Page 10 of Dissection of Immortal Hearts (Hospital for Immortal Creatures #3)

Amelia

After a night of restless tossing, Amelia pulled the letter from beneath her pillow and reread it. Again. Then, she turned to the last page, for the words that had shattered her.

I suppose I owe you an explanation for what is happening between you and Mikhail Korovin.

The ring has been in his family for generations – his bloodline traces back to its original owner. This means the ring recognises him as its rightful bearer, and even the Queen would have struggled to take it by force.

When I foresaw that he would fall in love with you, I realised you were the safest way to separate him from it.

As I mentioned, Mikhail carries the ring’s energy in his blood, and the Sacreds and the Oracle will always be drawn to each other. That connection may have been why he fell for you. And now that the ring is no longer his, the attraction between you may fade.

But Mikhail is not the sole heir. Someone else was bound to seek the ring. At the Hospital, it was in grave danger. However strange it may seem, for now, Antambazi is the safest place for it.

The Queen knows about Mikhail’s lineage, but she doesn’t know about you. You are also an heir to one of the Sacreds – Renenutet’s Necklace, the most witch-like artefact. As of 1950, the Queen does not yet possess it.

If I am not mistaken, a trace of the first witch’s blood flows in you. That is why the necklace will not reveal itself to me. It is waiting for you.

When you find it, remember what I warned you about. The dark energy is growing – I saw it again last night. This time, it was stronger.

Just keep that in mind.

G.

Later, when Amelia took her seat opposite the Queen, her attention lingered on the chain with the ring.

Her thoughts drifted back to what she’d read in the letter. Mikhail being a direct heir to the ring wasn’t a surprise. But she, an heir to one of the Sacreds? The seven relics were tied to the seven immortal species, and she didn’t belong to any of them.

The letter had been written years before Amelia’s birth, and Gea had admitted her visions weren’t always definitive. Perhaps she hadn’t foreseen that Amelia would be born into a human family, as a human.

Her stomach twisted with pain at the thought of the other part of the letter.

She refused to believe that her connection with Mikhail was artificial – her feelings hadn’t diminished in the slightest since the ring was taken.

But… a small, nagging voice had settled in her mind, whispering, What if Mikhail, wherever he is now, has suddenly woken from the magic of our false attraction and is cursing himself for giving up the ring for my freedom?

“How was your day, dear?” the Queen asked, just as one of the Chosen trainees entered and served them cooked meat.

“I walked through the gardens. The view of the black waters is impressive.” Following the Mother of Reptilians, Amelia unfolded her red napkin and placed it on her lap.

Not that she had any chance of staining her white blouse or grey trousers, given that she didn’t consume food, but she’d learned that her companion valued etiquette.

“It is, indeed. The young creatures love spending time there. Unfortunately, the years often take away our ability to appreciate nature,” the Queen remarked, tasting a piece of her meat.

“Did you know that even if you don’t have a physiological need for meat, eating it regularly can enhance your abilities? ”

“I don’t see how consuming dead meat could strengthen me.”

“Perhaps you prefer it alive?” The Queen smiled. “In time, you’ll come to understand that the immortal body can draw energy from a variety of sources. Have you given any thought to—”

Both women swivelled their heads towards the door.

Someone had entered without knocking. The Queen’s pale green eyes locked with interest on the man who crossed the threshold and strolled towards them.

Kathrine followed, her tense expression making it clear she was ready to neutralise him at the first sign of trouble.

Amelia didn’t blink as she took in every detail of the newcomer. Tall, slender, with dark hair and cold, piercing eyes. His face, covered in a thick black beard, was haggard. His trousers and shirt were rumpled and dirty, as if they hadn’t been changed in days.

Constantine.

A flood of conflicting thoughts rushed through her mind. What was he doing with Kathrine? He didn’t seem to be in good shape. At least he’s alive , she reassured herself. Alive and in decent physical condition.

“What the hell is going on?” Sevar growled, bursting through the door just seconds afterwards. “I’ve been told you’ve let the necromancer wander the palace corridors without a leash! Have you lost your mind, Kathrine?”

“The necromancer is ready to cooperate,” she said.

“Your Majesty.” Constantin bowed, lowering his head. It appeared more comical than respectful.

The Queen rested her elbow on the table in front of her, supporting her chin with her hand. Her lips curled into a faint smile as she scrutinised the necromancer’s appearance. “Hello, Constantine.”

