Chapter 3
DARCIE
My morning starts with a blistering headache.
The pain isn’t unfamiliar. In fact, it’s the norm these days. Ever since I started to practice using magic, my brain has been the muscle that fatigues from all the exertion.
I'm exhausted.
I need a break.
Unfortunately, there’s no time for rest in the middle of an Immortal rebellion.
Sweat slicks my palms, and my lungs burn as I stand on the makeshift training field the Immortals created for me, swinging a practice blade that’s at least half my body weight.
Trying to strike a stuffed dummy hanging from a wooden pillar isn’t as difficult as trying to conjure balls of light with my bare hands, but it’s still physically demanding.
“You’re gripping the sword wrong,” Alex calls from behind me. “Again.”
I glare over my shoulder. “Good morning to you, too.”
The vampire steps into the light, the wind catching the dark edges of a coat that doesn’t belong in Greece’s mild winter weather.
My ex-boss’s eyes track the blade as I swing at the straw dummy’s neck. The pommel slips from my fingers.
I mutter a curse and pick up the weapon, readjusting my grip.
“Are you all right?” he asks.
“Do I not look all right?” I take another swing. This time, I tighten my grip as I strike the dummy’s torso.
“No, you don’t.”
I sigh, and my arms fall to my side. “I had another vision.”
“Ah.” He crosses his arms, waiting for me to say more, but the suitcase at his side catches my attention.
I blink. “What’s going on?”
“I came to say goodbye.”
“What?”
“I’m leaving,” he says simply, like he’s announcing the weather. “Just for a few days.”
The words hit like a punch to my gut. “What about my training?”
With the Immortals preoccupied searching for Bella, Alex is the only one who has bothered to try to help me tap into the power that allegedly flows through my veins. He’s the one who enlisted Henry to train me.
What will I do when he’s gone?
“Henry will be here, as well as one of my lieutenants,” he replies.
“A lieutenant?”
“My second in command,” he confirms without missing a beat. “Though his presence will be primarily for your protection. I’ll leave the training to Henry.”
“Great,” I mutter.
Just what I need…another babysitter.
I shake away the thought. “Are you going to look for Adir?”
He tilts his head to the side. “Did your vision include details of my assignment?”
“Only that Thane suggested you reach out to Adir.” I purse my lips. “Do you really think you can find him?”
“I don’t know, but I have contacts with information on his movements. They’re worth speaking to.”
“Of course.”
Anything to potentially save Bella is worth the effort.
Still…I wish he didn’t have to leave.
I swallow the lump in my throat and add, “What about my mother?”
“What about her?”
I turn the wrist holding the practice sword, staring down at the grains of wood running along the length of the blade. “Have you found her yet?”
“Not yet, but it will not be long.”
Equal parts dread and anticipation swirl in my chest. “Okay…”
Alex’s stare burns the side of my face. When I finally look up, concern greets me.
“You’ll be okay, Darcie. If you need anything, just ask Des or Eshe. They’ll take care of you.”
I ignore the way Des’s name makes my heart squeeze. We’ve hardly spoken since the night of Bella’s disappearance—the night he revealed he cared about my safety. That he cared about me.
“I know.” I nod.
“I’ll be back soon,” he says.
“Okay. Be safe.” I tighten my grip on the sword and fight to hide my sadness.
“I will.” The corners of his eyes crinkle with his smile, and he dips his head. “I promise.”
“Fetch, Argos!”
The stick leaves my hand with a satisfying whip of air, spinning end over end before disappearing across the manicured lawn. Argos shoots after it like a missile, paws barely touching the ground.
The German Shepherd-looking creature is back in seconds, a branch clenched proudly in his jaw, tail wagging as he drops it at my feet for round two.
Drool strings glisten on the bark in the cloudy light.
“You’re lucky I like you.” I grab the moist stick, wind up, and hurl it as far as I can.
Argos takes off in a blur of fur.
Cool air bites against my cheeks when I straighten and wipe the saliva from my fingers on my jeans.
