Page 47 of The Immortal’s One (Bound to the Immortals #1)

Taking my silence as acceptance, Adir walks over to the fireplace streaked with dark ash and pulls on a gold cord hanging on the wall.

A tiny chime sounds. Then, a scantily clad woman enters the room.

Well, I think she’s scantily clad.

In truth, the short shorts and strapless top could just be the woman’s style. But I doubt it. The study is frigid, only slightly warmer than the dungeon I first woke up in.

“A drink,” Adir says to the woman without looking her way, his unsettling attention resting solely on me. “For our guest.”

She bows her head and leaves as quickly as she entered. Unlike Eric, she doesn’t spare me a glance.

“What makes you think you won’t be punished for kidnapping me?” I ask, still searching for a way to plant a seed of doubt so Adir will abandon his plan. “The brothers could agree to step down as the Council’s enforcers but continue doing it once I’m safe.”

“It’s simple, really.” He smirks, crossing his arms and leaning against the fireplace mantle. “Honor among Immortals, especially the Original Nine, is valued above all else.”

Not to you, apparently.

The woman glides back into the room with two stemmed glasses of wine. With her head lowered, she approaches Adir and holds one out to him. He takes it without a word.

When she hands one to me, I murmur, “Thank you.”

Her eyes dart up to mine, and I’m taken aback by their violet color. She averts her gaze before I can confirm I didn’t imagine the unusual shade .

“I plan to reach out to the brothers,” Adir continues, pulling my attention away from the woman as she hurries out of the room.

“I’ll inform them of your presence here.

I will tell them I’ll release you to their custody once they publicly denounce the limitations placed on immortals by the Council.

Then, they’ll step down, and you’ll be returned to their care. ”

I barely suppress my snort. There’s no way that plan will work. It relies too heavily on factors beyond Adir’s control.

“And then what? The rebellion will exploit humans to make themselves stronger. Then they will attack?”

“Precisely.” He winks and lifts the wine glass to his lips.

I turn toward the window, my thoughts spinning.

Now that I know Adir’s plan, I could easily inform the brothers once I’m back with them. Either Adir overlooks the major flaw in revealing so much to me, or he has a way to ensure my knowledge won’t threaten him.

I hate to admit it, but chances are it’s the second. And that sends a fresh chill of fear through my veins.

“Don’t look so worried.” Adir chuckles. From the corner of my eye, I can tell he’s watching me. “Although the brothers took you into their home for protection, you must know by now that it was done only with selfish intentions.”

I turn back to him. “What do you mean?”

He takes a slow sip of wine, letting tension build.

I wait, gritting my teeth, refusing to let him see how much he rattles me.

Adir finally lowers his glass, licking a drop of wine from his bottom lip, then says, “No matter how much they claim otherwise, Thane, Lome, and Des enjoy their power. They’re willing to do whatever it takes to secure more of it, including abducting and holding a young woman hostage.”

Pot meet kettle .

I lift a brow. “Isn’t that what you’re doing?”

He ignores my question. “Despite Des’s constant report that you’re not his future companion, Thane and Lome insisted you stay with them at their home. Doesn’t that seem strange to you?”

Um… no.

“They were protecting me from their enemies,” I say in a flat voice. “I was attacked twice.”

“Indeed.” Sympathy tugs on his lips. “Those members of the rebellion were out of line. No one should have attempted to harm you. You’re an innocent. That’s not the way the rebellion likes to do things.”

The confirmation that the rebellion was behind the attacks on my life offers zero relief. Thane and Lome often referenced the organization as the orchestrators of my attack. The proof does little good for me now when I’m their prisoner.

But then… the clack clack clack of stilettos against tile taps against my brain.

“Evetta was an Original Nine, and she attacked me,” I point out, twirling the glass stem between my fingers. “Wouldn’t she be a leader in the rebellion?”

“Evetta’s actions were fueled by something beyond righting past wrongs,” he says, undeterred by my attempt to discredit his words. “I’m sorry you were a victim of her jealousy.”

It’s becoming harder for me to see through Adir’s concern. His acting is award-worthy.

“The brothers were using you, Darcie.” He sets his wine on the mantle and pushes off the fireplace.

Long legs bring him to stand in front of me.

“Thane, Lome, and Des relish being the most powerful Originals. They’d do anything to maintain their status, including isolating you from the world you know. ”

He reaches out and gently traces my cheekbone.

I jerk away from his touch and scowl. “You criticize them, but you are doing the exact same thing.”

He lowers his arm. “You’re right: I do plan on using you for leverage. The difference is…” He drops to the ground, kneeling on one knee, reaching out to capture my hand—the one he nearly crushed at the ball.

I try to pull away, but his grip is unrelenting.

“The difference is,” he repeats, squeezing my fingers, “my motives are pure . I’m not using you for my own selfish gain. Rather, you’ll be helping right wrongs Immortals have suffered for far too long.”

My nostrils flare.

Liar.

“This isn’t my fight.” Once again, I try to free my hand.

Adir holds on and places his other hand on top.

“The brothers made this your fight.” He tightens his grip as he emphasizes the word. I wince as my bones rub together. “Whether you like it or not, you’re in this now.”

He leans forward, stopping when he’s only a hair’s breadth away. Fear and disgust war for dominance in my mind.

“The question is,”—his blue eyes flash—“are you going to continue to let the brothers make decisions for you?” His words brush against my cheeks.

I fight the urge to lean away, refusing to show him how afraid I am.

“Or are you going to help us?” His fiery gaze searches mine, glinting with madness. “Help the rebellion, Darcie, and I promise no one will ever attempt to harm you again. You can return to your home and live your life as if none of this ever happened.”

He’s lying.

I know it.

I can’t trust the rebellious Immortal as far as I can throw him.

But I can fake it… at least until I find another way to get out of his grasp.

I lick my lips, ignoring the painful grip on my hand, and ask, “What do I have to do?”

“Nothing, darling.” His lips part in triumph. “Absolutely nothing.”

I frown, confused. “Wha—Hey! What are you doing?”

Adir releases my hand and clamps both palms on either side of my face.

I try to pull back, but he’s too strong.

“Thank you for your help, Darcie.” His eyes turn to a shade of aquamarine, and power shoots between his palms, piercing my skull.

Then, I scream.