Page 37 of Anatomy of the Immortal Species
It had been her image haunting him between the stopping of his heart and the final, decisive jolt of the defibrillator that had brought him back to life. He had always imagined death as nothing more than a black void, but those few minutes had been far from it. He knew he had died. The walls of his perfectly ordered world had collapsed. He would no longer be the master of his fortress. During those moments, Mikhail didn’t regret losing control – he regretted only that he didn’t have more time to spend with the one being who had made him lose that control in the first place.
But could he make her forget last year and start anew? Could he have both Amelia and the Oracle?
He forced his hands to stay at his sides. “I’m glad you’re back. Do you like the room Stella gave you?”
Amelia seemed to relax with the change of topic. “Yes. Stella is wonderful. She never misses bringing me food,” she said, curling her lips slightly. “Though I’ve hardly had any appetite lately.”
“Ah, the transformation…”
“Yes…”
He was well aware of the physiological changes during thetransition to immortality, and a shift in eating habits was just one sign. The state decreased the craving for most foods but awakened all kinds of other appetites. Excitement crawled up Mikhail’s spine when he thought the changes in Amelia’s body might be one of his main advantages in winning her back.
But not yet. For now, he needed to make her comfortable in his presence.
After a few more exchanges, he walked her to her room, discussing C.’s journal and the reptilians along the way. When she closed her door, leaving him alone in the corridor, he realised it was the first time in weeks he had breathed with ease.
***
As soon as she was alone in her room, Amelia called Stella and requested a pen and paper. Writing it all down was a struggle, but she owed Ana a report.
On the anniversary of my parents’ deaths, I visited the graveyard as usual.
Her pen halted on the paper when Amelia realised she might never visit her family’s grave again. She had bid them farewell. Complete closure might forever elude her, yet a part of her grief seemed to have perished on that tombstone, easing her into acceptance. With reluctance, she continued writing.
Seeing Mikhail there didn’t surprise me. I fled because leaving with him would have been too conspicuous.
Her lack of surprise at his presence was one thing, but how she felt near him was wholly unexpected. She had hoped the time apart, coupled with her disappointment in him and her transformation into the Oracle, would diminish his impact on her. That part, she wouldn’t write down.
A reptilian tried to kidnap me. Mikhail intervened and stopped him, but got severely injured. I had to accompany him to the Hospital. On the way, he died, but I did everything I could to save him. He survived.
Reflecting on the incident, Amelia was astounded by her fear for Mikhail’s life and the agony of those ensuing five days. She had considered leaving, but not before seeing him again.
And now that she had seen him, she didn’t want to leave at all – a ludicrous sentiment, considering everything she knew about him.
Today, he told me I am among the creatures he trusts most. Perhaps I have a chance to take the –
Abruptly, she tore the paper from the notepad and crumpled it. Clutching the ball of paper, she lay back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. She knew she should leave the letter under the gazebo in the courtyard, but doubted whether she could bring herself to do it.
13
Mikhail’s last order was a real treat to Zacharia’s curiosity. The mystery around the dead minister had been tempting him for a while, but it hadn’t beenhisto solve. Until now.
He observed the woman seated several rows ahead in the cinema.The most intriguing mysteries in a man’s life hide behind the deceitful weakness of female curves, he mused. He had nicknamed her “Stilettos.” Mysteries always sparked excitement and raised questions. For Zacharia, the real dilemma was whether he truly sought the answers or was so captivated by the enigma itself – like an addict, eager to dive deeper and become more entangled.
What makes a mystery so enticing? Its complexity. Once unravelled, the intrigue ends. It was why Zacharia preferred to prolong the experience, lazily weaving through the tendrils of temptation, posing questions with no real desire for answers.
But not this time. The mystery of Stilettos was too important to toy with.
“Zacharia, the movie was fantastic! I’m so glad you brought me,” Tina whispered into his ear. The cinema lights flickered on, rousing the dozing spectators. “What’s next?”
Zacharia’s eyes tracked Stilettos when she headed towards the exit. “A surprise…”
The snowy evening did not deter Stilettos while she navigated the parking lot. Zacharia maintained a respectful distance, never letting her out of his sight. Her slender heels – glossy leather with red soles, sparkling stones and studs – were showstoppers.And those calves… killers, indeed.
No woman wore such shoes for a movie outing with her son. And certainly not when it was snowing – unless she planned to remain in just those shoes at some point throughout the evening. The dapper young man by her side was decked out in a flamboyant, extravagant outfit, and resembled a walking billboard for trendy men’s fashion. He was most definitelynother son.
Stilettos tossed the Mercedes keys to him, waiting for him to open the door for her. The young man then slipped into the driver’s seat and sped off with the urgency of someone whose time behind the wheel of the expensive car depended on his ability to satisfy Stilettos.
