Page 9 of The Immortal’s Mark

My hands brush the back of a velvet chair as I make my way toward the end of the table, opposite where the others sit. The fabric’s texture feels too solid, too vivid for a vision, but I’ve learned not to question it.

My visions always feel real.

Unnervingly so.

I lower myself into the high-backed chair and take in the scene.

Thane sits at the opposite end of the table, posture sharp and shoulders drawn like a bowstring. Des and Lome sit on opposite sides of their brother. Eshe sits next to her husband.

I use the opportunity to take in the Immortals. Despite living in their mansion, I haven’t seen any of them in days. They’ve all been busy, searching for Bella and preparing for war with Adir and the rebellion.

“Well?” Thane’s voice cuts through the stillness like a blade. “Is no one going to say anything?”

“You invited us here.” Eshe’s golden earrings swing when she tilts her head, dark eyes narrowed at the volatile Immortal across from her.

“Yes.” Thane’s voice trembles with restrained rage. “But no ‘Hello, Thane, how are you feeling, brother? Don’t worry, we’re working to find your missing wife.”

His voice cracks on the last word.

That tiny fracture makes my stomach twist.

Lome rubs a hand over his jaw. “We are working on it, Thane.”

“Not hard enough,” Thane shouts.

I flinch.

Des, as stoic as ever, doesn’t react. He might as well be carved from the same marble as the columns lining the edge of the room.

“I’ve summoned a pack of were-beasts to our home,” Des says. “They’ll join the search once they’ve scented Bella’s belongings.”

Thane’s face twists. “I told you, I don’t want this in the hands of half-breeds.”

Des doesn’t so much as blink. “This isn’t about bloodlines but strategy. We should use every resource available to help us find Bella.”

Thane leans forward, the muscles in his forearms tightening like coiled wire.

“Those resources could be working for the enemy. No.” His gaze cuts through the air and lands directly where I sit.

For one awful second, I fear he sees me, but I realize he’s looking through me.

His eyes fix on the wall behind my head before looking back at Des. “Only you and Lome will search for Bella.”

“Be reasonable.” Eshe’s voice is soft but firm. “Adir has gone underground. We’ll need help if we want to find Bella quickly.”

Thane’s eyes narrow at Des, ignoring his sister-in-law.

“Why isn’t your little vampire friend helping, then? If you trust the half-breed so much, why hasn’t he contacted his father? He could end this in a day.”

“Alexander needs to tread carefully,” he says. “If Adir questions his loyalty, all of his efforts these past years will be for nothing.”

Thane scoffs, leaning back in his chair. “I doubt that’s the reason for his lack of urgency. I see how Alex wanders around my home, trailing after Darcie. Maybe you’ve got competition for the girl’s affection, brother.”

The words hit me like a slap.

What the hell?

Alex has been nothing but helpful during my training. The last thing I need is Thane turning that into something ugly.