Page 20 of The Immortal’s Mark

Just this morning, I failed to hit a single target. The moment the power leaves my palms, it fizzles out before flying even three feet.

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

I wave a dismissive hand. “What about you? How was your trip?”

Did you find Adir?

Do you know where he’s keeping Bella?

Alex sighs and drops onto the recliner Gregory vacated. “Unsurprisingly unenlightening. The whole thing turned out to be a dead-end.”

Disappointment stabs me in the chest. “Oh.”

“Don’t worry. No one is giving up. We will find Adir eventually.”

But will it be too late?

I swallow the question and nod.

“Alexander?” A lilting voice floats in from the hall.

Julisanna appears in the doorway, a picture cut from a fashion magazine. The Original Immortal’s pale pink sundress is sprinkled with tiny yellow flowers that climb the hem and fade up the skirt. Her blonde waves are pinned just so, not a strand out of place.

Her eyes flick between us, assessing, and the tiniest frown tugs at her lips.

“Alexander?” she repeats sweetly, but with a sharp bite. “Are you ready for our walk?”

The vampire dons his brightest smile. “Yes, love. Just permit me one more minute, and I shall meet you on the back terrace shortly.”

Love?

Her features twist, her anger there and gone in a blink.

Faux brightness covers her lovely face. “Of course. Don’t take too long.”

Her lovely skirt flares as she pivots and strides away without a backward glance or a single word of acknowledgment for me.

The moment I no longer hear her heels clicking against the floor, I whirl on Alex and spit out, “Love?!”

Alex meets my stare. “Yes?”

I scowl. “I was not calling you that.”

He chuckles. “No? That’s good. I quite like all my extremities intact.”

I refuse to dwell on what that means.

“Please tell me you and Julisanna are not together.”

His eyes crinkle. “Careful, Darcie. Envy is unattractive. Even on someone as lovely as you.”

“I’m not envious.” I scowl. “But Julisanna…she’s⁠—”

“A powerful Original,” Alex interrupts, eyes shadowed with meaning. “And right now, I need to keep my allies close.”

Details from the vision in the dining room come back to me. Namely, Thane’s harsh words about the vampire in front of me.

“Are people questioning your loyalty?”