Clouds smother the sky, turning the world to muted gray. Even the mansion’s gardens, normally vivid and colorful, look tired beneath the dim light.
Argos trots back toward me, lifting his feet high like a show pony, barely panting from the exertion.
But rather than demand another round, he plops down at my feet and begins to gnaw on his prize.
I crouch beside him and scratch the space between his floppy ears. His fur is warm under my fingers, chasing away a hint of the morning’s chill.
“Good boy.”
He nuzzles my palm.
My gaze drifts over the estate as I pet Argos, eyeing the trimmed hedges and statues spread across the expansive lawn.
Loneliness tugs at my soul as I stare at the shimmering ward that encompasses the border of the property, keeping me safe while also keeping me trapped inside its perimeter.
Alex left the mansion a week ago, but it feels so much longer.
Other than short training sessions with Henry, I don’t interact with anyone.
The servants continue to avoid me just like they always have, and the Immortals are always busy, often gone to investigate different leads on Bella’s whereabouts.
And when they are here, only Eshe and Lome bother to check on me.
Not that I want to see Thane or Des.
The former is an aggressive asshole ever since his wife’s disappearance, and the latter…well…
I have no idea what to say to Des.
I sigh and close my eyes.
I don’t want to take the Immortals’ attention away from finding Bella, but even speaking with Dad doesn’t alleviate this gnawing sense of helplessness and loneliness. My inaction is eating at me. As is my solitude.
Well…not complete solitude.
My eyes flick to the man posted a few feet away.
Gregory Fang.
Tall. Quiet. Serious to the point of being dull. The vampire is dressed in his usual black t-shirt and charcoal slacks, not a wrinkle in sight.
Alex told me he’d leave a lieutenant behind to protect me, but I didn’t expect the guy to be so…intense.
After two days of trying to prompt him into conversation, I gave up. Looking at Gregory now, he doesn’t even spare a glance at my sudden attention. Instead, his midnight-blue eyes scan the horizon as if the distant trees might suddenly attack.
I turn away and flop down dramatically.
I’m bored.
I crave something to help pass the time other than training, but I’ve pretty much run through all the activities the mansion has to offer. Without Alex’s presence, I’m resigned to suffer.
Argos, still chewing the stick, inches closer until his long body presses up the length of my leg. I pat his back, glad he doesn’t decide to leave me in my self-pity.
I wish I had someone to talk to.
Argos paws my leg and nudges the branch toward my hand. When I don’t immediately grab the slobbery stick, he lets out a low, pitiful whimper.
“Alright, alright.” I push myself up. “One more throw.”
Winding back, I let the stick fly, but it doesn’t go far.
Argos immediately returns for another go. I pick up the stick and am about to throw when a voice clears behind me. “Ahem.”
I turn to find Gregory watching me.
He clears his throat again, the sound oddly uncertain for someone who can decapitate monsters with his fangs for a living.
“May I?” He nods toward the stick.
It takes me several seconds to process what he’s said.
When I do, I blink and barely manage a nod. “Uh…sure?”
He steps forward, the leather of his boots whispering against the grass, and takes the branch from my hand. His cold fingers brush mine.
Argos perks up, trotting over and sitting at Gregory’s feet like he’s found his new best friend.
The vampire pats his head, murmuring something I can’t quite catch. Then he draws his arm back and hurls the stick so far I lose sight of it.
Argos bolts, a brown and gold streak vanishing into the tree line.
I gape. “Okay, wow.”
A smile ghosts Gregory’s lips.
“I like dogs,” he says, as if that explains everything.
My eyes widen.
It’s the most information I’ve received from my low-key guard in the week we’ve spent together.
But I’ll take it.
“Me, too,” I offer, smiling back.
He nods once, genuine warmth flickering behind his stoic exterior.
Argos returns a minute later, triumphant as ever, and drops the stick at Gregory’s feet instead of mine.
Traitor.
I laugh, and Gregory actually chuckles—a low, rough sound that I suspect doesn’t get heard much.
And just like that, the heaviness of my earlier sadness lessens a bit.
Maybe I won’t be so lonely after all.