Hospital for Immortal Creatures: A slow-burn mystery romantasy by Alexandrina Krusharska

Author:Alexandrina Krusharska [Krusharska, Alexandrina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-09-13T00:00:00+00:00

28

That same night, Mikhail summoned the Council. It would be a lengthy gathering, since he had to explain the reason for Kaliope Gazis’ replacement and announce the chambermaid’s murder.

He strolled into the meeting concealing his pain. His body had recovered to some extent and most of the wounds were manageable, but the four claw marks burned beneath his loose cotton shirt. Those damn scars had a life of their own, like a parasite inside him that woke up every time it sensed he was the least bit vulnerable. As if he needed a reminder of their presence.

“Good evening, creatures.” He took his seat at the head of the table. The remnants of the scars on his face would not stay unnoticed for long. So, he got ahead of any questions and pointed to his face, declaring, “I had a bear encounter in the woods.” The statement would not convince any of the members of the Council, but neither of them probably cared.

Jaguar was first to break the silence. “It must have been a very vicious bear, my friend.”

Mikhail nodded and leaned back in his chair. The emptiness of Viktor’s seat next to him gnawed at him, like the loss of a limb. Constantine’s vacant chair at the far end of the table reminded him further of the void he was sinking into. Kaliope’s place in the middle was already taken by Helena Nyavolska, the new member of the Council of the Twenty. The choice of members was one of the few things the Council didn’t vote for as a group but was instead decided solely by Mikhail.

“Today’s meeting will proceed without Viktor Volk and the necromancer,” he announced. “Viktor is not feeling well and Constantine is away on business. And as you have already noticed, a new member has joined our Council, replacing Kaliope Gazis.”

He gave a brief introduction before diving into the grim details. As he recounted the story of the beheaded witch Kaliope Gazis and the strangled vampire Mary Clare, he withheld only one detail—his visit to Mada.

While he spoke, his eyes kept wandering towards Helena. He wasn’t sure if her addition to the Council had been the smartest move. The nymph listened attentively as Mikhail explained about the head in the box. Whatever thoughts swirled in her mind remained hidden behind her neutral expression. Even when he described the gruesome discovery, Helena remained stoic, unlike some of the others, who gasped when he revealed the blood-written message inside the box. Helena only sneered – a reaction he wasn’t sure he liked. Then, when he gave them the details surrounding the chambermaid’s murder, Helena turned her head to the side and stared out the window at Sofia, as if already bored.

The other members weren’t as subtle in their reactions.

“Is that why I’ve been following all the stupid rules for years?” one of the witches yelled. “To be slaughtered like an animal. Like a human!”

Mikhail told the Council the same story he planned on selling to the Tribunal –

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