Page 115 of Cursed Lifeline

His grip tightens.

Pulling me into his lap, Viktor’s eyes search mine as he whispers, “Messenger of good news.”

I search his stare for the evil everyone believes lives within him and see none.

“Tell me, Evangeline,” he says. I suck in a sharp breath as my name leaves his lips, and he brushes a stray strand of hair behind my ear. Trailing his fingertips across my mouth, he says, “Are you here to bring me glad tidings?” His right hand raises, and he grips my neck. Pulling me closer, my lips rest against his as he growls, “Or are you here to suck the life out of me, just like every other woman I’ve ever known?”

“Take your hands off of her,” a voice demands from the entry of the cave. A shiver rushes down my spine as Viktor’s eyes hold mine and refuse to acknowledge our intruder. The sound of metal unsheathing causes me to take a shaky breath. “I said…”

Viktor’s hand falls from my neck, but his intense stare never wavers as he growls, “The woman is not being detained against her will.” His eyes drift to Alfred’s. A deep scowl crosses his features as his assessing gaze dissects the watcher. “She’s free to go whenever and with whoever she pleases.”

Footsteps sound behind me as I study Viktor’s profile. Angrily, I’m yanked from his lap and pulled to my feet. As Alfred guides me a few steps away, Viktor rises slowly from his spot in the corner of the cave. Groaning in pain, he eventually finds his feet and leans on a nearby rock for balance. He studies Alfred and me closely as my eyes stay locked on his, and Alfred’s stay glued to me.

“What are you doing?” Alfred hisses. “You saved Viktor? Have you lost your mind?”

Bitterly, my gaze swings the watcher’s way.

“Lost?” My mind circles the word. “No, Alfred, I think I found…”

“Forget what youthinkyoufound, Evangeline.” Alfred grips my arm tightly and forces me toward the entrance of the cave. “When Felix finds out…”

“Touch her like that again, and you won’t leave this cave alive,” Viktor seethes.

Instantly, Alfred stops manhandling me toward safety, turns, and stares down Viktor. Stepping in front of me, his arm possessively pins me behind his back. Peering over his shoulder, my heart speeds up as Viktor stumbles towards us.

Eyes locked on mine, he searches my stare as if he’s desperate to uncover something I’m hiding. Or rather, something that he’s been desperately searching for.

“This coming from the man responsible for the mess we’ve all found ourselves in,” Alfred shakes his head as Viktor staggers another step in our direction.

“That’s just it,” I try to force Alfred to turn and look at me, but he won’t budge. Eyes trained on Viktor, his hand slowly raise to the dagger on his hip. Side-stepping around Alfred, I quickly step in between the two men. “If you both would listen…”

“I told you, princess,” Viktor shrugs, “Talk is cheap, while actions…”

“Always speak louder than words,” Alfred finishes for him as the two lunge for one another, and I jolt out of the way.

“Viktor is being controlled by a blood oath,” I blurt out, causing the two men to come to a halt right before they destroy each other.

The vampire's eyes are the first to find mine as Alfred keeps his sight trained on a threat he’s determined to eliminate if need be. Viktor’s eyes grow wide. He stumbles back a step.

“No one is supposed to know that,” he seethes as anger and bitterness fill his gaze. Taking a heated step in my direction, he shouts, “How did you…”

Dagger instantly raised at Viktor’s neck, the vampire stops in his tracks as Alfred says, “One more step, and I’ll kill you. I don’t care what she has to say, I don’t care if it’s our saving grace. You step out of line one more time, you threaten her in any way, andyouwon’t be leaving this cave alive.”

Stepping closer, I search Viktor’s hardened stare. His back stiffens as I timidly approach. He searches my face, wondering if I can be trusted. Eventually, his defenses lower and his eyes soften.

“Why’d you do it?” I ask.

Tense silence stretches between all of us.

“Why’d you enter into a blood oath with Drusilla’s sister?”

When I’m sure he won’t answer, he finally whispers, “Because Ember promised, if I swore my life to her, she’d break the curse on my family.” Viktor’s broken eyes fill with tears. “I swore an oath so my brother could be free. Little did I know, Ember didn’t have the power to break anything. Nor did I think she’d use her power and turn me against my family. That’s why my life isn’t worth saving, princess. It’s why you should have left me to die. At least once I’m dead, I’m no longer a threat. She’ll have no power over me. My brother, my coven, will finally have a chance to be free.”

Alfred lowers his dagger and I quickly step forward. Viktor instantly steps back, keeping his distance, and he shakes his head.

“Don’t you see, as long as I’m alive, Ember can use me for her gain. I don’t want to be her pawn any longer, princess. I’m tired of the game. I’m done living an eternal existence where I hurt the ones I love because I have no fucking control.”

Speechless, I reach out and take his hand. He snaps it away quickly as if I’ve burned him.

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