Page 73 of Anatomy of the Immortal Species

Her laughter grated on him, now that he’d admitted something real. He leaned in a little. “I like you in a different way.”

Her amusement flickered, replaced by a spark of curiosity – or maybe challenge. “Should that flatter or repulse me?”

He pressed his lips together. “You’re not like the others.”

She laughed again, but this time it was softer, almost thoughtful. “I’m sure you say that to all the ladies.” She glanced away, her fingers playing with the strap of her bag.

His gaze didn’t waver, and his tone held steady, almost grave. “I’ve never said that to anyone before.”

The air inside the car thickened, charging with electricity. Constantine’s nostrils filled with the scent of roses mixed with a hint of spice, making his pulse quicken.

He took a chance, resting his hand on her seat back. He wouldn’t make a move, but if she did, he wouldn’t pull away. Almost holding his breath, he watched her closely.

Diana stiffened at his subtle advance. She inhaled deeply, her eyes darting away as if she were weighing her options, calculating the risks. Her lips parted, but no words came out.

“Thanks for tonight, Constantine,” she said after a long moment. When she looked at him again, her expression was inscrutable. “I’ll see you in the gym.”

Then, without another word, she fled his car as though Hekate’s demons were chasing her.

27

Amelia rested her forehead against the window. The buildings and streets of Sofia shrank below, replaced by fluffy clouds. They were flying on Mikhail’s private jet to Ljubljana. From there, they’d head to Triglav National Park, in the centre of which stood the eponymous peak. The sacred Temple of the Dead Immortals resided at the foot of the mountain.

In the seats in front of her, Helena and Vladislav were debating the effectiveness of the rabies vaccine on immortal creatures. Nyavolski believed a timely dose protected some lycanthropes from a nasty rabies infection, a disease carried by a specific species of lycanthrope bats in certain parts of the Rhodope Mountains. Helena dismissed vaccines as biological weapons created by governments to weaken natural immunity in humans. While humans could be excused for their voluntary mutilation – whether from ignorance or choice – immortals who stuck a needle in their arms willingly were idiots. The surgeon’s colourful tirade continued.

One seat ahead of them, Viktor was engrossed in a thick book on mummification. To Amelia’s left, Alex Volk was playing a game of heads or tails. At the far end, Zacharia was flipping through an encyclopaedia ofCats, Big and Small.

Amelia found his reading choice as perplexing as his presence on this flight. While everyone else had been chosen for their medical knowledge and experience, Zacharia didn’t fit in with the science team. Yet that hadn’t stopped the hybrid from throwing his booted leg over one knee and burying himself in hiskitty book, an acquired beer can in hand.

Amelia waited for the plane to reach cruising altitude before moving to the seat across from him. “Why are you here, Zacharia?”

He finished reading the page he was on, then lifted his icy eyes to meet hers. “Why areyouhere, Amelia? These fools are headed straight to their demise.”

“You say that because you know Mikhail was against entering the temple, but scientifically, it’s the only logical step.”

“Yeah, yeah…”

Amelia wouldn’t let him bury himself back in his encyclopaedia, despite his clear impatience. “I know you’re here to keep an eye on me, probably because of Mikhail. But I can take care of myself.”

“I’m sure you can. Let’s just say I’ve always had a fetish for mummies. I couldn’t pass up a trip to the temple.”

She recognised the challenge in his gaze, but didn’t believe their mission was as dangerous as he made it sound. Helena Nyavolska had sent an official request to the vampire tribe guarding the temple, asking permission for the descendants of one of the mummies to visit and pay their respects, and the vampires had agreed.

It was as if Zacharia had read her mind. “Nyavolska is nuts. So are the Beduin vampires. What happens when you mix a crazy person with a bunch of other crazies?”

Amelia tapped her chin. “Let me think… A negative and a negative makes a positive, right?”

Zacharia laughed. “I hope you’re better at the vision stuff than you are at calculatingrisks, Oracle.”

“Nyavolska has officially informed the tribe. They’re expecting us.” Amelia stood up. “Just don’t go throwing yourself onto any mummies, okay?”

Zacharia grunted. “No promises.”

When Amelia returned to her seat, Alex Volk angled herself towards her. “Sucks, doesn’t it, having someone hovering over you all the time like you’re a fragile egg? You get used to it.” She went on, not giving Amelia a chance to respond, “Men of certain species can be incredibly patronising with their loved ones…”

Amelia leaned back in her seat. “I get it, but I’m not anyone’s loved one.”

“Is that so?” Alex flung her blonde hair over her shoulder. Her brown eyes bore into Amelia. “I thought you and Mikhail were more than friends, if you catch my drift…”