2
F or the first time in days, Amelia allowed herself to take a breath. As if the cold air sensed her weariness, its gust stilled, leaving North Park in an unnatural stillness.
She plopped down on a lonely bench. The silence terrified her. Not only was it unable to offer some advice, but it created a fictitious sense of calm that could well be the source of all hell.
Which, just a couple of months ago, had indeed been the source of all hell.
Amelia lifted her gaze to the January sun, but all it did was irritate her eyes without carrying the necessary heat to warm her up. Her body disliked the cold, and the winter landscapes reminded her too much of all that she had lost in the past.
Yet another anniversary of her family’s death was just two days away.
She tucked a stray blonde lock behind her ear. A burden weighed heavily on her chest, intertwined with unquenchable sorrow. She wouldn’t be at the graveyard to honour the memory of her dearest ones on their death day. It was too dangerous.
And did she truly wish for her family to see her like this?
She hoped that in their eyes, no matter where they were watching from, she was still a twenty-five-year-old medical student on the day of her graduation, on the threshold of a spectacular career as a surgeon.
Daddy’s little girl, turned into an independent woman.
Mummy’s pride and joy. “The coolest” sister. A person with dreams and a future.
That life – and all its possibilities – had been torn away from her the moment she’d been kidnapped and propelled into the immortal world.
A world filled with creatures and dangers of all kinds.
A world that demanded sacrifices and left no room for love, only the ruthless survival of the fittest. A world belonging to Mikhail Korovin, the manticore who’d kidnapped her and whose memory still made her heart race.
For a moment, Amelia had wondered if she could have a place in that world.
When the old Oracle had passed, and she’d taken her place, it had seemed almost certain.
But she had none of the old Oracle’s mastery of her powers.
Amelia’s abilities were a hurricane of unclear images and sounds.
The more she tried to calm them, the deeper she sank into them.
So she almost always blocked them, ever since she discovered she could do it.
At least this way, she could keep some of her sanity intact while she got used to her new reality.
A noise shattered the unnatural stillness, pulling Amelia out of her thoughts. The branches behind her rustled, and a blonde woman emerged behind a nearby trunk.
Amelia’s heart pounded in her chest. Her breath hitched, her muscles tensed, ready to flee. But something kept her rooted in place.
No, it’s not what you think…
Amelia stared at the stranger, who wore a coat and leather boots.
Her golden hair shone as if it had been sprinkled with brocade…
or magic dust. She had a heart-shaped face, high cheekbones, and a slightly sharpened chin.
Her light green eyes, framed by long lashes, resembled a panther’s – soft, yet powerful.
A thin, straight nose and full lips completed her perfect features.
Maybe this woman is just out for a walk, Amelia. Maybe she, just like you, is searching for herself in this cold, empty park…
The woman sat on the empty side of the bench. “Hello, Amelia.”
She had been so careful, yet here, in this isolated park, they had found her. All these days, while she’d been racing through streets, searching for skeletons at every corner, she had never imagined that her enemy would have such a gentle air. Such a warm and melodious voice.
Amelia stood up, about to run away.
Then the stranger spoke. “It must be hard to have nobody to talk to when so much is happening. A new world. A transformation. Visions. Murders. Falling in love with the wrong man.”
How does she know? She can’t know. She’s just guessing … right?
“Do you need someone to talk to?”
Amelia blinked at the woman, suddenly unable to get her feet off the ground. The energy around the stranger drew her in like a magical magnet.
“Who are you?” Amelia’s voice came out sharper than she intended.
“My name is Ana.” The woman raised her chin to maintain eye contact.
It wasn’t right for Amelia to linger when someone was after her. When Mikhail was probably still trying to find her. But she wanted to know more about the woman.
No, do not trust her. Your first thought was that she’s an enemy!
Another part of her, the part that was tired and desperate for answers, still hesitated.
“Ana? Have we met before?”
She could have sworn she’d seen this woman’s face somewhere.
“We have not,” she said. Amelia’s mind raced. Why, then, did she feel so familiar? And then the stranger smiled, her voice soft but firm. “But you may know me as Ana, Mother of Nymphs.”
What?! Amelia summoned every ounce of courage to keep herself standing straight.
