“I don’t know. Since I was younger,” she confessed. “They started when I was ten. I really can’t remember.”
“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?”
“Slidell, Louisiana. Like you, I’ve always fancied living near the water. Close enough to New Orleans but away from the noise of the city.”
“You don’t like cities?” She gave a small smile. “The French Quarter seems like it would suit you.”
“Depends on the city. I do have a condo in the Quarter. But I prefer the seclusion of the lake right now. It’s secure. Isolated.”
“What happened at the museum? The detective. She’d changed. I mean physically…she was a monster.”
“My guess is full possession. So, we’ve got that going for us.”
“How’s that?”
“Demons that have managed to break free of Hell are more dangerous than weaker ones who need humans. Whatever was going on with the poor detective…well, she’s going to need an intervention.”
“An exorcism? Is that a real thing?”
“Yes, and that would be a good place to start,” Viktor agreed.
“I can’t believe that happened to her. Do you think we should call the police? I mean we just skipped out.”
“No. I’m going to put in a text to PCAP. It’s time to put an end to this nonsense.” He pulled out his cell phone and began pecking at the glass.
“What’s PCAP?”
“Think of it as a woo-woo FBI. If it’s paranormal, they handle it. Humans can’t handle the shit that goes down in our world. Bullets don’t kill supernaturals.” He shrugged. “Unless it’s silver or wooden. But regular bullets are merely a nuisance.”
“I know there are humans like Teagan that want to get bitten, make a choice to go to blood clubs, but I swear I don’t do that. I’m not sure why it’s important for me to keep telling you. But I’ve never been bitten.” Waverly’s fingers trailed down her neck.
“As I said, you just needed to meet the right vampire.”
“Maybe,” she hedged, the corner of her mouth tugging upward.
“Ah, progress!” Viktor declared in victory, his voice lighthearted. “It’s good you’re finally coming to acceptance. I’m irresistible.”
“You’re impossible.” Waverly flashed a flirty smile but quickly averted her gaze and fiddled with her hair.
Viktor smiled at the human on his sofa, his chest tight with emotion. Despite the recent unfortunate events, Waverly proved resilient, perhaps unfazed to an extent, that he’d dematerialized them to his home. Beautiful and determined, she challenged his own rule not to date them. Fuck them? Yes. Friends? No. Girlfriend? Absolutely not. Love? Hell to the no.
Yet here she was. Sitting in his home, no less. And he couldn’t bring himself to let her go.
Her delicious scent grew stronger. His attraction to the beautiful human was too far gone; he struggled to control the thirst. The feelings creeping in threw him off kilter, an unfamiliar craving only she could sate. Hunger gnawed at his gut. If she’d been any other donor, he’d have bitten her by now. But she isn’t a donor.
“I’ve got to go.” Viktor took a deep breath, attempting to rein in his appetite.
“What? Where are you going?” she asked, her voice laced in disappointment as she pressed to her feet and walked toward him.
“I’ve got to feed.” Viktor settled on the truth.
“You’re going back to one of those blood clubs?” Her expression fell flat.