Page 39 of Dissection of Immortal Hearts (Hospital for Immortal Creatures #3)

Callan said, “Some say the watch is the most powerful relic, because it grants something no one else can have – at least not without paying an unimaginable price. And it does so free of charge. It transports you wherever your heart desires. In an instant. But beware, reaching a place is simple, and it’s just as easy to lose yourself there. ”

Her fingers moved instinctively, closing around the artefact. Yet, its touch felt like that of an ordinary object in her grasp. Could Callan have given her a replica? “I don’t feel anything…”

“The Sacreds connect differently to each person. You might feel the connection later, or it might never come at all. Either way, I advise you to guard it as you would your heart, because right now it’s the only thing preventing the Queen from finding us.”

She lifted her gaze to the firstborn. “What do you mean?”

“Not even the world’s most powerful magic can locate the relics. That’s why I didn’t stay close to you while you recovered from my bite. I needed to ensure our cover before the Queen cast her seeking spell. As long as we remain near one of the relics, she cannot track us.”

Amelia still didn’t trust him.

But there appeared to be at least something to thank him for.

***

Amelia

“Callan claims the Queen is a humanid.” Amelia studied Viktor for a reaction.

A flicker of surprise crossed his face. “Humanid?”

“You know what that means?”

“I’ve come across the term over the years. It refers to an obscure theory about our origins. According to it, we inherited not just their humanid traits, but also their psyche and emotional intelligence. Humanids are considered a more evolved version of humans.”

“Could the Queen be one of them?”

Viktor raised his eyebrows, then shrugged. “Isn’t she supposed to be a reptilian?”

“Constantine said she doesn’t smell like one.”

Viktor’s expression grew pensive, his eyes narrowing. “You realise, of course, that in the most popular origin myth, Gord arrived on Earth and created offspring – his three children? Ana, Sandir, and…”

“Callan.”

Viktor nodded. “I was going to say that, according to the Humanid Theory, Gord was a humanid. Why does Callan believe the Queen is one as well?”

“He refuses to elaborate unless Mikhail and I agree to ally with him. He claims the Queen killed the woman he loved and seeks revenge.”

Her gaze drifted to the door, as if pulled by an unseen thread.

A second later, the source of it appeared in the doorway.

Her thoughts spiralled to their first meeting, over six months ago.

Back then, he’d been impossibly handsome and just as distant.

His dark clothing had emphasised the perfection of his features and the haughtiness of his expression.

Now Amelia saw beneath the facade. He wasn’t the aloof man he pretended to be – it was a shield. Sadly, she had become part of the foreign world he tried to keep at bay.

As Mikhail approached, she detected a faint hint of his familiar scent but forbade herself from softening. His face was a mask of stoicism, his multi-coloured eyes locked on hers. He held up the papers. “This is a letter from the previous Oracle. I recognise her handwriting.”

Amelia’s heart clenched. She forced herself to remain composed. “Thank you. I’m aware of that. They were mine before you took them.”

Viktor glanced between them. “Where did these come from?”

“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 is your purpose?”

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.