Page 67 of Viktor

“I promise you this is business only. And when we return home, I will have you all to myself.” He withdrew, still holding her hands. “Goddess, you’re beautiful.”

“Beverly worked her magick.”

“She’s a terrific stylist, but it’s you who brings the shine.” Viktor’s expression flattened, turning serious. “Which reminds me. About tonight. You must stay at my side, understand?”

“Of course.” She nodded.

“I mean it. No matter the temptation, don’t let them separate us.” His tone turned serious.

“Someone’s going to try to separate us?” Anxiety curled in her stomach at the thought.

“Thorn. The half demon. He’s charming but wily. Cunning. He’s the kind of dude I trust until I don’t if you know what I mean. The guests will most likely all be paranormal. I’m not worried about the vampires. Quintus will see to their submission. Jax Chandler, the New York Alpha. He’ll control the wolves. But you’ve got other creatures. Witches. Warlocks. Possibly fae. Especially considering Thorn’s connections.”

“Fae?”

“Yeah.” He nodded.

“Are they really that dangerous?”

“Yes. They are one of the few species who can easily enter Hell and come back out again. Easily being the key word. When they’re in Hell, they seek out jobs from the netherworld. Blood contracts, possession and whatnot. Think of them as intermediaries between the demons stuck in Hell and the creatures who walk this earth.”

“Why do they keep coming here?” Waverly had heard rumors of fae but never met one.

“Because the magick within humans is special. And it’s the way of the wicked to seek the most precious gift the Goddess bestows on you. The essence of pure energy. The soul. While it’s true humans are fragile, that precious soul is attractive to others who wish to corrupt it, darken it. Ghosts seek the energy they used to have, hoping to change what’s been done, to possess humans to use as a vessel. Vampires drink your blood. Wolves mimic some of your traditions. Witches, even. They teach humans their craft, sell them their wares. Even the high priestess was born of humans, that magick helped her to birth a child to a vampire.”

“But what do the fae want from us?”

“They’ve learned their tricks from the very best in Hell. Extortion is what they’re best at. They can broker the sale of a soul, or make deals otherwise related to souls. They can even make trades with paranormals. And when things go wrong, which they inevitably do from time to time, they’re fairly good at the art of torture, making someone’s life like…well, hell in fact.”

“Why?”

“They might want a human to do their bidding, to do something only humans would do. Could be mundane tasks or just for money. But for the purposes of this evening, don’t ask anyone for any favors. Choose your words carefully. And again, never leave my side.”

“Yeah, don’t worry about that. I won’t.” Waverly’s stomach clenched into a tight knot. The last time she’d been around vampires and other paranormal creatures, she’d nearly gotten killed.

“We should go downstairs. The limo is waiting.” As Viktor reached for the doorknob, he stopped short of opening the door. He reached into his jacket pocket and retrieved a black box, Waverly’s heart pounded in her chest. “I forgot something. I picked this out for you. Not Beverly.”

Waverly gasped as he opened the box, revealing a graduated diamond necklace displayed upon black velvet. The spectacular, bright stones sparkled under the light.

“Viktor…” She placed her hand across her chest, shocked at the sight of the extravagant piece of jewelry.

“Turn around now, pet,” he told her.

Waverly did as she was told and lifted the curls off her back. The weight of the diamonds rested upon her chest as he locked the clasp. She let her hair fall and turned to the mirror, astonished at the gorgeous piece of jewelry, her fingers brushing over the exquisite diamonds.

“This is too much. I shouldn’t wear this…it’s too expensive. What if something happens to it?”

“There are many diamonds in this world. But this diamond,” he brushed his finger along her collarbone, onto her chest, briefly touching the apex of the necklace, a large center diamond. “When I found it long ago, I kept it shielded from the world because I knew others would covet it, attempt to steal it. Over time, I secretly had it shaved, cut in such a way that others would have disagreed with. I enhanced its clarity. Perhaps not as large as it was originally but now it’s flawless.”

“It’s stunning,” she whispered, bringing her shaking fingers to touch his. The vision struck her instantly. Viktor stood before her in tattered clothes. As he lifted his head and revealed his unwashed face, she caught a hint of his familiar smile. In his soiled hands, he held a muddy rock. Surrounded by trees, he looked over each shoulder before kneeling and rinsing it through the murky creek water.

Viktor jumped to his feet, inspecting the treasure. With lightning speed, he tore a strip of fabric from his already tattered clothes and wrapped the rock. He again checked over his shoulder and spied a boulder at the base of a tree. Viktor stumbled toward it through the thick brush, fell to his knees and began frantically digging. Within seconds of him burying the rock, voices in the distance shouted his name. He kicked leaves over the fresh dirt and took off into the forest.

Waverly blinked her eyes into focus, her gaze settling on his. He knew. He’d shown her a sliver of his journey. She reached for him and cupped his cheek.

“I saw it. I saw you. You hid it near the boulder,” Waverly said, shocked by what she’d seen.

“I retrieved it years later. When I finally got my freedom.”