Envisioned (Immortal Chronicles Book 3)

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Envisioned (Immortal Chronicles Book 3) Page 14

by Samantha Britt


  They were at least one hundred yards away from the garage and standing south of the main house. Darcie had never ventured the direction, and she found herself unfamiliar with her surroundings. When she hesitated to try and figure out her location, Des’ fingers tightened slightly, urging her to continue on.

  “Where are we going?” she asked, picking up her steps until she was standing only one step behind Des’ lead.

  He turned his chin slightly and offered a tiny grin. “We are almost there.” He did not offer any more detail.

  Resigned to be patient, Darcie released a breath and readjusted their hands. Now that she was standing closer to him, lacing her fingers between his felt more comfortable. Des’ fingers twitched after the movement. He gave her another side glance, his eyebrows barely raised in question. She said nothing but lifted her shoulders in a subtle shrug. Des chuckled lowly and moved his attention back to the distance in front of them. He mumbled something about “being shy”, but Darcie wasn’t entirely sure she heard him right so she decided to not comment.

  Instead, she let him continue to guide her to an unknown destination, happy for the chance to be alone. Darcie did not want to leave Greece with their last conversation hanging between them. But now that they were together, she felt lost at what to say.

  Should she bring up the fight? Should she apologize? Was she even sorry? Darcie did not regret a single word she said during the heated discussion, only the tone she used. She’d been frustrated and let her emotions get the best of her. It wasn’t something that normally happened to her. In fact, it seemed she was more prone to irritated behavior and comments more since she was thrown into the immortal world. First her arguments with Kevin. Then, the fight with Marie. And now, Des.

  Darcie wasn’t handling things well, but she wasn’t sure how to fix it. So, instead of talking, she sealed her lips and kept walking. Soon enough, Des would speak. Until then, she would wait it out to avoid saying something to only make things worse.

  A smattering of trees appeared in front of them, and Des drew Darcie closer as he began maneuvering through the small forest. The trees weren’t particularly large, but their dense leaves blocked out a lot of the sunlight and dropped the temperature several degrees in their shade. The coolness was a welcome relief. They maintained such a quick pace, Darcie’s cotton shirt had started sticking uncomfortable to her abdomen. Using her other hand, she plucked the damp material and allowed air between it and her heated skin.

  The pair twisted and turned until they finally came upon a building hidden amongst the trees. It was clear the structure had been there for some time, the stone pillars were cracked from vegetation and the steps crumbled from weathering.

  “Whoa,” she breathed, stopping in her tracks. Des stopped too, rotating to see her reaction.

  Darcie’s eyes trailed over the ruins. The roof was gone, no doubt broken down by the elements over hundreds of years. Through the pillars, she could make out remnants of statues and mosaics on the walls.

  “Is it safe to go inside?” she asked while still observing the building.

  “If we do not touch anything, we should be fine.”

  “I promise to not touch anything.” Darcie moved forward. Des followed, but released her hand when they reached the stone steps. She looked back at him for instruction, but Des waved her on. He positioned himself by the entrance and crossed his arms.

  Cautiously, she took another step, then another, and another until she stood in the center of the ancient building. The floor was made of marble, its normally shiny surface dulled from years of dirt and grime. Figuring she was safe to touch the surface she walked on, Darcie bent down and used two fingers to rub away some of the dirt. It did not come away easily. After a few hearty swipes, she gave up on the task and stood back up.

  Slowly, she moved in a circle and took in the dilapidated statues on surprisingly-sturdy pedestals. They depicted women standing in graceful poses. At least they would have been graceful if pieces of their clothing or limbs were not missing.

  Darcie analyzed the pillars and noted their lack of embellishment and circular capitals at the tops of the columns. She stopped. “This is Doric architecture,” she stated, sucking in a breath. If the structure was built during the peak of Doric architecture, the ruins would be well over two-thousand years old.

