Page 9 of Hospital for Immortal Creatures

He strode onwards, reminiscing about the Hospital’s creation. At first, it had been just an idea, then it had evolved into the central three-storey building with two wings… Kidnapping human staff, training creatures to become nurses and doctors, expanding the structure…

He had no remorse about all the evil he’d done to create this one good thing. In every creature, there was light and darkness, an endless cycle that kept the world spinning unless one lingered too long in either. For Mikhail, the world would not stop spinning until he accomplished his goal – a goal he believed was for the greater good.

Mikhail marched into the Oracle’s room, despite knowing full well that she didn’t like to be disturbed in the daytime. He found her in front of the bookshelf, sitting in her wheelchair with an open book in her lap.

She paid no attention to him for a long while until finally, she lifted her white eyes from the book to meet his.

How on earth does she read when her eyes are like that?

“Ah! I know what you must be thinking. How can I read with these horrid white eyes?”

He didn’t like that she seemed acquainted with his thoughts. Or maybe she was just good at guessing? After all, who wouldn’t have assumed the same?

“Actually, I was wondering what you gain from dicking me around,” he said.

If she was surprised by his rudeness, the Oracle did not show it. Instead, she tapped the book on her lap. “Have you ever heard that to fully understand a book, you need to read between the lines?”

“You mean to say that I shouldn’t have taken your words literally?”

“You always think that everything revolves around you. If you read the lines, you understand the stories of the book. But they are all fiction, even the ones that describe true events have been embellished. If, however, you read between the lines, you will discover the author’s story and, believe me, it is usually much more interesting than all the garbage spilt across the pages.”

All right. Apparently, they’d be talking about books.

“What are you reading?” Mikhail’s disinterest was not well masked.

Her bright white eyes focused on him. “Nothing you would comprehend. Tell me what happened.”

Relieved that the Oracle didn’t think him a worthy collocutor, he said, “There was a young woman, human. I was driving past the place you sent me to when she crashed her car into mine. I was in a hurry because time was running out, so I headed down the road in search of a parking space and left her. At first. But then something scrambled up my senses and urged me back to her. Right on time to see a guy yelling at her. I got rid of him, and then talked to her. It didn’t take long to realise she had nothing to do with the immortal world. So, I’m asking you, did you send me there to waste my time, or is there a larger purpose behind it?”

Instead of answering his question, the Oracle asked, “What happened after, manticore?”

“I left.”

“And you are sure she was a regular human?”

“Completely.”

“Hmm…”

Mikhail’s anger stirred under the surface. “What does that mean? Hmm?”

“Just what I said.” The Oracle lowered her gaze, turned the page of her book, and started reading. Or whatever it was she was doing with her white eyes. “Now, leave. You have a Council meeting to attend.”

“That’s all you’ll say?”

“When I have more, you will be the first to know.”

I’ll tear off her head way before then.

Without glancing back at him, the Oracle said, “I advise you to wait before you add another sin to your list. Who knows, maybe your problems will resolve themselves. I would also warn you to not come here during the day, but what would be the point in that…”

4

Viktor arrived last to the Council of the Twenty. With a carefree stroll, he waltzed past the wooden table, greeting some of the creatures that had already taken their places. An enormous window spanned the entirety of the room’s south wall, revealing a spectacular midnight view of the mountain. Bejewelled spiralling lights hung above the heads of those present, painting colourful shapes across the walls. Magnificent scenes from supernatural battles decorated the entire ceiling.

The members of the Council were representatives of all creatures. Some of them worked at the Hospital, others had more unusual functions, and some were in attendance because of the influence they had in certain areas. Being part of the Council in itself offered quite a good amount of power because, even though it wasn’t an officially recognised institution outside the Hospital, it held considerable power. Throughout the years, it had gained a reputation as a mighty gathering whose wisdom and advice the rest of the world conformed to.

Viktor seated himself at the far end of the table, inspecting the taciturn creatures around him. As one of the first members of the Council, and a co-founder of the Hospital, his place was to the right of their leader, Mikhail Korovin. To his left was the gorgeous nymph Platinum, pursing her lips in displeasure at the delayed start of the meeting.

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