Page 139 of Anatomy of the Immortal Species

Ana followed her gaze. “The mirror of Hecate. My Kathrinewonit in the Al-Hatib Tournament. It can dismantle any spell, even the strongest in this world – including the one protecting the Hospital.”

So that was how they’d gained entry. Amelia was tempted to glance back at Mikhail, but didn’t dare.

“Does that mean the building is now visible to humans?” she asked.

“No. That’s the beauty of the mirror. You can manipulate the magic in countless ways. The building is only visible to our allies.” Ana gestured towards the soldiers spread throughout the courtyard. A man in a general’s uniform stood to the side,observing the scene with a sly grin. “And this is General Petrov. The man without whom none of this would have been possible.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” The general bowed to Amelia. His voice was soft, but his eyes bore into her with such intensity, it was as if he was imagining slicing her open and tearing out her heart.

Amelia swallowed her revulsion and refocused on Ana. “What happened to the Mother of Reptilians?”

The woman sighed. “Iamthe Mother of Reptilians, my dear. I’m sorry I had to deceive you, but you wouldn’t have agreed to help me if you knew who I really was.”

Amelia folded her arms across her chest. “How can you be both?”

“Ana died centuries ago. Don’t be misled by our physical resemblance. I have nothing to do with her schemes. I’m fighting solely for a better, shared existence among species. In my realm – Antambazi – I have a laboratory where I’m developing methods for faster recovery and healing. I want a new,betterworld where individuals like Mikhail Korovin and that scoundrel who created the Tribunal don’t oppress everyone under the guise of the greater good.”

Amelia stared at the woman who was not Ana, her chest burning with pain. Once more, she longed to check on Mikhail, but she knew that if she did, she wouldn’t be able to keep going.

“I see you’re still not convinced,” the Mother of Reptilians said. “You know this world through the manticore’s eyes. Let me ask you: what have you learned about yourself while being with him?”

That was easy.

That I can feel whole again. Protected. Loved.

Amelia remained silent.

“Unlike him, I’m giving you a choice, Amelia. Come with me and help me create a better world for everyone, or rot with themanticore in the dungeons of Antambazi.”

The dungeons of Antambazi.Amelia’s heart fluttered. So she didn’t plan to kill Mikhail but to imprison him somewhere. This gave Amelia a chance to get him out. If she played her cards right…

The Mother of Reptilians tossed her hair over her shoulder and unclasped the thin golden chain hanging around her neck. Then she threaded it through Mikhail’s ring and fastened it back around her neck. “This ring is a weapon, Amelia. I hope you realise the good you’ve done by giving it to me. In the wrong hands, it could cause a lot of trouble. Kathrine, give me the mirror, daughter…” She held it up to Amelia. “I want you to look into it, Oracle, and tell me what you see.”

She did. There was no reflection in it, just a black void spread with a swirling sparkle.

“I don’t see anything,” Amelia said.

“That’s because it’s not a real mirror – as you’ve probably guessed by now. This is yet another powerful weapon in my hands. Now that you know all this, is it still hard for you to decide whose side you’re on, Oracle?”

“Amelia…” Mikhail’s voice cut through her. “If you’re with them, then you’re against me. You know very well what I do to traitors.”

Amelia spun around. “Those threats are just as empty as your delusions of satisfying me in bed, manticore.”

Sevar and the soldiers around them burst into laughter.

“That was cruel,” the Mother of Reptilians said with a thin smile.

Mikhail growled. “I promise I’ll kill you.”

“I’ve changed my mind,” Amelia said. “It’s not true that I don’t care what happens to Mikhail Korovin. I want you to promise me that I’ll have the chance to make him pay for every single day he took advantage of me.”

“A girl who doesn’t forget…” The Mother of Reptilians gave Amelia one of her knee-weakening smiles. “It will be my pleasure to grant your wish, my dear. I have a feeling you might just become my favourite secret weapon.”

52

Alex Volk stared in horror through the laboratory window. Her latest potion was hissing and bubbling over the edge of the pot, steaming around the burner. Once the liquid boiled, the heat needed to be reduced and the mixture would be left to simmer on low heat for about fifteen minutes. But Alex was so mesmerised by the soldiers and the activities outside that she neglected her potion.

She was scared to death. And excited. She had never seen so many humans gathered in one place!