Page 11 of Dissection of Immortal Hearts (Hospital for Immortal Creatures #3)

Amelia recalled the story Mikhail had told her about their trip to Alberobello.

How he, Constantine, Viktor, and the vampire Diana had destroyed the coven of a powerful witch in Italy.

The witch had put up a considerable fight before losing the battle, but Amelia hadn’t imagined that one being could steal the abilities of another.

Constantine regained his composure, his face hardening into a mask of indifference. However, his posture no longer seemed as relaxed, nor could he feign the same detachment he had while listing his demands.

“The witch’s consumed soul has melded with yours and remains there. That’s why your consciousness cannot leave your body, and why your physical strength has also waned. Am I right?”

Sevar growled. “The bastard is utterly useless, and yet he keeps playing games with us?”

“He has nothing to lose, Sevar. Naturally, he’ll play games with us. The good news is that I can solve his problems – if he’s willing to return the favour. Have you heard of Sandir’s Smoky Quartz, Constantine?”

This time, the necromancer refrained from making a remark.

The Queen elaborated, “Sandir was the first being with necromancer abilities, but consuming souls weighed on him. I’m sure you can relate.

So, the gods gifted him a smoky quartz – a stone that preserved his powers while trapping souls instead of devouring them.

Quite practical, wouldn’t you say? Instead of carrying their burdens, you simply store them in the stone. And as it happens, I own this stone.”

The Smoky Quartz. One of the Sacreds – and it was in her possession. Amelia mentally filed the information away for later.

The necromancer remained silent, but the shimmer in his eyes revealed his interest.

“I suggest you take some time to think about it, Constantine. Meanwhile, as a gesture of goodwill, I’ll fulfil part of your wishes. Kathrine, Sevar, arrange for our guest to stay somewhere more comfortable while he considers my offer.”

Sevar eagerly produced a pair of handcuffs. He started towards Constantine, but before he could snap the cuffs around his wrists, Kathrine was there – swift and decisive – pinning his arms behind his back and locking her own set of handcuffs in place.

Amelia watched the Queen’s subordinates lead him away.

All she could think was… they had captured Constantine.

The man whom Mikhail had entrusted with the Council in his absence.

The man he trusted more than a blood brother.

Amelia realised how much she’d hoped Constantine would devise some clever plan to help them escape.

Yet in this man’s eyes, she’d read no longing for freedom, and his demands of the Queen bordered on madness.

What if… his behaviour was just a ruse to secure his release from the cell?

Perhaps he did have a plan for their salvation.

And since he was unaware that Amelia and Mikhail had agreed on what to do with the ring together , he likely viewed her as a traitor.

Even so – if he succeeded in saving Mikhail – she would then be free to take greater risks against the reptilians.

“You’re surprised by the necromancer’s presence?” the Queen said.

Amelia nodded. “I am.” Where were the rest of their friends? Zacharia? Viktor? Nyavolski?

“I led him to believe I was setting a trap for Mikhail. The necromancer might see himself as elusive as a panther, but he walked into my snare with the na?veté of an obedient mouse.”

“I didn’t suspect his necromancer abilities were blocked. I’m not sure if Mikhail was aware,” Amelia added, trying to gather more information, “but even if he did, he wouldn’t have told me. He liked to keep me in the dark.”

“A typical controlling male.” The Queen smirked. “Mada was a most unpleasant witch, but decent in black magic. Her task was to block the necromancer’s abilities so he couldn’t connect to the soul of the murdered woman from Korovin’s Council.”

Amelia wanted to slap the smug smile off the Queen’s face, but she restrained herself.

“I learned the necromancer was on her trail. That’s when I sent my creatures to kill the witch he had spent a night with in Istanbul and made it look as though he had committed the murder. Now you see why Mada wasn’t particularly inclined to favour Korovin and his friends.”

“You turned Mada against them…” Amelia worked hard to keep her voice free of anger. “And if they had been killed? How would you have taken the ring from Mikhail and sent Constantine for the gloves?”

The Queen smoothed one of her eyebrows with her finger.

“I never believed she would kill them. I expected them to kill her and save me the trouble of her annoying demands. The fact that the wretched thing intertwined her soul with the necromancer’s upon her death was unexpected, but a marvellous turn of events.

Now, I actually have something to bargain with him for. ”

Amelia held the Mother of Reptilians’ scrutinising gaze. How could this woman always be several steps ahead?