“You can’t deny your own bond. You won’t ever be happy.”
“I’ve got to protect her first. If he’s…” Viktor began but stopped himself from speculating on the impossible. He pumped his fingers into a fist. “No, no, some psychopath is out there, playing his games. Playing all of us. And this is all happening because of me.”
“It’s not your fault.” Viktor heard Waverly’s voice travel from the hallway.
Despite the dark topic of conversation, the sight of her brought a smile to his face. Dressed in an off-the-shoulder red cashmere sweater, blue jeans and tan suede snow boots, she looked as if she were ready to hit the slopes. She wore a loose side braid, her golden locks resting on her shoulder.
“How do you feel?” he asked, going to her.
“Can’t sleep.” She shrugged and put a hand into her front pocket.
“Can I make you some tea? Are you hungry?” Viktor asked.
“Do you know how satisfying it is to see my brother waiting on his girlfriend?” Greyson laughed. “He’s properly smitten.”
“As am I.” Waverly’s cheeks flushed pink.
Viktor turned to his brother, with his back to Waverly, raising his eyebrows, a stern look on his face. “What the fuck?” he mouthed and promptly turned to face her again. “Ignore him.”
“When are we going to New Orleans?” she asked.
“I want you to rest up before we go. Once we find out the location, we’re going to find them.” Kill them. “If they have Teagan, we’ll get her out. I’ll have you stay with Quintus. It’s too dangerous.”
“What? No. I’m going with you. This involves me as much as it does you. And I meant it. This is not your fault. The truth is we don’t know why all this is happening. We don’t have all the pieces. You said it yourself, Baxter is dead. And even if he was standing here right now, it’s not your fault. I hate him for what he did to all of you.”
“Let me make you some Chamomile tea. If you look out the back windows there, you can see the northern lights. Then off to bed,” Viktor told her and brushed a kiss to her forehead.
“Are you trying to distract me?” she asked with a small smile.
“Maybe.” Viktor walked to the kitchen and set to work, filling the kettle. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Waverly stare up in fascination at the sky.
“It’s beautiful,” she said. “Do you mind if I get some fresh air?”
Viktor glanced to Rafe, and back to Waverly. “Of course. Just stay on the deck there. Don’t go further.”
“I’d like to see it too.” Rafe jumped to his feet and approached the door.
“I hate to state the obvious but it’s freezing outside. You’re not wearing a coat. You could freeze to death,” Greyson called to them. “Viktor, do you see what your human is doing? She’s mortal.”
“I promise I’ll be fine. We’ll just be a minute,” she assured him.
“Look at you making tea like a good husband,” Greyson joked.
“That’s a human sort.” Married? Viktor set the cup onto the counter, hearing Waverly’s laughter. She pointed to the sky, watching the spectacular display. Rafe glanced back to him for but a second, and in that moment, the word popped into his head. Love. Family. He’d gone all his lifetime walking the earth alone, and in a matter of days, he’d begun to bond with another, a beautiful human…who made him eggs.
“You okay?” Greyson asked.
“She’s special, isn’t she? I guess I never thought this could happen. You know how it’s been. Humans were always good for food and a fuck. But with all their human habits, watching them die…I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t be like you and Quint. And now there she is. She’s my person.”
“Bond her,” Greyson told him. “Protect her.”
“She’s pretty awesome, isn’t she?” Viktor nodded, still shocked he’d fallen for her, had rediscovered his humanity.
A high pitch whistle sounded, the tea kettle spewing steam into the air, breaking his contemplation. As Viktor reached to grab its handle, his heart seized. The vampire appeared next to Waverly, and she wrapped her arm around her neck. Rafe ripped his shirt off readying to attack, and shifted.
“Don’t come any closer or I’ll kill her,” the vampire warned, glaring at him from the deck. “Don’t flash to me, Viktor. Don’t even try it. I see you.”
As the creature called his name, his mind flashed to a time long ago. Théa. While he’d stopped Baxter from raping her, Viktor had been unsuccessful in preventing his sire from turning her. That very night he’d been beaten, been sent away, while the cat played with its toy. Later that year, Quintus had killed Baxter but not before she’d been indoctrinated into the ways of vampire.
“Sister,” Viktor called as he slowly stalked toward her. He proceeded with caution, choosing to heed her warning. Although he could attempt to dematerialize, it would only take a split second for her to kill Waverly.
Rafe growled, readying to strike.
“Brothers.” She laughed, her arm tight around her prey. “Call off the wolf. I’ll kill her, I swear it.”
“Get off me,” Waverly gritted out, struggling to break free.
“Théa,” Viktor yelled as he looked to Rafe. Stand down. “The human belongs to me. Release her. You won’t win against me. You’ll die.”
“Are you really going to take the gamble?” she asked, the slight French accent growing thicker as she spoke. “You’re not allowed to have a human. You’ll be punished.”
“Baxter is dead. He’s been dead for years, and you’ve got the audacity to take my human? To show your face in my house? Walk away now and I’ll grant you an honorable death.” He’d slit her throat and never think of it again. Anger burned in his stomach as he heard Waverly struggling to breathe. He bared his fangs. “I’m going to kill you.”
“Father is rising.” A sickening, evil smile bloomed on her face.
“I’ve been to Hell and back. He’s dead. I know he’s there. He’s not coming back. Not ever.”
“Hell isn’t impermeable. You will suffer for your crimes.” She sniffed at Waverly’s hair. “This human does not belong to you. It’s impossible.”
“Let her go,” Greyson urged.
“Brother. Join me and our master will spare you,” she promised.
“Let me go, bitch,” Waverly spat, kicking her to no avail.
“She’s a spirted one. All the more fun to kill.” Théa licked Waverly’s cheek and grabbed at her breast. “Hmm…tasty. Perhaps I’ll turn her instead. Fuck her. I could use a slave. She’ll be forced to do anything I want. Even to kill you.”
“What do you want?” Viktor surged with anger but attempted to keep the discussion going until he got closer. He walked with great trepidation. She could flash Waverly anywhere, and there would be nothing but their blood tie for him to try to find her.
“Many sins are owed to Satan. Father is more than willing to earn his way, to do favors to pay his blood debt. And then Father will take his place again in this realm. He will walk on Earth again. We will teach humans their place in this world. We will do as we wish without interference from others,” Théa told him, wearing a cold expression. “Until then I do his bidding.”