  She moved her gaze to Des when he remained silent. When he noticed her attention, he nodded. “That is correct.”

  Her mouth threatened to fall open, she spun back to look at the pillars. “Who built this place?”

  And why isn’t it a national landmark?

  “I did.”

  Darcie whirled. “Y-you?” she choked out. “You built this?”

  “Yes.”

  Her thoughts assaulted her at a mile a minute. She plucked one from the swarm and asked, “You guys have been in Greece all this time? I thought Lome met Eshe in the 400s B.C.” She guessed the building would have been built at least two hundred years earlier.

  Des offered an explanation. “Yes, we had a home here. Though, it wasn’t as fine as the one you are used to. But I didn’t build this until around,” he paused, thinking back, “the 900s, I think. It was a while ago, but I know it was before the fall of Rome.”

  So, only one thousand years old. That’s a little less crazy.

  Darcie shook her head. Even after the weeks knowing the immortals, their reality still managed to shock and awe her. She snatched another question from her head. “Why did you bring me here?”

  He did not hesitate. “Because I know you like architecture.”

  “How do you know that?” Darcie asked, placing her hands on her hips and watching him. Though she contemplated a career as an architect, she never mentioned anything about it to any of the immortals. She was absolutely certain that not even Bella knew of her fascination with ancient architecture. Seeing ruins had been her favorite part of Professor Abernathy’s sabbatical around the Mediterranean.

  This time, Des did not respond immediately. After a telling couple of seconds, he reluctantly said, “You have a Parthenon keychain.”

  At first, she was confused how he knew the fact, but then Darcie remembered how Des had found her practically incapacitated on her college campus. It was the worst reaction she’d experienced from a vision. She could barely walk on the sunny day those weeks ago. After helping her to the vehicle, Des had insisted on driving her home.

  Still, having a keychain of an ancient landmark did not mean someone was interested in architecture. Plenty of people purchased souvenirs from the popular tourist attraction. It was a lame excuse, and based on Des’ uneasy body language, he knew it.

  Darcie’s first instinct was to pry and get a more believable explanation out of him, but she stopped herself just short of demanding he be honest with her. Des wasn’t telling her the truth, and that was irritating, but she honestly did not want to broach another sensitive topic with him. She was leaving, and she didn’t know when she would be back. They had the opportunity to go their separate ways on good terms, and she did not want to jeopardize it. The past two days had been torture as she relived their last conversation over and over again.

  So, instead of following her instinct, Darcie simply nodded and said, “Well, this place is amazing. Too bad it’s so close to the house. I’m sure a lot of people would love to see it.”

  His shoulders dropped in relief. He had braced himself for a confrontation. “Only Lome and I know of its location. And now you, I suppose.”

  Darcie chuckled. “Don’t worry, I won’t be able to reveal your secret hideout. I doubt I could find my way back through those trees with a map to guide me.”

  “You are too hard on yourself,” Des replied. “You most certainly would be able to follow a map.”

  A pink tinge lit her cheeks. She aimed to change the subject to hide her embarrassment from the ill-delivered joke, “So why did you build it? What was this place for?”

  He shrugged. “Privacy. A place to go when I want
to be alone.”

  “But you told Lome about it?” She gave him a pointed look. “Probably not the best idea.”

  Now, Des released a genuine laugh. His mouth was wide, and his white teeth shined in the beams of sunlight able to penetrate the dense leaves above them. Darcie stared in awe at how handsome he was. Sometimes, she forgot how flawless his complexion was, or how his features looked like they were perfectly carved from marble.

  Before she knew what she was doing, Darcie crossed the marble floor until she stood less than a foot from his chest. Reaching out, she grabbed one of his hands tightly in her own.

  Des stilled and stared at her. He was no longer laughing, but his skin continued to glow with remnants of his amusement. He wasn’t sure what she was doing and, to be honest, neither was she. All Darcie knew was her heart had pulled her to him, drawn to his happy disposition and serious soul. A part of her didn’t want to leave him behind. She longed for him to come with her, but knew it was too risky. The only reason she was allowed to leave the mansion was because Thane felt assured her departure would remain a secret.

