Page 34 of Anatomy of the Immortal Species
Her heartbeat accelerated. She followed him into the cabin, shifting nervously from foot to foot. Could Zacharia’s ears catch the galloping rhythm of her heart?
They arrived on the sixteenth floor, and he guided her through an unfamiliar door. She stepped forward, warmth from an active fireplace enveloping her.
Zacharia settled onto a beige sofa in the centre of the room. Constantine was already seated, crossing his ankle over his knee in a casual manner. The necromancer looked like a Hollywood star – or someone ordinary folk would only ever meet in their dreams. He smiled at her, but she didn’t know what to make of it.
Amelia’s gaze drifted from him to the quiet crackle of the fireplace on the opposite wall. The fire danced within, casting reflections in the eyes of Viktor, who lingered nearby. His raven-black hair was longer than she remembered, and dark lashes framed his striking grey eyes. His features remained sharp, the animalistic aura about him still present.
“Hi,” he greeted her, discreet dimples forming on the smooth skin of his cheeks.
“Ah, there’s my star pupil! You managed Mikhail’s condition superbly until he got to the OR!” Nyavolski burst through the door, clearly straight from surgery in his scrubs. Amelia was surprised that he directed the praise at her. “I’m so fucking proud of every trainee who follows my directions unquestioningly. I’d gladly welcome you into my training program. Think it over. Oracle or not, you have a future as a healer here.”
Amelia was about to express her lifelong desire to be a healer, but her thoughts scattered when Mikhail entered the room. Clean-shaven and dressed in dark blue trousers and a white T-shirt, he looked healthier than ever. His gaze flickered to hers for just a moment before he gestured for everyone to take a seat around the fireplace.
A fresh wave of sweat dampened her palms, and she quickly took the nearest seat, trying to calm the sudden nervous energy within her.
Mikhail stood in the centre of the semicircle formed by the sofa and armchairs. “I know everyone is busy, so I’ll get straight tothe point. Rumours are circulating in the Hospital about what happened, but I’m not prepared to confirm or deny any of them at this moment, except to you here in this room – the only creatures I truly trust.”
Amelia’s pulse raced again, but this time for a different reason. Was she really one of the beings he trusted? She, who had agreed to steal his father’s heirloom ring?
A wrinkle of concern crossed Mikhail’s forehead. “The stranger who stabbed me was a reptilian. He wanted to abduct Amelia.” His gaze sought hers for just a second before shifting back to the others.
“A reptilian? Are you sure?” Viktor exclaimed, animated.
Nyavolski jumped from his chair. “Damn it! Is that why you’ve been so quiet? And you!” He turned to Amelia. “Have you ever seen him before?”
She shook her head.
“I need you to listen.” Mikhail pulled over the only free armchair and sat down, a muscle ticking in his jaw. Amelia could only guess that he was still experiencing some residual pain.
She suppressed the impulse to stand up and do… what? She had medical training, but far more experienced healers were present in the room and familiar with Mikhail’s condition. If they weren’t reacting, who was she to rush to his side?
“This man confirmed his connection to the attacks in the Hospital,” Mikhail said. Then he described the supernatural form they’d witnessed. “We fought, and I thought I had him immobilised, so I let my guard down. That’s when he unexpectedly recovered enough to grab a knife and attack me with its poisoned blade. I suspect his regeneration differs from ours, which would explain his rapid recovery.”
“How rapid?” Viktor leaned forward, his brow creasing.
“A minute or two.” Mikhail’s expression turned grim.
“TheJournal of C.notes reptilians have a physiology differentfrom ours but claims they regenerate even slower…” Viktor trailed off.
“What if he had consumed the same liquid Diana did? And it sped up his regeneration ability or, like in her case, gave a boost for the transformation to the secondary form to take place?” Constantine glanced around the room.
Amelia looked at him, frowning.
Mikhail rubbed his chin. “I considered that, but I didn’t see him drink anything. He wasn’t in any condition to drink.”
“I wish I had a reptilian in the operating room! Do you know how I’d dissect him to study his regeneration?” Nyavolski chimed in, a wicked gleam in his eyes. “Those poison-using motherfuckers!”
Mikhail’s eyes caught the flames from the fireplace. “The fact is, reptilians exist. We’ve seen them, and now it’s time to learn more. Anything new from the Righteous?”
The necromancer raised his hand, wiggling his fingers as if casting a silent spell. “He sends his regards and wishes you a speedy recovery.”
Mikhail lifted his eyebrows. “I might have misjudged the situation when I risked enlightening him about the reptilians. Let’s hope he doesn’t run his mouth in front of the Tribunal.”
Constantine dismissed the idea with another hand gesture. “He’s good. The bastard’s too desperate for a cure for his tiny hands to do anything stupid. And besides, he’s the last person the Tribunal would listen to. If I were you, I’d be more concerned with the Council members – present company excluded.”
Mikhail’s face remained stony. “I trust them.”
“Then, we trust them as well.” Constantine casually leaned back on the couch. “Has Elisanda said anything more?”
