Page 110 of Hospital for Immortal Creatures

Alex dug her nose into the book and read. “April third, the year 352. Sometimes life is so slow, pathetic and pointless, but there are these rare days, which pass by too quickly. Before I can enjoy them, they are gone. Like water that I try to hold in my palm, but she slips through my fingers, and all I can do is sit and watch as it leaves my hands and soaks the earth… Once it finds itself there, it cannot come back. So, I keep asking myself, is there a way to slow down these precious moments and live them fully? Is there a way to fly past the empty days? For instance, two moons ago, I met Nerine. She had perfect, smooth skin, and her eyes… Nobody has eyes like hers. I desired her the moment I saw her.”

Viktor rolled his eyes, already bored. “Is this one of those human romance novels you love to read?”

“Listen to the end, Viktor! ‘Nerine was also not indifferent to me. The hours we spent together are among the most memorable in my life. Well, I suppose that I will remember them for a long time, at least. I wish I could relive them over and over again, but I cannot. This is the way in which we exist. But I have never been able to succumb to the Laws of the Universe and I shan’t do it this time either. I have found a way to defeat life. I have finally found the key to success. This night will be a night of creation…’ Then he goes on, in another entry, ‘April tenth, the year 352. I have failed. Nerine died in my arms from body shock, after she drank my blood. My attempts to prepare her gradually with increasing doses proved unsuccessful. I am starting to believe that turning someone into an immortal is impossible.’” Alex closed the book. “Well, what do you think?”

Viktor forced himself to focus. “What do you want me to say?”

“Don’t you get it? Someone tried to turn humans into immortals!”

“You don’t believe it, do you?”

“Of course, I do. This is a diary, Vik! You can’t even imagine what happens later. Something huge…”

“I don’t want to disappoint, but there’s no way your little book is a real diary, given the fact that in 352 they didn’t use this type of paper. That book may be old, but it’s not that old.”

Alex didn’t give up. “Yes, but it could be a transcript, a retelling. Here, listen…” She shuffled through the pages until she found what she was looking for. “‘February twenty-fourth, the year 354. As I suspected, the foreigner is of an unknown species. I have never seen a creature like him before. He resembles a human, but he is much stronger and far brighter.’”

Viktor needed out. “Alex, let’s leave this for some other time.”

“And here… ‘March fifth. Today, there were two more…’”

“Alex, I’m sorry, but I have work to do,” Viktor said, jumping to his feet. “See you later.” He marched out of the lab.

He needed to do something. A punching bag. The gym. Yes, he would work out. Exhaust himself to his limit. And a woman. He was going to fuck a woman, or a few, until he drained himself dry. And then…

He hoped the urge to turn would fade away.

At least for now, he still controlled the beast.

36

“Mr. Korovin, I heard that you had a recent incident…” The Tribunal agent checked his notes. “With a bear,” he read out with a sarcastic smile. “A brown bear, I imagine?” Mikhail nodded. “As far as I know, they are quite timid.” The other man tapped his chin. “Why would it attack you?”

“That’s what I’m wondering…”

“Did you consider searching for the animal afterward and putting it down? This kind of aggression should not be tolerated. Tomorrow, another creature could become a victim of this enraged bear.”

“I imagine you’re right, but I do not own a firearm, so I can’t put down the animal in question.”

The agent stared at him with his small grey eyes. Even in his human form, he resembled a wolf, determined to snap his jaws around someone’s neck. The fact that he couldn’t find Mary Clare’s murderers, and Kaliope Gazis’ case was a dead end, only made him more acrimonious. Dissatisfied with the lack of evidence, he had gone sniffing around in places he shouldn’t have.

Who had told him about Mikhail’s wounds, anyway? Because someone must have, otherwise it didn’t explain why he had decided to dig into that. Especially since he had no clue about Mikhail’s short trip to Italy.

“Agent Kane, if there’s nothing else…”

“Not for now.” He started for the door. “But do something about this bear, please.”

“Certainly,” Mikhail said with a smile.

If the bastard dug any deeper, he could pile on enough charges – human kidnapping, destruction of a witch clan, obstruction of justice by hiding key witnesses to a murder and slowing down the investigation. Neither of those would probably stick though, because Mikhail had a legitimate reason for all of it, at least in his own eyes.

Despite the risk, a few hours later, he was guiding Amelia through his secret passage. The wind howled through the closed doors and Mikhail still wasn’t certain if his idea to take her out was acceptable, terrible, or downright catastrophic.

“It’s cold outside,” he warned her.

She wore a long jacket, a woollen hat, gloves, and leather boots. Proper attire for the freezing temperatures outside was his first condition. Second – that she wouldn’t try to flee. And third – to put on the vampire perfume. Given the late hour and the cold weather, it was unlikely they’d encounter anyone, but he didn’t want to chance it. At least, not yet.

Under the open sky, the gentle touch of snowflakes caressed his face.

---