  Darcie wasn’t sure how, but she knew the immortals had arranged for complete discretion and secrecy with regard to the three task forces. But that would change if Des left the mansion and no longer oversaw the search efforts for Bella and Adir within the alliance. At least, that is what Eshe said when the teenager asked why none of their family would accompany her on the mission.

  As she worked through her thoughts, Des merely watched and observed the subtle reactions and emotions playing across her expression. Suddenly, he pulled on their connected hands until Darcie was pressed up against his torso, their hands trapped in between them.

  Des wrapped his free hand around her, splaying his fingers across the entire width of her back.

  “You must come back.” The emerald eyes bore into her own. “You need to return.” His breath brushed against her face, loose hair tickling her cheeks.

  Her skin tingled. “I will,” she whispered, unsure of what had caused his sudden, emotion-charged command.

  “I mean it, Darcie.” Des leaned his head forward until it touched hers. Darcie sighed, her body thrilled with the additional contact. She had missed it. She had missed him.

  He closed his eyes, but Darcie couldn’t force her lids closed. Her pupils did not want to miss a moment of him.

  “Please return to Greece,” he murmured. “Please return to me.”

  Her heart soared and her stomach tightened. Des did not hide his need or his affection. Both covered every word that had come out of his mouth since she grabbed his hand.

  Darcie tightened her fingers around his and pressed further into him. “I promise,” she vowed without reservation. “I’ll come back.”

  Des did not waste a moment. As soon as the words were out of her mouth, he swooped down and kissed her. His lips moved against her in both promise and farewell. Neither one of them wanted to discuss their argument, but both managed to convey their apology, regret, understanding, and longing in their kiss.

  Darcie knew the topic of Des’ ex-soulmates and Kevin would need to be cleared up eventually, but it wasn’t the right time. At that moment, all they needed to do was hold each other. Let the other know how much they meant to them.

  She would join the task force. They would search for Adir, and Darcie would practice her emerging abilities with powerful witches. And, hopefully, they would find Bella and return home.

  Until then, though, Darcie was more than happy to let herself be lost in Des’ arms – arms she was now convinced were just for holding her.

  19

  Des and Darcie had stayed out at the ruins in the forest for as long as they could manage before they knew it was time to go back. The task force’s entourage was waiting for them the moment they returned to the garage, and Darcie ran out of time to say any more goodbyes. One of the Nightsbane witches had opened a portal; it was more than fifteen feet wide and ten feet high. She watched as Lucas and his daughter got into a sleek red Mustang and drove through the illuminated passage without hesitation.

  Darcie’s fingers tightened on the hand she was holding. Des gave her a reassuring squeeze and gently guided her over to the left side of the garage, away from the daunting portal. They approached a navy-blue Jeep Wrangler. “I know it isn’t your car, but I thought you might like to have a familiar vehicle while you are away.”

  She gazed at the vehicle, marveling at the Jeep company’s newest model. Her car back in Maine was at least five years old when her father purchased it, but the vehicle before her was obviously brand new.

  Darcie shook her head. “I can’t take that,” she said, looking at Des.

  “Then I’ll take it.” Gregory popped up behind them and moved to the driver’s door. “Either way, it’s coming with us.” He opened the door and hopped into the Jeep without another word.

  “Feel free to take it from him whenever you want,” Des said with a grin. “The registration is in your name.”

  Once again, her neck rotated from side to side. She couldn’t believe Des purchased the vehicle for her, but she knew there was no point in arguing against it. It was already done.

  “Thank you,” she said instead. “It’s really nice.”

  “You’re welcome.” Des tugged on her hand and pulled her into a surprising embrace. She didn’t know who else was around to see the affectionate gesture, but the worried thought disappeared the moment he pressed his lips against her hair.

