Page 31 of The Immortal’s Mark

I’d deliberately cried out for Des during the rebellion’s surprise attack. And he’d come.

To test my theory, I mentally called for him that same night.

In both instances, he promptly appeared to help me.

“I didn’t think you could feel my emotions,” I mumble, unable to deny how intrusive his ability feels.

Am I not allowed to have any genuine feelings or emotions without alerting Des? It seems like he can pinpoint them pretty accurately.

I sigh and meet his concerned gaze. “Can I control it?”

Can I keep you out of my head?

“I do not believe so.”

My shoulders fall.

“Well…” I look at the pile of papers on his desk. “I guess I should let you get back to work.”

“Of course.” He clears his throat. “About what I was saying before Alex arrived⁠—”

“It’s fine.” I cut him off. “Don’t worry about it. I get it.”

He frowns. “Darcie, I⁠—”

“I’m not feeling great,” I say, waving a hand over my body. “I think I’m still hungry from…you know. Missing meals.”

I inch toward the door.

His feet shift forward, and my breath catches.

I wait for him to reach for me.

I yearn for him to touch me.

But his fingers curl into a fist, and he nods once. “Very well. But we will talk soon.”

“Sure.” My voice is breathy, but steady. I turn, grip the handle, and slip out before I can second-guess myself.

I make it to my room on autopilot, shut the door with my back, and slide down it until the floor catches me. The quiet rushes in.

Then I press my palms over my face and groan.

Just when I thought I was making progress, the universe reminds me: in a house full of Immortals, privacy is a myth—especially when the man you can’t stop thinking about can literally feel it.

9

DARCIE

Hunger gnaws at my stomach, but I can’t bear the thought of eating anything. Not after that conversation.

Distraction. I need a distraction.

I grab my phone and tap Dad’s name. It’s been a couple of days since we last spoke. I’m due for a check-in.

The phone rings.

“Hello,” he answers in a whisper.