Page 28 of Dissection of Immortal Hearts

“The trade – our provision of wealth beyond what you could spend in a hundred lifetimes – remains as it always has,” the advisor chimed in.

“I’m not talking about our business.”

“Of course not,” the Queen said smoothly. “Before we get to that, there’s something else I need. I want you to double the security at the Hospital for Immortals. Add twice as many well-trained, armed soldiers. They’re to patrol not only the building and its surroundings but also the mountain. No one enters the area without my approval or that of my trusted advisors.”

Amelia paused with her fork midway to her mouth. What was going on at the Hospital to warrant the extra security? The Queen had said she didn’t care about the Hospital.

The General grimaced. “Isn’t that excessive?”

“All I’m asking is for you to provide more men.”

“Hmm. Such an addition requires considerable…resources. Resources in terms of money and influence. Do you know how much effort it took to mobilise two hundred soldiers? And it’s not like I’m sending them to war, for heaven’s sake. I had to explain they’d be guarding an invisible building housing creatures unknown to humanity. My men are afraid!”

“None of them has come to harm so far,” the Queen said.“You’ll assure them there’s no danger.”

The General shook his head. “It’s rare to find soldiers so devoted to their duty that betrayal is never a concern.”

The Queen played with her glass lazily. “You’re an influential man, Petrov, with equally influential contacts. If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t even ask, but you…”

General Petrov frowned in response. The table fell into an awkward silence.

“We have a witcher who could hypnotise them,” the Queen’s advisor interjected once again. “There’s no need for persuasion – just point us to the right people. When this is all over, they won’t remember a thing.”

General Petrov laughed, a harsh sound. “You require loyal monsters, not hypnotised puppets! And since your advisor said, ‘When this is all over,’ I’m beginning to wonder how many generations will pass before that actually happens.”

“What are you implying?” the Queen asked.

“I’m growing impatient. Human lives are far too brief to keep indulging your whims, getting nothing in return.”

“Nothing?” She arched an eyebrow. “You’re wealthier than ninety per cent of humanity…”

He cut her off with a dismissive wave of his hand. “Wealth I can’t even spend without drawing too much attention.”

“And the regular…entertainmentfor you and your associates?” The Queen drummed her nails on the table. “The Kreiss Hunters, is that what you call your little organisation? And when that Minister of Transportation became inconvenient, who orchestrated his untimely death? You even got his mistress’ body for your experiments.”

“That’s true,” he admitted, his tone sharp. “But what good is all that if I keel over from a heart attack tomorrow? Now, if I were immortal, I wouldn’t have to worry about my limited lifespan or anyone questioning the origin of my fortune.”

“You’ll get what I promised you soon.”

Petrov’s expression darkened. “Don’t take me for a fool! I’ve thoroughly examined every record left by the Kreiss Hunters. I’ve studied immortal species for years, enough to know that a human achieving immortality is impossible. I’m beginning to wonder how you managed to convince me otherwise.”

“Our agreement was clear. You’ll gain immortality after my species is freed from Antambazi’s confines.”

“And yet you keep adding more demands to your list.”

The Queen raised her chin, her smile ice-cold and alluring. “And why did you think becoming immortal would be easy, General?”

Did she truly promise him immortality?Amelia wondered. That was impossible.

Petrov drained his glass in one swift motion. “According to you, you can bend the other immortal species to your will, yet I’ve seen no progress on that front either.”

An uneasy silence settled over the room. Seconds ticked by as the Queen studied him with an unreadable expression. Finally, she turned to one of her Chosen, who’d been replenishing their food and wine throughout the evening. “Come here.”

The young woman hesitated, then approached in halting steps. She clearly hadn’t expected to be summoned for anything beyond filling glasses or clearing plates.

“Come closer, and lean in.” The Queen reached out, placing her hand on the back of the girl’s neck, as though to whisper something to her. Instead, she found Petrov’s gaze. “This is Monica. I found her on the outskirts when she was two years old, and I’ve raised her as my own. You can imagine how dear she is to me, can’t you, General?” Her fingers brushed the girl’s neck, just above the open collar of her crisp white shirt, cinched at the waist by a leather belt.

Petrov glanced at his watch. “I don’t see where this is going, but I really must—”