Page 40 of Eternal
“Because you’re the only one who can scare him,” Kat retorts, crossing her arms.
Viktor chuckles, his gaze sharp but amused. “Scare me? That’s cute. The day my sweetKroshkascares me is the day you start being reasonable.”
I roll my eyes, taking another sip of champagne. “Don’t drag me into your sibling fight. I’m only here for the free drinks.”
Kat glares at both of us now, pointing a finger at Viktor. “Fine. Keep your secrets. But if this announcement ruins my night, I’m holding you personally responsible for it and you’ll have to buy me a new car.”
Viktor leans forward, his smirk turning into a full grin. “Deal. And don’t worry, Kat. This announcement will ruin someone’s night… not yours.”
Kat’s curiosity shows up again, and for a second, she looks like the same kid I used to know.
“God, you two are exhausting.”
“Exhausting?” Viktor echoes, raising a brow at me. “Wait until you hear what I have to say.”
“Can’t wait,” I say, voice dripping with sarcasm, and then I wave for another glass of champagne.
Kat throws her napkin onto the table, before saying, “I simply hope for your ass it’s something ridiculous, like another gala theme I’ll have to fix because your tastes are ridiculous.”
Viktor smirks, leaning back in his chair, “It’s not a theme, but keep guessing. You’re entertaining yourself, at least.”
I can’t help but laugh into my glass, enjoying how easily these two can rile each other up.
The night is beautiful, in its twisted way, I guess. Nothing is normal in this world, but here at our table, it’s just us.
“I think Kat is mad because she wants to get ready to intervene if your announcement is another shitty idea,” I say confidently.
“Exactly,” she says, pointing a finger at me. “Tell him to stop being such a pain.”
I grin and shake my head. “But it’s so funny watching you get all worked up over this. Honestly, I’m less annoyed by it all.” I gesture vaguely toward the dance floor, where people sway like their secrets aren't heavy enough to crush them six feet under.
Viktor chuckles, his eyes glinting with amusement. “And I, personally, love to annoy my little sister.”
Kat groans, but before she can retort, Viktor rises, his movements commanding enough to shift the mood. “Alright, enough sitting around. Time to be social.” He straightens his jacket and gestures for us to follow. “Come on. There are people I need to introduce you to.”
Kat huffs, grabbing her glass as she stands. “Ugh, okay. Let’s go.”
He looks at me, offering a hand with mock politeness. “You coming, or are you staying here to sip champagne and be a brat?”
I roll my eyes but take his hand briefly as I get up. “Lead the way,boss.”
The three of us make our way through the crowd, Viktor taking the lead, Kat close beside him, and me trailing a bit behind.
And then, as we approach the group Viktor’s aiming for, he slows, turning slightly toward us with a smile. “Play nice,Kroshka,” he murmurs, low enough that only we can hear.
Kat snorts, but I simply laugh.
It's been two years since I came back from training. Two years of carving a reputation with the Bratva as Voron. But these kinds of events? I’ve avoided them as much as I could.
There’s something about the way people look at you at these gatherings. The fear is there, of course, but so is the curiosity. Some of them remember my visits. Some of them are missing a finger or two because of me. The ones who aren’t missing anything are probably not here anymore.
And yet, Viktor insists on parading me around, introducing me to his allies and enemies alike. It’s like he gets some kind of satisfaction from watching their reactions, how their eyes sparkle between wariness and respect when he calls me his own reaper.
I can already feel the weight of their stares. They’re trying to place me, to reconcile the girl standing before them with the ghost stories they’ve heard.
“Gentlemen,” Viktor says smoothly, his voice slicing through their murmurs, “Allow me to introduce you to my sisters.”
Sisters. Sisters. Sisters. Sisters.
