Page 51 of The Immortal’s One (Bound to the Immortals #1)

Blood rushes in my ears. Des’s face is a mask of horror. His lips part with another panicked shout.

There’s no time to hear it. Adir’s attack draws closer. My heart wrenches.

I wish I could’ve seen Dad one more time…

Time slows. The bright bolt crackles violently.

This is it.

I squeeze my eyes shut, bracing for the inevitable.

But then, something in the air shifts.

I crack an eyelid and gasp.

Sharp, bright green fire blazes through the air, cutting through the red bolt like a hot knife through butter. The two powers collide with an ear-ringing boom . The force sends a shockwave through the room.

I press my palms into the ground, wincing as more debris cuts into my skin.

Then, the red bolt dissipates into thin air.

I blink.

What the ? —

Lome appears at the other end of the room, standing between two crumbling stone walls. A dangerous look twists his face as green light swirls around him. When his eyes slide to mine, he shoots me a cocky grin.

“There you are. We’ve been looking all over for you.”

I huff a weak laugh. My arms shake under me.

That was too close.

“You’re welcome, by the way,” he adds with a wink that feels out of place in this room of destruction, yet loosens the knot of fear in my gut.

“Darcie!”

My head snaps to my right. A cloud of dust obscures Thane’s figure until he steps through a charred doorway. He holds out a hand and helps me to my feet.

“Are you hurt?” Concern tightens the skin around his eyes. “I spoke with Bella. She said Des found you. Where is he?”

“Over here,” Des grunts. “And I could use a hand.”

Des!

I whirl around. My heart leaps into my throat.

Des lies on the ground, pinning down a thrashing Adir. Cords of white power wrap around the rebel’s torso, but the light flickers as he attempts to free himself. Des’s muscles bulge with effort.

Thane curses and runs over to help.

Lome does the same.

Together, they add ropes of blue and green power around the rebel’s legs, arms, and chest. Adir’s thrashing begins to slow. I count my rapid heartbeats, reaching eighty-five before he stops fighting.

Thane’s eyes shine with triumph. “It’s over, Adir. Your rebel conspirators are either annihilated or have surrendered to the Council. You lose.”

Adir’s lips curl in a foreboding smile. “You’re wrong, Thane. This war has just begun.”

Before Thane can respond, Adir’s attention flicks to me.

I flinch at the intensity of his crazed stare. “Remember what I told you, Darcie. Don’t be fooled by their words. They want power, even if it means stealing lives from innocents.”

My stomach churns.

“Enough,” Thane growls. “Get him out of here.”

Lome’s hands illuminate with power, and green light surrounds Adir—Des’s white power layers on top. The lights brighten. Then, in a blink, Adir is gone.

I stare at the space where the Immortal had been lying. “Where did he go?”

“Greece,” Thane answers. “It’s his turn to spend some time in a dungeon.”

My eyes widen. “You knew I was in a dungeon?”

He nods.

“How?”

“We had a spy on the inside.”

“You mean Des had a spy,” Lome corrects.

My eyes swing to the mentioned Immortal. Des picks himself up off the ground, brushing dirt off his pants. He turns to Thane, avoiding my gaze. “I take it the fact you created a rip means our forces were successful?”

Thane nods. “We’ve cleared the stronghold, and the rebels lifted whatever was preventing rips so they could flee, but we captured a few for interrogations.”

“Good.” Des’s expression darkens. “We need to figure out how they managed to pull that off.”

“I agree. ”

Lome smirks. “Good thing we got here when we did. One more second, and I think Adir would’ve had you beat.”

My chest tightens.

He means I would’ve been killed.

“You’re an idiot,” Des grumbles, lips twitching.

Lome lifts a dark brow. “I think you mean to say, thank you.”

I turn away from the brotherly banter and take in the mess around me.

Dust floats in the air. Crumbled stone lines the edge of the room, making me question the integrity of the building. Burns mark the stone from Immortal power striking the surface. Shards of broken glass and shattered furniture cover the floor.

I lift my hands and stare at my injured palms. Blood oozes out of the cuts and scrapes, rolling down my wrist.

I swallow the thick lump in my throat.

I almost died.

The moment Adir thought he couldn’t use me to his advantage, he decided to kill me. I doubt the violent, war-loving Immortal gave it a second thought.

Lome’s right; if he hadn’t shown up when he did… I wouldn’t be standing here. I would never see my dad again.

“Darcie?”

I lift my chin. Des has moved closer.

His forehead creases in concern. He reaches out a hand, then pulls it back. “Are you all right?”

No.

I take a deep breath. “I will be.”

I have to be.

I turn to Thane. “Are Bella and Eshe here?”

“I am.” The petite Immortal steps through the scorned entryway Lome had used .

Tension in my gut releases as I take in Bella’s unmarred black leggings and dark gray sweater. Soot covers her forehead and left cheek, but other than that, she looks okay.

Thane closes the distance between him and his wife in three long strides. He wraps her in his arms, tucking his head between her shoulder and neck, breathing deep. “You’re unharmed?”

“Yes.” She holds him tight. “You?”

“Not a scratch.”

“Have you seen Eshe?” Lome interrupts the couple’s emotional embrace.

Bella leans back and shakes her head with a regretful frown. “Not since we first arrived.”

Lome’s eyes tighten. “I need to find her.”

“Go,” Thane says. “We’ve got this covered.”

Lome doesn’t waste a moment. He hurries to the exit, but not before pausing to look back at me. “I’m glad you’re okay, Darcie.”

I force a weak smile. “Me, too.”

We all watch him run through the scorched doorway. I send up a silent prayer that he finds Eshe safe and sound.

