Page 151 of The Immortal’s Mark

“I am here to witness your bonding,” she says evenly. “I brought one of the Elders with me.”

Elders?

I’ve heard that word before. But where?

The answer comes quickly.

Des had mentioned an Elder before…when I’d asked about Adir’s sentence after his trial.

He’d said an Elder was another supernatural being, and one who would facilitate Adir’s transition to a lesser Immortal.

The reason one would be here today slaps me in my face, and I take a shaky step back.

“Wait.” Bella moves forward, positioning herself in front of me. “Perhaps there is another way.”

“No, Bella,” Faine says. “This is the only way.”

I take another step back.

The balcony door is open.

Should I jump?

Would my burgeoning immortality save me from such a high fall?

“But bonds are sacred,” Bella pleads. “To force one…it can’t lead to anything good.”

Faine looks to Adir.

The Immortal of War smirks. “If bonds are so sacred, it is a wonder you violated yours, my dear.”

Bella sucks in a breath and drops her head.

Asshole.

“I won’t do it.” I take another step toward the railing. “You can’t force me to do it.”

A dangerous glint enters Adir’s gaze. “That is where you are wrong, love.”

He lifts a hand and flicks his wrist. The window rattles when it slams shut.

“This is madness.” Bella shifts to place herself between me and the Originals. “You cannot do this, Adir. It goes against the Creator’s wishes.”

For a moment, I catch a glimpse of the old Bella—the kind-hearted, but strong, Immortal who did everything in her power to make my stay in Greece bearable.

The woman who kept me company. Who kept me informed.

The woman I am proud to call my friend.

The atmosphere in the room tightens, heavy and dangerous.

“Nothing is right in this world as long as the Council and brothers hold dominion over the rest of us,” Adir counters. “Securing Darcie’s powers for our cause will ensure our cause’s success.”

He takes an ominous step forward.

The dread in my gut coils tight.

“Isn’t that what you want, sweet Bella?” He cocks his head to the side. His expression drips with insincere concern. “Isn’t that what we all want?”