The Final Assignment: The Mila K Mysteries, #1

By K.C. Brennan

Mila stood in front of the University of Chernivtsi, and it was like time had stood still. The gate and the buildings looked the same as when she was a student there, and yet somehow, she was the one who had changed and aged. Of course, nobody could call her old. Mila was thirty-two, but today she felt older than the university.  

Mila remembered when she left for her Ph.D. in Kyiv; she was heartbroken and swore she would never return to her hometown. However, life has a way of interfering with people's plans and Mila was no exception…

First, her mother died, then her father retired because of a heart condition, and Mila knew she had to come home to take care of him. It was a good excuse to return when a call came from her best friend that a professor position was open at the university.  
So, there she was, all dressed up and ready to confront a past demon and prove herself more than capable to become a professor…  

Mila Kovalenko has returned to her alma mater to fill the vacant position of professor of ancient history.

Happy to reunite with her best friend Ania, the university's librarian, they discuss a manuscript that has come to Ania's attention. No sooner had Mila signed her contract when someone steals the manuscript from the library.

However, when the detective assigned to the case pegs her as the prime suspect, Mila must use her expertise and cunning to prove him wrong, or at least find another motive and suspect.  
Realizing the book is more dangerous than it appears, and its origins are even more evil than they thought, Mila hopes to help the detective find the book before it falls into the wrong hands. However, the detective is not so willing to accept her help, infuriating Mila, if only he wasn't so annoying, she could grow to like him, he was quite attractive….

• Language: English
• Publisher: KCB Mysteries
• Release date: Jun 26, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393495581

Book preview

Chapter 1

It was the beginning of summer when the man made the call. He had known about the existence of the book for more than 20 years now. It was believed that the manuscript was destroyed by a fire, but he knew better than to trust in this statement .

He dedicated his life to the cause and when his mentor died, he took control of the organization. Brother John, the previous leader, only did things by the book, but that was no longer the case. A new era had begun for the organization and he was in charge of the decision making. He may not be mentioned in the history books years from now, but people will know of his actions. Of that he was certain.

Brother John was an old man, so nobody considered his death to be anything other than natural causes. The same applied to Brother John’s connection, Professor Denys Kulik from the University of Chernivtsi.

With those two out of the way, the man knew it would just be a matter of time until he would have the book in his possession and be able to fulfill his destiny.

So when he dialed the number, he didn’t need to say too much to his interlocutor.

It is time for you to pay your debt. You have until September.

Chapter 2

As you look at the University of Chernivtsi, you feel like the years haven’t passed over it. If you were to look at it during the summer break when there are no students around, you could even be taken back in time to when Franz Joseph first inaugurated it. Located in the City of Chernivtsi in Western Ukraine, it was once the former residence of the Moldavian Eastern Orthodox bishop. The buildings reflected a blend of Byzantine, Gothic and Baroque architecture, and that appealed to the woman now standing at the gate.

This is what Mila felt while she was standing in front of what she hoped would be her future workplace. She noticed that the University was the same as it was when she was a student there, and somehow she was the only one who had changed and had gotten old. Of course, nobody could call her old, as she was barely 32, but that day, she felt older than the University.

She remembered the day when she left for her Ph.D. in Kyiv, she was heartbroken and swore she would never return to her hometown. However, life has a way of interfering with people’s plans and Mila was no exception.

When her mother died and her father, Vladyslav, retired because of a heart condition, she knew she had to come back home and be there for him even though he was convinced he didn't need a babysitter.

Luckily, Mila had an excuse to return to Chernivtsi. A month ago, she received a phone call from her best friend Ania, informing her that a position as an ancient history professor was available starting in September. The last thing Mila wanted was to work under Pietro Melnik, but given the circumstances, it was the only thing she could do.

She packed her suitcase and drove for more than seven hours in her green Volkswagen Beetle. The next day she put on her best suit, arranged her long red hair in a Spanish bun, and put on the highest heels she owned. At 170cm tall she usually didn’t wear high heels, but that day she wanted to make a statement.

So there she was, all fancy and ready to confront a past demon and prove herself more than capable of becoming a professor. Now all she needed was an impetus to move from the spot where she was standing and to actually walk to Dean Melnik’s office.

Well hello there, Legs! a voice interrupted her thoughts.

Excuse me!? Mila responded, obviously annoyed.

Didn’t mean to upset you. I’m Ivan. You must be new here. He extended his arm.

The person in front of Mila was a beautiful young man in his very early twenties. She could tell right from the start he was trouble but that didn’t bother her. It just reminded Mila of her years as a student when she loved to do pranks.

Mila Kovalenko. I am not a student here and you are probably late for your exam retake. The last I heard, they still start at 8 in the morning, she returned his handshake.

Ouch, you got me there! Let’s just say, the teacher likes me. See you around Ms. Kovalenko, with that he bowed and ran to one of the buildings.

Mila smiled,