Page 20 of The Immortal’s One (Bound to the Immortals #1)

Blood rushes in my ears, deafening and dizzying, as I continue to stare at Lome, trying to figure out what to say next. He can’t really be serious; there’s no way he can cure Dad’s cancer. This has to be some sick, twisted joke.

Except he’s an Immortal…

I inhale a shuddering breath and force myself to acknowledge Lome’s not joking. He’s dead serious. He can cure Dad’s cancer.

This is insane.

“H-how do you even know my dad is sick?” Only Dad, his doctors, and I know about his cancer. I haven’t breathed a word about it to anyone. Except Thane…

Shit.

Back at my high school’s track, when I waited for my Jeep to warm up… Thane noticed I was upset and asked if he could do anything. I’d sarcastically said only if he could cure cancer…

Great job, Darcie.

I might not have outright told him about my dad, but something tells me it didn’t take long for him to figure out why I made the dark comment.

And he must’ve told his brother.

Lome holds my stare, radiating calm. “I went to Maine to visit him.”

Panic hits like a freight train. “Please leave him out of this. I’ll?—”

“Stop.” He holds up a hand. “Let me finish.”

I clamp my mouth shut, pressing my lips together to stop desperate words from spilling out. Heat gathers behind my eyes, tears threatening to fall.

He lowers his hand and looks up to the sky with a sigh. He scans our surroundings one more time. “What I’m about to offer has to stay between us. Do you understand?”

I give myself a second to breathe, then dip my head in a slow nod. “I–I understand.”

“Good.” He crosses his arms, his voice measured. “I went to see your dad to explain your absence. And before you ask, yes, my explanation involved altering his memories.”

I’d be a fool not to acknowledge that someone who can mess with people's memories could just as easily do the same to me. Lome has the power to make me agree to whatever he wants…

I suppose the fact he hasn’t is a sign my captors aren’t monsters. But they’re still wrong for keeping me here against my will.

“What did you make my dad believe?” I wave away the fly buzzing around my head.

“That you’re studying abroad.” Lome lifts a hand and swats at the fly when it doesn’t leave.

I duck when the insect soars close to my face, then frown. “But I’m not enrolled in college yet. ”

“You took classes while you were in Greece.” He waves his hand one more time. At last, the pesky fly zooms up and away. "It was easy to Mask his mind into believing you stayed behind to finish a winter course."

My shoulders tense. “How do you know about that ?”

He averts his gaze, his jaw tight. “I have my ways.”

Before I can ask what the hell that means, his eyes swing back to mine. His gaze sharpens, focused. “Anyway, as I was saying, I visited your father. While with him, I sensed the cancer inside him.”

I blink. “You sensed it?”

“My brothers and I can sense injuries and illnesses in mortals. Especially when it’s something as advanced as your father’s cancer.”

Right… they’re Immortals. There’s probably a long list of crazy stuff they can do. It would be cool to hear about their abilities if I weren’t tangled up in their mess with no idea how to get out of it.

Wait… I replay Lome’s words in my mind, and my stomach drops.

“My dad’s lymphoma isn’t advanced.” My words sound weak even to my ears. Fear that’s simmered inside me ever since I first learned of Dad’s diagnosis starts to spill over.

Compassion softens his expression. “I’m sorry to tell you this, Darcie, but your father’s cancer has spread to his liver.”

“No.” My voice is barely a whisper, fruitlessly trying to will Lome’s words out of existence. “You’re wrong. Dad’s doctors just checked him. They said it hadn’t spread out of his lymphatic system.”

“Mortal medicine has come a long way, but their diagnostic techniques are not as good as mine.” Lome’s voice stays steady. “I assure you, the cancer has spread. ”

My chest tightens. My head spins. This can’t be happening. Lome is lying. He has to be.

But… what if he’s not?

What if Dad’s cancer has truly advanced to stage four?

I’ve done the research. Stage four lymphoma is treatable and has a decent prognosis, but it's obviously worse than stage three. There are no guarantees Dad will survive this.

Or, even if he does, what will the disease do to his body in the meantime? He’ll be crushed if he can’t work.

What if Lome can really help him?

I squeeze my eyes shut and think.

Believing Lome can cure Dad’s cancer means that I believe their story about them being Immortals.

Like… really believe it.

I exhale a shaky breath.

I do believe this is real, but it’s going to take some time for me to come to terms with it all. Still, hope, tangled with fear claws at me, urging me to take Lome at his word.

I open my eyes and meet his patient stare. “How do I know you can actually heal my dad?” I whisper.

Lome’s lips curl in a small, encouraging smile. “I can prove it.”

I stare at him, unsure whether I should be scared or intrigued… or both. “How?”

He extends his hand.

I flinch back without meaning to. “What are you?—?”

“Let me show you,” he says, his patience unwavering. “Give me one of your hands.”

I glance down at my palms, raw and scraped from the stupid trellis. I hesitate for a moment, then place my hand in his.

Lome’s fingers are cool against my skin. The moment he touches me, warmth blooms, spreading up my arm. I try to jerk back, but his grip tightens.

“Wait.” His voice is softer now, coaxing me, not commanding.

My heart races. Warmth spreads through my hand and my wrist. I don’t look away from where we touch. Then I see it—the cuts, the scrapes in my palms—they fade. I blink, and my skin is smooth. Like nothing ever happened.

My jaw drops. “What the hell?”

He releases my hand and steps back, tucking his hands into his pockets. “Like I said, I can heal your father.”

Magic… Immortals… powers… this is all insane.

But I find comfort in knowledge, just like my dad. When something doesn’t make sense, I dive into research until I uncover the truth. And there’s a lot here I need to research.

The questions forming in my head are so big, so overwhelming. I tell my mind to slow down. I don’t have time to seek answers right now.

Right now, I need to focus on Dad.

Determination straightens my spine. I cradle my healed hand against my chest and search Lome’s face for any sign of deceit as I ask, “What do I have to do for you to heal my dad?”

I’ll do anything to help him.

He doesn’t hide the relief in his expression. “Let my brothers and I protect you from our enemies.”

I frown. “What does that mean, exactly?”

“Stay in our home. Willingly. Don’t try to escape. Be open to learning the truth about us and the world around you. If you agree, I will heal your father.”

Done.

“Okay. ”

He rocks back on his heels. “Okay?”

I nod. “Yes, I’ll do it. Cure my dad, and I’ll stay here. I’ll agree to your terms.”

“Excellent.” Lome smiles and reaches for my hand to shake—the one still injured from my climb. “You’ve got a deal, Darcie.”

The words hang in the air while a sinking feeling settles in my stomach.

I can’t help but think I’ve just made a choice that’ll tear my life apart—something bigger than I could’ve ever imagined—something I fear I may never be able to walk away from.