Page 78 of Dissection of Immortal Hearts (Hospital for Immortal Creatures #3)

Alex

“Are you leaving?” Alex leaned against the doorframe as Callan gathered his belongings and clothes into a small bag. He bent down to zip it up, giving her a view of his jeans-clad backside.

Oh, gods Alex didn’t pray to! Was it even possible for this man to be more perfect? She scolded herself. She wasn’t here to melt, but because Callan was slipping away once again, and this time, her intuition told her it would be for a long time.

Finally, he acknowledged her presence with a glance. “For a few days, Alexandra.”

Alexandra. And just like that, her resentment faded, and she hesitated to do what she’d planned. “I don’t get why you need to go with Amelia. Mikhail is always by her side! They’re a couple, you know.”

“Relationships are a complicated thing, little beauty,” Callan said. “You’re still inexperienced, but you’ll understand.”

Oh, give me experience! she wished to scream.

“Besides, it won’t just be the three of us. Presiyan is coming, too.”

“Where are you going?”

Callan reached out to her and ran his knuckles along her cheek. She was struck by the scent of wet dreams, causing at least a few of her organs to flood with excitement. “We haven’t told anyone. The idea is to keep it that way until the twenty-first passes.”

Alex got lost in his eyes. She wished to stay like this forever. So, when he withdrew his hand from her and reached for his bag, she said, “I’m in love with you.”

He grinned, as if she’d just cracked a joke, not the greatest truth of her life.

“I’m serious.”

Callan looked at her as if she were a stray puppy on the street – one he wanted to take home but couldn’t. “I’m five thousand years old, and you’re not even a hundred. I’m sure someone more suitable for your heart will come along.”

Her insides froze. Was he rejecting her after everything between them because she was too young? Did Viktor have a hand in this?

“Amelia is younger than me,” she retorted.

A slight crease crossed Callan’s forehead. “There’s nothing between me and Amelia, darling.”

And there never will be.

She moved closer to him, lifting her chin to hold his gaze. “Don’t you see we’re perfect for each other?”

“We’ll talk when I get back,” he said.

“Callan…”

He turned, leaving her standing at the brokenhearted’s threshold.

But she wouldn’t be crossing it.

***

Viktor

Viktor was sitting on the veranda when Alex joined him. He recognised the discontent on her innocent face as she crossed her legs in the neighbouring chair.

He tried to sound more cheerful than he actually was. “How are you, kid?”

She played with her hair draped over her shoulder. “I miss the Hospital.”

“When you were there, you couldn’t wait to step beyond its walls.”

Alex wrinkled her nose. “The outside world is horrible.”

“Why?”

“Yesterday, I went with Mor to Sliven, and while we were waiting in line at the shop, a woman in front of us couldn’t find her wallet to pay, and a man, instead of offering her money, shouted at her for holding him up.

In the end, I gave her the money, and Mor glowered at the man in a way that made him shut up. ”

Viktor curled his lips. “An unpleasant but mundane situation. Not a reason to curse the entire outside world.”

The girl averted her gaze, as if hiding words left unsaid.

“Has something happened that you’re not telling me?” Viktor asked.

All this time, he’d been pushing her down the path of knowledge, convinced that if he kept her confined within four walls, he could ensure her safety.

He’d never once considered that he was projecting his own weaknesses onto her.

The fact that he couldn’t control himself outside the lab didn’t make her incapable.

Just because he’d become a victim in the outside world, it didn’t mean the same would happen to her.

Alex shook her head. “I told you – I miss my brother. I miss working in the lab…”

“I asked a few of Presiyan’s men to find out about Grigor without revealing we’re here. I hope they locate him.”

That seemed to lift her spirits. “I never thought I’d miss my annoying twin this much.”

“Well, I didn’t think I’d miss hearing your bickering, either.”

“Do you think we’ll ever go back to the Hospital and carry on as we did before?” she asked.

The question caused Viktor to tense up. “Of course…”

Of course not.

Alex studied his face with unusual sharpness. “Vik, something’s bothering you.”

He lowered his head, running a hand through his hair. Was there a more fitting moment than now? “Sugarplum… I’m sorry I insisted on you spending all those years in the lab instead of enjoying life like your peers.”

