An Immortal Descent Read Online Free

salts and water from the inn.”
    The temptation to disrupt James’s nerves nearly overcame me. Exhaling a shaky breath, I held the fire at bay just long enough to explain my intentions. “I give you my word not to hurt her. Now release my arm, or you’ll be the next one lying on the ground.”
    Angry blood shot straight to his hairline. His nostrils flared, and I could practically see the thoughts fly through his mind.
    Yes, Mr. Roth. I’ve already done it twice. I could do it again...with a single touch.
    The man proved braver than I expected. Or perhaps just more pigheaded. His grip remained steadfast as his eyes narrowed on my face. “First, you will tell me what you plan to do.”
    It was a reasonable request. And as he had already seen my power at work, I would give him an equally reasonable answer. “I am going to read her memories in an attempt to better understand the purpose behind this attack. Then I will search her brain for any abnormalities or injury. When that is done, I will revive her.”
    He stared at me for a moment. “This is no time to jest. Tell me honestly what you intend to do with the girl.”
    I clenched my other hand to keep from screaming. “Oh, for heaven’s sake! What do you think I’m going to do? Turn her into a toad?” If I could have accomplished that little trick, I would have done it to James long ago. “I’ve told you the truth. Keep a hand on my shoulder if that makes you feel any better, but release my arm before it’s too late and we are discovered.”
    James hesitated, though I sensed his resolve begin to falter. “How will you do it?” he asked.
    My patience had reached its end. “We’ve not time for that! Will you trust me or not, Mr. Roth?” Power warmed my hand. Which direction it flowed first was up to him.
    His grip released, then refastened on my shoulder. “As you wish, Miss Kilbrid.”
    I sighed my frustration, not thinking he would actually make good on the offer. But it was too late now, unless I intended to knock him out, which would only prove his initial fear that I could not be trusted.
    Very well. The shoulder it is then
.
    Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath to help settle my own near-frazzled nerves. The pressure from James’s hand was more than a little distracting, and I did my utmost to keep focused on the girl as a stream of power flowed through the protective shell of her head. When the brain came into focus, I saw at once an abnormal dark patch on the outer gray layer near the front. At first sight, it looked similar to a cancerous growth I had healed several years ago. Moving my mind’s eye to the affected area, I jerked from a sudden shock of cold as though I had just plunged into a frigid bath.
    Fingers tightened on my shoulder. “Miss Kilbrid...”
    Every impulse screamed that I withdraw. The cold turned painful, and it was all I could do not to break the link. But the answers were here, in the very spot that repelled me. I could feel it just as sure as James’s grip. So rather than let go, I delved deeper into the darkness.
    My teeth slammed together as a terrible shiver ran from nape to navel. Anna’s physical brain disappeared, replaced by an inky blackness filled with a thousand pinpricks of light. Except for the dark patch, which seemed to absorb the light around it. I grabbed onto the first blurred image that appeared. My skin crawled with icy revulsion, but I refused to let go. Slowly, the lines came into view, solidifying into the shape of a young girl. I gaped at the familiar face, at the pale blue eyes that gleamed with madness.
    Deri...
    I should have known. Everything cried the wretch’s name, from the random attacks to the overwhelming cold that set my teeth chattering. Another shiver tipped my balance, and I groped blindly with one hand for support when my fingers curled around something solid and warm.
    “Miss Kilbrid...” James’s voice sounded so deep and slow it was nearly unrecognizable.