Page 85 of Anatomy of the Immortal Species

“Thank you for accepting me and my family.” Helena smiled, gripping the handle of her medical kit.

The vampire’s eyes narrowed, fixing on the leather surface of the kit.

“May I ask something, sir?” Alex’s curious voice cut through the silence. “How do you decide who gets to be laid to rest in the temple?”

Vlas Beduin focused on her. “Our chieftains decide who is worthy. Only creatures with great contribution to the world are gifted the honour.”

A familiar thud echoed through the hall, and Vlas Beduin pointed towards the exit. “The temple exit is open.”

Walking at a steady pace, Amelia used every ounce of her strength to resist the urge to break into a run. She climbed the murky staircase, Zacharia close behind. After a small squat, she emerged into the night air.

The breath she inhaled was like the first in a lifetime.

“Well, that wasn’t so bad after all,” she said to Zacharia, who came out behind her.

Then the rock vibrated once again.

“What’s going on?!” Alex’s voice echoed from within.

The rock slammed shut, sealing the entrance with a thunderous thud.

31

Over two hours had passed since the rock had blocked the temple. It was clear by now that it wouldn’t just open out of the blue and let Helena, Nyavolski, Alex, and Viktor out.

Time wasn’t on their side. Night had wrapped its claws around the mountain, and though the air was still warm, it was spring – soon, Amelia’s jacket wouldn’t be enough to keep out the chill of the wind.

“What are we going to do?” she asked again.

Zacharia had spent the last half hour almost still, gazing either at the stars or at the vast mountain. His blue eyes focused on Amelia. He took off his leather jacket and offered it to her. “Put this on.”

“I’m okay.” She didn’t want to leave him in just his shirt.

“Put it on.”

Amelia frowned at his tone but accepted the jacket. She had more pressing matters to deal with than arguing with another man who thought he knew what was best for her. The piece of clothing reached almost to her knees, but its warmth was comforting.

However, Zacharia’s next words made her freeze. “In the next few hours, you don’t ask unnecessary questions, you don’t contradict me, and you do exactly as I say. Got it?” She lifted her chin, but he continued, “I don’t know why they were locked in there, but they’re not being let out willingly. We’ll have to get them out.”

Her lips pursed, but Amelia also wanted them out, so shenodded.

“All right,” Zacharia said. “We’ll need to find another way inside. The combination we tried isn’t working, so the main entrance is a no-go.”

“There was an opening in the cave’s ceiling…”

“I know. We need to find it.” Zacharia circled the rock and moved through the wide field, Amelia close behind. The meadow was about the size of a football field and sloped slightly. They scanned it twice but found no opening to the temple.

“It has to be here somewhere. Why can’t we see it?” Amelia asked.

“I suppose it’s protected by a spell blending in with the surroundings. Nothing as elaborate as the magic around the Hospital, I hope.” Zacharia squinted. “Those spells aren’t perfect. The problem is, we’re surrounded by green fields and without sunlight… it’s going to be tough. But we’ll find it. We just need to search inch by inch.”

Amelia wasn’t sure she understood. “Isn’t there a risk we’ll fall through it if we find it by accident?”

“Possibly. But, hey, at least we’ll have found it,” Zacharia said, resuming his search.

This time, Amelia’s steps were more cautious, half-expecting the ground beneath her to give way.

After some time, Zacharia halted. “It’s here.” He knelt by a patch of grass, tracing his palm over it. Then he was up again, moving a few feet away. He tore up some grass and returned, releasing it on the spot. Nothing happened. Next, he picked up a pebble and dropped it into the same place. A few seconds passed. “All right. The pebble fell through.”