Page 32 of Viktor's Temptation
He smiled, his grey eyes filled with something that almost looked like pride. “You will, Gracie. I’ve seen your heart, and I know you’ll use these abilities to make the world better.”
She nodded slowly, her voice a whisper. “It’s strange. At first, this all felt like a curse. But now…I think maybe it’s a chance to become more than I ever was.”
“It is,” Viktor agreed, his voice low and steady. “You were remarkable before, Gracie. This only enhances what was already extraordinary about you.”
For a moment, they stood there in the middle of the bustling sidewalk, the world rushing by as if they were in a bubble of stillness. Gracie felt a swell of gratitude—toward Viktor, toward this strange new life, and toward the chance to find her place in it.
“Thank you,” she said softly, her lips curving into a tentative smile.
He inclined his head, his own smile faint but warm. “You’ll do amazing things, Gracie. I’m sure of it.”
She chuckled, a touch of her natural humor returning. “Let’s just hope my patients don’t start thinking I’m psychic or something. That might be a little hard to explain.”
Viktor laughed, the sound deep and rich, as he gently guided her forward. “You’ll manage. You always do.”
They started walking again, Gracie’s mind swirling with questions. This aspect of her new "talents" intrigued her deeply. “What about marijuana?” she asked suddenly, curiosity sparking.
Viktor tilted his head, considering her question. “I suspect it might dull our abilities. Weed relaxes the mind, after all, and that could weaken a vampire's influence. It’s becoming more common these days, so it’s something to be mindful of. But it hasn’t been an issue with the people I encounter often.”
“What about other drugs?” she pressed.
He smiled faintly. “Cocaine, for example, doesn’t hinder our abilities. If anything, it heightens compliance. Alcohol, on the other hand, lowers a person’s resistance, which makes them easier to influence.”
Gracie frowned, filing away the information. “Do people remember being controlled?”
“Not typically,” Viktor said, his tone shifting to something more serious. “That’s why your flashes of memory are so unique. Whoever wiped your mind underestimated you, and it’s making me even more curious about who did this to you.”
“You and me both,” she murmured grimly.
She fell quiet, absorbing his words. Then she grinned. “Okay, what’s next? I’m ready for another lesson.”
He chuckled. “You’re eager. Good. Let’s take it up a notch.”
He led her into an alley, where a woman was waiting, her eyes slightly glazed. Gracie watched, fascinated, as Viktor lowered his head to the woman’s neck and began to feed. Far from frightened, the woman’s face lit up with a blissful smile, as if she were experiencing the most peaceful moment of her life.
When Viktor stepped back, he whispered something to the woman, who walked away cheerfully, humming under her breath.
Gracie stared at him, her mouth agape. “What did you tell her?”
He turned to her, a teasing gleam in his eyes. “That her day will only get better.”
Before she could respond, he leaned in and kissed her. The lingering taste of the blood on his lips sent a jolt through her senses, and she instinctively deepened the kiss, standing on tiptoes to press closer. His arms encircled her, strong and protective, making her feel both safe and exhilarated.
When Viktor pulled back from the kiss, his mind raced even as his outward demeanor remained composed. He could still taste the sweetness of her lips, the lingering hint of her humanity blending with her new vampire essence. It wasintoxicating in a way that made his centuries of carefully honed self-control feel tenuous.
She’s not ready for this. The thought struck hard, but he knew it to be true. Gracie was just beginning to discover her powers, her place in this new life. A kiss like that—passionate, deep, and electrifying—could set emotions into motion that she wasn’t prepared to handle. Hell, even he wasn’t prepared to handle them.
You’re supposed to be training her, guiding her, he thought, berating himself. Not… His jaw clenched, and he inhaled deeply, trying to steady himself. Not complicating things with feelings that could cloud her judgment—or yours.
But then he glanced at her. Her flushed cheeks, her bright silver eyes filled with something between wonder and exhilaration, the way her lips remained slightly parted as if she was replaying the kiss in her mind. His gut twisted.
She’s stronger than you give her credit for, his mind argued. Look at her—she’s excited, ready to learn. You can’t shield her from everything, Viktor’s mind continued. She’s already had so much stolen from her. She deserves the chance to feel in control.
Yet a darker voice in the back of his mind whispered caution. But what if it’s too much? What if you’re pushing her too fast? She’s still finding her footing, still grappling with the trauma of what’s been done to her. The last thing she needs is for you to confuse her with… whatever this is.
He frowned slightly, his internal struggle unresolved. He didn’t want to overwhelm her, but he also didn’t want to deny her the opportunities to test her limits, to grow into her power.And selfishly, he didn’t want to take her back to his home just yet. Once there, the world would close in on them: clan business, strategy sessions, and the lurking danger of whoever had turned her against her will. Out here, with just the two of them, he could focus on her—on showing her what she was capable of. On helping her reclaim her autonomy.
His eyes softened as he looked at her. Gracie deserved the chance to feel exhilarated, to embrace this new life on her terms. And if that meant staving off his own desires, he’d do it. For her.
