Page 90 of Dissection of Immortal Hearts

“You’re making her uncomfortable,” Jasmina said.

“From what I’ve learned about her, I’d say he’s the one who should be uncomfortable.” Mikhail’s stony expression didn’t match the flicker of amusement in his eyes.

The stranger studied her. “Perhaps you’re right. I’m certainly unsettled by her acting skills.”

Amelia’s eyebrows shot up. “Excuse me?”

Mikhail strode across the room and stopped beside the stranger. “Amelia, this is Presiyan. The leader of the Tribunal. Mor is one of his cardinals, and Jasmina…”

“Is the reason I’m alive.” Presiyan’s gaze sought the woman on the sofa.

Amelia clenched her teeth. Apparently, Mikhail thought so little of her that he hadn’t considered her warning about Presiyan.

She scrutinised the Tribunal’s founder anew. It was hard to reconcile this face with the hideous golden demon mask. She’d imagined him with sharp teeth, warts, and at least a pair of horns. “Master of the Earthly Demons’? You may believe we last met at the nymph conclave, but I saw you after that. In Antambazi, chatting quite amiably with Sevar.”

“Presiyan is no traitor,” Mikhail said. “Someone else is currently leading the Tribunal and wearing his mask.”

Presiyan’s expression darkened. “I was betrayed, but I promise you, the traitor will regret everything they’ve done.”

Amelia fell silent at the revelation.

“The one you saw in the Queen’s palace wasn’t Presiyan,” Mikhail explained. “Unfortunately, youarecorrect – the Tribunal has allied with the reptilians.”

Presiyan crossed his arms over his chest, drawing Amelia’s attention to the symbols tattooed on his forearms. Inscribed in an unfamiliar language, they wrapped around his muscles like thick bracelets. He said, “We now live in a world without morals. No laws, no scruples.”

“He’s somewhat of a law fanatic. Don’t mind him,” Jasmina chimed in.

“I just adore rules.” Presiyan fixed his predatory gaze on Amelia. “Many creatures remain loyal to me. Yet, just as many have accepted the Queen’s gifts as a down payment for their allegiance.”

“The regeneration serum?” Amelia asked.

“Periodic doses that enhance endurance, strength, and lifespan.”

Alex’s face lit up. “Does it actually work? She could be giving them plain water and still fool them into believing it extends their lives – unless there’s a serious injury where the effect is obvious…”

“All Tribunal agents that belong to the New Generation have unlocked their immortal forms with no damage,” Presiyan said.

“So it works every time? Like with Diana’s transformation?” Alex asked.

Amelia leaned against the doorframe, contemplating what she’d heard. “If regeneration declines further, more creatures will join the Queen in order to save their lives.”

“Unless we stop her first,” Mikhail said. “When you told me Presiyan was a traitor, I had to verify it. That’s what I did while I was away. I tracked him down, and after hearing Callan’s story, called him here. Presiyan will provide us with physical strength for the impending war and enough weapons to supply an entire army, so we can reclaim the Hospital. Plus, a little extra force won’t hurt when it comes to retrieving the necklace.”

Invisible spiders crawled down Amelia’s spine. It was good they had allies, but every mention of ‘war’ unsettled her.

Callan, who’d remained quiet until that moment, asked, “You say that creatures pledge their allegiance to the Queen, but are they aware of what that entails? That it will lead to a war on Earth, or somewhere else?”

“Probably not,” Mor said. “But thanks to your earlier account, we’ve only now begun to understand the Queen’s motives.”

“War is war, regardless of the reasons behind it.” Jasmina wrinkled her nose. “Nothing can justify innocent blood being spilt, or the suffering of innocent humans.”

Amelia regarded her with curiosity. No immortal referred to others as ‘humans’… unlesstheywere human. Could this woman be one?

“The Tribunal,” Presiyan drew the focus back to himself, “does not support war. But when someone threatens the peace and confidentiality of the immortal world, they must be prepared to face the full force of the consequences, even if that means another war.”Death. Death. Death.Amelia heard nothing else but those words. “And confidentiality was breached long ago. Ever since humans infiltrated Prokaliya.”

“…What?” Amelia asked.

Presiyan nodded. “Reptilians, humans, and many other immortals now serve the Queen. All of them are our enemies. The task ahead is harder than before. We must remove the corrupt elements without destroying the integrity of the world we have spent centuries building.”