11 #2
“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 to the 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.
“The Journal of C. notes reptilians have a physiology different from 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?”
A shadow passed over Mikhail’s features. It was a darkness Amelia was beginning to recognise – linked to the demons of his past. “She’s pretending to have lost her memory.”
Amelia straightened in her chair. Mikhail had told her Elisanda was behind last year’s murders, but he hadn’t mentioned what exactly he’d done with the nymph. If Agent Kane was still digging around for the perpetrator, it meant Mikhail hadn’t turned Elisanda in.
She glanced at him. Her stomach churned as she recalled his fury when he’d accused her of withholding information. What atrocities had he inflicted on the latest nymph who had betrayed him?
Taking a deep breath, Amelia cracked the silence, “Agent Kane today seemed aware of reptilians’ existence.”
The manticore’s gaze locked onto her, spreading warmth across her cheeks. “Agent Kane’s been visiting you?”
The sharpness of his tone made her twitch. “I ran into him earlier in the courtyard.”
“He was asking questions about the attack,” Zacharia added.
“I warned Presyian that his dog can stay here, but on the condition he’s never to approach you.” Mikhail’s answer was slow to come, but the way his fists clenched and relaxed didn’t go unnoticed.
Amelia blinked at the information.
Viktor stroked his chin. “What does Presiyan know of everything happening?”
“That someone committed murders, and that someone is still unknown.” Mikhail’s lips twisted into a bitter smile.
“And a New Generation girl has found some fiction book about reptilians and has been spreading stories about an eighth species ever since.” Viktor opened his mouth as if to protest, which made the manticore add, “Don’t worry.
Since there’s no clear connection between those stories and the murders, Agent Kane won’t be interrogating your stepdaughter anytime soon. ”
Constantine glanced at his watch. “That’s a dangerous game you’re playing, my friend.”
Mikhail ignored him, focusing his attention on Amelia. “If Kane ever approaches you again, don’t say a word to him. Just find me as soon as possible, and I’ll handle him.”
She nodded, and her heart skipped a bit when another thought crossed her mind. If she stole Mikhail’s ring, would he send the Tribunal to chase her down?
An oppressive silence settled around them, punctuated only by the crackling embers in the fireplace. Outside, the snowfall intensified, shrouding the evening in a thick, white blanket.
“There’s another reason I’ve gathered you,” Mikhail spoke.
“While I was resting in the ICU, or rather while I was forced to rest”– his eyes darted to Nyavolski, who shrugged in reply, – “I had plenty of time to ponder over last year’s events.
And as much as I think about it, there’s one thing that does not make sense. Kaliope’s ties to the politician.”
Zacharia smiled. “I told you from the beginning it doesn’t make sense.”
“What do you mean?” Viktor’s eyes shifted between the two of them.
“Kaliope screwing a human is what makes no sense,” Mikhail said. “In the chaos of last year’s events, I was willing to attribute it to love, but come to think of it again, it doesn’t seem plausible.”
Because an immortal could not possibly love a human? Amelia meant to ask, but instead, she only shifted in her chair.
Mikhail pinched his nose. “I’m starting to question the politician’s – the Minister of Transportation – species. Was he really mortal?”
“Well, he died, didn’t he?” Constantine mused.
“That’s what the news claimed.” Mikhail pursed his lips, turning to Zacharia. “Call it a hunch, but since everything else is a dead-end, I want you to investigate.”
“It’d be my pleasure.” The hybrid mimicked a military salute.
“Keep me posted if anything comes up in the ORs or the morgue,” the manticore told the rest.
Constantine leaned an arm on the back of the sofa. “Do you know what I’m curious about? Who is this mysterious C.?”
“I always thought it was you,” Zacharia said with a sly grin.
“C. is far too much of a gentleman to be me.” Constantine glanced at his elegant gold watch. “Speaking of which, I have another appointment.”
Nyavolski stood up. “And I gotta return to the OR.”
Mikhail nodded. “Go ahead.”
While they departed, Amelia tried to approach Mikhail, catching snippets of his conversation with Zacharia. Nyavolski blocked her path, pitching one last plea for her to consider a career at the Hospital. She promised she’d think about it.
When she spun around, Mikhail was already facing her. “If you’re interested in surgery, I’d be glad to have you practise here.”
The smell of rain-soaked grass mixed with his subtle cologne overwhelmed her senses. She inhaled, gathering her courage. “I need to speak with you privately.”
His gaze softened, multicoloured irises scanning her face. “We are alone, Amelia.”
She looked around to find that he was right. Her hesitation grew when she considered her next words. She was here under the pretence of stealing his ring, yet he had risked his life for her. Despite his harsh methods and his potential torture of Elisanda Grace, he had suffered for Amelia’s sake.
Before she could articulate her thoughts, Mikhail stepped forward, enveloping her in a warm embrace that seemed to bridge the distance between accusation and forgiveness.