Page 59 of Viktor's Temptation
When the final vote was cast, Viktor stepped forward. “Cerberus, by the laws of our kind, you are sentenced to ash.”
Cerberus’s bravado broke, his eyes widening. “No! You can’t—”
Before he could finish, Viktor struck with a silver blade, the enchantment activating instantly. Cerberus’s body disintegrated into a cloud of ash, dissipating into the cold mountain air. The silence that followed was deafening.
“It’s done,” Sorin said solemnly.
Viktor nodded, his face impassive. “Justice is served.”
Epilogue
Gracie stood in the quiet of the living room, scanning the space and listening intently. Her three-year-old twins were somewhere nearby—but with vampire children, "nearby" could mean practically anywhere.
“What’s wrong?” Viktor asked, glancing up from the stack of papers he was reviewing. After Gracie became pregnant, Viktor had insisted on moving into a house instead of staying in the penthouse. He’d said that kids needed space to play. He’d said the country air was healthier for growing children. He’d said they could get a puppy and kittens. He’d said all of that, but he hadn’t said they’d constantly lose their children!
“Shhh!” Gracie hissed, holding up a hand.
Viktor stilled immediately, his sharp senses attuning to the room. His silver eyes flicked from corner to corner as he silently stepped forward, searching.
“Where were they last?” he asked, his voice low.
“With these two? Who knows,” Gracie replied, crouching to check under the furniture.
Then she heard it—a faint giggle, quickly muffled. She froze, locking eyes with Viktor. The corners of his mouth twitched as he nodded, having heard it too.
Viktor held up three fingers. One. Two. Three.
They both launched toward the vaulted ceiling at vampire speed, catching their mischievous twins mid-hover.Gracie snagged Phillip by the waist while Viktor grabbed Joyia by the back of her overalls.
Both children burst into peals of delighted laughter, kicking their legs as if they’d outwitted their parents.
Gracie sighed as they descended to the floor, each carrying a wriggling twin under their arm. “You’re the one who wanted kids,” she teased Viktor, shaking her head as Phillip’s laughter bubbled over again.
“And you wanted them too,” Viktor countered, tickling Joyia’s sides until she squealed, her curls bouncing with every giggle.
Gracie flipped Phillip upright, holding him at arm’s length. “No flying until you can land without scaring your mother,” she scolded, her voice firm but affectionate.
Phillip grinned, nodding solemnly before immediately trying to wriggle free again. Joyia, on the other hand, gazed up at her father with wide, imploring eyes. Viktor, of course, caved instantly and tickled her again.
“You spoil them,” Gracie accused with mock severity, though her smile betrayed her amusement.
“Absolutely,” Viktor agreed unapologetically.
She glanced at the kitchen, catching the savory aroma of dinner. “Darvin has dinner ready,” she announced, leading the way to the table.
Darvin, Viktor’s former driver-turned-housekeeper, appeared with plates of food, setting them on the table with a flourish.
“Chicken nuggets?” Joyia asked hopefully, her little face lighting up as she sniffed the air.
“Broccoli,” Darvin teased, ruffling her hair.
Joyia made a face while Phillip giggled.
Darvin grinned as he untied his apron. “And I’m off—time with adults!”
They all laughed as he left with a bounce in his step, leaving the family to their meal.
Gracie looked around the table as the twins eagerly dug into their food and Viktor filled her glass with water. These were the moments she cherished most: her chaotic, loving family all together.
Her gaze shifted to Viktor. He caught her eye, his silver irises glimmering with affection. He winked, and a slow smile spread across her face.
Gracie leaned back in her chair, contentment settling over her. This life, this love, was so much more than she’d ever thought possible.
“Message received, my love,” Viktor murmured quietly, as if reading her thoughts.
Yeah, Gracie thought. Life was pretty darn good.
