Page 170 of Dissection of Immortal Hearts

Earlier That Same Night

Over the past week, the Queen had summoned Constantine three times.

Once, to seek a spirit in a realm Constantine had never visited before, and ask it about the current date. When he returned to his body, he found that the date the spirit told him matched the one inThe Daily Chronicle of Antambazi. Had the Queen sent him to the afterlife just to verify something that was right before her eyes?

The second time, it was to search for Kathrine’s soul in the Otherworld. It wasn’t there.

The last time, the Queen had interrogated him about the Hospital for Immortal Creatures. Were there secret tunnels in the building, underground galleries, and double walls? He responded with a mix of truths and lies.

Today, it seemed there would be no tasks for him.

Constantine rested his palm on the side of the window frame and peered at Antambazi’s rocky slopes. Diana hadn’t said a word in the past few days. He was growing tired of having her half-naked while he stood aside like a eunuch. He hadn’t touched a woman in over a month, and the necromancer energy within him intensified with each passing day, urging him for release.

Even more so because Diana was, in theory,his.If this went on for another day or so, his wings would soon turn angelic.

Sounds from the corridor snapped him out of his thoughts. Aheartbeat later, Sevar appeared in the doorway.

Constantine studied the reptilian’s expensive suit with disdain and crossed his arms, waiting to discover the reason for the visit. He hadn’t seen Sevar around the palace since he and Diana had been captured.

Sevar stepped into the room, leaving the door ajar. His gaze swept over Diana as she straightened up in bed. He smirked. “Nice.”

Constantine had a dual urge – to cover Diana’s body or gouge the reptilian’s eyes out. “To what do I owe this unpleasant visit?” he asked, leaning against the wall.

Sevar curled his lips. “Today is your lucky day, necromancer. Come in!” he called to someone through the open door.

A man entered the room wearing wide purple trousers and a black vest. His swirling irises spoke volumes.Ayradjakli.The same one who’d unlocked the enchanted cuffs.

Constantine didn’t hide his scowl. Even he avoided theayradjaklisbecause their hypnosis was far stronger than his, and he didn’t like ‘measuring up’ where he stood no chance.

“We’ll sign a blood contract,” Sevar said. “I promise I’ll get you out of Antambazi unharmed and provide you with transport and anything else you need to continue your journey. In exchange, you’ll owe me a one-time favour. Whenever and whatever I ask, you’ll be bound to do it.”

Constantine snorted. “You might ask for my heart.”

“The protections of the blood contract won’t allow that. Whatever I demand won’t endanger your life. This is my offer, necromancer. Take it or leave it. You have thirty seconds to decide.”

“What’s the catch?”

The arrogant smile faded from Sevar’s face. “My only condition is that you don’t tell anyone I got you out of Antambazi.”

“What does the Queen think of this?”

“Fifteen seconds, necromancer…”

The ayradjakli stood like a statue in the middle of the room; the swirling discs in his eyes alone indicated he was alive.

Constantine pushed off from the wall. “Fine, but I’ll add something to the deal. I take the vampire with me, and you’ll give me the cuffs that the ayradjakli took off me.” Constantine pointed at the witcher. “He knows what I’m talking about.”

The reptilian’s expression shifted, as if he had far more pressing matters to deal with than mere handcuffs. “Agreed.”

Constantine met Diana’s wide eyes. This definitely wasn’t part of her plan after she had infiltrated the palace with so much effort. Well, he didn’t give a fuck.

The ayradjakli snapped his fingers, and a scroll appeared in his hands, listing the duties of each party. Sevar took out a small knife, sliced his palm, and signed the contract in blood. Then Constantine did the same. The ayradjakli finished the process by uttering a few incomprehensible words.

The proof of the deal being concluded was the cuffs falling from Diana’s wrist and clattering against the metal frame of the bed. At the same time, something bulged from Constantine’s pocket, and he was sure it was the other cuffs.

He expected Diana to resist, but as soon as Sevar handed them both black cloaks, she pulled the hood over her head and followed the reptilian on their way out.

Sevar escorted them through the palace and then to his car. They drove away in complete silence. No one stopped them for a portal check, and when the illusion of the fires of Hell appeared before him, Constantine allowed himself to be consumed by it.