Page 14 of Viktor's Temptation
“You’ve always been beautiful,” Viktor murmured, his gaze steady. “The transition only enhanced what was already there.”
Gracie’s breath hitched at the compliment, but she quickly turned back to the mirror to hide her reaction. “What are the downsides?”
His expression turned somber as he leaned against the wall. “We live a very long time, Gracie.”
Her eyes widened. “We don’t die?”
He shook his head. “We can, but it’s incredibly difficult. And living for centuries comes with its own burdens.”
“How?”
“Humans don’t live as long as we do,” Viktor said quietly. “You’ll watch people you care about grow old and die, while you remain the same.”
Her excitement dimmed as the reality of his words settled over her. “That sounds… lonely.”
“It can be,” he admitted. “That’s why we often build bonds with our kind. It’s easier that way.”
She nodded slowly, her gaze returning to the mirror. As her fingers brushed her cheek again, she marveled at how smooth her skin felt. Despite everything, a small smile tugged at her lips.This isn’t all bad,she thought.
Viktor’s quiet chuckle drew her attention back to him. “You’re already adapting,” he said, his amusement clear.
Gracie blushed, crossing her arms over her chest. “Maybe,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
“You’ll do just fine, Gracie,” Viktor said, his voice filled with quiet confidence. And somehow, despite her turmoil, she believed him.
She tilted her head, her dark hair cascading over her shoulder as she asked, “So, how many vampires are there in the world?”
“I don’t know about the world,” Viktor began, his tone calm but laced with tension. “But in our clan—the clan you are now a member of—we are about three thousand strong.” His gaze sharpened, the silver glow in his eyes unmistakable as anger surged within him. “And apparently, someone is trying to increase that number without my knowledge or permission.”
The weight of his statement hit Gracie like a tidal wave, dragging all the pain of the past—however long it had been—back to the forefront of her mind. “I think…” she began hesitantly, her voice trembling as her brow furrowed. “I think there were more of us.”
Viktor tensed instantly. “What do you mean?”
Gracie’s eyes unfocused, her mind reaching for memories that felt slippery and fragmented. “There were more in the room with me,” she blurted out suddenly, her gaze snapping to his.
His entire body stiffened. “What room?”
She rubbed her temple, closing her eyes as if the action might bring clarity. “It was dark,” she murmured. “A fairly large room… I remember there were other people there with me.”
Viktor stepped closer and placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch grounding her. The faint pressure seemed to sharpen her thoughts, and she leaned into it instinctively. It was as though his presence alone gave her the strength to push through the fog in her mind.
Her breathing quickened as she gasped. “Yes! There were nine of us!” Her hands clenched tightly as she forced herself to picture the scene. “We were chained to the wall. Shackles on our wrists and ankles.” Her knees wobbled, but Viktor’s steady grip held her upright.
She leaned her forehead against his shoulder, overwhelmed by the memories flooding her mind. Viktor reacted without hesitation, scooping her into his arms. She barely registered the movement as her body curled up against his chest, seeking the comfort he offered.
“They did something to us,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I can’t… I can’t quite remember, but there was blood. I remember someone ripping the vein in his arm.” Her voice faltered, her body trembling as she rocked in his arms, unawareof the motion. “A man held my mouth open and pinched my nose. The other one… he dripped blood into my mouth.”
Gracie’s eyes flew open, tears streaming down her face as she choked on the memory. “It was so much blood,” she gasped. “Bitter, like pepper. I tried to spit it out, to stop myself from swallowing, but…” She gagged, her hand instinctively moving to her throat. “He pinched my nose tighter, and I… I had to swallow.”
Her wide, tear-filled eyes met Viktor’s. His glowing gaze was filled with fury, but not directed at her. She was struck again by how his eyes seemed to burn brighter when he felt something deeply.
Intriguing,she thought absently, though her pain overshadowed the thought.
“How long were you held captive?” Viktor asked, his voice soft but commanding.
“I don’t know,” she admitted after a moment, shaking her head. “There were no windows. Just the darkness and all of us moaning in pain.” She shivered, burying her face against his shoulder again. “It was horrible.”
Viktor’s arms tightened around her protectively. “I can’t imagine what that must have been like for you,” he said, his voice laden with emotion. “Especially being a nurse. Wanting to help.”
