Page 44 of Hospital for Immortal Creatures

Mikhail said nothing, because Viktor was right. Every one of his actions had been reckless and impulsive. Add the witch’s head and the discovery of cancerous cells inside an immortal to the mix and... Yes, he definitely wasn’t thinking straight.

“I think you need to take a breather,” Viktor said. “The Oracle told you to help the woman…”

“Actually, she just sent me out to help someone,” Mikhail admitted. “Never clarified if it was Amelia.”

The lycanthrope grabbed his chin with two fingers as he pondered this. “I imagine this part, you’ve got right. Assuming you were at the right place at the right time. One thing is for certain – the Oracle always speaks the truth. If she sent you there, then it was important for you to be there. It’s a whole other question if you were meant to take further action.”

“Most likely not. The moment Constantine returns, I’ll ask him to erase her latest memories and bring her home.”

“If you think there’s no use for her here, that’s the wisest thing you could do.”

“Do you think there could be something more to her?” Mikhail locked eyes with the lycanthrope, desperate for the answers he sought.

Viktor shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m just thinking out loud. That’s why you’re here, isn’t it?”

“And yet, all you’re doing is confusing me.”

The lycanthrope ignored this with a wave of his hand. “By the way, you’re not keeping her in a dark room and tossing a bit of food at her every now and again, right?”

“Why not?”

Viktor shook his head and tsk-ed. “The times are different, my friend. In order to preserve the immortal species, above all, we need to maintain peace with the mortals.”

“I know, Vik. I’m only teasing. She’s in a room on the second-to-last floor. She has everything she needs – food, water, clothes. The chambermaids are forbidden from talking to her. Nobody knows who she is, and none of them would dare blab about it, either.”

“If the Council learns about this, someone can leverage it to question your leadership.”

Coming from anyone else, the words could have sounded like a threat.

“And that someone would lose their head. By the way, if questions arise, I’ll say that Amelia is in the Hospital because you needed help in the lab. I’ll be off now.” Mikhail rose and left.

Later that night, he stepped onto the small terrace and took in a deep breath of fresh, cold air. Details of his surroundings crashed into him like a bullet train while his senses heightened. But soon everything calibrated when his body and mind settled into his more powerful secondary form. In this state of being, he could perceive every minuscule element of the night – elusive sounds and subtle aromas, footprints hidden in the darkness, the slightest unevenness under his feet.

The flavour of changes to come.

16

“Get up! Korovin is waiting for you.”

Amelia opened her eyes at the command. Hovering above her was the chambermaid she’d knocked over the other day. She rushed out of bed, suddenly more alert than ever, and glanced around the room, almost expecting to see Mikhail. Of course, he wasn’t there.

“I’ll be outside. You have five minutes.” The woman pointed to the new clothes at the foot of the bed.

Amelia narrowed her eyes. “Where is he?”

“I’ll take you to him. Hurry up, I don’t have all day!” With an annoyed huff, the chambermaid walked out of the room.

Amelia didn’t need to be told twice. This was her chance. She hurried to the bathroom to clean up, changed into cotton black pants and a blouse, and marched into the hallway.

Two women stood guard at her door. They were tall and slim, with short boyish haircuts and stone faces. The obvious similarities between them suggested they were twins, or at least sisters. If they were wearing any weapons underneath the tight leather clothes that fit their flawless bodies as a gauntlet, Amelia couldn’t tell.

The chambermaid was waiting for her a few feet down the corridor, as if keeping her distance from the twins. Amelia caught up with her and they strode along walls with lamps that resembled candelabras and silent marble figures with eyes burning through her back. The nearest one was of an exquisite woman in a long robe, whose right hand was raised high above her crowned head, fingers spread wide and pointing to the ceiling as if trying to reach for something. Her features and body were delicate and feminine. Out of the tips of her fingers protruded dagger-like nails, the sight of which sent shivers down Amelia’s spine. Yet, the urge to touch the stone overwhelmed her.

“Ana. Mother of Nymphs,” the chambermaid explained.

“She’s… gorgeous…” Amelia’s words came out as a whisper. The impeccable work of art made the invisible hairs of her nape rise. Her fingers skimmed over the stone.

“She is. They say the marble statues are as alluring as she was in person.”

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