Page 129 of The Immortal's One
As she should have.
Lome continues as if I didn’t speak, “I’m telling you, Des. If you successfully convince the others she’s not yourOne, I can name at least five Immortals who would love the chance to pursue her.”
My abdomen clenches, and I swallow down bile. “Is this your way of trying to tell me you’re interested in the girl? If so, be my guest. Neither Eshe nor I would stand in your way.”
Touch her and you will lose your hand.
Lome’s easy smile falls away.
Remorse pricks my chest, but I smother the discomfort.
“You’re an ass, Des.” He shakes his head. “And a fucking idiot. No matter what you say, I know Darcie is yourOne. Your refusal to admit it isn’t going to help anyone. Especially not her.”
The muscle in my cheek twitches.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” I pitch my voice low, all too aware of the lesser Immortals circling us like vultures.
“No?” Lome doesn’t bother to keep quiet. “So, you’re not trying to drive Darcie away? You’re not trying to robeveryone of the security your bonding would give this family? The security it would give theworld?”
A few feet away, a young female Immortal’s jaw drops. Her companions turn to see what she’s gaping at. Seeing us, their eyes widen.
My nostrils flare.
Damn you, Lome.
I infuse power into my voice to let it carry to the ears of every eavesdropper in range. “Darcie is a charming young woman, but she is not myOne. Trust me, I do not wish to sacrifice the safety of our community, or mortals, by denying my soul bond.”
Lome’s eyes narrow. “Bullshit. I know you, Des. I know she means something to you. Her soul calls to yours.”
Unbidden, Darcie’s image fills my head. I see her slender neck as she turned her head while we danced. The way her blue eyes light up when she smiles. The way her touch sends my body ablaze.
I inhale a deep breath to try to calm my thoughts, but the scent of her floral shampoo lingers around me like a taunting cloud, making it difficult.
“Des! Lome!” Eshe shouts.
My brother and I spin around.
Eshe’s white dress billows out behind her, catching the attention of every lesser Immortal she passes as she races over to where we stand.
Something about her expression makes my heart drop.
“Eshe?” Lome steps forward, concern evident in every line of his tense body as he scans his wife from head to toe. “What’s happened? What’s wrong?”
She takes her husband’s outstretched hands, stumbling.
A chill races through my veins.
I can’t remember the last time my graceful sister-in-law stumbled. Or the last time she willingly touched her husband. Lome’s eyes blow wide with his own surprise. If we weren’t Immortal, I’d think his heart would’ve stopped.
Eshe’s throat bobs. She pitches her voice low, but it’s pointless. We’ve already caught the attention of everyone around us.
“It’s Darcie.” Her eyes dart away from Lome, locking with mine.
Dread curls in my lungs, the sensation threatening to rob me of breath. “What happened? Where is she?”
Fierce anger mixed with genuine fear swirls in her almond-shaped eyes. “I don’t know. She’s gone.”
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