Page 68 of Anatomy of the Immortal Species

On the other hand, she’d been in the Hospital for months and still had no clue of where it could be. And going to the temple to get genetic material… It could lead to something big! Something that might help the entire immortal world. Her chest filled withanticipation just like it had when she’d walked for the first time in the OR. No matter how much her new Oracle abilities might resist her, this was her opportunity todosomething, toaffectthe state of things.

“Yes…” Her eyes widened at her response.God, Mikhail would be livid with her!

The nymph clapped her hands. “Show some enthusiasm, people!”

“Is it going to be just us three?” Viktor asked.

Helena flung a lock of hair off her forehead with the back of her hand. “My husband will join us.”

Amelia lifted a sceptical eyebrow. “Nyavolksi approved?”

“He did not, but there was no way I could keep this from him. Our marriage vows compel me to be honest with him, and him – to keep my secrets. Apparently, he doesn’t trust me enough, so he has decided to come andkeep me under control.” The nymph rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry, I promise to keephimunder control.”

Amelia wondered if the expressive surgeon could ever be controlled, even by his wife.

“We need one more,” Helena said. “The temple has three halls, each connected by a lobby. We need two people in one hall to retrieve the genetic material, while the rest keep watch. Someone trustworthy, who won’t buy into that nonsense about a curse falling on those who disturb the ghosts in the temple. Got anyone in mind?”

They fell silent for a while. Then, Viktor sighed. “How about Alex?”

“Your stepdaughter?” Helena asked.

“Yes. She’s trustworthy and it would be a chance for me to give her some liberty and prove that I don—”

Helena pursed her lips. “Please, save the family drama for when I’m not present. If you trust her, then I’m fine with it. Be ready inthree days!” She pivoted on her high heels.

Once Helena’s footsteps faded, Amelia said, “Should we tell the Tribunal a serial killer is branding his victims with the valknut?”

“The Tribunal?” Viktor’s voice filled with anger. “Can’t you see they aren’t the good guys anymore?”

“Viktor…” She chose her words carefully. “When… it happened to you, didn’t the Tribunal do something about it?”

His throat bobbed. “The Tribunal didn’t exist at that time.”

“Right. Which means they never had a chance to do anything about it. But they might now.Someonehas to stop him.”

Viktor’s brows creased. “Yes. Someone… Not them.”

Later that evening, Amelia went to the gazebo in the courtyard and pretended to stargaze while her fingers searched the gap under the bench. She pulled out a folded piece of paper. Back in her room, she opened it. Ana had written:

I can’t do anything for him.

Keep searching or I’ll make good on my word!

Her heart sank. Visions of the icy walls engulfing Mikhail resurfaced in her mind. She clutched her forehead, trying to maintain her composure. If she didn’t find the ring soon enough, there might not be a Hospital once Mikhail returned.

26

What are you doing tonight?Constantine typed out the text and hit send.

For a moment, he debated whether to wait for a reply or chuck his phone across the room – something he should’ve donebeforecomposing the message. The noises from his bed suggested that the woman – whose name eluded him – had grown impatient, pursuing her own satisfaction. And here he was, standing with his back towards her, not remembering her face, yet staring at his phone like some lovesick fool.

He froze when the device chimed with an incoming message.

Training session,Diana had written. A second later, another message popped up:Wanna join?

No,he responded.

“Are you coming, baby?” the woman on the bed purred.