“What did Adir mean?” Thane rotates his shoulders, facing me.

I blink. “What?”

His eyes narrow. “What did he mean when he told you to remember what he said? What did he say?”

I want to tell him the truth—that I know how he, Lome, and Des gain power from human deaths.

I want to tell him I resent being dragged into their world while simultaneously being left in the dark about so many things, I can’t even imagine them all.

I want to shout at the top of my lungs that he should’ve believed Des when he said I wasn’t his One and left me alone in Maine.

But then I remember that kiss…

My heart flutters, and my eyes slide to Des, only to dart away when I see he’s watching me.

My head spins.

As much as I want to deny our kiss meant something, I can’t. Not when my skin prickles with electricity anytime he touches me. Not to mention the green eyes from my dream…

No. There’s no denying it. There’s something between us.

Is it a soulmate bond? I’m not ready to admit to that.

But it is something. Something I can’t ignore.

“Darcie?” Thane crosses his arms. “Did you hear me? What did Adir mean?”

“Nothing.” I keep my voice steady as I lie. “At least, nothing that made sense. He rambled most of the time. None of it made much sense.”

“Good.” Satisfied with my answer, Thane turns his attention to Bella. “You should take Darcie back home while Des and I finish here. She needs rest.”

“No.”

All eyes land on Des, but he’s looking at me.

Our gazes lock. My heart skips a beat. Anticipation ripples through me, making the hair on my arms stand on end.

Seconds pass.

Confused, Thane asks, “Do you want to be the one to take her back to Greece? Because mending this structure without you would be a real pain in the?—”

“No,” Des interrupts as his now-hazel eyes harden. “She’s not going back to Greece. It’s time for Darcie to go home.”

I suck in a breath. What? !

“What?” Bella gasps, shaking her head vehemently. “No. You must be joking.”

“I’m not.”

She sputters. “B-but it’s not safe!”

With a pointed look, Des counters, “It turns out the mansion wasn’t safe for her, either.”

Bella snaps her mouth shut, then turns to her husband. “Tell me you aren’t going to agree to this!”

Thane’s expression is unreadable. “What do you want to do, Darcie?”

My eyes widen. “Excuse me?”

“What do you want?” he repeats. “Do you want to return to Greece with us, or would you like to return to Maine?”

I can’t believe what I’m hearing. It sounds like a trick.

But in case it’s not… I lick my dry lips and say, “I didn’t think I had a choice.”

He flinches, regret heavy in his eyes. “I was wrong to keep you in Greece, and wrong to push you into attending the ball. If returning to Maine is what you want… we won’t stand in your way.”

“Thane!” Bella’s jaw drops. “You can’t be serious. She needs protection, now more than ever!”

“And she will have it,” he says. “We will guarantee your safety in Maine.”

I cross my arms, ignoring the sticky blood staining my arms. “How?”

“Leave the details to us,” he says, but not unkindly. “If this is something you want, we will make it happen. Consider it my apology for not guaranteeing your safety while you lived under my roof.”

Beside Thane, Bella huffs and continues to shake her head .

I chew my bottom lip.

Going back to Maine is all I ever wanted. I’d be a fool not to jump at the chance. With Adir in the brothers’ custody, and Thane’s promise that I’ll be safe, it’s hard to find a reason why I shouldn’t agree.

But there’s a rope coiled around my heart, tugging me towards a stoic Immortal across the room… urging me not to go.

“What would you like to do, Darcie?” Thane prompts.

I wish I didn’t, but I glance at Des.

This time, his eyes rest on the rubble under his feet.

Look at me.

He doesn’t.

Pain pricks my chest.

I inhale through my nostrils look to Thane.

The Immortal leader watches me, casting a curious look at his brother.

Rolling back my shoulders, I shrug off the sting of Des’s avoidance and say, “I want to go home.”

Des’s kiss might’ve rocked the foundation of what I believe was true between us, but I can’t allow anything to prevent me from seizing this chance at freedom.

Adir is captured. The rebellion has been thwarted for now. If Thane says they will keep me safe in Maine, then I choose to believe him. I choose to return to my old life.

He dips his head, solemn. “Then it will be done.”

Relief crashes over me. “Thank you.”

Bella sniffs. “I hate this. I feel like I’m losing a friend.”

My heart squeezes. I walk over and wrap my arms around her slim shoulders. “You aren’t losing a friend,” I assure her.

She sniffs again, leaning back and wiping her eyes. “Can I visit you? ”

I smile softly. “I’d like that.”

Bella has been a bright spot in my life these past weeks. Without her, I would’ve been so lonely. So afraid. She made my time in Greece bearable. I’ll always be grateful for her kindness.

Thane clears his throat. “I will take you back to Maine myself. First, I’ll need to?—”

“No,” Des interrupts. “I’ll do it.”

My heart flips. I look at Des, but his attention is on his brother.

Thane frowns. “Are you sure? Don’t you want to interrogate our prisoners?”

“I will once I return,” he says. “This won’t take long.”

Thane’s stare lingers on his brother before he finally says, “Very well. Be quick. Come, Bella.”

Bella takes Thane’s hand and, with one last glance at me, the two walk out of the room.

I exhale and look at Des, nervous about what’s coming next. “Des, I?—”

“Come.” He holds out his hand. “Let’s go.”

I stare at his palm, my pulse racing. I swallow and place my hand in his.

The now-familiar electric sensation travels through my arm, stoking the embers of my desire to life once again.

Des’s nostrils flare. He’s just as affected by my touch as I am.

I open my mouth to speak, but the words come out as a gasp when he draws me into his chest, and the world around us tilts. I squeeze my eyes shut as he pulls me through the rip.