Page 111 of Viktor

“Bond her,” Greyson told him. “Protect her.”

“She’s pretty awesome, isn’t she?” Viktor nodded, still shocked he’d fallen for her, had rediscovered his humanity.

A high pitch whistle sounded, the tea kettle spewing steam into the air, breaking his contemplation. As Viktor reached to grab its handle, his heart seized. The vampire appeared next to Waverly, and she wrapped her arm around her neck. Rafe ripped his shirt off readying to attack, and shifted.

“Don’t come any closer or I’ll kill her,” the vampire warned, glaring at him from the deck. “Don’t flash to me, Viktor. Don’t even try it. I see you.”

As the creature called his name, his mind flashed to a time long ago. Théa. While he’d stopped Baxter from raping her, Viktor had been unsuccessful in preventing his sire from turning her. That very night he’d been beaten, been sent away, while the cat played with its toy. Later that year, Quintus had killed Baxter but not before she’d been indoctrinated into the ways of vampire.

“Sister,” Viktor called as he slowly stalked toward her. He proceeded with caution, choosing to heed her warning. Although he could attempt to dematerialize, it would only take a split second for her to kill Waverly.

Rafe growled, readying to strike.

“Brothers.” She laughed, her arm tight around her prey. “Call off the wolf. I’ll kill her, I swear it.”

“Get off me,” Waverly gritted out, struggling to break free.

“Théa,” Viktor yelled as he looked to Rafe. Stand down. “The human belongs to me. Release her. You won’t win against me. You’ll die.”

“Are you really going to take the gamble?” she asked, the slight French accent growing thicker as she spoke. “You’re not allowed to have a human. You’ll be punished.”

“Baxter is dead. He’s been dead for years, and you’ve got the audacity to take my human? To show your face in my house? Walk away now and I’ll grant you an honorable death.” He’d slit her throat and never think of it again. Anger burned in his stomach as he heard Waverly struggling to breathe. He bared his fangs. “I’m going to kill you.”

“Father is rising.” A sickening, evil smile bloomed on her face.

“I’ve been to Hell and back. He’s dead. I know he’s there. He’s not coming back. Not ever.”

“Hell isn’t impermeable. You will suffer for your crimes.” She sniffed at Waverly’s hair. “This human does not belong to you. It’s impossible.”

“Let her go,” Greyson urged.

“Brother. Join me and our master will spare you,” she promised.

“Let me go, bitch,” Waverly spat, kicking her to no avail.

“She’s a spirted one. All the more fun to kill.” Théa licked Waverly’s cheek and grabbed at her breast. “Hmm…tasty. Perhaps I’ll turn her instead. Fuck her. I could use a slave. She’ll be forced to do anything I want. Even to kill you.”

“What do you want?” Viktor surged with anger but attempted to keep the discussion going until he got closer. He walked with great trepidation. She could flash Waverly anywhere, and there would be nothing but their blood tie for him to try to find her.

“Many sins are owed to Satan. Father is more than willing to earn his way, to do favors to pay his blood debt. And then Father will take his place again in this realm. He will walk on Earth again. We will teach humans their place in this world. We will do as we wish without interference from others,” Théa told him, wearing a cold expression. “Until then I do his bidding.”

“There’s nothing for him here,” Viktor told her, inching closer. He glanced to Rafe. Holding his hand outward, he waved him away. Stand back.

“You don’t know what I know,” she challenged him. “He’s already aware of what happens on this realm. He knows about you. He takes special interest in you.”

“No more than the others,” Viktor lied, knowing he’d given up his humanity.

“You were the favorite. His star.” Théa laughed. “The golden child.”

Waverly’s eyes widened in shock. “Let me go.”

“Don’t listen to her,” Viktor yelled.

“Oui, oui, ma chérie. It’s true. This vampire is every bit the monster Baxter is. His prize student. Tell her. Tell her what you’ve done.”

“Let her go, Théa.” Viktor watched as Waverly’s eyes went blank, processing the vampire’s lies.

“He was Daddy’s favorite. He sold his soul.” Théa tightened her grip around Waverly’s neck. “And because you’ve become his favorite, well I’m afraid you must die. But oh no, no.” The vampire stuck out her tongue and dragged it over Waverly’s cheek.