Page 128 of The Immortal’s Mark

A chill crawls down my spine.

He sounds sincere…which is a problem.

What does he know?

Who is he warning me about?

My mouth opens, ready to ask, but approaching footsteps stop me.

Gregory rounds the corner.

Immediately, I note that his steps are intentionally audible. Like he wanted us to know he was coming.

“Gregory.” I exhale, scanning him quickly for injuries. “You’re okay?”

“Of course.”

He almost looks offended by my concern.

Without thinking, I step forward and pull him into a quick, tight hug.

The contact is brief, but it steadies me.

I step back and smile, breath shaky. “I’m glad.”

His eyes soften, and the corner of his mouth quirks up.

“You should get to sleep,” he says, then shifts his pointed stare to Henry over my shoulder.

“I agree. We should all get some rest.” Henry’s eyes return to me. “Goodnight, Darcie.”

He steps around us and walks down the hall toward the other side of the house.

Gregory watches him go, brow creased. “What were you two talking about?”

“Nothing important.” I shrug, then raise a brow when a thought hits me. “Why are you asking? Couldn’t you hear us?”

“Actually, no.” His gaze turns speculative. “It was dead quiet up here. Almost too quiet. I suspected someone was masking sound…But I did not anticipate you.”

“Me?” I echo, startled. “No way. I don’t know how to do that.”

“Obviously.” He rolls his eyes. “I mean, I did not anticipate you would be part of the concealment. I thought it was Jennifer or Lola.”

“Oh.” My stomach twists. “So…Henry was masking our conversation?”

“I believe so.” His gaze flicks once more in the direction Henry went. He asks again, “What were you talking about?”

For a moment, I consider lying.

Henry’s strange warning unsettled me, and I don’t know what his intentions are.

But Gregory has been one of my life’s few constants lately. He’s loyal. I trust him.

So I tell him everything.

By the time I finish, Gregory’s expression has darkened.

“Was he specific about who might be acting against you?”