Page 25 of Viktor's Temptation
“I’ll hold you to that,” she said, a hint of mischief returning to her eyes.
As they settled into the limousine, Gracie turned to him, curiosity sparking in her gaze. “So, what’s lesson one?”
“Lesson one,” Viktor said, leaning back in his seat, “is that your new life comes with many changes—starting with what you need to survive.”
She tilted her head, her brows drawing together. “You mean… blood?”
“Exactly,” he replied, his tone light. “But it’s not as bad as you think.”
Gracie grimaced. “That’s easy for you to say. You’re not the one who has to start drinking it.”
He laughed, the sound deep and genuine. “You’ll get used to it. And who knows? You might even enjoy it.”
She gave him a skeptical look, but the corners of her mouth twitched upward. “We’ll see about that.”
Chapter 14
Dave’s eyes gleamed with malevolent delight as he observed the fear rippling through the room. The chained humans were pathetic, trembling like cornered prey. Each whimper, each pleading murmur, was music to his ears. Fear was power, and tonight, he was a maestro conducting a symphony of terror.
“This group,” Dave sneered, pacing slowly before the shackled prisoners, his boots echoing on the cold concrete floor, “is even more disappointing than the last. Weak. Spineless.”
Johnny, still leaning casually against the wall, shrugged, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of unease. “What can I say? It’s slim pickings these days. People are on edge. The news keeps warning about the disappearances.”
Dave’s lip curled as he glared back at the man. “Excuses. I told you—stronger humans. Better stock!”
Johnny stiffened but kept his voice level. “And I told you, if you want better stock, maybe you should drag your precious self out there and help instead of hiding down here playing mad scientist.”
Dave turned sharply, his fangs glinting as they slid from his gums. “Watch your tone,” he hissed, his voice low and dangerous. “You’re expendable, Johnny. Remember that.”
Johnny stiffened but didn’t reply. Dave turned back to the trembling prisoners, dismissing his partner’s defiance as unworthy of his time. His attention focused on the fool who had dared to speak earlier.
“I’m robust!” the man stammered, his voice breaking with his fear. His wide eyes darted between Dave and Johnny, desperation etched across his face. “I’ll… I’ll do whatever you want! Just let me go!”
Dave chuckled, low and menacing, and strode toward the man. “Oh, you’ll do whatever I want?” His voice was mockingly sweet, dripping with venom. “And what makes you think you’re special, hmm?”
The man tugged against his shackles, sweat dripping down his temples. “I’m… I’m strong! I can—"
“Strong?” Dave interrupted with a laugh that sent chills through the room. “You think you’re strong?” He leaned in close, his face inches from the prisoner’s, letting his fangs glint in the dim light. “Let me see.”
The man’s terror reached a crescendo, his breathing quick and shallow. “What the hell are you?” he croaked, his voice barely a whisper.
“Something far beyond your comprehension,” Dave hissed. He inhaled deeply, savoring the sharp tang of the man’s fear, then smiled. “But you’re about to find out.”
In a swift, fluid motion, Dave bit into his own wrist, tearing open the vein with a feral precision. Blood oozed from the wound, dark and viscous. Without hesitation, he grabbed the man’s face, his fingers digging into the prisoner’s jaw to force it open. The man struggled, his muffled screams echoing as Dave tilted his bleeding wrist over his mouth, letting the blood drip slowly onto his tongue.
The other prisoners erupted in a cacophony of terrified screams, their chains rattling as they tried futilely to pull away. Dave barely noticed; his focus was entirely on his prey.
“Drink,” he commanded, his voice sharp and commanding. “Swallow it down.”
The man gagged, choking on the thick, coppery liquid. Tears streamed down his face as he tried to twist away, but Dave’s grip was iron.
“Good,” Dave murmured as the blood began to take hold. He released the man and stepped back, watching intently. The man’s eyes widened, bloodshot and wild, as the transformation began. His body convulsed, every muscle tightening as if an unseen force was tearing him apart from the inside.
Dave crossed his arms, a cruel smile playing on his lips. “Let’s see if you’re as robust as you claim,” he drawled.
The man’s screams grew louder, more guttural, until they were cut off by a sickening crack as his spine arched unnaturally. Blood vessels burst under his skin, dark bruises spidering across his body. His face twisted in agony, his jaw slack as foam bubbled from his mouth.
Dave’s smile widened, a predatory glint in his eyes. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” he said, addressing no one in particular. “The human body pushed to its limits. The soul fighting to stay tethered while the flesh and bones tears themselves apart.”
