Page 126 of The Immortal’s Mark

“We have no idea.” He scowls at the door. “But we intend to find out in whatever way we can.”

A shiver races down my spine.

“First, we need to learn if his recruitment was a success,” Lola interjects. “We need to figure out how many vampires signed up to join Adir’s rebellion.”

“I’m working on it,” Alex snaps.

My thoughts race with the information. “Adir is trying to recruit vampires?”

“And succeeding, from what that little bloodsucker said,” Paige spits out. Her eyes immediately widen and swing to Alex. “No offense.”

“None taken,” Alex says. His pale face is drawn. “That bastard isn’t a member of my coven.”

He rolls his left shoulder, wincing at the movement.

My eyes lock on the torn black fabric at the top of his arm. The cloth is soaked with dark liquid.

Blood.

I gasp and step forward, reaching out before stopping inches from touching his skin. “What happened?”

“He foolishly tried to capture the spy on his own,” my mother snaps, her tone as cold as ice.

“I was the only one fast enough to catch him,” Alex replies.

“We had a plan.” She scowls. “And he had a fucking stake!”

“A stake?” My heartbeat stutters. “Can that kill you?”

“Only if it hits my heart,” Alex replies. “Unfortunately for Neil, he missed. Now, I plan to return the favor until he tells us everything he knows about Adir’s plans.”

His words are calm, his demeanor steady.

But I stare at the blood, imagining what would’ve happened if the stake had landed a few inches to the left.

I thought the task force was a surveillance group. It never truly dawned on me how dangerous this all is.

My hands start to shake. I try to hide it by crossing my arms.

But a vampire’s eyes miss nothing.

Alexander’s pale blue gaze softens.

“I’m all right,” he tells me quietly. “If anything, this is good. We have a source of information now. This could help us find Adir sooner.”

I force myself to nod, but the tremor in my limbs doesn’t stop.

“That’s enough for tonight,” my mother says. “We should all rest. We can discuss what to do next in the morning.”

“Agreed,” Mistress Lola says.

Paige agrees.

Alex nods. “I will wait here until Gregory and Lucas have secured the prisoner.”

“Fine.” My mother’s gaze shifts to me, searching. “If I promise to share all pertinent information with you tomorrow, will you agree to go back to bed?”

I rear back and blink, stunned by the unprompted offer.