Page 171 of Dissection of Immortal Hearts

A few kilometres outside Antambazi, an SUV was waiting for them. From the driver’s seat, Sevar handed Constantine the key. “The Oracle and Mikhail Korovin are hiding in a winery between Sliven and Nova Zagora. Here’s the exact location.” Sevar tuggeda folded piece of paper from his palm.

Constantine removed his black hood. “I suppose you’re not going to explain why you’re helping me or telling me all this?”

“Get lost!”

Both he and Diana got out. A second later, Sevar’s sports car was gone without a trace.

“Let’s go!” Constantine headed towards the vehicle.

Diana didn’t move, her feet wide and glued to the ground. “This is where our paths diverge, Constantine.”

He stared at her. Should he reveal the truth – that they were bound in an extraordinary way?

Her resolute expression deterred him. Their connection didn’t require either of them to be with the other. It didn’t even imply romantic feelings beyond a strong attraction.

“Goodbye, Constantine,” she said.

“Goodbye again, Diana.”

He extended his hand. She hesitated before accepting the gesture of reconciliation and shaking his palm. He would miss the softness of her skin beneath his fingers, her bold, toffee-coloured irises, and her damn stubbornness.

That was why he wasn’t parting with her.

He quickly pulled the love cuffs from his pocket and snapped them onto her wrist.

Her eyes widened. She tried to pull away, but it was too late.

“Constantine!”

He hoisted her over his shoulder and carried her to the SUV. She fought against him, pounding her fists on his back. Yet, no matter how much she struggled, his strength won.

Besides, he had trained with her for months. He knew all her moves.

And she was about to learn his.

***

Constantine

Constantine delayed his arrival at the winery a little because he first had to take Diana to a safe place.

A few things caught his attention when he entered the common room. Mikhail was well after the torture in Antambazi. Amelia seemed fine, but around her swirled a shimmering black veil, visible through his necromancer sight.

There was a man in the room whom Constantine recognised from a portrait in the Queen’s chamber. And that bloody reptilian, Kathrine, not only wasn’t dead, but was also talking with Presiyan as if they were old friends. “What thefuck? Did I end up in the wrong dimension?!”

62

Amelia

Amelia stood by the car door, casting one last glance across the yard, where Viktor was embracing Alex.

Death. Death. Death.

Amelia gripped the handle. Her gaze shifted to the bench beneath the nearby tree, where Zacharia was sitting – complaining that, because of his unstable condition, he couldn’t join them. Kathrine circled him, saying something that made the hybrid laugh before she climbed into one of the cars. She was armed from head to toe with knives and pistols.

Amelia carried nothing but the necklace and the pocket watch. Weapons would not serve her against the Queen.

“Hello,” Karo, the man who had brought her to the winery, greeted.