Page 137 of Anatomy of the Immortal Species

Ana’s glimmering hair was recognisable from miles away.

“It’s her, Mikhail! Ana. The woman who wanted to steal your ring!” Her voice cracked, rising in a thin, uncontrolled pitch. “But why is Ana with them?! I thought she was fighting against the Mother of Reptilians!”

Mikhail slowly faced her. His expression sent a chill through her. The anxiety and rage had vanished, replaced by a terrifying calm. He offered a bitter smile. “Maybe there isn’t a ‘Mother of Reptilians,’ Amelia. Maybe Ana is the Mother of Reptilians. I have no idea how they breached the Hospital’s defences, but they did…”

A sharp burn flared in Amelia’s throat. “What do we do now?”

They couldn’t stay here forever. The building was under siege. Within minutes, the soldiers would advance through the floors. Just minutes.Ten, nine… The compulsion to count returned.Eight, seven…

Mikhail stepped in front of her. “Amelia…”

His voice was so gentle, such a stark contrast to the anger of moments before, that for an instant, Amelia thought,It’s just a nightmare. Now Mikhail is waking me up, and I’ll find out it has nothing to do with reality.

His hand caressed her cheek again, but his next words struck like a slap. “They’re going to separate us now.”

Her eyes widened in fear. How much time did she have left with Mikhail?

Six, five, four…

“No, Mikhail!”

“Don’t be afraid.”

She shook her head. “I’m not afraid for myself…”

Mikhail reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring. “So, she wants this, right?” His burning eyes examined the lion’s head asif seeing it for the first time. “Then give it to her!” He placed the ring in Amelia’s palm and forced her fingers to close around it.

“Mikhail, no…”

He clasped her fist with his hand, keeping it closed. “You’re the Oracle. You should be safe, but I want to be sure. Convince this woman that you’re on her side. Tell her you stole it from me. Tell her you hate me.”

“And you? What will happen to you?”

“I’ll wait for you to get me out.”

Her eyes darted around the four walls of the tower before returning to the face of the man she loved. “What if… they kill you?” she asked, her throat dry.

He smiled. “I’ve already died once this year. Don’t you think that would be too much?”

Her heart pounded harder and harder, its beat near-deafening in her ears. “Can’t you transform? Can’t we escape?”

Mikhail gripped both her hands in his. “They’ve got the entire building surrounded, little beast.”

“There must be a way…”

“There is.” Mikhail lifted one of her hands and kissed it. “Youare the way. Come on, let’s go.”

Despite her resistance, he led her towards the lift and stepped inside the cabin. When the doors closed, Amelia finally accepted that thiswashappening. The Hospital, Mikhail – her anchors in this new world she had been thrust into with full force – were burning down.

She sought reassurance from Mikhail, her golden-eyed prince she had dreamt of since she was a little girl. There was no fear in him, only determination. She would be like him.

But how could she command her heart to calm down when it was determined to break through her chest?

Mikhail pinned her back against the wall and leaned over her. His lips found hers, and his tongue invaded her mouthwith primal aggression. It was a kiss born of both passion and desperation, where each wanted to take as much as they could, knowing it would be their last.

“You know what you need to do, right?” he asked when he pulled away.

Amelia nodded, able to breathe once again. This was one of Mikhail’s effects on her body – he could ignite it and relax it better than any technique against panic attacks. She didn’t want to show him how afraid she was of what was to come. He needed to know he could rely on her.