Page 27 of The Immortal’s One (Bound to the Immortals #1)

I refuse Lome’s offer to walk me back to my room. After a week here, I know the way. Besides, the last place I want to be is anywhere near an Immortal.

“Eternal life is not worth a lifetime of servitude…”

Sympathy grips my chest.

How long has Eshe felt that way? She joined the family centuries before Bella; has she regretted her decision to be with Lome this whole time? Was it even her decision?

Sunlight streams through the massive windows, brightening the space around me in a way that’s almost mocking. My pace slows as I continue to replay Eshe’s parting words. Anger and resentment had laced her tone, but it was the pain and disappointment that really stuck.

Does she believe I’m Des’s One , or is she just playing along with whatever Lome and Thane say?

Either way, I vow to take her warning to heart. I’ll be on guard around Thane and Lome.

Do I believe they want to keep me safe from their enemies? Yeah. But does that mean I’ll get to go home once they deal with them? I’m starting to think not.

If I can’t trust Lome, then I can’t trust him to honor our deal. I need to find another way to get out of Greece, but I can’t do it alone. I need an ally.

Eshe is the logical choice, but asking her to help me betray her family? That feels like a stretch. She may be angry with Thane and Lome, but my gut tells me she’s loyal.

That leaves one other Immortal who could help me, but asking him will be next to impossible.

Today was the first day I’ve seen Des face-to-face since I got here. Bella let it slip that his recent absence from the mansion isn’t usual. He’s avoiding me. Des doesn’t want me here, but I’m confident he doesn’t want me to leave and get hurt, either…

My forehead furrows, deep in thought, as I reach the hall leading to my guest bedroom. A lemony scent tickles my nostrils. The wood on the accent table by the door gleams, freshly polished.

There has to be a way I can convince Des to help me leave. And maybe he’ll even be willing to help my dad.

If Lome has the power to cure cancer, why wouldn’t Des?

But first, I need to find him. A task that will be easier said than done.

With a sigh, I turn the bronze handle and step inside, closing the bedroom door behind me. The bed is made, and the dirty clothes I’d piled in the corner are gone. If I walk into the bathroom, I know I’d find fresh towels and an organized, spotless counter.

It’s unsettling that someone enters daily to tidy up, but I never see them. But I guess it’s not a huge deal. It’s not like I have anything personal here. The clothes in the closet aren’t even mine. Still, it would be nice to know who is handling my underwear…

Knock. Knock.

I groan. That didn’t take long.

I drop the cozy pair of pajama bottoms I planned to change into and move to answer the door.

Expecting Bella has heard about how Eshe and I crashed the Immortals’ meeting, I swing the door open and say, “Let the record state, I had no idea?—”

I snap my mouth shut and frown.

No one is there.

I plant a hand on the doorframe and hesitate before sticking my head into the hall. I look left. Then right. There’s no one.

I purse my lips, irritation simmering. With their powers, an Immortal could most certainly knock and disappear in the blink of an eye. I’m not interested in being the target of their childish game of ding dong ditch.

I shake my head in frustration, ready to slam the door, but something catches my eye. There, on the floor—a small black box.

My heart pounds as I scan the hall one last time. Seeing no one is there, I crouch to pick up the box and then step back inside. Holding the box away from my body like it’s a snake ready to bite, I carry it to the bed and set it on the wrinkle-free duvet.

I cross my arms and study the mysterious box. There are no markings. No signs of what’s inside. Should I open it?

I really want to.

But is it safe?

The brothers’ enemies have already tried to hurt me twice .

But this house is a fortress, right? Thane called it that himself.

Do it, Darcie.

I shove aside my hesitation and open the box. I lift the lid, and a gasp tears from my throat when I see what’s inside . My phone!

I hurriedly clutch it to my chest, my heart skipping a beat. I didn’t think Thane would give it back, especially not after that fiasco downstairs. But then a startling thought enters my mind: Maybe he didn’t.

The secrecy around my phone's return fills me with apprehension, but it’s not enough to stop me from pressing the power button.

My heart continues to race as I wait for the device to power on. My smile grows when I see the full battery and a new charger tucked in the corner of the box.

Maybe I’ll get to call Dad today after all.

The manufacturer’s logo flashes on the screen. I squeal with delight when my home screen illuminates.

I type in my passcode and immediately tap my contacts list. I scroll to Dad’s name and hit “call.”

My palms grow sweaty as I listen to the rings. I switch my phone between my hands and wipe them on my floral blouse.

