Page 131 of The Immortal's One
I sigh.
Looks like I’ll be sleeping on the floor in front of the door.
Looking around the room, I can’t help but compare it to my room at the Grecian mansion. The space is large, but everything about it feels oppressive, like the walls are closing in. Expensive dark furniture. Fine burgundy fabrics. They’re all beautiful, but not comforting in the slightest.
I search for a clock to figure out the time. No luck. A window sits on the far wall. I shove aside the velvet curtains and peer out. Darkness greets me, concealing any identifying landmarks or scenery.
How long have I been here? Hours? Days?
Have Des or the others noticed I’m gone?
Des.
A memory hits me, unbidden.
“You look beautiful… you really do look like her.”
His words echo in my mind, followed by the warmth of his touch. My stomach twists in a way that’s both painful and confusing.
I close my eyes and cringe.
Des promised I’m not hisOne. Multiple times. But then he saidthatto me…
He was caught up in the moment. And I won’t lie, so was I.
Dancing with Des, moving so easily together, the way we teased each other… I had started to wonder if the others were right. What if Des and I are meant to?—
Enough, Darcie!
I cut off the wandering thoughts, just like I did on the patio outside the ballroom… before Adir abducted me.
None of that matters now.
I need to get back home. That's harder to accomplish now that Adir has abducted me, but that doesn’t change my goal.
I move farther into the room, soon locating the bathroom. It’s large and opulent with a huge shower and massive soaking tub. I turn on the shower, then walk to the granite vanity where two folded towels sit. I stare at my reflection in the mirror as I wait for the water to warm.
The eye makeup Bella applied is smeared, and my hair’s a tangled mess. My hands shake as I free my blonde strands from the bobby pins Eshe used for my updo, then reach behind me to loosen the straps holding the gown’s bodice together.
I slide the sleeves down my shoulders, and the gown pools at my feet. I step out of the fabric and walk into the shower, hissing when the warm water stings my cold skin. I clutch my arms to my torso and wait for my body to adapt to the temperature.
What if the Immortals don’t find me?
What if Adir is too smart, too powerful?
What if no one realizes he’s responsible for my abduction? What horrible things will he try to make me do for the rebellion?
Will I be bait? I honestly have no idea what he has up his sleeve.
I wish the others were right and that I were Des’sOne. I could really use some powers right now.
Focus on what you can control.
I blow out a heavy breath and listen to my inner voice, snapping myself out of the spiral.
There’s no room for doubt, not now.
I let the warm water roll over me, willing my muscles to relax as the steady stream washes dirt and debris down the drain.
