Page 122 of Hospital for Immortal Creatures

“Nails are something that can be released without the need for complete transformation,” Mikhail said.

“She was careful not to leave marks.”

“Criminals are usually careful of that. You said there were no mirrors. What did you see?”

“A hallway, and not much else. The lighting was off, and she thought there wasn’t supposed to be anyone up there at that time. She was surprised when she heard voices… That’s why she couldn’t finish the job. She just dragged him inside the lift, hoping he would die.”

Mikhail took a seat next to her on the bed. “To her disappointment, the boy will live and he’ll tell us who she was.”

“She had a hood on. She was convinced that Dave hadn’t seen her face.”

“Then at least he will tell us where all this happened.”

Amelia stared at her palms in her lap. “Mikhail… There’s something else.” He said nothing, but a sense of expectation filled the air. “I told you that she meant to carve a message into his chest.”

Mikhail sneered. “Let me guess. ‘You’re done’?”

She winced. “No. She wanted to write ‘Release her.’”

“‘Release her’?”

“She was thinking of you. That way you would have no other choice but to ‘finally get rid of your pet.’”

Mikhail walked to the window, turning his back to Amelia. She had noticed he stared out into the night every time he needed to think something over.

“Mikhail.” Amelia swallowed hard. “She was talking about me. I know she was. I’m the one you’re supposed to release.”

He turned to her with an emotionless face. “That’s right. It is you.”

His admission stunned her. If that was the case, why did he appear indifferent to everything she had just shared?

“If I truly am the reason for all the murders around here, then maybe I better leave. I don’t belong here anyway.”

Mikhail was in front of her in a heartbeat. “You do realise that nobody wants me to release you because they wish you well? As soon as you’re alone out there, you’re dead. And that’s the best-case scenario.” His voice made her shiver as much as the threat of his words did.

“But I haven’t done anything. Nobody would bother with me if I just went my way…”

Mikhail reached out, his fingers grazing her chin as he forced her to meet his eyes. “You still don’t get it, do you? If I ever had any doubts about whether or not you belong here, now I am completely convinced you do. Like it or not”—he smiled, but there was nothing pleasant about his expression—“you’re staying with me, Amelia.”

Amelia held his gaze, fighting the urge to hide under the blankets, like she used to in those rainy days as a child, and hope that everything would be over by the morning. “All right… What do we do now?”

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to know more about this vision you had. We could do some experimenting, see if you get another one.” A darkness she had never seen before threw a shadow across his face. “Meanwhile, we wait.”

“Wait for what?”

“The murderer’s next move.”

Amelia pulled back. “Aren’t you worried that there’s a killer loose in this building?”

His expression tensed. “I’m concerned for all the creatures that have trusted me for shelter, but I cannot allow a coward with a tendency towards drama to blackmail me. Besides, I’ve already ordered security cameras to be installed all over the building, so in a few days this will be done.”

She clenched her fists. “We could have prevented this. I wanted to warn you.”

Mikhail’s features, tense just moments before, softened at her words. “I shouldn’t have left you alone for so long, without a chance to contact me. Here.” He pulled out his antique phone, then pressed a few buttons. “My number is on speed dial. If I don’t pick up for some reason, you call Zacharia. I suppose it’s unnecessary to warn you against calling the police, long-lost relatives, or anyone else. If someone calls, I advise you don’t pick up. Unless it’s me, of course. I’m heading back down to check on Dave. When I return, we’ll talk about that vision.”

Mikhail stepped back. His eyes fell to her lips. The reserve and coldness disappeared, replaced by passion – aggression, even. Anticipation.

Amelia knew nothing about this man except that he was immortal, burdened by a horrible past and extremely dangerous.

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