Page 45 of Dissection of Immortal Hearts

“That trick doesn’t work on modern vehicles.” He shot her a sidelong glance. “Lesson number one when stealing a car: always take it with the key if you can.”

“Oh, thanks for the lesson…”

“As Mikhail’s other half, you should know how to steal a car.”

Amelia couldn’t tell whether he was joking or being serious. “I’m sure Mikhail doesn’t steal cars.”

The necromancer smiled for the first time since their journey began. “Exactly. That’s why one of you has to. Basic survival skill.”

Despite the tension gripping her, Amelia burst out laughing.

“And speaking of Mikhail…” Constantine’s expression turned cold. “If I find out you’ve lied, and you really stole his ring, and now hope to save him for forgiveness… I swear I’ll tear your head off before he even considers forgiving you.”

His words weren’t empty threats. They promised a death sentence. Amelia liked having her head firmly on her shoulders. More than that, she was relieved that Constantine – Mikhail’sbest friend – was here with her. Truly present, as she remembered him. For a moment, she’d feared he was lost, but now he was back.

“I’m happy to hear that.”

***

Amelia

The route to the city outskirts favoured their progress. After about ten minutes of an almost spiralling descent, they reached the base of the hill. Tall columns loomed ahead – massive and lit from below – marking the bridge that connected the inner districts to the edge of the realm. Beyond the bridge, the road widened and straightened, part of it passing through the dilapidated shacks of a poverty-stricken neighbourhood.

“What is this place?” Constantine nodded towards a group of children who were playing, leaping over barrels.

“The outskirts. A sort of ghetto for those banished by the Queen. Did I mention her husband was the firstborn reptilian, Arius? She inherited his crown after he died of some unknown disease.”

Constantine raised his eyebrows. “That would explain how a non-reptilian creature ended up ruling over a reptilian realm.”

Amelia straightened up, facing him. “What do you mean?”

“She doesn’t smellreptilianto me. They reek of the sea, of saltwater, while she… reminds me of white flowers – lilies, jasmine…” Constantine wrinkled his nose as if the scent lingered in the air. “Something I can’t quite define.”

Even when she tapped into her Oracle abilities, Amelia’s olfactory sense was comparable to that of a cactus. She made a mental note to return to the matter later and changed topics. “The previous Oracle, Gea, worked with the Queen. She stayed in Antambazi of her own free will, helped the Queen collect someof the Sacreds, and then foretold that Mikhail would fall in love with me and give me the ring.”

Nothing in Constantine’s expression revealed his thoughts. “What are these Sacreds? That’s twice you’ve mentioned them now.”

“Seven items: the Manticore’s Ring, Hecate’s Mirror, Renenutet’s Necklace, Sandir’s Smoky Quartz, the Vampire’s Shifting Net, Callan’s Pocket Watch, and Belphegor’s Gloves – the ones you were supposed to retrieve from Hell. Each grants power to its bearer, and together they form a formidable weapon. When activated, they could allegedly cause an apocalypse. The Queen has decided to gather them all. She claims her goal is to use their power to remove the veil preventing reptilians from leaving Antambazi.”

Constantine frowned. “Over the years, I’ve heard rumours about special artefacts tied to the different immortal species... but ‘Sacreds’? That doesn’t ring a bell.” The headlights illuminated the barren land beyond the outskirts. Blackened soil, scattered with rocky outcrops, radiated a sense of despair and destitution. While the skies above the city evoked a connection with nature, here they seemed to crush the ground beneath them, stifling any thought of life taking root.

“Where to now?” Constantine asked.

“South. If we assume Antambazi’s sea mirrors the Black Sea, then that means…”

“South is that way. The car has a compass.” He turned the wheel. “Let’s summarise. You’re saying the Queen is collecting seven items to remove the veil over Antambazi, but some reptilians already move freely between Antambazi and our realm?”

“Only the Chosen, like Sevar and Kathrine. She calls them that because they’re orphans she took in from the outskirts, guided by some inner impulse that told her to choose them. Sheclaims she doesn’t know why some can pass through portals and others can’t.”

Constantine slowed down. “Why seven? What about the human species? NoSacredfor them?”

“I don’t know… I also won—”

A violent jolt rocked the car, hurling Amelia against the windscreen. She raised her arms to protect herself from the dashboard. The seatbelt snapped taut across her chest, and a burst of white surrounded her. Airbags.

The engine stopped.

“Bloody hell!” Constantine shouted. “Are you all right?”