Page 127 of Hospital for Immortal Creatures

Mikhail’s vision blurred with rage, so he faced Dave instead. The boy’s helpless expression tugged at his heart, and he almost flinched. Were those tears sliding down his cheeks? At the sight, his pulse throbbed with a fury that threatened to consume him.

Amelia.

He thought of Amelia. If they locked him up for the murder of a Tribunal agent, he wouldn’t be there to protect her.

“Agent Kane, let’s have a chat outside.” It was a struggle for him to keep his temper in check, but he managed to tense his muscles enough to avoid hitting something – like a certain slimy agent.

“Of course.” A sly smile spread across agent Kane’s face, his eyes glowing with subtle deceit.

Mikhail threw a glance in Dave’s direction before stepping out into the hallway.

“Mr. Korovin, another attempt at a murder, I see? This time unsuccessful, luckily. I’m inclined to conclude that you’re losing your grip on things around here.” Agent Kane’s lips twisted into a cocky smile.

“You may be right. That’s why you’re here, the Tribunal, to restore the peace,” Mikhail bit back, feigning benevolence. “However, the health of our patients matters above all else. And when I give a strict order that someone is not to be disturbed until he recovers, I expect everyone to follow it.”

The agent took a step back, but his contemptuous smile didn’t waver. “Hmm. No one is to disturb the patient and yet you were on your way to do just that. Why? Perhaps you are trying to tamper with a key witness before the official inquisition of the Tribunal?”

The implication baffled Mikhail. “Tamper with a key witness?”

Agent Kane stared at him with his wolfish eyes. “The perpetrator will do everything in his power to wipe away the evidence, right? Or finish what he started…”

The agent was baiting him, hoping to spark a reaction. It required extreme willpower, but Mikhail once more focused on his tense muscles, picturing his anger like an animal he needed to get a tight grip on. It worked. When he spoke again, his tone was devoid of emotions and bordered on weariness. “Am I to understand that you are accusing me of trying to kill the boy?”

The agent smiled, showing off his yellow teeth. “Well, you know, guilty until proven innocent.”

“I thought the saying was innocent until proven guilty.”

“Only for agents who fail.”

“What’s going on here?” Elisanda Grace approached them, her white lab coat trailing her hastened steps.

“Good day, Miss Grace.” Agent Kane’s lustful gaze ran up and down her long legs. Hers glistened with hatred. Mikhail had a feeling that since she was the one who had discovered the dead chambermaid’s body, she had encountered Agent Kane already. Numerous times.

“I was notified there’s a Tribunal agent on this floor and I rushed straight up.” The business-like response couldn’t mask her animosity.

“But, Miss Grace, if you wanted to talk to me, all you had to do was wait. I was coming to you first thing this afternoon.”

Elisanda raised her chin. “I came here to tell you that our patient is in no condition for questioning.”

The agent nodded, without losing his ostensibly good-natured demeanour. “All right, then. I’ll postpone the boy’s questioning. See you soon, Miss Grace.” Turning to Mikhail, he said, “Mr. Korovin, it might serve you well to be more suspicious of others.”

“Thanks for the advice.”

Elisanda waited until the sleazy agent had disappeared behind a corner before letting out an annoyed huff. “What a nasty little weasel.”

“The Tribunal’s overachieved this time,” Mikhail said.

“I thought you and their eccentric leader were pals.”

“We are. That’s why we got the best. Agent Kane.”

At his words, Elisanda laughed, and Mikhail cracked a smile. Sure, the nymph was driving him crazy with her insane VIP patient ideas lately. But truth be told, he hadn’t been his most amicable self with her either, after the discovery of the chambermaid’s body.

“Seriously, though, Mikhail…” She sobered up and brushed back a lock of her hair. “At first, I wondered why they sent only one agent when usually it’s two or three, but now I get it. This guy equals five of the others. It feels like he’s in three places at once, jumping out unexpectedly and shooting out all sorts of crazy questions.”

“I know, Elisanda.” He gestured towards the boy’s door. “Tell me about Dave.”

“Physically, he’s good, but he’s afraid. He didn’t see his attacker and he fears it may happen again.”

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