Page 4 of The Immortal’s One (Bound to the Immortals #1)

Before I finish, Des turns abruptly, his back ramrod straight as he strides back into the dancing crowd without a backward glance.

“You…” I trail off.

That was rude.

Thane watches his brother walk away, shaking his head. “Forgive Des. He’s… always in a hurry.”

I grit my teeth, hating how my cheeks heat. “No problem.”

Thane dips his head, the gesture sincere but hinting at something more guarded. “Enjoy the rest of your evening, Darcie. Kayla.”

He follows his brother’s path and joins the sea of dancers bouncing and shimmying to the upbeat music.

Kayla waits three seconds before turning to me, her eyes narrowing.

“Darcie Abernathy.” She plants her hands on her hips. The purple strobe light above flashes over her stern face, casting sharp shadows across her features before flicking away. “You’ve got some explaining to do.”

I blink. “What are you talking about?”

She points an accusing finger at me. “How could you meet Mr. Hot-tastic and not tell me about it?”

“I just met him yesterday at the library.” I tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear and shrug. “I totally forgot.”

“Forgot?!” Kayla’s voice rises an octave. “You do not forget meeting someone like that . ”

“Someone like what?” Josh appears behind Kayla, three sodas balanced in a perfect triangle in his hands.

Both Kayla and I jump, startled. I’d forgotten Josh was even here. The lines must’ve been long.

He sets the drinks on the tall table positioned slightly behind us. Kayla and I move to join him, and he slides one drink toward me, then another toward Kayla, glancing back and forth between us. “What were you two talking about?”

“Nothing much.” Kayla dismisses his question with a casual wave of her hand. “I just met a new friend of Darcie’s. I was wondering why she didn’t tell me about him.”

The unspoken “you better have a good reason” hangs in the air.

“He’s not a friend .” I twirl the soda glass between my hands. “I just met him.”

Josh glances around the crowded club. “Where is he?”

Kayla pouts. “He left with his brother.”

I change the subject. “Thanks for the sodas, Josh.”

I pinch the straw between my fingers and take a long sip. The moment the liquid hits my tongue, I nearly choke. I clamp my hand over my mouth, my eyes watering, forcing myself to swallow.

“Oh my god.” The bitter liquid burns the back of my throat. “What is that ?”

Josh’s forehead furrows. “What do you mean? It’s soda.”

“Let me see.” Kayla snatches the drink from my hand and takes a long sip herself. She pulls back, her lips curling in distaste. “That’s not just soda.”

She tries her own drink, then Josh’s. “I’m pretty sure these are rum and cokes.”

Josh takes his drink from his girlfriend and sips. His eyes go wide. “Shit. I swear I asked for sodas! ”

She tilts her head. “Didn’t you check the bill?”

“No, I left the tab open. I didn’t think to look at it. I’m sorry, Darcie.”

“It’s not your fault.” I can tell Josh feels bad for the mix-up. I don’t know him well, but he seems like a decent guy. It’s a shame Kayla is losing interest in him.

“Yeah, you didn’t know,” Kayla tells her boyfriend, taking another swig of her drink.

I arch a brow. “You’re really going to drink that?”

“Oh, come on. Josh already paid for them. Might as well drink ’em.”

“No thanks.” Using a fake ID to get into this club is one thing, but I’m not about to risk a minor in possession charge if we get caught. That’s the last thing I need while trying to get into college.

Kayla shrugs and takes another sip, unfazed. “Suit yourself.”

Josh, being twenty-one, doesn’t hesitate. He lifts his glass to his lips. At least he’s decent enough to ask me, “Want me to grab you a soda? I’ll make sure they don’t spike it this time.”

“I’m good.” The club is getting more crowded, and I’ve already seen drinks spill as people stumble through the sea of bodies. It’s probably safer not to hold anything while navigating this chaos.

“Alright. Let me know if you change your mind.”

I smile, nodding. “I will.”

The three of us turn our attention toward the crowd, people-watching as the music pulses around us. Kayla’s practically vibrating with energy, bobbing her head to the beat. She and Josh vibe with the music, whereas my attention keeps drifting.

Now that Des isn’t standing right in front of me, distracting me with his daunting presence, I can’t shake the memory of how distant he seemed when Thane introduced him. It was like he couldn’t wait to get away from us.

Was he being a jerk?

Or maybe he’s like me, someone who’d rather be anywhere but here?

The next song pumps up in tempo.

Kayla squeals. “I love this song!” She raises her glass and starts shimmying her shoulders.

Josh leans towards her, his eyes bright with interest. “Wanna dance?”

