Page 103 of The Immortal’s Mark

I turn and meet Gregory’s concerned stare. “I’m fine.”

His lips turn down, but he doesn’t press.

I hurry into the house and climb the stairs, ignoring the hushed conversation reaching me from the living space.

The door of my room cracks against the wall when I fling it open. I wince but don’t slow down as I throw myself onto the bed. My face presses into the mattress.

Wood creaks. Gregory leans against the door frame.

His steady gaze holds mine. “Want to talk about?”

I huff and turn back to hide my face in the mattress. “What’s the point? I’m failing at my training.”

“You just need time.”

I twist my neck so my cheek lies against the softness. “Why can’t Henry come here and continue to train me? I was making progress with him.”

The last part isn’t entirely true, but at least Henry is a familiar face…and someone I trust. Someone who didn’t abandon me as a child.

“Because Henry can’t train your clairvoyant abilities, and your cognizant abilities almost killed you.”

I push myself upright. “But⁠—”

“The Nightsbane clan is the only one who can help you,” he interrupts, moving to sit near my feet. “And Mistress Lola is a renowned, powerful witch.”

“That’s another thing.” I throw my arm out at the hall, accusingly. “My mother is a Nightsbane witch. But she isn’t training me.”

He sighs. “She offered⁠—”

“Because she saw how much I suck,” I counter with a shake of my head. “Not because she cares.”

If she cares, she would’ve tried to help before now.

Hell, she would’ve talked to me.

Movement near the door draws my gaze.

Alex steps into the room, his eyes shifting from me to Gregory with sharp calculation. “Your mother isn’t training you because she is needed for scouting missions.”

Gregory jumps to his feet.

I glare at the vampire king. “Let me guess…my mother ran right to you after I turned down her offer? Figures.”

“No.” His voice is so low, it’s almost a growl. “Lola told me about your training. She said you are distracted.”

“I’m not distracted. I’m doing my best, but I can’t get my powers to do what I want.”

His eyes trail over my face. “And your other abilities? Have you had any visions lately?”

“No. I haven’t had any sort of vision since the day I woke up from my healing sleep.”

“Hmm.” Alex taps a finger against his leg. “Interesting.”

“Yes…very.” I flop back onto the mattress, tired of sitting up and being under the vampire’s stare.

No one says anything. I don’t know if the vampires are waiting to see if I will eventually crack and reveal the depths of the emotional turmoil swirling inside me, or if they are simply caught up in their own heads.

Eventually, the silence grates on my nerves.