Page 31 of Viktor's Temptation
Viktor couldn’t help but laugh this time, his deep chuckle full of pride and amusement. “Yes, I saw. You did it, Gracie. Well done.”
Gracie’s excitement was contagious. She practically bounced on her toes, her earlier nervousness melting away. “Okay, what else can I do?” she asked eagerly, her silver eyes sparkling with newfound confidence.
Viktor stepped closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “How about making him turn in a circle?”
Gracie giggled, a mischievous glint in her eye as she focused on her target again. “Turn in a circle,” she thought with all her might.
The man blinked again, then pivoted slowly in place, a bewildered expression on his face as if he couldn’t comprehend why his body was betraying him.
Gracie doubled over with laughter, clinging to Viktor’s arm for support. “This is amazing! Can we do it again? Oh, what if I make someone hop on one foot?”
Viktor chuckled, delighted by her enthusiasm. “Baby steps, Gracie. We’ll get there.”
Gracie’s laughter softened into a radiant smile as she looked up at him, her cheeks still pink with excitement. For the first time, she felt the spark of control over her new life, and it felt incredible.
She looked around and he knew the exact moment that she’d chosen someone else. It was a man wearing a business suit. He looked to be the kind of man who thought he was important, a guy who thought everyone else should get out of his way.
“Good choice,” Viktor muttered, the corner of his mouth quirking up as he watched Gracie beam at the praise. The glow from his compliment seemed to radiate through her, lighting up her silver eyes as they shimmered with excitement.
She locked her focus back on the man, her expression one of fierce concentration. Viktor was ready to step in and assist if necessary, but to his surprise, the man froze mid-stride, looking around with a confused expression, as if his brain had suddenly misplaced the concept of walking.
Gracie clapped her hands together, triumphant. “I did it! What do I do now?”
Viktor shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “Again, perhaps letting him go about his day would be a good idea.
She tilted her head thoughtfully, then her lips curved into a mischievous grin. “No, he looks like aWarren. I think I’ll…” She trailed off, her brows furrowing as she silently issued another command. A moment later, the man shook his head, blinked as if clearing away a fog, and continued down the street.
Viktor raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. “What did you tell him to do?”
Gracie turned to him, positively glowing with satisfaction. “I ordered him to be really nice to a woman today.”
Viktor burst out laughing, the sound deep and warm. “Good call. That might confuse the hell out of him.”
Gracie laughed too, then playfully jabbed a finger at Viktor’s chest. “I bet he’s the kind of guy who always steals the last donut at the office and makes his assistant do all his work, then takes credit for the effort.”
“Could be,” Viktor agreed, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “Though you realize your command only lasts for today, right? By tomorrow, he’ll be back to snapping at interns and ignoring his emails.”
Gracie sighed theatrically, throwing her hands in the air. “Too bad. He totally looked like a donut thief. But hey, baby steps. At least one woman gets to enjoy a shockingly polite interaction from him today.”
Viktor slipped his arm around her waist, guiding her further down the sidewalk. “True. And who knows, maybe you’ve just given some poor assistant the best day she’s had all year.”
Gracie grinned, looking thoroughly pleased with herself. “I should make this a hobby. Randomly improving people’s lives one command at a time. I could be like a vigilante… but, you know, less punching and more mind-control superpowers.”
Viktor chuckled, his amusement growing. “You’d be a menace.”
“Don’t tempt me, Viktor. I could haveso much funwith this.” Her silver eyes shimmered again, this time with playful mischief.
He smirked, shaking his head. “Let’s just keep practicing before you decide to single-handedly reform society, shall we?”
Gracie stopped walking and turned to Viktor, her brow furrowed with thought. “So, you’re saying you can use this ability to truly help people. To ease their pain, or even to build something lasting and good.”
He nodded, his expression softening as he met her eyes. “That’s exactly what I’m saying. Mind control isn’t just a tool for manipulation, Gracie. It can be a way to understand, to heal, and to protect. It’s all about how you choose to use it.”
She looked down at her hands, flexing her fingers as if testing the weight of her new power. “As a nurse, I’ve seen people suffer unnecessarily because they were too scared or too proud to admit what they were going through. If I could take thatfear away…” Her voice trailed off, a mix of hope and hesitation coloring her tone. “I could make such a difference.”
Viktor stepped closer, his voice quiet but firm. “You already make a difference, Gracie. But now, you have tools that can amplify your compassion and your strength. You could be a force for good in ways most humans could never dream of.”
Her gaze lifted to meet his, uncertainty mingling with determination. “I like the idea of helping someone truly in need. Maybe I could use this…gift…to stop a mother from lying about her pain because she’s worried about missing work. Or to help an elderly patient find the courage to talk about their symptoms without feeling ashamed.”
