A second later, the color is gone, replaced by something else—something more urgent—as he closes the distance between us and kneels in front of me. His hand reaches out, fingers hovering near my neck.

His nostrils flare, and a hiss passes his lips. "She strangled you."

"I'm okay," I repeat. I don’t know why, but the need to reassure this man is strong.

He pulls back, his hand falling to his side. His jaw clenches. "Were there any others?"

The way he looks at me… it’s like he’s known me forever. Like he’d do anything to protect me.

I shake my head slowly. “No. Just those three.”

I want to ask him what happened to the women, to demand an explanation for how they could be sitting next to me one moment and gone the next.

And where did that blinding light come from?

"Good.” He stands, cutting through my unnerving thoughts, and extends his hand to me. "Let’s go."

I stare at his open palm. "Where are we going?"

"Somewhere safe.” His fingers twitch, but his voice is calm—too calm. "Take my hand, Darcie. "

“How do you know my name?” I ask again. My thoughts may be muddled, but I have enough sense not to ignore the red flag waving in front of my face.

The skin around his eyes tightens. “Because we’ve met before.”

His answer confirms what I’ve been feeling, but how is that possible? Why can’t I remember meeting him?

“When did we meet?”

“I’ll explain everything once we get to safety.” He shifts closer, flexing his hand. “For now, please just trust me.”

I shouldn’t.

It doesn’t matter if recognition tickles the back of my head or that he saved me from the cruel woman’s attack. The fact is, I don’t know this man. I shouldn’t go anywhere with him.

But as I look up into his hazel eyes, a sense of calm erases my fears.

Should I risk it?

I’m not sure I have much of a choice.

The moment I place my hand in his, he closes his eyes.

A spark shoots through my hand where our skin meets, the tingling sensation traveling up my arm like an electric current. I gasp and try to pull away, but his grip tightens.

“Do not panic.” His eyes remain closed. “I will not hurt you.”

Another spark jolts through my hand. It’s not painful, but it is startling. The edges of the man’s strong features begin to dull.

“What’s happening?” I try to pull my hand away again, but the man’s hold is too strong. “Stop!”

“You’re going to be fine.” His mouth sets in a determined line. “Trust me, Darcie.”

The haze over my vision isn’t just blurring him—it’s alive, shifting and swirling as if it has a mind of its own. It feels… wrong. Like I’m slipping out of reality.

My eyes dart down. I gasp when I see the unnerving haze also distorts my body.

What in the ? —

A powerful force grips me, yanking me into a downward spiral. The world tilts violently, and my stomach lurches as the bathroom floor falls away beneath me. My chest tightens, and the air is ripped from my lungs as I’m tossed into swirling darkness.