Page 28 of Viktor's Temptation
Gracie eyed the cold bag of blood, shuddering with revulsion. “I don’t want this.”
He took the bag and sliced open the top with one of his sharp fangs, then waved the opening under her nose.
Gracie gasped as the scent hit her nostrils. Grabbing the bag, she immediately started sucking. The blood was cold. But it wasn’t the chill that was startling. It was the intense surge of strength and energy she felt as soon as the blood hit her stomach. She’d felt strong and wide awake with no afternoon lull in her energy. But now…feeling the blood in her stomach, she felt as if she could lift a car! Maybe even a bus!
“You feel good, don’t you?” he asked, a smile in his eyes that barely touched his lips.
“Yes!” she gasped, bouncing on her toes. “Why? How is this possible? I felt good before but now, I feel nearly invincible!”
Chapter 16
Gracie smiled up at Viktor, her silver eyes glowing with excitement and a trace of wonder. She leaned her head back to look at him fully, exposing her neck without even realizing it. Viktor froze for a moment, stunned. To a vampire, such an unguarded gesture was a profound sign of trust, one that hit him harder than he’d expected. She didn’t know it yet, but Gracie trusted him. The realization sent a ripple of warmth through his chest, mingled with the usual restraint he needed to summon whenever he was around her.
“Wait until you try fresh blood,” he told her, his voice tinged with an edge of humor as he tried to distract himself. Gracie was stunning—irresistibly so—with her unfiltered enthusiasm for discovering her new abilities as well as her beauty and honesty. She was like a storm of contradictions: fierce one moment, uncertain the next, and endlessly endearing in both.
Her nose wrinkled adorably, and she dropped her chin, hiding the vulnerability of her exposed neck. “I won’t do that. I’m not taking someone’s blood just to feel better. That’s… monstrous.”
He smothered his amusement, leaning casually against the wall. “If you trust me, I’ll show you that feeding from humans can actually help them. It’s not about taking; it’s about balance.”
Her head tilted slightly, a thoughtful expression crossing her face, making her look both curious and skeptical. Viktor’s chest tightened at the sight—how had he ever existedwithout her? “How could feeding off someone help them?” she asked cautiously.
Relief flickered through him. She hadn’t rejected the idea outright, which spoke volumes about her open mind. “We’ll start slowly,” he explained, his tone patient. “Imagine finding someone who is having a terrible day. You use your ability to ease their mind, suggest they find a quiet place, and then, with their consent—mindfully guided by you—you feed. Afterward, you replace their distress with peace, a sense of calm. You’ll find that it’s a gift to them, not just to yourself.”
Gracie stared at him, processing the idea. She finally nodded. “Okay,” she said hesitantly. “I guess I can get on board with that… in theory.”
“Good girl,” he teased, his tone light and affectionate.
She arched a brow and pulled back, crossing her arms over her chest. “Woman, Viktor. I’m not a girl.”
He blinked, momentarily thrown, before straightening. Then, slowly and deliberately, his gaze moved down her body and back up, his eyes shimmering with amusement and something far more dangerous. “Yes,” he murmured, his voice a deep rumble, “I am very aware you are a woman. My apologies.”
Then, in one swift movement, he bent down and brushed his lips over hers. The kiss was brief, featherlight, but it left her reeling. Her breath caught as she swayed slightly, hope sparking in her chest that he might kiss her again.
But he didn’t. Instead, Viktor stepped back, his hands curling into fists at his sides, his own restraint palpable. Hisglowing eyes, however, betrayed him, blazing with silver fire that left Gracie both flustered and fascinated.
“Let’s go,” he said abruptly, his voice a bit rough. He took her hand, lacing his fingers through hers in a way that felt natural, yet electric.
“Where are we going?” she asked, her voice a bit breathless.
“I’m going to show you how to change someone’s day by changing their thoughts,” he replied, leading her down the hallway with purpose.
“I’m not hungry anymore, though,” she ventured carefully. The idea of feeding off someone’s blood still felt like crossing a line she wasn’t sure she was ready for.
“We’re not going out to feed,” he reassured her. “This lesson is about observation and control—skills you’ll need before you take the next step. Today, we’ll find the right person, assess their needs, and practice influencing their mind. It’s simpler than it sounds, I promise.”
“Good because it sounds incredibly complicated,” she muttered, skipping slightly to keep up with his long strides.
He stopped at the elevator and turned to face her, his expression softening. “Trust me,” he said, his tone quieter now. “It’s a skill, like any other. You’ll pick it up faster than you think.”
The elevator doors opened, but before they could step inside, a voice called out. “Viktor!”
They both turned to see Mikail and two other security guards approaching swiftly. Gracie felt Viktor’s arm tighten protectively around her waist.
“Mikail,” Viktor greeted coolly, his voice tinged with resignation. “Security,” he explained to Gracie.
“Why do you need security?” Gracie asked, looking from Viktor to the imposing men now flanking them.
“As clan leader, I’m a target,” he explained with a casualness that belied the weight of his words. “My enemies would love nothing more than to eliminate me.”
