I can’t help the shudder that wracks through me.
“That dilemma is one my brothers and I are working to rectify,” Des’s cold voice cuts through Adir’s statement with razor-sharp precision. “It is not something you should concern yourself with.”
Adir lowers his head, but the gesture is more mocking than respectful. “If you and your brothers are searching for a solution, I have no doubt it will be found.”
I scoff. The sound slips out. I immediately press my lips together, but it’s too late. Adir’s eyes narrow. I wilt under his glare.
Thane clears his throat. Adir looks in his direction. My shoulders sag in relief.
Thane looks at each Immortal in the room, exudingauthority as he says, “Let us end this conversation for now. We will meet another time to discuss new developments.”
Adir’s nostrils flare. “Soon?” he clarifies.
Thane nods. “Yes, soon.”
“Very well.” Adir tugs on the bottom of his shirt, straightening out invisible wrinkles. “I look forward to it.”
“As do I,” Julisanna says, casting me one last glare.
Without warning, a bright light gathers around Julisanna and Adir. I shield my eyes as the same light forms around the other visiting Immortals, yelping in surprise when they blink out of sight one by one.
It doesn’t matter how many times I see evidence of supernatural powers; I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.
The moment the last Immortal leaves, the tension in the room snaps. Thane rounds on Eshe with a fierce scowl, snarling as he storms toward her.
“Do you know what you’ve just done?” he hisses, fists clenched at his sides. “You just ruinedeverything.”
I take a step back on instinct, but Eshe doesn’t even flinch. She examines her cuticles with detached indifference. “Don’t be so dramatic.”
The floor beneath me shakes, and I stumble. My arms swing out to find balance. My hand lands on a covered forearm, and I gasp when I see Des’s blank face inches from mine.
He meets my gaze with a neutral expression before returning his attention to his brother and Eshe, but he doesn’t pull his arm away.
I almost let go, but when the ground gives another jolt, I hold on tighter. I take a deep breath and try to ignore the butterflies fluttering in my stomach when I inhale his bold, woodsy scent.
“How could you be so careless, Eshe?” Thane’s body vibrates with barely contained fury.
“Forgive me,” she snaps. “Perhaps if I had beeninformedof this meeting, we wouldn’t have accidentally stumbled upon it.”
Thane’s nostrils flare. “You’re no fool. You knew exactly what you were doing.”
Lome steps between his brother and wife. “What’s done is done, Thane. News of Darcie’s existence has already spread to the Nine. Them seeing her doesn’t make a difference.”
“You’re wrong.” Des’s quiet voice is hard as stone. I sneak a peek and see the set of his jaw is just as hard. “It makesallthe difference.”
For the first time since we entered the room, a hint of remorse flashes over Eshe’s angular features. But her voice is determined when she says, “This matter affects us all. Bella and I should be included in these discussions.”
The floor stops shaking.
Silence hangs overhead like a dark cloud, ready to unleash a torrent of fresh anger and frustration.
“You arenotan Original Nine,” Thane states without a hint of apology.
Now, Eshe’s nostrils flare. “We are your equals.”
“Equals?” he snorts.
The arm under my hand flexes as Des’s fingers curl into a fist.