Page 121 of The Immortal's One
My voice shakes. “Who’s there?"
“Another prisoner,” a man replies, his tone deep with a detached edge. “You were limp when they brought you in. I thought you might be dead.”
Cold dread spreads through my veins like ice. “W-where am I?”
“Adir’s stronghold.”
Adir.
The name echoes through my head, a strange sense of discomfort creeping into my brain and down my spine. I try to hold onto the meaning of it, but the effort hurts too much.
My thoughts slip away again. “I-I don’t know what that means.”
A sigh, heavy and resigned, fills the air. The man doesn’t sound surprised by my confusion, but something about his tone tells me he’s disappointed. “Do you know your name?”
“Darcie,” I say before I even consider the risk. I don’t know if the stranger is a friend, a foe, or worse, but I can’t take it back now. “What’s your name?”
“Kaine.”
“Hi, Kaine.”
“Hello, Darcie.”
I blink rapidly, straining against the dark, trying to make out any shape or form, but it’s useless. The blackness is absolute. I swim through my rising panic. “Where did you say we were again?”
“Adir’s stronghold. Specifically, we’re in the dungeon below his estate in Turkey.” He pauses for a beat, as if measuring his words. “Do you really not know who Adir is? He brought you down here himself.”
“I… I can’t remember.” The words spill out before I can stop them. I feel… stupid, weak. “I swear, the name sounds familiar, but I have no idea why.”
Kaine huffs. “He probably wiped your memory. What’s the last thing you remember?”
“Dancing with Des.” The memory of his hand against my back, guiding me through the steps, makes my stomach swoop like I’m on rough seas. The warmth of his breath brushing my ear makes my core tighten. “At the ball.”
“Wait… Des? As in… one of the three brothers?” Kaine’s voice drops in awe.
“Yes.”
“You’re…” He trails off, shock tumbling through the darkness between us. “You’reher. Everyone’s been talking about Des’sOne… I had no idea you wereher.”
“I’m not.”
Kaine doesn’t seem to hear me. “Adir must’ve taken you from Des. It’s only a matter of time before the Immortal Three find out what’s happened?—”
His voice fades into a background hum, distant and muffled, as he continues rambling.
I lie on my back, hoping the cold floor will relieve the relentless throbbing in my skull. I close my eyes and press the heel of my hand into my forehead as I try to make sense of what’s happening.
How long have I been down here?
When was the ball?
Once Des and the others realize I’m missing, they’ll start searching for me if they haven’t already.
Right?
Kaine has the same idea. His next words break through my spiraling thoughts and aching head. “Do you think the brothers will come to rescue you?”
“I don’t know,” I murmur, my voice barely a whisper.
