"That was dramatic," Viktor said, handing him a dish towel after the retching stopped.
"That was assault." Charlie wiped his mouth, the taste somehow worse on the way back up. "Never make me eat that again."
"It was worth a try."
"Was it?" Charlie turned on the tap, desperately trying to rinse the flavor from his mouth. "Was it really?"
Viktor leaned against the counter, and for the first time since Simon left, he looked genuinely puzzled. "I don't understand. When I need blood, I just drink it. It's not pleasant, but it's manageable."
Charlie paused, water still running. "When you need blood?"
Viktor's expression shifted, like he'd said more than he meant to. He moved back to the living room, but Charlie followed, pieces clicking together in his mind.
"The enhanced strength you mentioned. The blood bags in your fridge." Charlie's voice rose. "You're not human, are you?"
Viktor's jaw tightened. For a moment, Charlie thought he wouldn't answer at all. Then he moved to the window, pulling the curtain aside just enough to look down at the street below.
"I'm like Simon. We're... something in between."
"In between what?"
"In between human and vampire. We were bitten but not fully turned. The organization intervened before the transformation completed." Viktor let the curtain fall. "Then they pumped us full of experimental drugs and turned us into weapons."
The words settled heavy in the room. Charlie sat back down on the couch, processing.
"Simon's like that too?"
"Why do you think he's so strong? Fast enough to keep up with vampires?"
"I thought he was just... really good at his job."
"He is. Because the Organization made him that way. Made us that way." Viktor moved back to his chair. "When a vampire attacks someone but doesn't complete the turning, there's a window. A few hours where the victim exists between states. The Organization developed a way to... stabilize that state."
Charlie's mind raced back through every interaction with Simon. The way he'd moved in that alley, fast enough to take down four vampires. The way he'd found Charlie on that rooftop even though Charlie hadn't been able to call him.
The way Charlie felt inexplicably safe around someone who hunted vampires for a living.
"So he's part vampire."
"We prefer 'enhanced.'" Viktor's smile held no humor. "Sounds better in the reports."
"How many of you are there?"
"Not many. The process has a high failure rate. Most die. Some go insane. A lucky few get to spend their lives hunting the thing they almost became."
Charlie shook his head. "Does that mean..." his face heated. "Is that why his blood tastes different? Because he's not fully human?"
"Could be," Viktor allowed. "But my theory is different. Did you know newly turned vampires usually get their first blood fromthe vampire who turned them? Your sire abandoned you, so Simon unwittingly stepped into that role when he fed you. Turns out we'rejustvampire enough for that."
Charlie had no idea how to feel about that.
How should he feel about the fact that his sire had left him hungry and the person who'd saved him from starvation was a hunter who hadn't known what he was doing, who'd never wanted to be Charlie'sanything?
But even though Simon didn't want Charlie, Charlie wanted Simon.
Against all reason.
Was that because Simon was his sire now?
