Page 40 of The Immortal's One

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My unease spikes. “Can I help you with something?”

The woman in the red dress shifts her glare from her companion to me. “Yes. Stay away from Desmond.”

I frown. “I don’t know a Desmond.”

She continues as if I didn’t speak, sneering, her words dripping with disdain, “There’s nothing special about you, no matter what anyone says.” She shoots a venomous glare at the woman who said I looked familiar.

“Alright. Cool. Not special. Got it.” I nod stiffly and try to walk past her, but she steps in my way each time I move.

“Seriously?” I roll my eyes. Irritation and panic make my voice rise in pitch. “Please get out of my way.”

“I don’t think I will.” Her voice is low and sharp, her eyes narrowing.

“Evetta…” one of her friends mutters, sounding uneasy. “Don’t. You know what could happen if we interfere.”

The woman, Evetta, lifts a hand and reaches out like she’s going to stroke my face. “You worry too much, Stasia.”

I go to slap her hand away before she can touch me. Only… I can’t.

My muscles lock in place. My brain screams at my limbs to move, but they don’t budge.

Evetta smiles, her manicured fingernail tracing a slow, deliberate path down my cheek. Fear tightens around my chest like a vice.

“You’re risking our lives, Evetta,” says Stasia, her voice terrified now. “Even if she’s notThe One, the Council won’t be happy about this.”

“That’s only a problem if we’re caught.” Evetta’s smile widens as if she’s savoring the moment; savoring the fear wafting off me. “Besides,someonewill thank us for getting rid of the brothers’ distraction. With their favor, we’ll be untouchable.”

Her words make no sense, but the alarm growing inside me sharpens. I’m at the mercy of whatever trickery Evetta has used to paralyze me.

Something strong and invisible wraps around my throat, squeezing. My vision tunnels, and orbs of light flash at the edges of my eyes. My heartrate spikes.

I gasp, but no oxygen comes.

I… I can’t breathe.

12

The suffocatingpressure makes it nearly impossible to think. Tears slip down my face, but I can’t wipe them away.

How is Evetta doing this?

It doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is getting away from this crazy bitch.

I try to move, willing my legs to carry me, but my body betrays me. My muscles are stiff, rigid, like they’ve been carved from stone. The only thing I can control is my eyes. I force them to shift, desperate to take in my surroundings.

Evetta’s friends watch from a distance. Stasia and the other woman stand frozen, their faces as pale as paper, eyes wide with fear and uncertainty. They see what’s happening. They don’t agree with it, but they’re too afraid to do anything.

I’m on my own.

My vision starts to swim, everything blurring as the lack of oxygen begins to take effect. My senses dull. The world around me fades into a fog I can’t escape.

But through the haze, there’s something—someone.Green eyes.

Vibrant and unmistakable, their pointed stare cuts through my panic, bringing with them an odd sense of calm. The eyes from my visions. They’ve always unsettled me, but now, something akin to trust warms my chest. I cling to that feeling desperately, hoping the eyes will somehow guide me through the chaos.

Then, the noxious scent of gasoline and smoke fills my nostrils.

My face presses into rough gravel. Jagged stone slices my cheek. I try to push myself up, but a heavy weight keeps me pinned to the ground, crushing my lungs.