Page 59 of The Immortal’s Mark

“They were all overjoyed when Lome announced our engagement.” Her gaze unfocuses, thrown into a memory from all those centuries ago. “Had I not known better, I would have thought they were happy to be rid of me.”

Every instinct screams to ask the elephant in the room.

What happened to break the couple?

Why is their relationship so strained?

What did Lome do?

The questions crawl up my throat, but the door swings open. And the opportunity vanishes like a puff of smoke.

Des stomps into the room. Alex is close behind, looking just as agitated as the Original Immortal.

Eshe rises from the bed but stands close.

My arms tremble as I push myself a little higher. “Um…hi?”

Neither responds.

Alex closes the door behind them with a precise click while Des is already halfway to the bed, gaze locked on me, the casual composure he wore in the ballroom absent.

His shoulders rise and fall with ragged breath.

Did he run here?

Even so, he’s Immortal… He shouldn’t be out of breath.

My eyes snag on his form-fitting shirt, tracing the bulge of muscle beneath the fabric. Up close, his attire looks even more like a uniform. The gold thread gleams in the room’s light.

“Leave.”

My brain stutters, then my eyes snap back up to his. “Excuse me?”

Des isn’t looking at me.

“Leave,” he repeats, voice rough. “Now.”

“Des…” Eshe’s lips turn down. “Are you sure that is a⁠—”

“Get out.” He scowls. “All of you.”

I stare at him, stunned. I’ve never heard him speak to Eshe like that.

Eshe’s hands curl at her sides. Her dark eyes narrow, but she walks to the door without another word.

Gregory is already standing. He shoots me a wary glance before following Eshe out.

Only Alex remains, watching Des with dangerous stillness.

Des’s jaw tightens. “I need to speak with Darcie. Alone.”

Something unspoken passes between them.

A warning. A calculation?

Alex scowls, but eventually tips his chin at me, before he slips out.

The latch clicks, and the room shrinks.