Click.

“Dad?”

Beep. Beep. Beep.

What in the–? I draw the phone away from my ear.

Call Failed .

My heart sinks, and I confirm my fear in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. No reception.

Damn it!

Tears well in my eyes. Just as I’m about to open the dam holding them back, a notification pops up at the top of the screen: “Join Wi-Fi network?”

An incredulous laugh bursts past my lips.

The Immortals have Wi-Fi?

I tap the notification and laugh again when it connects—no password required. Looks like someone needs to take a class on internet security.

As soon as my phone connects to the internet, ding after ding sounds off. Dozens of unread notifications come through, some from seven days ago.

Tension drains from my body, relieved that no one snooped through my phone.

I ignore all the notifications from social media apps and focus on my texts. All but one are from Dad or Kayla.

Dad’s texts say exactly what I’d expect: he misses me and hopes I’m enjoying my time abroad. Kayla’s are the same, but she adds how bummed she is that we won’t get to go through the Christmas Light Trail together. It was our favorite holiday tradition as kids.

I squeeze my eyes shut. I’ve been avoiding the possibility that I won’t be home for Christmas. It’s morbid to think this way, but the truth is, if Dad’s treatment doesn’t go according to plan, this could be our last Christmas together.

Fresh tears burn the back of my eyelids. I open my eyes, blink to hold them back, and resume reading messages, sparing a grateful thought for the Immortals working their Masking magic. Dad has enough on his plate. I’m glad he’s not anxious or worrying about where I am.

One text message thread, however, isn’t so relaxed.

Hey, Darcie. Is everything okay?

It’s from Amanda, and it’s dated the day Evetta attacked me in the Robertson’s bathroom. She texted again after an hour.

One of my coworkers found a cart of groceries left outside the restroom. The receipt in the cart had your dad’s rewards number on it. Just want to make sure you’re good.

I choke out a disbelieving laugh.

Looks like the Immortals didn’t tie off all of their loose ends…

I don’t know if Thane and the others have fixed the situation, but I can’t bring it up. I don’t want to risk losing my phone again.

I move to the corner of the room, away from the door, and sit on the floor with my back against the wall. Then I tap my dad’s name again and bring the phone to my ear. Anticipation builds with each ring. I can’t wait to talk to him and hear how he’s feeling.

I hope I’m wrong about Lome and that he’s fulfilled his part of our bargain.

If he has, I’ll drop all plans to find a way out of here.

I’ll vow to sit tight for however long it takes for the Immortals to be satisfied with my safety, even swallow the tough pill of missing Christmas without complaint.

It would be a small price to pay for Dad beating cancer.

Anticipation plummets into disappointment when Dad’s voicemail message plays in my ear.

I should hang up. I almost do.

But when I hear the beep, a jagged breath catches in my throat. I blink hard, and my voice comes out hoarse. “Hey, Dad… it’s me.”

Silence stretches. I swallow against the burn rising in my chest.

“I’m just calling to check in…” My voice wavers, softer no w. “I’m having a good time, but—” I falter. My lips tremble. “—I miss you.”

I grip the phone tighter, pressing it to my ear like it’ll bring me closer to him somehow. “I hope you’re feeling okay. I’ll… I’ll have service for a couple of days. So if you want, you can call. Or text. Or whatever.” I laugh a little, but it’s hollow and short.

“Alright, well…” My voice cracks, and I don’t bother to hide it. “I love you, Dad. I’ll talk to you later.”

I end the call and swipe away tears before tapping the screen to call Kayla, eager for a distraction.

Ring. Ring. Ri ? —

“Darcie!” Kayla cries. I pull the phone away to save my ears from the piercing sound. “I can’t believe it’s you. How are you doing? Long time no talk!”

Hearing my best friend’s voice causes another tear to roll down my face.

“Hey, Kayla.” I swallow and try to hide the emotion from my voice. “I’m good. How are you?”

“Fine, just wishing you were here to hang out.”

“Yeah, I know.” I let out a long sigh. “I wish I was there, too.”

More than you could possibly know

“Hey…” Confusion laces her voice. “I thought you said you wouldn’t be in cellular range while you’re away?”

How convenient of the Immortals to include that in their mind manipulations.

“I found a town with a decent internet connection,” I say as convincingly as I can, knowing I’m not a good liar.

Lucky for me, Kayla can’t see my face.

“Oh, that’s cool.” She jumps right into updating me about life since we last spoke .