Alex’s smile was hesitant. “Where’s this coming from?”

“I’ve never told you, but many years ago, I had a romantic partner. A woman.”

“I’m not surprised. Actually, I’m surprised that since I was born, I’ve never seen you with a serious partner. Did you know women go crazy for you? One sister in the Hospital—”

“Alex, this woman carried my child.”

Her expression froze. “Oh…”

“And she was killed while she was pregnant. That’s when I fell into Vaka Hara and could never return to normal. I was either a bloodthirsty beast or had to stop myself from transforming. And now…” He lowered his head, exhaling through his nose. Was he ready to admit it?

“Were the Kreiss Hunters involved?” Alex asked.

He nodded.

Of course, his adopted daughter was quick to piece everything together. “That’s why you hated the General so much and barely kept yourself together in his presence. Because he was their copycat…”

Viktor nodded again.

“Vik, I have no words to describe how sorry I am.” Alex stretched out and squeezed his hand. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

“Because I was meant to be an example for you and your brother.”

“Meant to?!” she exclaimed. “You’re the best example we’ve ever had. The best man in the world! The most responsible parent and the smartest healer in the Hospital!”

Finally, he looked at her. “Do you really mean that?”

“Of course! And also, you’re the most handsome father.”

A faint smile flickered on his lips. Alex turned in her chair and hugged him. “I love you.”

He patted her hand. “I love you too, sugarplum.”

Alex pulled back, facing him. “I never want you to hide secrets from me again. Nothing you’ve done or will do can make me stop being proud of you. You’ve always had my back when I did stupid things. And I’ll always have your back, no matter what.”

Viktor was speechless. How mature Alex was!

“Thank you,” he said, battling to keep any emotion from showing on his face.

Alex cleared her throat. “While Presiyan is away, Jasmina will lead the Tribunal agents. At least the ones in the winery.”

“Hmm. I did overhear that…”

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You know, Jasmina’s an Afghanistan War veteran. Would you allow her to teach me to shoot?”

Viktor grimaced. His attempts to protect Alex had almost failed – every moment now felt like a threat. His chest tightened at the thought. Here in Mrita Hara, he couldn’t even protect her from an ant. “Okay.”

“Okay?!”

“Okay.”

Alex threw herself around his neck. “I promise I’ll be very careful and I won’t shoot anyone unless they really piss me off, and—”

“Alex.”

“Fine, I won’t shoot anyone, period. Unless they pose a direct threat…”

A sudden commotion in the courtyard made them turn their heads. Someone shouted, and then more voices shouted over each other.

Alex and Viktor rushed over to see what was happening.

“Call Presiyan!” an agent cried out.

As the two of them approached the crowd, Presiyan and Mikhail stepped into the yard, followed by Amelia and Callan. Viktor also moved towards the centre of the chaos. He’d lost his sharpened senses along with his inner spirit, but even so, he detected the unpleasant scent lingering in the air.

On the ground lay an open wooden box, its lid tossed aside. Before Viktor could look inside, Mikhail reached in and drew something out.

Viktor’s stomach tightened – a severed head hung from the manticore’s hands, black hair clutched between his fingers.

Mikhail stared at him, stunned, the dead woman’s head swaying from his hand. Viktor lowered his gaze to her face: blue lips, dried blood beneath her nose, eyes wide open and unblinking.

Amelia stood next to Mikhail, her hand covering her mouth.

It didn’t take long for Viktor to confirm the dead woman’s identity.

The twin – one of the hybrid sisters who had served as Mikhail’s most loyal guards.

It was no coincidence that he’d trusted them to protect Amelia when Elisanda Grace was committing murders in the Hospital.

The pair had been confined in the Hospital after the reptilians had taken it over.

It was only then that Viktor noticed the note in Mikhail’s other hand. Still in a state of shock, the manticore lifted it and scanned the written words several times.

“What does it say, brother?” Presiyan asked.

Mikhail read aloud, “‘The first of many, if Amelia does not bring the Sacreds to the Hospital by dawn on the twenty-first of June.’ ”