Page 25 of The Immortal's Trick
He shakes his head. “Nothing.”
“No.” I reach for him without thinking, fingers wrapping around his wrist. “Please. What were you going to say?”
His gaze lands on my hand, then lifts and searches my eyes. Whatever he sees prompts him to say, “What if I told you I could help?”
My grip tightens. “Then I’d beg you to tell me how.”
“Very well.” He places his hand over mine. “Take a deep breath.”
“What—”
The world shifts.
Buildings around me blur. Pressure slams into my chest. Wind blasts against my skin, and for a heartbeat, I can’t breathe. Can’t think.
Then, it’s over.
I open my eyes. My legs wobble, and I clutch Lome’s arm for support. Trees sway gently around us, and the sound of water trickles nearby.
I know this place. It’s the creek near my home.
“W-what?” I whisper, my wide eyes lock onto him. “How?”
Lome gently disengages my hand from his arm, placing it back at my side. “I thought it best to have this conversation in private.”
Realization crashes into me, followed by fear.
“You... you moved us here?”
He nods.
I’m losing my mind.
“How?” I ask again, voice shaking as panic crawls up my throat. “Whatareyou?”
Lome takes a step toward me, voice low and steady. “I will explain. It relates to how I may be able to help you and your sister,” he says. “If you allow it, I’d like to start from the beginning.”
If it weren’t for Nebet, I’d hike up my skirts and run away screaming.
But for my beloved sister, I swallow down my unease, lift my chin, and demand, with a tight voice, “Explain.”
11
Lome steps closer,and I don’t move. I should. Ishould. But I keep my feet planted, determined to hear how he thinks he can help Nebet.
He reaches out an arm.
I finally begin to draw away, but he grabs my hand before I can take a step back.
“You are not in danger,” he says gently, sparks emanating from his touch. “Remain calm.”
His voice wraps around me like silk. My pulse slows. The knot in my chest begins to loosen. A strange, spreading warmth calms my nerves, as if Lome’s poured stillness directly into my bones.
And then—it’s like something inside me opens. My panic drains from me completely. I don’t understand it, but I don’t resist.
When I try to return to my fear, to remember why I should beterrified, the reasons slip like water through my fingers. All that remains is the heavy pull toward Lome and the need to hear what he has to say.
I nod slowly—a signal. I’m ready to listen.
