Page 133 of Anatomy of the Immortal Species

Sevar clasped his hands in front of his face and sighed. “I don’t see how anyone in that building would obey me willingly.”

The Queen gave him a look that made Kathrine’s stomach churn. “They obey the manticore,” she said, then added in a softer tone, “Are you saying he is stronger than you?”

Sevar’s cheeks flushed with anger. Ego was his greatest weakness, one the Queen regularly exploited, though he seemed oblivious to it. Kathrine wondered what her own weakness might be – one that was being exploited without her realising it.

Sevar hissed, “To those creatures, the manticore is a saviour. I will be nothing but an invader.”

“It all depends on perspective, Sevar. It all depends on perspective…” The Queen smiled. “Make them believe you are the good that saves them from the current evil, and the roles will reverse.”

50

Amelia opened her eyes. It was dawn and Mikhail, naked except for a pair of pants, stood like a statue by the window, gazing at the mountains. She savoured the quiet moment and enjoyed the rhythmic rise and fall of his bare chest.

The previous night had been warm for spring in the mountains, made even hotter in Mikhail’s embrace. They’d kissed and touched, each giving freely to the other. She’d shown him her unfiltered desire – accepting his past, his sins, his raw, animalistic side. Mikhail had relaxed in her presence, letting her take control. For once, they’d shed their masks, and it had felt as though they owned all of eternity.

But afterwards, Amelia had sensed something off – a restlessness in Mikhail. She wondered if she was imagining it, as the mind tends to seek flaws when happiness finally arrives. Now, in the clear light of day, she knew she hadn’t been mistaken. The tension radiating from him prickled her skin like electricity.

She swung her feet to the floor and walked over, fingers tracing his biceps. “What’s wrong?”

Mikhail’s jaw relaxed at her touch. “I’m not sure.”

“I can feel something is bothering you.”

“For some reason, since last night, I can’t stop thinking about Presiyan’s warning – that trouble is coming. The thought is stuck in my mind. It’s probably nothing serious…” He leaned down and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “Don’t worry, my love. Whatever happens, you’re safe.”

Her heart flipped. Mikhail had never told her he loved her, even though she’d felt nothing butlovedfor the past three days with him.

She didn’t have time to melt, however, because she had another confession to make. “Mikhail… When the reptilian attacked us on the anniversary of my family’s death, you…” She found it hard to finish.

“I what, little beast?”

She swallowed hard. “You died…”

“But I came back.” He reached out to embrace her.

She stopped him. The story didn’t end there. “You died in my arms, exactly three years after my entire family was killed, and I did the only thing I could think of. Without Zacharia seeing, I poured the contents of a vial into your mouth. A vial Ana gave me. She told me it was a cure for impaired regeneration.”

Mikhail’s eyes widened for a second before he shook off the surprise. “Is it the same liquid Diana drank to unlock her secondary form?”

Amelia nodded. “Yes, I think so. But back then, I didn’t know about Diana. I found out later, after you were arrested and we went to the temple.”

Mikhail pursed his lips, his gaze fixed on her face. “So, what does this mean? Now I have to thank this Ana not just for bringing you back to me but also for giving you something that saved my life?”

Amelia tried to smile. “Put that way, she doesn’t sound that evil, does she?” Her smile faded. “But now that stuff is in you, and we don’t know if there will be consequences.”

Mikhail cupped her face in his hands. “Your prophecy about my death did come true, after all.”

“So it seems…”

“And I survived.”

“Yes, you survived.”

***

Amelia was just getting dressed when shots rang out and all hell broke loose. She quickly pulled her blouse over her head. There couldn’t be fireworks during the day, right?

A wave of alarm swept through her body, amplifying the tension since her conversation with Mikhail that morning. She rushed to the window and scanned the sky, but it was clearer than usual. The bright day bathed the building’s walls in pleasant sunlight, the spring breeze swaying the trees.