Page 138 of Anatomy of the Immortal Species

“Mikhail…” she murmured. “I’ve loved you since I was four.”

His pupils dilated, filling with a satisfied gleam. “Four?”

“Four years old. I’ve dreamt of you since I was a little girl, and I promised myself that when I grew up, I’d find you and erase your sadness.”

He curled his lips into a smile. “Well, you did it, little beast.” His smile faded, and his features tensed. His eyes blazed with that intense gold that set her soul on fire and stripped it bare. “Amelia, I don’t want you to think for even a second that this is the end. I’m letting you go so you can be safe, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be together again very soon. You won’t forget that, will you?”

She held back her tears and squared her shoulders. “I won’t, Mikhail.”

Moments before they stepped out of the lift, their fingers untangled.

In the courtyard, Ana awaited them with her lackeys. Amelia started walking towards her.

“Amelia, stay by my side!” Mikhail growled.

She pulled out the ring, ignoring his words. “It took me a while, but I have something for you,” she said to Ana.

Ana raised her eyebrows, her seductive lips curling into a smug smile. “I was beginning to think you’d given up on the plan.Good girl.”

“What plan?” Mikhail shouted behind her. “What is she talking about, Amelia?”

Ana plucked the ring from Amelia’s hand and held it up to her face to examine it. “Perfection!”

“Amelia, what have you done?!” Mikhail shouted.

Amelia glanced at him over her shoulder. The colours in his eyes had dimmed, leaving only darkness. Just like in her vision. That same darkness wrapped around Amelia’s soul.

Ana laughed. “Your Oracle was lying to you all along, manticore.”

A storm of emotions played out on Mikhail’s face, with confusion and rage battling for dominance.

“Oh, what’s this?” Ana sneered. “Did you really think she was on your side?”

Amelia gave her a stony look. “You promised to leave the Hospital alone if you got the ring.”

“I promised not to burn the Hospital to the ground. Not that I wouldn’t take it over.” Ana’s smile never left her red lips.

Amelia gestured towards Mikhail. “And what will happen to him?”

“Why, dear Amelia? Are you concerned about this animal?”

“I don’t care what happens to him. You were right about everything, after all. He’s incapable of loving anyone but himself,” Amelia said, piercing her own heart. She prayed she sounded as repulsed as she was trying to appear.

“And what about all your vows that you loved me?” Mikhail’s eyes burned with hatred.

Though he stood defeated and resigned, the fire in his gaze promised he would make Amelia regret her betrayal. She trembled inside, despite knowing it was all an act.

“I behaved that way to gain your trust and get the ring.” Amelia waved her hand before turning back to Ana. “I still hope you willkeep your word that the Hospital won’t be harmed. There are creatures inside this building that have done nothing wrong.”

“Don’t worry. Everything will carry on as before. Sevar will ensure that.” Ana nodded towards the reptilian who had attacked Amelia and Mikhail at the cemetery. “I believe you’ve met him already. Apologies for sending him after you, but I needed to push you into making a decision. Sevar wasn’t informed about our agreement, either. Your encounter had to be convincing.”

Sevar smiled at Amelia. “Hello again, love.”

Amelia fought hard not to look at Mikhail – not even when soldiers’ footsteps resounded behind her.They’re encircling him now. He won’t be able to escape…

With effort, she concentrated on the dark-haired woman standing on Ana’s other side. Their eyes met, and Amelia almost gasped. She had seen her in a vision – the moment she had become the Oracle. It was a memory from the previous Oracle, recalling how her body had dangled high up, clinging to the hand of this dark-haired woman… Kathrine. That was her name.

Amelia’s attention shifted to the peculiar object in Kathrine’s hand.