Page 119 of The Immortal's One
“Well, I’m glad to hear it.” A smirk pulls at his lips. “Otherwise, it could make our performance a little more... challenging.”
“Speaking of our performance, should we go inside?” I ask. I’m ready to get this evening over with, but we need Immortals to witness our kiss before I can escape to my guest room.
Then, gossip will work its magic and discredit the idea that I'm Des’sOne. Once the Immortals are convinced of that, I can finally go home.
Is that what you really want?
Of course, it is!
“That depends.” Adir tilts his head, considering me, his eyes narrowing.
A pit of dread forms in my stomach. “On what?”
He steps closer, closing the distance between us in a way that makes me instinctively want to back away, but the stone railing blocks me. “On whether Des lied to me.” His voice lowers, a dangerous edge slipping between his teeth.
I stiffen. “Lied? About what?”
His smile is too bright, too sharp, like a predator ready to strike. But that’s not what unnerves me. It’s the way his hand suddenly grabs mine, holding it with an iron grip that sends a jolt of panic through me.
“What are you doing?” I gasp, struggling to pull free. “Let me go!”
He doesn’t. “Tell me the truth, Darcie,” he growls. “Are you Desmond’sOne?”
“No,” I grind out between clenched teeth. “Of course not.”
His eyes flash with something wild. “You're lying,” he hisses.
I try to yank my hand back, but the pressure on my wrist intensifies, sending another jolt of pain up my arm. “You’re hurting me!” I cry out.
His grip only tightens. “Tell me thetruth.” The heat in his gaze burns like fire, like he's trying to burn a hole in my head to find the truth. And I’m terrified.
I force the words out, every syllable tasting like ash. “I am not Des’sOne. I swear.”
For a second, Adir’s grip loosens. I almost manage to break free, but then he tugs hard, pulling me forward so abruptly that I lose my footing and crash into his chest.
I try to push away, but my wrist—my stupid, aching wrist—is still trapped.
“Please,” I beg, the word slipping out in a hoarse whisper. “Let me go.”
Adir doesn’t even blink. He’s looking at me like I’m some puzzle he’s determined to solve. His face, once handsome, now twists into something ugly. The smirk has gone, replaced by a sneer of disbelief.
He releases the pressure on my wrist. I stumble back, the railing hitting my side, hard enough to bruise.
I cradle my hand against my chest, trying to wiggle my fingers, but the pain is unbearable. I want to cry, but I hold it back, settling for a glare as sharp as a knife.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” I spit, my voice pitched high with anger and fear.
Adir doesn’t acknowledge my question.
“Interesting.” His eyes assess me, calculating and analyzing me like some experiment.
My heart hammers against my sternum.
I don’t know what to do.
I need Adir to complete Des’s plan, but I honestly don’t want to be anywhere near this lunatic.
I want to walk away, but how long will it be before there’s another opportunity to prove to the Immortal community that I’m not Des’sOne?