  “Remember what we talked about,” he murmured. “You need to come back.”

  Darcie dropped his hand and wound her arms against his lower back. “I won’t forget.”

  The hug lasted a moment longer before Des gently released her and guided her to the Jeep’s passenger side. He opened the door and helped her inside.

  “Be careful,” he said just before closing the door. Darcie nodded and tried to give him a reassuring smile.

  Gregory started the engine and proceeded to guide the Jeep backwards before putting it in drive and moving towards the portal.

  While she had been busy with Des, it seemed the remaining members of her group had departed through the portal. Only Thane, Lome, Des, and her mother remained in the garage. The witch’s arms were raised towards the magical doorway, revealing herself as its source.

  Lome lifted a hand to Darcie in farewell, but Thane kept his arms firmly across his chest. She tried not to read too much into it. He hadn’t been the same since Bella was taken, but she held on to the hope that he would change the moment his wife returned safe and sound.

  The Jeep continued to roll forward until they were seconds away from hitting the portal. Darcie knew it was silly, but she couldn’t help but close her eyes and press back into her seat just as they were about to drive through.

  She felt a brief sensation of being pulled back. In the blink of an eye, the feeling disappeared and bright light shined over her face. Cautiously, Darcie opened her eyes and blinked to adjust to the sunny sky.

  “Seriously? We are looking for Adir in Florida?” Darcie shielded her eyes and glanced around the surrounding beach condos. The pastel colored homes were not what she had envisioned when she thought about the group’s mission. She figured they would take cover in some underground bunker or concealed safe house, not out in the open enjoying an oceanic view.

  “What’s wrong with Florida?” Gregory asked beside her. The pair had arrived at the beachfront condominiums moments before, and the rest of the task force was nowhere to be seen.

  “It doesn’t seem like a place Adir would hide,” she replied, dropping her arm to rest against her side.

  “Which would make it a perfect place to hide,” he countered, readjusting the strap over his shoulder before approaching the pale-yellow home. “Besides, it’s not like we could go anywhere outside of the states. You only speak English and are easily recognizable. Adir would know we were there before we found him. At least you blend in here.”

  Darcie frowned, b
ut followed him up the driveway. Clearly, her task force’s mission was limited by her presence. She wanted to complain, but knew there was no point. Other than getting herself sent back to Greece, complaining would get her nowhere.

  Gregory reached out and turned the bronze doorknob. It swung open easily. He gestured for her to enter before he shuffled in and closed the door behind them. Semi-familiar voices reached her ears. Darcie followed the sound until she stood at the edge of the living room. A large sectional filled the space, and its occupants were stretched out amongst the immense sofa.

  “Glad to see you made it,” Lucas said, making eye contact with Darcie while avoiding Gregory.

  She shrugged, unsure how to respond. “It wasn’t far. From the portal, I mean.” Her mother’s magical path had deposited the blue Jeep right off a service road on Interstate 95. Gregory navigated the highway and side streets with ease until he parked in the tropical-themed subdivision.

  “Be glad it wasn’t rush hour,” Paige replied. “You would have been stuck in traffic for at least an hour.”

  “Are you guys from here?” Darcie asked the young werebeast, moving further into the room.

  “We have family here so I visit a lot,” she responded, shifting over on the couch. “Wanna sit down?”

  Darcie nodded and moved to sit between Paige and the couch’s armrest. The girl acted much friendlier than when they were introduced in the garage. “Thanks.”

  The front door opened, drawing everyone’s attention. Seconds later, Alex and her mom walked through the hallway.

  Jennifer scanned the room, barely sparing a glance for Darcie before her eyes continued to travel the space. “Where is Mistress Lola?”

  Lucas rose from the couch. “Upstairs. She is checking the house’s wards and ensuring they are intact.”

  Her mother nodded. “Good. I will go assist her. Then, we need to discuss the latest intel and determine our first sweep.”

 

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