Page 132 of Anatomy of the Immortal Species
“Many others have them.” He didn’t flinch.
“Theyhadthem. Before you and I gathered them all and made sure no one would speak. We were the only ones to hold the records as leverage against Korovin, but we weren’t supposed to use them. For now.”
“Well, it seems we missed a recording, and someone else got to it,” Sevar said. His behaviour was an act – the mocking smile, the honeyed voice, the indifferent expression.
This time, Kathrine had hit the mark. “We don’tmiss,Sevar. Never. I hinted to the Queen that perhaps David and Ikon messed up with the recordings while they were still alive, so she wouldn’t suspect you, but I know it was you.”
Neither of them spoke again. Both understood what this meant. Each of them held the other with uncertain but potentially deadly ropes that could turn into a noose in the Queen’s hands.
The internal communication line interrupted their silence. Sevar and Kathrine both turned their heads towards the wall – and the phone hanging there, whose special signal only rang when a call came from the Royal Chambers.
Sevar gave Kathrine a warning look, which she answered with a curt rise of her chin. Then he walked over and answered the call. After a brief conversation, he hung up. “She wants us.”
They entered the Queen’s chambers side by side as if nothing had happened. She invited them to sit at her table, where a glass of raspberry juice awaited each of them.
“My brother has awoken, children,” the Mother of Reptiliansannounced after taking a delicate sip from her glass.
Kathrine nearly choked on her juice.
Sevar cleared his throat. “Forgive me, Mother… your brother?”
“That’s right.” The Queen smiled, a blush staining her cheeks.
“Your Majesty, are you talking about the one who exiled our race to Antambazi?” Kathrine asked.
“Quite right, my daughter. I never thought I’d have the chance to see him again, but it seems the gods have decided otherwise.”
Kathrine glanced at Sevar to gauge if he shared her confusion.
“Hmm, Mother?” He squinted. “If your brother hasawakened… Does that mean he’s been… alive all this time?”
The Queen nodded. “He’s been on something like a holiday. The truth is, I don’t know exactly where he is right now, but for the past few nights, I’ve felt his presence stronger than ever. But he’s back, and I’m more than eager to show him what I’ve accomplished in his absence.”
“You want to show him the progress of Antambazi?” Kathrine asked.
“Oh, I’ll certainly show him! When he trapped us in this realm, I had no idea it would become the catalyst for building my empire. I’d say I’m quite grateful to him today.”
Kathrine wrinkled her nose at the ease with which the Queen spoke of her brother, the man who’d betrayed King Arius and had been the cause for the reptilians’ exile. But then, when had the Mother of Reptilians ever behaved as expected?
“You’re not suggesting we throw a celebration in his honour and invite him to Antambazi?” Kathrine glanced at Sevar.
The Queen’s laughter resonated throughout the room. “We will invite him here, of course, daughter, but not for a celebration – so we can kill him.”
“Just when I thought you were softening up, Mother,” Sevar added with his usual sarcastic smile.
The Queen took another sip of her juice. “Not in the slightest,Sevar. I’m glad my brother has awakened because I finally have the opportunity to settle my score with him. This was unforeseen, so we’ll need to accelerate some of our plans. Kathrine, my dear, I want you to break the necromancer as soon as possible. We need him on our side. Convince him that he must join us.”
The raspberry juice almost came back up Kathrine’s throat. There was something about the necromancer that chilled her blood.
Sevar bared his teeth. “Why Kathrine, Your Majesty? Give him to me.”
Hopefully, the Queen would listen to him.
“He loves women. Kathrine will have more success with him, I’m sure of it.” The Queen winked playfully. “Besides, I have a more important task for you, Sevar. Starting tomorrow, you will run the Hospital for Immortal Creatures.”
Sevar’s eyebrows shot up to the ceiling. “Me?”
“Yes, you. I said we need to speed up our plans, and that includes taking over the Hospital. I warn you – no unnecessary violence, but keep those creatures under control. All hospital operations – surgeries, patient seeing, and the like – will continue as before. It’s too early for them to hate us, especially now that my brother is awake. Everything will carry on as usual, but under new management.”
