Page 59 of Hospital for Immortal Creatures

The vampire pointed to Constantine, her tone nonchalant. “I’ve been keeping a close watch on him.”

The necromancer smiled, but judging by his reflection in Mikhail’s sunglasses, there was nothing amiable in his expression. “Interesting…”

Mikhail glanced at the watch on his wrist.

As though aware she was losing their attention, Diana dropped the façade and started talking fast. “My brother said he’d visited the bazaar in Istanbul to ask around about a witch that could open portals. I was so completely against all this that I didn’t really listen to him. I thought I had convinced him not to do it.” She tucked behind her ear a couple of stray locks that had escaped her neat hairdo. “And then he disappeared. He didn’t answer his phone. I couldn’t find him at his regular spots… I went to our home and in the safe was that thing… And I realised he’d taken the job. I was certain his disappearance was related to the stupid portal. I also knew that the only way to track him was through the witch who opened it. So I followed his trail, which is how I wound up in Istanbul, but none of the witches there could tell me if they’d seen him or who the one with the portal was. Then he showed up”—Diana nodded to Constantine again—“and as soon as I glanced at him, I knew he was the necromancer from the Council of the Twenty.”

“How did you know?” he asked, keeping his tone even.

She crossed her arms over her chest. “It’s no secret that the Council is one of the most influential gatherings in the world. They say that because their leader is determined, ambitious, bold and brave. But they also say he’s like that because he has an army of powerful creatures backing him up, including a necromancer, and—”

“And you figured that necromancer was me?”

“And I figured that since you’re so great, you’d be smart enough to listen when I tell you I can help.”

Mikhail’s face remained expressionless. “No, you don’t get off that easy. I’m equally curious – how did you know he was a necromancer? Vampires don’t have a strong enough sense of smell to recognise species by their scent.”

Diana shrugged. “I’ve practised. It wasn’t hard to put two and two together after Luka opened the portal at the Hospital. The necromancer’s from the Council of the Twenty, so it can’t be a coincidence he showed up in Istanbul. I listened to my instincts and followed him through the bazaar. Then, in the evening, when he was with the witch, I bugged his car. I was hiding in a small alley when he left her place.”

The muscle on Constantine’s jaw twitched. “So, it was your presence I felt at the bazaar and in the witch’s neighbourhood.”

Diana only stared back at him, no hint of remorse on her features.

“All right, that’s enough.” Mikhail glanced at his watch again, impatience marking his voice. “I’ll go talk to the witch. Let’s see what she says about your brother. Once we know more, we’ll figure out what to do with you.” He stood.

Diana reached for her blade. “I’m coming with you.”

“No.” Mikhail’s tone held such command, Diana froze mid-standing. “You’ll keep your distance, with Constantine. Viktor and I will talk to this Mada. You’ll come in later but are not to interfere.”

Before she could object further, Mikhail was already walking towards The Witch. Viktor tossed a warning look to Constantine, followed by a wave goodbye, then rushed after Mikhail.

Fantastic. Babysitting duty. Constantine was about to roll his eyes, but the waitress chose that moment to bring the two coffees Mikhail had ordered.

“Order?” she asked Diana, her focus dropping to the blade at her feet.

“No, thank you.” Following the woman’s gaze, the vampire flashed a five-star smile. “It’s a toy. I’m an actress.”

“Ah! Le attrice! Famous!” the waitress said.

Constantine pulled a few notes from his pocket and tossed them on the table. “Let’s go, before she asks you for autographs and pictures next.”

21

The Witch was a cosy-style nightclub, decorated like an old pub with bars at various corners, stools, and barrels. On a small stage in the middle, two retro speakers blasted contemporary music. Most of the seats around the bar were empty, except for a few couples scattered around, and a group of older, inebriated men whose conversation outvoiced the music.

Mikhail and Viktor made themselves comfortable at the central bar. Employing his most charming smile, Viktor ordered a double whiskey and a glass of red wine. The witch bartender served them with a small nod.

Five minutes later, Constantine and Diana sauntered in and took a seat at the bar by the wall. The vampire’s blade was nowhere to be seen – something Mikhail was thankful for, since it drew less attention their way.

While he was still thinking of what to say to get the information they sought about Mada, Viktor beat him to it.

“Nice place.” The lycanthrope bobbed his head to the music. He leaned towards Mikhail, altering the pitch of his voice. “Would you enjoy a romantic walk through town after, darling? Or do you intend to drink all night again?”

Mikhail snorted in response, throwing him a deadly stare.

“Yes, all right.” Viktor tasted his wine. “Act like the animal you are.”

The witch grinned behind the counter. “Family trouble, boys?” She spoke in fluent English, her breasts spilling out of her tank top while she filled a stein.

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