11
“In the coarse realms of my consciousness, she is the gold from which I cast my vicious longings, breathe life into, and then burn and melt, until I drown her in voluptuous torment.
In the refined realms of my consciousness, she is a rare blossom I water with gentle caresses and love until she fully blooms and reveals to me her most intimate secrets.
In my arms she is a dextrous lover, in my eyes – a beautiful sight, in my heart – the very pulse of my blood flow. And in reality – she is but a memory.”
Amelia closed C.’s journal, once again overwhelmed by the sensations the text stirred within her.
His words were like magic, coming alive like a film before her eyes.
C. adeptly pulled the strings of her imagination, and the emotions described in his memoirs transferred into her soul, hurling her through a spectrum of experiences she could barely distinguish from her own.
Viktor had brought her the journal, hoping that her holding it would provoke a vision about the reptilians. But for now, all she had succeeded was to become a bit obsessed with the text. Still, not enough to keep her thoughts away from Mikhail.
She surveyed her room, uncertain whether she would return after meeting him.
A narrow bed with a firm mattress stood against one wall, flanked by a wardrobe filled with clothes selected by the housekeeper, Stella.
Across from the bed was a wooden desk and chair, and a small window overlooking the mountain.
An internal door led to a cosy bathroom.
This room bore no resemblance to the luxurious chamber where Mikhail had previously confined her, nor did it echo the sombre Gothic atmosphere of the top floor where they had briefly resided together – before she’d become his captive once again.
The memory furrowed her brow.
Yet here she was, in her new room on the fourteenth floor, unable to deceive herself any longer – Mikhail’s survival eased her breaths.
But that relief came with a certain amount of trepidation.
Stella, the head housekeeper, had mentioned he was awake and recuperating.
Thus, Amelia had expected him to ask for her, but five days had passed without a single message from him.
Had he discovered she’d fooled him, using herself as bait to return to the Hospital and steal his ring? Was he even now trying to figure out ways to keep her here, and use her Oracle powers?
Whatever his motives, Amelia couldn’t wait any longer.
She owed Mikhail a profound debt of gratitude for saving her life.
If the reptilian’s blade had found her abdomen instead, she wouldn’t have survived.
But despite that, she was not willing to be the solace for the demons of his past should they resurface.
Unlike her previous stay, nothing restricted her free movement through the corridors.
With a pang of sadness, she had discovered that Dave, her only friend in the building, no longer lived there.
His teacher, Miss Susie, had offered to take him to her daughter in England, who also had two young boys.
Dave had accepted her invitation. His mother still lay in the ICU, and though he would visit occasionally, at least he now had a chance at a better life.
Amelia’s legs shook slightly while she paced to the vestibule, unsure whether Mikhail was still in the ICU or had returned to his private quarters.
Checking each location now struck her as ludicrous.
She had done it a couple of days ago, sure – but only to avoid stumbling upon him while rummaging through his stuff. This time, she wanted to meet him.
When the lift arrived, though, she changed her mind and descended to the ground floor. Slipping under the central arch, she stepped out into the snowy courtyard, a stiff wind pinching her cheeks and tousling her hair.
Her eyes swept the vast courtyard, now a maze of shovelled paths and snow banks.
In the distance was a fountain, encircled by green shrubs.
The wind stirred their snow-laden branches and slipped under Amelia’s light sweater and jeans, reminding her that she wasn’t dressed for an extended stay outdoors.
Turning back towards the building, she shivered internally while contemplating its grand facade.
Stone columns, pointed arches, and exquisite details constructed the two side wings.
The massive central body resembled a torso, capped by a tower that Amelia couldn’t see from her position.
The building was impressive in size and design, like something out of a fairy tale – a tale that could be as magical as it was fraught with fear, ghosts, and murders.
“Miss Amelia Dragova, also known as the Oracle! Recently a person, now a superstar. How are you finding your newfound fame?” a voice called out.
Amelia whirled around to face the source – a broad-shouldered man in a grey coat and cap.
“Agent Kane. From the Tribunal,” he introduced himself with a smile, his small piercing eyes scanning Amelia’s face as though he planned to sketch her.
“I’m investigating the murders of Kaliope Gazis and the chambermaid Mary Clare, as well as the attempted murder of David Mill. Pleased to meet you, Miss Amelia.”
He extended his hand, but she did not take it.
She had never seen this man before, but she had heard of him from Mikhail.
Before she’d left the Hospital, he had told her about the disagreeable Tribunal agent who was determined to snap his jaws around someone’s throat – whether it belonged to the guilty or merely a scapegoat.
Kane withdrew his hand. “I couldn’t see the thread linking all these murders initially. But then I did what always helps me focus. I went to Prokaliya to think.”
Amelia didn’t know what Prokaliya was. She raised her chin. “Since you’re here again, I assume you’ve discovered the thread?”
“One might say that.” Kane smirked. “Miss Oracle, could you spare me a moment? I need a… private session.”
Amelia’s gaze focused on the building. She remembered the first time she’d seen it.
The Hospital had been majestic yet equally terrifying with its imposing structure and size.
Its peak disappeared into the clouds, creating a sense of unreachability.
It felt like she could stare at it forever, but never fully grasp it with a single glance.
At that moment, however, the building bolstered her confidence.
“Schedule an appointment, Agent Kane. As you’ve noted, I am now a superstar. The demand for sessions is overwhelming,” she said.
His predatory eyes locked on her once again. “It really must be, given that you were attacked. I understand that you and that hybrid brought Mr. Korovin in, and he was in a life-threatening condition. What happened? Who attacked you, and why?”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “This isn’t an official interrogation, is it?”
“Not yet.” The agent’s eyes sparkled with resolve.
“But if you’re into making things official, it could be arranged.
And since you want to come over to Prokaliya, I’ll give you more food for thought.
” The agent took a step closer. “A while ago, I heard rumours of an eighth kind, which Mr. Korovin coined as the blabbering of a confused girl. Is there something he has not shared with me?”
Amelia took a deep breath, unsure of how to respond. Just then, Zacharia emerged from the building and approached with brisk steps. His presence coaxed a subtle smile onto her lips.
“Agent Kane, don’t you see the lady is without a coat, and yet you keep her in the cold?” Zacharia addressed the agent with a polite tone, though the cold sternness in his eyes betrayed his courteous demeanour.
“You’re timely, Mr. Hybrid.” The word rolled off the agent’s tongue with palpable contempt. “Perhaps you can enlighten us about what exactly has happened to Mr. Korovin.”
“I couldn’t, as I found Mr. Korovin unconscious. Please excuse us, we have pressing matters to attend to.”
Zacharia gestured for Amelia to follow, and she quickly complied.
“Miss Amelia…” Agent Kane called after her, his voice echoing in the air when she turned to face his amused expression. “You are new to this world, but you will soon learn that some matters are a priority, and above those , only one thing stands supreme. The Tribunal.”
Amelia re-entered the Hospital, certain the disquieting aura from her interaction with the agent would linger.
“A thousand fucking devils! That bastard keeps lurking around,” Zacharia grumbled. “I didn’t realise he was back.”
“What’s Prokaliya ?” she inquired.
“It’s the prison for immortal creatures.” He led her towards the lift. “Come on. Mikhail asked me to take you to him.”
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.