Page 110 of Viktor

“Waverly’s coming.” Viktor stated flatly. He heard the wooden floor creak, her footsteps grew louder. “Don’t freak her out. Don’t ask about the scratches. No demon talk. This is bad enough.”

“Is she still mortal?” Greyson whispered.

“She’s mortal,” Viktor confirmed.

“You must bond,” he insisted. “She’s too vulnerable.”

“Don’t you think I know that, brother?” Viktor kept his voice low. His jaw tensed, annoyance teasing every nerve of his body. “It’s her choice to make. She hasn’t had enough time. She needs to decide if she can handle seeing loved ones die. If she’s up for this life we live. It’s not fair for me to do this to her. I can’t constantly expose her to it. These won’t be the only monsters who cross our path. You and I both know it.”

“You can’t deny your own bond. You won’t ever be happy.”

“I’ve got to protect her first. If he’s…” Viktor began but stopped himself from speculating on the impossible. He pumped his fingers into a fist. “No, no, some psychopath is out there, playing his games. Playing all of us. And this is all happening because of me.”

“It’s not your fault.” Viktor heard Waverly’s voice travel from the hallway.

Despite the dark topic of conversation, the sight of her brought a smile to his face. Dressed in an off-the-shoulder red cashmere sweater, blue jeans and tan suede snow boots, she looked as if she were ready to hit the slopes. She wore a loose side braid, her golden locks resting on her shoulder.

“How do you feel?” he asked, going to her.

“Can’t sleep.” She shrugged and put a hand into her front pocket.

“Can I make you some tea? Are you hungry?” Viktor asked.

“Do you know how satisfying it is to see my brother waiting on his girlfriend?” Greyson laughed. “He’s properly smitten.”

“As am I.” Waverly’s cheeks flushed pink.

Viktor turned to his brother, with his back to Waverly, raising his eyebrows, a stern look on his face. “What the fuck?” he mouthed and promptly turned to face her again. “Ignore him.”

“When are we going to New Orleans?” she asked.

“I want you to rest up before we go. Once we find out the location, we’re going to find them.” Kill them. “If they have Teagan, we’ll get her out. I’ll have you stay with Quintus. It’s too dangerous.”

“What? No. I’m going with you. This involves me as much as it does you. And I meant it. This is not your fault. The truth is we don’t know why all this is happening. We don’t have all the pieces. You said it yourself, Baxter is dead. And even if he was standing here right now, it’s not your fault. I hate him for what he did to all of you.”

“Let me make you some Chamomile tea. If you look out the back windows there, you can see the northern lights. Then off to bed,” Viktor told her and brushed a kiss to her forehead.

“Are you trying to distract me?” she asked with a small smile.

“Maybe.” Viktor walked to the kitchen and set to work, filling the kettle. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Waverly stare up in fascination at the sky.

“It’s beautiful,” she said. “Do you mind if I get some fresh air?”

Viktor glanced to Rafe, and back to Waverly. “Of course. Just stay on the deck there. Don’t go further.”

“I’d like to see it too.” Rafe jumped to his feet and approached the door.

“I hate to state the obvious but it’s freezing outside. You’re not wearing a coat. You could freeze to death,” Greyson called to them. “Viktor, do you see what your human is doing? She’s mortal.”

“I promise I’ll be fine. We’ll just be a minute,” she assured him.

“Look at you making tea like a good husband,” Greyson joked.

“That’s a human sort.” Married? Viktor set the cup onto the counter, hearing Waverly’s laughter. She pointed to the sky, watching the spectacular display. Rafe glanced back to him for but a second, and in that moment, the word popped into his head. Love. Family. He’d gone all his lifetime walking the earth alone, and in a matter of days, he’d begun to bond with another, a beautiful human…who made him eggs.

“You okay?” Greyson asked.

“She’s special, isn’t she? I guess I never thought this could happen. You know how it’s been. Humans were always good for food and a fuck. But with all their human habits, watching them die…I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t be like you and Quint. And now there she is. She’s my person.”