Page 113 of Dissection of Immortal Hearts

What would the Tribunal leader do if he discovered Amelia’s peculiar abilities? Would he treat her as a valuable ally or insist on her elimination? Mikhail couldn’t decide which side he would favour. Presiyan drew Jasmina closer and buried his tongue in her mouth, prompting Mikhail to remember the events in the cave earlier that day. His reaction.

He couldn’t help seeking out Amelia. She and Alex were chatting by the window. Amelia was new to this world and unaware of one of its most unyielding rules that had preservedthe immortal species for millennia – anything out of the ordinary was to be eradicated at its root.

Tearing his focus away from her, Mikhail engaged in conversation with Mor, who was eager for details about the mission. Mikhail recounted a brief version, but once again found his attention drifting to Amelia – and the exposed skin above the neckline of her shirt. She’d been sensible enough to refrain from wearing the necklace until they understood its effects.

Soon tired of feigning interest in the conversation, Mikhail let his thoughts wander wherever they pleased. From the corner of his eye, he noticed a dark figure in the doorway. Callan approached Alex and Amelia, saying something that elicited laughter.

“What’s with the green-eyed monster lurking in your eyes?”

Mikhail swivelled around. Viktor was standing beside him, a knowing grin on his face. “What green-eyed monster?”

“Perhaps you’re remembering your history with Amelia?”

“No.” Mikhail hoped Viktor wasn’t gearing up to play mediator – or worse, matchmaker.

At the far side of the room, Callan handed Amelia a glass of what appeared to be wine.

“Then why the…?” Viktor traced a circle around his own face.

Mikhail understood the meaning but found it absurd, given the context. “What on earth are you talking about?”

“The jealousy, my friend. You’re looking at Callan as if you’re about to rip his head off. Do I need to remind you that he’s a valuable ally against the Queen?”

“I assure you, I have no romantic interest in Callan. I don’t intend to harm him over his unrequited love for me.”

Viktor shook his head. “Has anyone ever told you that your sense of humour is appalling?”

Mikhail recalled Amelia’s earlier quip about him being duller than a mushroom and allowed himself a faint smile. He pattedViktor on the back. “You’ve always been a romantic, but this time, do us all a favour and let sleeping dogs lie. For the good of everyone, some things are best left in the past.”

Before they could veer into yet another pointless discussion, Mikhail stood up and crossed the room. He passed Presiyan and Jasmina, who were dancing in the centre of the cabin, and joined the group by the window.

“…and then that vampire gave up trying to defeat me with magic and beat me senseless with her bare hands,” Callan was saying. “Afterwards, shedidlisten, and realised I was there to help, not to cause trouble. I suppose there’s a reason magic is the domain of witches alone.”

Alex chuckled as Amelia acknowledged Mikhail’s presence with a fleeting glance.

“You did well today,” he told her.

“Thank you. So did you.”

“Did you seriously almost take part in a witch trivia?” Alex interjected. “Oh, why wasn’t I there? I’d have crushed the competition.”

“Youmight have,” Mikhail said. “In our case, it’s a good thing the quiz wasn’t a deciding factor. Otherwise, we’d still be stuck in the Middle Ages.”

Amelia shrugged. “The goal wasn’t to test my knowledge of witchcraft, but for the necklace to… recognise me. As strange as that sounds.”

“It’s not strange,” Callan said. “Soon, you’ll realise that what you wear around your neck – or keep in your pocket, in this case – has a life of its own.”

Mikhail frowned despite himself. Was he the only one unnerved by the way they spoke of these objects, as though they were sentient?

Callan faced him with a smile that seemed designed to charm. “It’s pure power, Korovin. The ring was with you, so I’llassume you’re lying if you deny its pull. Do you know what it does?”

Mikhail thought back to what he’d read in the Oracle’s letter. He’d always known the ring had been handed down through generations of his family. Now, however, his father’s legacy was embodied in an object that had once stripped him of his reason – something he had no desire to experience again. That was why he’d given up on the idea of finding or reclaiming it.

He had no intention of sharing any of this with Callan, preferring instead to pretend ignorance. If no one had mentioned Gea’s letter to the firstborn, Mikhail wasn’t about to do so. Instead, he said, “I assume you’re going to enlighten me.”

“The ring draws in your darkest emotions, letting you see through them. It swallows them and cleanses you. Some might even say it makes you a better man,” Callan said.

Mikhail glanced briefly at Amelia. “A better man? I doubt anyone would say that about me, with or without the ring.” His words were far from jest. Over the years, he had tormented more than a few creatures while battling the impaired regeneration.