Page 37 of Nightshade

She nodded.

“And he and Viktor, they aren’t . . . I know you’re their mother, but⁠—”

Katya frowned down at her flour-covered hands. “Their birth mother was my dearest friend. She died, and there was no way I’d—I couldn’t leave those boys alone in the world. They’re mine.”

I nodded. “But he lost his family. Just like the rest of you, he had to flee his home. And he’s . . . You’ve all been very kind⁠—”

Katya snorted. “All of us?”

I shrugged. “Viktor may not like me, and I’m willing to admit that my perception is skewed, but he hasn’t hurt me. I can withstand a few callous words. He’s . . . not even wrong. About vampires.”

She shrugged. “Viktor is not always as right as he thinks he is, but what you’re trying to say is that Leo is kinder?”

I huffed. “Absurdly kind. How has it not gotten him killed yet?”

Her head tipped to the side. “Well, he’s not a fool. He’s just⁠—”

She furrowed her brow, and I sat quietly while her hands stilled.

“Can I help with that?” I asked, nodding to the dough she was kneading.

Katya perked up and smiled at me. “That’d be lovely, Altair. I could cut the vegetables.”

I slipped off the stool and washed my hands at the sink. “Happy to.”

While I stood beside her, kneading the dough, she went to work. It was easier to talk like this, with both our hands busy and no reason to stare at each other.

“My sons all grew up knowing more fear and need than any child should, and it marked them all, but Leo’s the one who took it upon himself to try and fix everything that he could. He’s always been convinced that if he could hope hard enough, smile quick enough, offer all of himself, things would get better. When we lost his brother, that was how he held himself together. Aleks doubted we’d ever get Viktor back, but Leo couldn’t let himself. Of everyone I’ve ever known, Leo would be the last person to let go of hope. He won’t turn his back on someone in need.”

“Even a vampire?”

Unimpressed, Katya glanced at me. “If the only thing that mattered about us was what we are, Leo would be just like Viktor. You’re more than a vampire, and being a vampire isn’t innately bad anyway.”

Well, that settled it. If Viktor had interactions with vampires, he hadn’t told his family much about them. Perhaps he would, now that I was around, and she would come to realize exactly what she was dealing with.

“Leo found a creature in the woods who needs to feed on him to survive and invited him in for a bite.”

Katya huffed and smiled. “Leo saw you in the woods and gave what he could. Is he dead?”

“No.”

“Irreparably harmed?”

“ . . . No.”

“Then I fail to see a problem beyond you trying to dehumanize yourself in the exchange.”

“I’m not human.”

“Neither are we.”

I turned the bread over and worked it for a few quiet minutes before Katya asked me, “Why do you look like I’ve just staked you in the heart?”

I glanced over at her and swallowed. My mouth felt dry, and I wanted to believe that the only cause was thirst.

“It’s . . . rather a lot of pressure, isn’t it? To have someone see the best in you.”

Katya shrugged. “When we can’t see it ourselves, yes, but don’t worry about your best. You expect that more than Leo does. If he weren’t serious, he wouldn’t stand up to his brothers. Leo doesn’t dig his heels in unless something matters to him. You matter to him, so just try not to disappoint him.”