Page 155 of The Immortal’s Mark

I don’t stop yelling or fighting.

But it’s no use.

Through it all, Adir carries me down several flights of stairs like I weigh nothing. Like I’m not fighting him with every ounce of strength I have.

Frustration burns through me, and heat stokes beneath my palms. But no matter how hard I try, the budding magic will not release.

The air dampens and cools the farther we go, telling me we are underground.

Chills rack my body, and I writhe once more.

“Enough, Darcie!” Adir shouts. “Accept your fate.”

“NO!” I fight harder. Hair sticks to my wet cheeks, covering sections of my vision. “This is not my fate.”

A figure detaches from the nearest wall.

Henry.

The warlock faces Adir and bows. “The Elder is inside, my lord.”

“Excellent. Now, go examine the wards surrounding the property and make sure our guests do not breach the border.”

Guests?

Henry rises. “Of course.”

He strides away, climbing the stairs with near-silent steps.

Adir drags me to the left. We enter a dimly lit room with stone pillars and dirt walls.

Torches sit in ancient-looking sconces positioned around the room. An elevated concrete slab is centered at the far end of the space. A hooded figure stands behind it.

“You’re late.” The aged, rough voice comes from beneath the deep hood.

“Apologies, Elder. We are here now.” Adir’s voice lacks the haughty tone I’ve come to associate with the villainous Immortal of War.

He drops my feet to the ground and grabs my bicep, pulling me along as he approaches the concrete slab.

“No!” I dig my heels into the dirty ground. “Stop! Please, help me!”

The stranger, Elder, doesn’t move. I cannot see his face, but I swear I feel the intensity of his stare burning my face.

“She is not willing?” he asks.

“Not at all!” I yell.

Movement to my right draws my attention. Faine stands in the corner, lips pinched together, and her forehead furrowed.

“That is irrelevant, Elder.” Adir stops a foot from the slab. His grip is bruising. “This moment is Fate’s design. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here.”

I rear back and scowl. What kind of bullshit is⁠—

“Very well.” The Elder takes a step. His cloak brushes the opposite side of the slab from where I stand. “Let us begin.”

“No!” I try to drop my weight to dislodge Adir’s grip and run. But it remains firm.

“Thank you, Elder.” Adir shoves me forward. My palms hit the cold concrete, and my body is trapped between the slab and Adir’s thighs pressing me against the structure.