Page 136 of The Immortal’s Mark

I force myself not to tremble as my disoriented thoughts begin to clear.

Henry took me from the safehouse.

I’d assumed he had good intentions.

That ended the moment he attacked Gregory.

My jaw clenches so hard it aches. “What is going on, Henry? Where are we?”

The warlock’s lips curl into a smirk. He coughs again, clearing the unsettling expression, but it’s burned into my mind.

“Where are we?” I push more strength behind the words and rise to my feet. My head spins, still unsettled from traveling through the rip, but power trickles into my palms.

I’m no fool.

My ability to use this power is sporadic at best, and I’m not a threat to a trained warlock.

But I’ll be damned if I won’t at least try to defend myself and Gregory from whatever the hell is going on.

This time, Henry doesn’t smile. His gaze dips to my crackling palms, then he turns and strides toward a tall metal door on the far wall.

My eyes sweep the space, quickly taking in the chilled concrete floor, bare walls, and lack of windows. The air smells stale, like dust and cold stone.

An unfinished basement, maybe? Or a cellar.

Henry reaches out and grips the rod-shaped door handle.

But it turns before he can tough it.

The door swings inward, and my heart slams against my ribs.

The sound of fabric rustling reaches me before the newcomer steps into the room.

The air stills.

Henry’s coughing subsides.

My gaze locks on the figure, and my frantic pulse seems to stutter, like my body can’t decide whether to explode or freeze from shock or relief or confusion.

“Bella?”

33

DARCIE

“Bella?” My voice comes out as a strangled, broken whisper as my mind struggles to accept what my eyes see. “Is it really you?”

The petite Immortal smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

“Hello, Darcie.” Her voice is calm. Controlled. “Welcome to Italy.”

“Italy?” I echo. I shift myself to the side, placing myself more completely in front of Gregoy. “Why are we in Italy?”

Bella doesn’t answer. She turns her head toward Henry. “You are needed in the parlor.”

Henry bows low.

My skin crawls.