Page 35 of Viktor

“Why didn’t you tell me you were…sensitive?”

“Because I’m not.”

“But you said you saw me just now,” he pressed.

Waverly curled her feet under her, relaxing deeper into the large sofa. “I don’t know what’s happening. The visions. I had them when I was younger. But I’ve trained my mind to control it. I can touch anyone, anywhere, and nothing. Until you.”

Viktor grew solemn. “What are you?”

“What do you mean, what am I?”

“Your scent,” Viktor smiled. “It’s discretely human.”

Waverly wrinkled her nose at his description. “That’s because I am human.”

“A medium?” he guessed.

“I don’t talk to dead people,” she insisted.

“Do you want to?”

“No. Absolutely not. Are you kidding me right now?”

“A witch?”

“I’m human. Just a plain ole human woman. I know, it’s probably not too exciting but it is what it is. The visions?” She blew out a breath. “When I was a kid I saw things, things that would happen. But then, you know, it scares you. You force it away. But you…you broke me. I’ve been seeing things ever since the night…when you touched me at the club. And tonight, just now, I saw you. And I don’t know how I knew it but when you looked at me, you saw me too. Please tell me that was real.”

“It’s real. I felt you in my mind. It’s not as if I can normally read other people’s thoughts. But I do have an innate energy. I can often use it. When we flashed here, I can’t explain how, I could just feel you. So I sent you pictures. It’s all just energy.”

“But how is this happening?”

“It’s my belief that paths cross for a reason.” Viktor extended his hand to her. She glanced at it and slowly reached for him. He blocked her from his mind but allowed his energy to flow to her. “Can you feel this?”

“I…yes. I’m not seeing anything though.”

“That feeling right there…it’s the magick.”

“I don’t have magick,” she insisted.

“We all do. Every person has magick. Even humans. Life itself is magical, is it not?” he mused.

“Yes, but there’s nothing magical about me. It’s true I used to have visions, sometimes. I was like a jacked-up psychic hotline. But it’s been shut down and out of business. These days? I’m just another human.”

“You are so much more, love. You’re the very soul of life. Like any other creature, you control the universe. But humans…” They’re fragile. Long ago he’d learned the painful lesson. He’d forced himself to see them only as food, else suffer the infinite grief of losing them. “What makes humans special is the very essence of their soul. But life here on Earth is fleeting. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.”

“I’m not fragile, but I don’t think there’s any magick. Seriously, I’m just a human.”

Viktor took a deep breath, reminding himself that Waverly, too, would die. “You have magick in you, Waverly. Perhaps far more than you even realize yourself. But it’s there.”

“Maybe,” she reluctantly agreed. “But it’s not going to help me find Teagan. Or find whoever did that to my apartment. Why would someone want to shoot me?”

“I have someone who might be able to help us. Here in New Orleans.”

“Tonight?” Waverly unsuccessfully fought a yawn.

“Tomorrow.” Viktor backed away from Waverly, her delicious scent calling to him. “You must be hungry.”

“I guess. Where did you say we were again?”