Page 44 of Anatomy of the Immortal Species
Examining the rather unremarkable lion’s face carved into the front of the ring, he reflected on the years it had endured. His father had cherished the object, thus its sentimental value. Whose hands would it fall into after Mikhail’s death? He had never considered it before because he had always believed his time was limitless.
Clenching the ring in his fist, he frowned.Timewas a deceptive thing – something that could trick a man into thinking he possessed it. Mikhail had once believed eternity was his. Then came the decline of immortals’ regeneration abilities, and even for him, the most favoured by Fate, eternity was not guaranteed. He’d consoled himself with the belief he still had a long and happy life ahead of him.
Well, at least it had been long, and it had changed him from a spoiled rich son into a man obsessed with control.
Mikhail had forgotten the words the Oracle had once toldhim many years ago:‘There’s a simple rule in the universe, manticore: the tighter you hold on to something, the more likely you are to lose it.’
And then Amelia happened. At first glance, she had nothing that could shake his world – until she did.
Now, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. He longed for her. He wanted to possess her, to protect her, to care for her. To help her through her transformation. To give her everything.
But how long before his past would break him again? How long could he support Amelia before he inevitably disappointed her? She was the Oracle, and he couldn’t afford to lose her as a valuable ally.
Moreover, Amelia seemed determined to maintain a distance between them. And maybe she was right. Why the hell should he get involved with her? With the Oracle? If he made herhis, his judgement would be completely clouded. Even now, the thought of something happening to her drove him mad. What would he do when the entire damned world learnt of the new Oracle and began flocking to her for visions?
If she werehis, he would never allow her to expose herself to danger daily. That would be a tremendous loss for the immortal world and the Hospital. They all needed the Oracle.
The fact that she could see his tattoo puzzled him. It was just another thing he didn’t understand, and it made the beast within him thrash with frustration, because what he couldn’t understand… he couldn’t control.
Maybe Amelia could see the tattoo because she was the Oracle. Or perhaps it was a sign he should include her in the Council? Elisanda was yet to be replaced… The thought of exposing Amelia to so many dangerous beings tightened his chest.
On the flip side, it was a way to keep her by his side.
***
Amelia grasped the metal handle, pulling the door to theConference table. Despite her inner turmoil, her fingers didn’t tremble.
She remembered the elongated room well, with its long conference table crafted from dark, sturdy wood. Along the left wall stretched an arched window with a breathtaking view of the winter night outside. The room was dimly lit by elegant lamps hanging from the ceiling, shaped like curved tentacles. The ceiling itself was an artist’s canvas, depicting scenes of battles between men in military attire, mounted on massive black horses, spears in hand.
Amelia tore her gaze away from the artwork above, her attention drawn to the far end of the table. Mikhail sat in the leader’s position, engrossed in a quiet conversation with the man to his left –the man with bi-coloured eyes, Jaguar. Under the artificial lights, Mikhail’s face looked older, with light brown strands of hair falling casually just below his jawline, and his hands resting on the table.
When he noticed her, their eye contact sent a sharp pang through her solar plexus.
Mikhail gestured for her to come over. Amelia circled the table, still wondering why she was there. Earlier, he had called to inform her about the upcoming Council meeting and added that he would be pleased with her presence. His words had made her stare at the phone long after the conversation ended. Usually, he didn’t extend invitations – he issued commands.
She had concluded that he wanted to introduce her as the new Oracle – though Amelia doubted anyone had missed that after her previous appearance at the Council.
Now, aware of the many eyes on her, Amelia straightened her shoulders. Passing a red-haired woman with refined features and a challenging expression, Amelia recognised her as the healer from Radiology. Across from her sat her husband, Nyavolski.
“Hello,” Amelia greeted them.
The redhead gave her a once-over. “You look well.”
To the left of the redhead sat two women, one with a businesslike demeanour and a leather folder placed on the desk before her. She gestured while speaking on the phone, stealing glances at Amelia. The other woman, stocky with a short, masculine haircut, nodded at her. Opposite them, a woman with purple dreadlocks and matching lipstick grinned, her eyes darting between Amelia and the silver-haired Latino beside her.
Something made Amelia look towards the window, where the shadows shrouded a tall male figure. He stepped forward, and the crystal lights illuminated his face and clothing. It was Constantine.
“Hello, how are you?” Jaguar stepped in front of her and shook her hand. Besides his mismatched eyes, he had a crooked nose and overly full lips.
“I’m fine…” She scanned the room again, trying to decide where to sit.
Mikhail pointed to the seat on his right. “Please, over here. We’re waiting for all the members to gather.”
Taking the offer, Amelia settled down.
Gradually, the room filled with beings, and among them, Amelia spotted a beautiful blonde woman she remembered from the previous Council meeting, as well as the lycanthrope Viktor Volk. The eccentric scientist paced past the table, deeply absorbed, and for a moment, Amelia worried he might sit on her.
Viktor stopped, wide eyes focusing on her, and opened his mouth, but Mikhail spoke first. “Take Elisanda’s empty seat.”