“Yes! Oh—wait.” Her eyes meet mine.

I wave her off with a smile. “Go ahead. I’ll hold down the table.”

She needs no further encouragement. “Okay! We’ll be back soon.”

With a quick peck on my cheek, she grabs Josh’s hand and pulls him into the crowd, leaving me alone.

Three songs and four strangers who tried—and failed—to strike up a conversation later, I’ve had enough.

I lost track of Kayla and Josh after the first song, but when the next popular hit blasted through the speakers, I knew I wouldn’t be seeing her anytime soon.

I don’t mind. Not really. I’m glad she’s having fun. But I really don’t want to be stuck here listening to the guy with slicked-back hair go on and on about his family's wealth for who knows how long.

“I need to pee,” I blurt out mid-story, cutting him off as he brags about his Thanksgiving ski trip with his hedge-fund dad. “Excuse me.”

The people-pleaser in me cringes at my rudeness, but not enough to stick around for any more unwanted attention.

I walk away without waiting for a response, sparing a passing thought for the drinks I left behind. I trust Kayla and Josh to be smart enough to avoid them once they realize they’ve been abandoned.

The bathrooms are on the far side of the club, and the crowded dance floor is a maze of bodies. I stick to the edge, skirting the perimeter to avoid getting caught in the frenzy. It takes longer than expected, and I grimace every time my skin brushes against a sweaty stranger.

Eventually, I make it to the bathroom, relieved when the door shuts behind me: no music, no bodies, just blissful silence.

I step inside. It’s empty, which is odd, given how crowded the club is.

I walk over to the sink, turn on the cold water, and grab a paper towel.

I dampen it and gently dab my face, taking in my reflection.

My curls are holding up despite the heat and humidity in the club.

A bit of foundation’s worn off, though, revealing the freckles on my nose.

I can’t stand them. They make me look like a little kid.

Des’s stoic face flashes in my mind.

I scowl at my reflection. Des is a stranger. I don’t care if he saw my freckles.

With a frustrated sigh, I push the thought away and smooth my hands over my outfit. The maroon bodysuit tucked under the form-fitting mini-skirt is tight but flattering. Kayla has a gift with fashion—a gift I lack.

With one last look in the mirror, I take a deep breath to brace myself. In a few hours, I’ll be back home, curled up in bed with a book, escaping into forbidden romance and magical worlds. I can do this.

I step back into the dim club, only to have the music immediately assault my eardrums again. I stumble a little, the volume disorienting after the calm of the bathroom.

Reaching out for balance, I place my hand on the wall, steadying myself before heading back to the main room to find Kayla and Josh.

Just as I’m about to turn the corner, a voice cuts through the noise—low, tense, unmistakably masculine.

“For the last time, you’re wrong. She is not her.”

The words are sharp with frustration, but the weariness in the tone grabs my attention.

No way… It can’t be.

I only heard Des speak, what, four words earlier tonight? Maybe five.

There’s no way I could recognize his voice over the loud music. It’s just my imagination playing tricks on me.

Then another voice says, “Why are you being so difficult, Des? I know it’s her. The resemblance is uncanny.”

The voice belongs to Thane. Weird. I’d thought they’d left.

Des’s answer is cold and cutting. “Many people can look alike. That doesn’t mean anything.”

My heartrate picks up as I step a little closer, unable to stop myself.

What are they talking about? Who are they talking about?

Thane’s voice lowers, almost pleading. “But I saw her by the sea. I swore … I felt it, deep inside… in my soul.”

The weight in Thane’s voice makes my stomach twist with anticipation and unease .

Des snorts. “I wonder how Bella would feel if she heard you say that.”

“You know what I mean,” Thane growls, his voice rising again. “We’re all connected. Our souls know each other.”

I don’t even realize I’ve moved closer until I’m pressed against the corner, straining to hear more.

“I’m sorry to tell you, Thane, but you were wrong. You’ve dragged me halfway across the world for nothing.”

A dull thud hits the wall, and I jump back, heart pounding. Did Thane punch the wall?

What is going on?!

“Dammit, Des, stop messing with me! I know what I felt! Why deny it? Why do this to yourself? To us?”

I swallow hard. I know almost nothing about these two brothers, but their argument is... intense. And private. I should leave. This isn’t my business.

But then Des speaks again, and his icy, dangerous tone keeps me frozen in place.

“Listen to me.” His words are low, hard, and final. “I’m only going to say this once. I felt nothing for her. I don’t care who she is or who she’ll become—Darcie Abernathy means nothing to me. She. Is. Not. Her. ”