He turned to Amelia. “Oracle… And of course…” The necromancer shifted his attention to Sevar, who had already taken a protective stance behind the Queen. “The court jester.”

“I can assure you I’m far more than a court jester,” the reptilian snapped. “Pray you never find out exactly what.”

The Queen raised a hand to silence Sevar. “I understand our guest has reason to be displeased, given that we brought him to Antambazi without his consent. Therefore, we’ll forgive such epithets. The important thing is that we reach an agreement in the end. Isn’t that right, Constantine?”

“That’s correct, Your Majesty. I’m ready to hear what you want from me.” Constantine smiled, but his tone was bold – mocking.

The Queen leaned slightly forward. “Very well. I need you to retrieve something for me.”

“What?” His voice now carried more boredom.

“A pair of gloves.”

Amelia’s lips parted in disbelief. Belphegor’s Gloves! The Sacred associated with the reptilians.

“A pair of gloves?” He snorted. “Haven’t you got someone else to fill your wardrobe?” The necromancer cast a meaningful glance at Sevar.

The Queen crossed her legs. “I do, yes. But these gloves are in the World of the Damned, and not just anyone can reach that place.”

He arched his eyebrows, a flicker of intrigue crossing his face. “Hell, you mean? Last time I was there, it was so hot I doubt anyone’s wearing gloves. Sounds like you’ve got it wrong, dove.”

Amelia nearly choked at the endearment, but the Queen’s smile widened. “Sometimes, though rarely, I make mistakes. This isn’t one of them.”

“What’s so special about these gloves?” the necromancer asked.

“To you, nothing. To me, they’re very valuable.”

He placed a hand on the back of his neck, scratching his grown-out black hair. “All right,” he said.

Kathrine and Sevar exchanged a glance.

“I assume you’ll wish for something in return?” A gleam shone in the Queen’s eyes.

Constantine folded his arms across his chest. “Of course. Nothing in this life is free. If you want your request fulfilled, you’ll first grant me three wishes.”

“Three?” the Queen repeated, amusement and surprise mixing in her tone. “Let’s hear them, necromancer.”

“I want a room in the palace…”

Amelia couldn’t believe her ears.

“A room with a pleasant view of the sea – the scent and sound of it reach me even in my underground cell. And a private bath, so I can wash. I wouldn’t want you wrinkling your nose in disgust at my smell the next time I visit your chambers, Your Majesty.”

The Queen’s expression remained unfazed. “You’ll have a room. Wish number two?”

The necromancer glanced down at his dirty shirt. “New clothes. And shoes. Nice clothes and shoes…”

“Designer clothes?” The Queen smirked.

“Yes, as long as you don’t send your jester to pick them out. One poorly dressed man wandering the royal palace is already enough, isn’t it?”

Sevar’s face flushed with anger, while Amelia didn’t know what to think. Had Constantine lost his mind? He could bargain with the Queen for his freedom, yet he was wasting the opportunity to mock Sevar.

“You’ll get what you desire,” the Queen said, her tone serious. “Now, your third wish?”

The necromancer smirked, but there was no joy in the shadows playing across his face. He gestured towards Kathrine with his chin. “I want her.”

Displeasure tightened the Queen’s features. “What exactly do you mean, necromancer?”

“Sex, Your Majesty. I want to bed the court jester’s fiancée.”

“I’ll crush this bastard!” Sevar hissed.

“And I think she’ll enjoy it very much, judging by the signals she’s been sending me all along,” Constantine added nonchalantly.

Sevar stepped forward, fists clenched, his face the image of an enraged tiger. “I’ll smash his skull across the floor!”

“Sevar, that’s enough!” The Queen frowned. “Are you sure these are your three wishes, Constantine?”

“You can’t seriously be considering this, Mother!”

It was the first time Amelia had heard Kathrine’s voice rise.

The Queen observed the unfolding scene with a calm face. “As entertaining as this little performance of yours is, necromancer, before we proceed with granting your wishes, I’d like to ask you a question.”

Kathrine shook her head, while Sevar seemed ready to explode and incinerate the entire room.

“Non-negotiable,” the necromancer said with irritation.

The Queen smirked. “Excellent. But how do you intend to fulfil my request when your necromancer abilities are blocked?”

Amelia shifted her gaze from the Queen’s stony expression to the necromancer’s widening eyes. Katherine and Sevar also stiffened.

“After Alberobello, you have no magical abilities, Constantine,” said the Mother of Reptilians, her tone matter-of- fact.