Page 68 of Dissection of Immortal Hearts

She paused, as if expecting a reaction from him. When none came, she continued, “We didn’t expect that just hours later, the Queen would attack the Hospital with an army of reptilians and humans. To save me, you gave me your ring and told me to pretend I had stolen it from you. That’s what I did. The Queen took me to Antambazi as part of her entourage, while she kept you as her prisoner.”

Her courage seemed to grow from his lack of resistance, and she moved her fingers to stroke his jawline. “When I found out she was torturing you, I couldn’t keep pretending to be on her side, waiting for a better moment to get away. So I acted at the first opportunity. I couldn’t have done it without Constantine, though… We lost him during the escape. I hope he’s safe.”

Her mention of Constantine snapped Mikhail out of his trance. “Constantine was in Antambazi?”

“Captured by the Queen. While we were fleeing, Diana appeared. Do you remember her?”

“The vampire?”

She nodded. “They left together. I hope they managed to evade the reptilians…” She bit her lip. “Mikhail, I need to tell you something else. Presiyan… I saw him with the Queen’s henchman at the palace. The Tribunal is working with the reptilians.”

She fell silent, but her fingers continued tracing his face, gently and unhurriedly. The sensation stirred an unexpected warmth within him… feminine fingers, like the Queen’s, caressing his cheek while he stood helpless.Stroking himas she uttered words that made his blood boil, even though he could do nothing about them.Stroking himmoments before she placed the blindfold over his eyes and released the venom that paralysed his muscles, suffocated him, tortured his heart… Killed him.

Mikhail blinked, breaking free from her spell. She was not to be trusted. He pushed her hand away. “Leave my room, creature.”

“Mikhail…”

He moved behind her in a swift motion, wrapping an arm around her waist and lifting her off the ground. She kicked in vain as he carried her across the room. With his free hand, he opened the door and set her down just outside. She was about to say something, but he slammed the door in her face.

She was a masterful liar.

He glanced down at the bulge in his trousers. Well, he hadn’t expected that.

***

Amelia

Amelia refused to leave the cabin without Mikhail. Swallowing her frustration, she dashed downstairs, where Viktor paced, his features tense with worry. Luckily, Alex wasn’t in the room – Amelia had an overwhelming urge to tear off her brainless head. That fool had been supplying Callan with blood, strengthening him, not even realising the danger she was putting all of them in!

“Mikhail threw me out of his room,” she said. “You need to talk to him – convince him we have to leave immediately.”

Viktor ran his fingers through his hair. “I’ll speak with him, but… Are you sure running is the right choice? We have nowhere to go, no plan, and Mikhail isn’t himself. I hear what you’re saying about Callan, and like I said, I hate that he drank your blood. But he had plenty of chances to harm either of you, and he didn’t. He even brought me herbs to prepare a potion to help you recover from the blood loss.”

The same blood loss that Callan had caused! Amelia couldn’t believe she was in this situation.

Yet, Viktor’s following words froze her in place. “Callan asked me to convey his sincerest apologies to you and said he wouldn’t have done it if he’d had any other choice. And… he looks forward to meeting you properly.”

She laughed bitterly. “Viktor, there’s a lot you don’t know. Mikhail’s ring is one of the Seven Sacreds. The Queen is searching for them. Together, they form a powerful weapon – strong enough to make someone ruler of the world. I’m pretty certain your new friend Callan has his sights set on them.”

“He’s not my friend, Amelia, and I trust him no more than I would a venomous snake…”

“Then why aren’t we leaving?”

Viktor held her gaze. “Callan is fighting against the Queen, too. He claims he wants to help us resolve the issue withregeneration. He said he’d talk to you and Mikhail once you’re both ready to hear him out.”

An icy shiver ran down her spine. “Do you honestly believe that man has any intention of helping us?”

Viktor shrugged. “It doesn’t matter what I believe. I had to tell Mikhail everything that had happened in his absence, including Callan’s offer. Mikhail is willing to listen to him, so he won’t leave before Callan returns.”

Mikhail, willing to listen to him?

“That man hates the Queen as much as we do, but he knows far more about her. There’s no harm in hearing him out. Mikhail wants to reclaim the Hospital at all costs. He’ll ally with anyone – especially someone claiming they can help with the regeneration issue.”

Her hands clenched into fists. “Did Callan tell you that he was the original owner of Mikhail’s ring? If he sees Mikhail as a rival, he’ll kill him.”

“Amelia, there’s no way I can convince Mikhail to leave when he’s determined to stay. You need to understand—” Viktor’s grey eyes bore into hers. “This isn’t the Mikhail you know. This is who he was before he met you. Which means nothing will change his mind once he’s made it up.”

“Where’s the coat Mikhail was covered with when you found us?”