Page 110 of The Immortal’s Mark

“Rose,” Gregory’s voice yanks me out of my spiral.

I open my eyes.

His attention is locked over my shoulder.

I turn in my seat.

A tall, curvy woman approaches our table with the confidence of someone who knows every head will turn.

Her heels click steadily. Her hips sway with each step. Her skin is pale, almost luminous under the fluorescent lights. Her hair looks black at first, but as she draws closer, I realize it’s a deep, dark scarlet. Her bright green eyes shimmer when they land on Gregory.

She is…unreal.

“Gregory,” the woman purrs, stopping beside his chair. She leans in and presses her red lips to both of his cheeks. “Long time no see.”

Even her voice is enthralling, smooth, and dangerous.

“It has been too long.” His expression brightens. “Thank you for being willing to meet here.”

Wait…what?

She’s the contact?

“Of course.” She waves away the thanks. “Anything for you.”

In an effort not to gawk like an idiot, I take another sip of water, only to choke.

I cough hard, turning away.

Paige pats my back awkwardly. When I meet her eyes, she looks just as shocked with the newcomer as I am.

Gregory clears his throat. “Rose, this is Paige, daughter of Lucas Green.”

He waves to Paige before his gaze shifts to me.

“And this is Darcie.” His voice deepens ever so slightly. “Daughter of Jennifer of the Nightsbane clan.”

“Of course.” Rose turns her smile on me. “I would have recognized you without the introduction. You look very much like Jennifer.”

Not knowing what to say, I nod stiffly as my coughing subsides.

“Nice to meet you both,” Rose says warmly.

“Nice to meet you, too,” Paige and I murmur back.

“Will you have a seat?” Gregory gestures to the empty chair between him and me.

“Thank you.” Rose slides into the chair with effortless grace. Her gaze drops to the table, and she smirks. “A salad, Gregory. Really?”

He chuckles. “I’m on a diet.”

They laugh like it’s the funniest thing in the world.

Paige looks at me with an incredulous expression that silently asks, What is happening?

I shrug, just as confused.

Paige clears her throat. “Do we need to leave while you two…talk?”