Page 173 of The Immortal’s Mark

“Darcie,” he greets, smile tight. "It's good to see you walking around.”

“You, too.”

I look at my mother.

She clears her throat. “You are well?”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to vent about how her spell left me defenseless, but what’s done is done.

There are bigger issues we need to focus on.

I settle on, “I’m okay.”

Her lips press together, and she dips her head. “Good.”

“Where’s Thane?” Lome asks as our group comes to a stop just in front of them.

“The fountain.” Alex motions towards the hedge maze. “I thought it best not to disturb him.”

“Hm.” Lome hums.

Des asks, “What’s the news of Adir? Has he been located?”

“No, but Nightbane has confirmed three Elders are missing from their temple,” my mother answers.

“Fuck,” Des curses.

Lome and Eshe share wary glances.

“What is it?” I search the faces of those gathered around me. “Why is that bad news?”

“The Elders are ancient humans, blessed by the Creator,” Alex explains. “They are gifted certain…abilities by the one who made mankind.”

“Abilities?” I lift my brows. “Like the ones Immortals have?”

“Not quite,” a new voice joins our conversation.

Every person turns and watches Charmian approach from the balcony doors.

She wears her usual flowy gown adorned with colorful rose petals that flutter in the wind.

“In fact,” Charmian continues, “their power is far superior to ours in some ways.”

I tilt my head to the side. “How so?”

Her tired eyes meet mine. “Because they have the power to take our Immortality away.”

I stare at the Original Immortal whose blood runs through my veins, certain I didn’t hear her right.

But Eshe robs me of that surety the next moment.

“So it’s true, the Elders are working with Adir,” she says, her voice tightening on the last words.

“Yes,” Charmian says.

Lome growls. “You can’t know that for sure.”

“Is Darcie’s transformation not evidence enough?” She waves a hand in my direction. “Or the fact that her bond to Desmond has been completed?”