Page 17 of Dissection of Immortal Hearts

“I don’t see how consuming dead meat could strengthen me.”

“Perhaps you prefer it alive?” The Queen smiled. “In time, you’ll come to understand that the immortal body can draw energy from a variety of sources. Have you given any thought to—”

Both women swivelled their heads towards the door. Someone had entered without knocking. The Queen’s pale green eyes locked with interest on the man who crossed the threshold and strolled towards them. Kathrine followed, her tense expression making it clear she was ready to neutralise him at the first sign of trouble.

Amelia didn’t blink as she took in every detail of the newcomer. Tall, slender, with dark hair and cold, piercing eyes. His face, covered in a thick black beard, was haggard. His trousers and shirt were rumpled and dirty, as if they hadn’t been changed in days.

Constantine.

A flood of conflicting thoughts rushed through her mind. What was he doing with Kathrine? He didn’t seem to be in good shape.At least he’s alive, she reassured herself. Alive and in decent physical condition.

“What the hell is going on?” Sevar growled, bursting through the door just seconds afterwards. “I’ve been told you’ve let the necromancer wander the palace corridors without a leash! Have you lost your mind, Kathrine?”

“The necromancer is ready to cooperate,” she said.

“Your Majesty.” Constantin bowed, lowering his head. It appeared more comical than respectful.

The Queen rested her elbow on the table in front of her, supporting her chin with her hand. Her lips curled into a faint smile as she scrutinised the necromancer’s appearance. “Hello, Constantine.”

He turned to Amelia. “Oracle… And of course…” The necromancer shifted his attention to Sevar, who had already taken a protective stance behind the Queen. “The court jester.”

“I can assure you I’m far more than a court jester,” the reptilian snapped. “Pray you never find out exactly what.”

The Queen raised a hand to silence Sevar. “I understand our guest has reason to be displeased, given that we brought him to Antambazi without his consent. Therefore, we’ll forgive such epithets. The important thing is that we reach an agreement in the end. Isn’t that right, Constantine?”

“That’s correct, Your Majesty. I’m ready to hear what you want from me.” Constantine smiled, but his tone was bold – mocking.

The Queen leaned slightly forward. “Very well. I need you to retrieve something for me.”

“What?” His voice now carried more boredom.

“A pair of gloves.”

Amelia’s lips parted in disbelief.Belphegor’s Gloves!The Sacred associated with the reptilians.

“A pair of gloves?” He snorted. “Haven’t you got someone else to fill your wardrobe?” The necromancer cast a meaningful glance at Sevar.

The Queen crossed her legs. “I do, yes. But these gloves are in the World of the Damned, and not just anyone can reach that place.”

He arched his eyebrows, a flicker of intrigue crossing his face. “Hell, you mean? Last time I was there, it was so hot I doubt anyone’s wearing gloves. Sounds like you’ve got it wrong, dove.”

Amelia nearly choked at the endearment, but the Queen’ssmile widened. “Sometimes, though rarely, I make mistakes. This isn’t one of them.”

“What’s so special about these gloves?” the necromancer asked.

“To you, nothing. To me, they’re very valuable.”

He placed a hand on the back of his neck, scratching his grown-out black hair. “All right,” he said.

Kathrine and Sevar exchanged a glance.

“I assume you’ll wish for something in return?” A gleam shone in the Queen’s eyes.

Constantine folded his arms across his chest. “Of course. Nothing in this life is free. If you want your request fulfilled, you’ll first grant me three wishes.”

“Three?” the Queen repeated, amusement and surprise mixing in her tone. “Let’s hear them, necromancer.”

“I want a room in the palace…”