Page 88 of Dissection of Immortal Hearts

Diana’s eyes narrowed to slits. “You’re lying! I’m certain you’re lying.”

He eased back onto the bed frame. “There’s one way to find out, isn’t there?”

“I’ll search for the key again!” Diana spun on her heel, ready to rifle through the drawers once more.

“Another interesting fact about sex handcuffs,” Constantine said. “Once they snap shut, the key disappears to prevent cheating – and to ensure that neither, or heaven forbid, both partners, remain unsatisfied.”

She turned to face him. “I hope I misunderstood you.”

“You understood me perfectly.” He grinned. “And now, you have a reason to indulge in the fiery attraction between us.” He patted the empty half of the bed. “Come on, don’t be shy. I don’t bite… unless, of course, you politely ask me to.”

Diana bared her teeth. “Oh, you should know how these handcuffs work! I bet you’ve been tied up with such before.”

“Are these angry outbursts part of your seduction routine? Because now everything makes sense. You kidnap me, throw yourself at me, and tie me up with sex handcuffs. Diana, you didn’t need to go to such lengths. I was ready to eat you up back in Alberobello…”

Diana pressed her palms to her temples and paced back and forth, frustration radiating from every movement.

35

Mikhail

Mikhail transformed back into his human form and walked out of the forest.

Since his time in Antambazi, a fleeting panic always accompanied his return to his human body. His vision would blur, a ringing would fill his ears, whispering that life was leaving him, and fear would creep in, warning that he might fail those depending on him. It was an illusion, yet he couldn’t help but question for a moment:What if it’s not?

When the Queen had shackled him, she’d blocked his ability to transform. Thus, every time he changed from beast to man, it hurled him back into those nightmares. He would focus ahead, see the open space before him, breathe in freedom, and push the panic deep inside himself.

He strode across the dried grass to the cabin, wearing nothing but his trousers. He’d left Amelia alone in the forest. She was an immortal woman and could do whatever she pleased – including exploring the mountains near the reptilians’ domain, dangerous though they may be.

Yet, he was deceiving himself. Amelia’s fate mattered to him. The ring’s magic still influenced him on some primal level, but at least his mind functioned well and kept his emotions in check. Entangling himself with her had been a colossal mistake that had led to their capture. It wouldn’t have happened if passion hadn’t clouded his judgement. He’d fallen into this trap once before with Valeria. He couldn’t believe he had succumbed to the same folly a second time, regardless of the supernatural artefactinvolved. There wouldn’t be a third.

Viktor sat on the cabin’s porch, beer in hand.

Mikhail joined him on the wooden planks. “Can’t sleep?”

“None of us can.”

Mikhail’s chest was heavy with guilt as he observed Viktor’s weary profile. It had taken a monumental effort to snap Viktor out of Vaka Hara and give him a reason to fight. And now, he was on the verge of falling into it once again. “I’m sorry I failed you, my friend.”

Viktor turned around. “What are you talking about?”

“Years ago, I persuaded you to build the Hospital with a promise that everything would improve from then on. Well, I lied.” And Mikhail had lied to himself.

Viktor furrowed his brow. “I don’t see how you’re to blame for the Hospital being taken over.”

“I recall you all urging me to take action against the reptilians, and I stubbornly insisted that the Hospital was impenetrable.”

“You remember that, but not Amelia?”

Mikhail rested his elbow on his bent knee and stared ahead. What was she doing now, alone in the forest? “Perhaps it’s for the best that I don’t,” he said.

Viktor gave him a stern look. “For the best? You were happy. I’d trade everything for a chance to have what you had.”

“I wasn’t happy, but deluded. My little dalliance with the new Oracle has cost us the Hospital and my capture. And the Queen could have killed Amelia, who is a crucial factor in tipping the war in our favour.”

“Is that all she is to you? A mere factor?”

The rebuke in Viktor’s last question put Mikhail on edge. “What exactly are you implying?”