That’s where she’d seen her! In the corridor with the marble figures of the Hospital.
Amelia had stared at the statue, bewitched by her beauty.
She could recall even now the chambermaid’s words: ‘They say the marble statues are just as seductive as she was herself.’
Was. How could this same creature be sitting on a bench in the middle of North Park, in flesh and blood, when all immortals believed she was long dead?
Amelia glanced at the woman’s hands, resting in her lap. They were wrapped in gloves. The marble statue, at least, had sharp, dagger-like nails – a hallmark of nymphs.
“How are you alive?” Amelia asked.
“I never died, Amelia.”
Amelia hesitated. If this woman really meant harm, she could have done it by now…
“I am not your enemy, I’m certain you can feel that,” the woman said, as if reading Amelia’s thoughts. “The two of us are on the same side.”
Amelia raised an eyebrow. “And which side is this?”
“The good side, of course.”
Amelia thought back to everything Dave had told her. ‘Ana didn’t respect any rules and loved to play with people . ’
“According to The Origin of Immortal Species story, you’re evil,” Amelia said.
The woman’s brow furrowed. “My sister conjured those stories up to belittle me.”
“Sister? I thought you only had two brothers.”
“I did. I no longer have any.” Ana’s features twisted with sorrow.
“Now I only have one sister, who has decided to destroy this world. Perhaps you’ve heard of her?
She calls herself the Queen, Mother of Reptilians.
She’s gaining more and more power. I doubt she will remain in the shadows for much longer. ”
The mention of reptilians piqued Amelia’s curiosity. Mikhail had never mentioned them as a species, in all their conversations. Had he kept this from her on purpose? Or was he unaware of their existence?
And if he had kept their existence a secret, did that even matter? It would be just one more secret, just one more way he’d manipulated her.
With effort, she willed all thoughts of Mikhail away and focused on the woman.
She’s lying to you. Leave, while you still can. Ignoring her intuition screaming at her, Amelia asked, “Reptilians?”
“They’re the unknown immortal race. The reason behind all the troubles for the rest of the immortal species. And your troubles, as well.”
“What do you mean?” Amelia’s heart pounded as she tried to maintain her composure.
The stranger’s green irises bore into Amelia’s. “My sister is behind the murders at the Hospital.”
Amelia’s breath hitched. Those murders – a Council member, a chambermaid, and the attack on Dave – had been committed to force Mikhail to get rid of her. But Mikhail hadn’t succumbed to the manipulation. He had promised to protect her…
“Why do you think the regeneration abilities of the immortals continue to decline?” Ana asked.
Amelia was silent. She’d had conversations around this with Mikhail, but could not brag about knowing the answer.
That whole line of questioning had driven them apart – if it hadn’t been for Mikhail’s obsession and duty-bound desire to save the immortals, if she hadn’t omitted to tell him about her telepathic conversations with the Oracle…
Should, could, would… What is the point of thinking about any of this? What’s done is done.
And anyway, in the end, it had all come down to the fact that he saw her as just another means to achieve his goal.
“The cause of it all is my sister, Amelia. She did something that created the problem with the regeneration. These changes will only worsen with time. Something must be done, otherwise the species will disappear.”
Amelia hesitated, her mind racing. Could this be true?
And should she care?
Ana leaned forward slightly, her voice gentle but urgent. “I want to stop it. With your help. Together, we can stop my sister from eradicating the immortal species. Only by killing her can we save them all.”
Amelia realised she was still standing by the bench, her legs poised to take her away, but something held her back.
She didn’t trust this woman, didn’t like her, but she had to listen.
Because if Ana could really help with the regeneration, the immortal world would finally return to its normal state… and Mikhail would have his salvation.
“My sister, like me, is the daughter of a god, and carries a small part of each species inside her, except for the witch kind that has inhabited this Earth since before my family and I even existed. To destroy my sister, we need to destroy every single part of her. The vampire speed. The necromancer senses. The manticore strength. The lycanthrope ferocity. The nymph trickery. And, of course, the adaptability of the reptilian. Strong qualities that could nonetheless be destroyed easily with the right weapons. And you are going to help me collect them.”
“Me?” Amelia’s voice faltered.
“Well, you are the Oracle, right?”