Page 78 of Dissection of Immortal Hearts

“Gea wrote the letter for me while she was in Antambazi. In it, she explains the Seven Sacreds and why she made the choices she did,” Amelia said, addressing Viktor but maintaining her focus on Mikhail.

Mikhail handed the papers back to her, the gesture briefly narrowing the gap between them like a delicate lifeline. “Viktor, leave us,” he said.

Viktor hesitated, but Amelia nodded in silent reassurance, and he left. Alone, she studied Mikhail. His cheeks had regained their colour, and his jawline had relaxed, prompting her to wonder what he’d been doing during his absence. “Where have you been?”

His features remained neutral, offering no answers. He might as well have been shouting,It’s none of your business. Instead, he said, “I understand a few things better. The Oracle wrote that you’re the Oracle now and are connected to the Sacreds. And that I’m an heir to the ring. That this is the source of our attraction.” His eyes lingered on her, tinged with curiosity. “I don’t remember what happened between us, but I assume it was physical – and that makes it all the more wrong.”

Amelia tightened her grip on the letter. “It didn’t feel wrong.”

His features changed, his guard slipping for a moment. “Whatever you saw in me, I’m not fit to be anyone’s partner. I’m certain you deserve far better.”

She raised her eyebrows in defiance. “Do you really feel nothing for me?”

“I’m not an animal, Amelia.” His eyes darted to the wall before returning to hers. His lips pressed into a thin line. “My behaviour towards you earlier was inappropriate and uncalled for. I’ve no idea what caused it.”

“I do.” She stepped closer. “You acted that way because you’re drawn to me.”

His pupils widened. “Sorry if I gave you false expectations. Although the ring influenced my actions and I have no memory of them, I take full responsibility. And offer my sincerest apologies.”

He’d apologised, but to her, the words were as good as a dagger to the heart.

Mikhail’s gaze wandered over her face, as if seeing her truly for the first time. “What are you fighting for, Amelia?”

She frowned. “Excuse me?”

“Everyone fights for something.”

Her breath hitched.I fight for you and me. For us.She wanted to shout the words at him, but remained silent.

He exhaled, as though weary of their conversation. “For better or worse, we’re on the same side right now. Viktor values you, and I’d like to find out how we can support each other.”

Every flicker of hope extinguished in an instant. The Mikhail before her was not her lover but the leader of the Council. He would tolerate her because she was useful to him. And because Viktor valued her. The ache was familiar, echoing the moment when he’d learned about her connection to the previous Oracle. That was when Amelia first realised how far he could withdraw, how unreachable he could become.

No, it was worse now. Because back then, she hadn’t known what it felt like to really have him by her side.

“There’s nothing more important to me than reclaiming the Hospital and restoring its medical services,” Mikhail said matter-of-factly. “What isyourpurpose?”

What was her purpose? Amelia paused to face what she’d been unwilling to accept. Then, with quiet resolve, she replied as she had once done to the Queen. “To survive. I fight to survive.”

Mikhail smiled, though the warmth never reached his eyes.

30

Zacharia

Zacharia was becoming too absorbed in his current task.

A thousand fucking devils!

To pay for the seeking spell, all he needed was to do the witch’s roof – not the witch herself.

Inciting her daughter’s anger was just as unnecessary. Since the young woman had discovered that Zacharia had gained her mother’s favour, she’d despised him even more fiercely. In her desperation to remove him from their home, she called two gypsies from a neighbouring village to assist with the repairs. Zacharia couldn’t fathom why they hadn’t hired them from the start. The daughter, however, seemed oblivious to the fact that the duration of his stay depended not on the roof but on the powering of that ridiculous effigy, also known as thelokio.

To appease her, he’d offered to help with the garden. Her retort had been, “Touch the tomatoes, lose your hands.”

He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t a little more at ease each time she disappeared down the road to the shop – or wherever the hell else she went.

Now, taking advantage of her absence, he decided to visit her mother in the room of witchy oddities he usually avoided. He disliked the eerie stuffed bird perched there, and the cat attacked his legs whenever it caught him wandering too close.