Page 59 of Viktor

“Teagan got mixed up with some bad people. Is it Satanic?” she asked.

“It looks to me like some kind of spell maybe,” Viktor guessed. “But again. The whole vibe in your apartment screamed human to me.”

Rafe approached the desk and glanced at the picture. “Dude. That’s some fucked up shit.”

“Maybe a fae could help,” Greyson speculated. “Or Ilsbeth.”

“Hell no,” Viktor scoffed.

“A witch?” Waverly asked.

“The High Priestess, herself. Mommy,” Rafe declared with a bow. “That’s right, Waverly. My pa’s a vamp and my ma is a badass witch, who is occasionally helpful but is mostly evil.”

“I’d like to believe she’s in transition, so to speak. Hell has left her refreshed,” Viktor said.

“Refreshed?” Rafe laughed. “Dude. She was in Hell, not Beverly Hills.”

“It changes one’s perspective. She needed an attitude adjustment. Better than therapy.”

Greyson slammed his hand onto the armrest and gave a boisterous laugh. “You’re a crazy motherfucker, Vik.”

“This is my lineage.” Rafe shrugged and smiled at Waverly.

“How does a vampire and a, um, witch make a wolf?” she asked.

“Viktor saved me.” He wore a solemn expression.

“It’s nothing, really.” Viktor turned his attention back to the blade, uninterested in discussing the transformation.

“I almost died,” Rafe told her.

“Siring children is a tricky business, dear human.” Greyson stood and crossed the room, extending his hand toward his brother. “May I?”

“Of course.” Viktor placed the lancet in his palm, careful not to cut him.

“In death, there is a time when the magick of the human is still strong and the soul has not quite left this plane,” Greyson said. “We can exchange our blood, a sacrifice if you will, and the Goddess blesses the transformation. But when the magick wanes, and the human crosses over, there’s not much that can be done. It becomes too late.”

“Vampires can do many things. My brother and I can do more than most. But once death has truly set in, it can be difficult. Our blood alone isn’t enough to bring someone back, to rebirth them as vampire,” Viktor told her.

“But a high priestess, a really powerful witch. Their blood is rich with magick. And every now and then, when it’s combined with the vampire’s, it works. And just like that. Mazel tov! It’s a boy.” Greyson clapped.

Viktor’s expression darkened, refocused on the fleam. “It’s true that a witch may know the answers we seek. But, the fact of the matter is, both humans and vampires could be involved.”

“Never underestimate the evil that humans perpetuate. History has taught us that.” Greyson studied the object. “We need someone who understands the symbols. I’d love to see the saucy witch but alas, we didn’t end on good terms.”

“Tell me you didn’t play with the witch.” Viktor rolled his eyes.

“I played to win. Rolled the dice and snake eyes.”

“You play with fire, you get burnt,” Viktor told him.

“A little pain can be delicious.” Greyson winked at Waverly. “I’ve always fancied a bit of the kink.”

“My brother is both adventurous and reckless,” Viktor told her. “The witch is not to be trifled with.”

“She holds answers. She always does.”

“She suffered greatly in Hell. It wasn’t her first trip. As much as I think she’s transformed, I wouldn’t bet my life on it. I don’t know if she’s truly clean.”