Page 118 of The Immortal’s Mark

“Oh.” I try not to let my disappointment show. “That’s okay.”

Without Gregory, there’s no way I’ll be allowed to leave. Not with my mother hovering like a storm cloud just waiting to break. There’s no way she’s changed her mind about me leaving the stronghold after just one day.

Gregory and I go our separate ways. I search for Paige, but she’s nowhere to be found.

Resigned to being alone, I make my way back to my temporary room, only to stop dead in my tracks at the figure standing at the end of the hallway.

I blink, but the sight remains.

“Henry?”

The warlock turns away from the historical map of Virginia hanging on the wall by my bedroom door. “Hello, Darcie. Nice to see you again.”

“What are you doing here?” I close the distance between us, my heart racing in my chest. “Is everything alright in Greece? Has something happened?”

Are Eshe and Lome okay? Is Des?

“Yes, yes. Everything is fine. I’m simply here to assist Alex with tonight’s reconnaissance mission.”

Reconnaissance mission?

Why would our task force need Henry when we have two Nightsbane witches?

I swallow down the question. “Oh.”

Henry waves a hand down the hallway behind him. “I just overheard Mistress Lola telling your mother of your successful training session. Congratulations.”

I force a smile. “Thank you.”

Henry has never been chatty. This version of him is…surprising.

“Of course.” He smiles. The expression makes him look years younger. “I was wondering if you’d like to come?”

“Come?”

“On the mission.” He tilts his head. “I think you’ve proven you can handle it. Don’t you?”

I gape. “Seriously?”

“Seriously. Come. Let’s speak with the others.”

I hurry after him as he strides down the hallway, my head spinning.

Does Henry somehow have more pull over the task force? More than my mother or Lola?

Creator help me, I hope so.

I am dying to get out of this house and do something productive.

“Where are we going?” I ask as we navigate the older home’s long, narrow halls.

“The study.”

One flight of stairs later, we cross the threshold of the crowded room with a massive table centered in the space, covered in papers. A glance reveals maps, notes, and pictures of buildings I don’t recognize.

And around that table, Lucas, Alexander, Gregory, and my mother speak in low, urgent tones.

Henry clears his throat.