Page 92 of Viktor

“I don’t think these ones are real,” he guessed.

“Are you saying that mermaids exist?”

“Many creatures exist. Some well beyond our imagination,” he mused.

“The Goddess is a sneaky bitch,” Greyson told Waverly. “Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, she’ll throw you a curveball. Heard Léopold Devereoux is paired up with a naiad.”

“Here we are,” Viktor said as they approached a well-landscaped courtyard.

Pink wrought iron chairs arranged in a half-circle faced the pool, so guests could view the swimmers through a thick glass wall. A large three-tiered fountain bubbled behind them. Throughout the garden, life-sized metallic gargoyles loomed over the guests.

“Brother, good to see you again,” Viktor greeted Quintus. “That woman of yours looks good on you.” He turned to Kade. “Thank you for graciously arranging this meeting in neutral territory.”

Viktor glared at Thorn and Ilsbeth, declining to greet them, and simply nodded in response to their presence. He gestured to a seat, waiting for Waverly to sit first.

“Viktor. How long are you going to act like this?” Wearing a skintight crimson satin ballgown, Ilsbeth sat like a queen, her hands folded in her lap. The shiny fabric clung to her like a second skin. Her long, platinum hair tumbled over her shoulders, a choker of blood-red rubies sparkled around her creamy, pale neck.

“One thing I love about you, Ilsbeth. You’ve got style,” Greyson told her with an ingenious smile. “I mean look at that dress. Red is the new black.”

“He’s not wrong,” Rafe commented with a shrug.

“Your mom gives zero fucks what other people are doing,” Greyson commented.

“Your father is still angry with me,” Ilsbeth stated, her mouth drawn tight.

“Everyone is mad at you. Give it a rest,” Rafe shot back at her.

“Do you have the handle?” Ilsbeth asked.

“Yes. Although nothing appears unusual about it,” Viktor told her.

“May I see it?”

“Is there a way to block the mermaids?” Greyson asked.

“I believe they’ve signed NDAs,” Thorn said. “Tori sees to the details.”

“I’ve got it.” Rafe reached over to the table and held up a small black remote. With the press of a button, an aluminum curtain slid over the glass, blocking their view. “Who’s the child now?”

Greyson laughed.

Viktor reached into his pocket, retrieving an object bound within a black silk handkerchief. He unwrapped it and held the blade in the air.

“We suspect a paranormal is involved with this human brotherhood. Giving them inside information about vampires,” Viktor said, referring to Adam. “Helping them drink blood. It’s not unheard of. These groups of humans. Posers if you will.”

“Some of them could have fake fangs of course, but it’s more likely they’re using fleams, bloodletting rings or other tools,” Greyson added.

“When we acquired the fleam handle, this human, Adam. He mentioned Waverly’s friend,” Viktor said. “He may know where she’s at.”

“But Teagan never mentioned Adam. I guess it’s possible they’ve remained in touch. But the way he said it…it was almost as if he knew I was at that club looking for her,” Waverly told them.

“The human, Adam. He works for a museum, but we believe he is the one who sent Waverly the fleam. He gassed us with silver. Tried to kidnap Waverly. We got away,” Viktor sighed. “But there were others helping him. And Waverly said he responded to a woman’s voice. It’s possible she’s a boss. Could be vampire. We don’t know.”

“What did she look like?” Thorn asked.

“I didn’t see her,” Waverly replied. “When she called him from outside the room, he acted nervous. But she had to have heard me scream and she didn’t do anything.”

“Why do we think she’s paranormal then?” Thorn pressed.