Viktor

by Teresa Gabelman

  Viktor’s only answer was a low growl at Charger’s words. He wanted to strike out but refrained himself. Deep down he knew the asshole was right. Bishop walked to the door. “What the hell’s going on? Where’s Lacey?”

  “Loverboy sent her away,” Charger answered, and shook his head when Viktor glared at him. “What? It’s the truth.”

  “When in the fuck did I ever give you the idea that my life is any of your business?” Viktor sneered, not in the mood for this shit.

  “Actually, when Bishop called me in. You know how we Dark Guardians are when on the job.” Charger chuckled. “We’re nosey bastards.”

  “That’s the absolute fucking truth.” Bishop laughed. “It’s like hanging out with a bunch of old busybody women.”

  “Who could stomp your ugly witch-hunting ass into the ground,” Charger informed him as a reminder.

  That actually made Viktor laugh. “You’re so full of shit, Charger.”

  “Yeah, back at ya, Vik.” Charger pushed off the counter. “And you’re just as full of shit for letting her walk out of here like you’re some kind of savior. If Jezebeth was really there as you said she was, you best hope she left before your pretty lady tried to save your sorry ass.”

  Viktor watched Charger walk out of the room. “Maybe you need to focus on your connections and stay out of my shit,” Viktor yelled out, then cursed. The instant fear for Lacey at Charger’s words hit him like a throat punch. If anything happened to her, the person responsible wouldn’t be able to run far enough. Even hell wasn’t far enough.

  “Oh, I’m doing my job, Vik.” Charger leaned back through the open door. “Never worry about that. Fucking with you just passes the time for me. But deep down, you know my words ring true.”

  Charger disappeared as Viktor glared at Bishop. “Fucking Dark Guardians.”

  “Yeah, they’re dicks. Charger McNeil being the biggest, and not in a good way.” Bishop snorted as he headed toward the door. “But you may want to listen to what he said. If you care for that girl, you might want to make sure her heroic deed today hasn’t jeopardized her in any way. You know he’s right.”

  “Fuck!” Viktor cursed following Bishop out of the room and taking his phone out. Hitting a number, he put the phone to his ear. “Where’d you take her?”

  Chapter 21

  Bonnie was heading toward Steve and Mira’s room when a large man came toward her down the hallway. Their eyes met and held. Charger McNeil, a Dark Guardian. Holy shit. She’d heard of them but seriously tried to steer clear. Yeah, they specialized in demons, but they’d take a dark witch down just as quick. In truth, she wasn’t a dark witch but she had played at being a dark witch to fool her bastard of a father, Orjyll.

  “So you’re the fourth Grail?” The man stopped, blocking her path.

  “So you’re the Dark Guardian,” Bonnie countered with one of her own.

  He cocked his eyebrow at her with a slight grin. “Charger O’Neil.”

  “Bonnie Grail,” she replied with a nod. “I guess we both win a cookie.”

  “I heard about what you did. Pretty impressive.” Charger leaned against the wall and crossed his arms as if they were going to be in for a long chat.

  “Which what are you talking about?” Bonnie leaned against the opposite wall crossing her own arms. “I’ve done quite a few impressive things.”

  “Almost taking down that bastard Orjyll,” Charger replied, his smile growing.

  “Oh yeah. Double-crossing Daddy was one of the highlights of my life. Definitely resume material.” Bonnie’s tone sounded chipper. “Unfortunately, he’s still on the loose and seems to be working closely with some of Satan’s spawn that you’re probably familiar with.”

  “Seems to be.” Funny how this Charger fellow’s demeanor changed quickly. “Wouldn’t you have known about that? Heard you were his righthand... woman.”

  “Nope, that would have been the old hag Maggie. She’s the true dark witch,” Bonnie answered honestly. They were on the same side here. “Demons, as you know, seem to be able to tell who practices dark magic and who doesn’t. I could fool Daddy-o, but them there wasn’t any fooling, so I was very careful about that.”

  “Are you telling me that Orjyll isn’t working with a demon, more to the point, Jezebeth?” Charger frowned and watched her closely.

  “I’m not saying that at all. In fact, I’d bet my witchcraft on the fact he’s working with her or it, whatever in the hell Jezebeth is.” Hearing footsteps heading toward them, she saw Bishop heading their way. Her heart sped up at the sight of him, but she quickly looked away. “Orjyll would sell his soul to get his power back. And I’m sure he did, but Maggie would have been the one bringing the demon in.”

  “You know this for a fact?” Charger glanced at Bishop, who stopped and was listening, before he pulled out his phone. He typed something before looking back down at her, waiting for her to answer.

  “A witch never bets her witchcraft, so yeah, I’d say it’s a fact.” Bonnie finally looked back at Bishop. “I was going to get Mira and Kira. Sloan wants to talk to us.”

  When Viktor walked up putting his phone away, she said, “You read my mother’s diary?”

  “No,” Viktor replied without any elaboration at all.

  “Why not?” Bonnie frowned, irritated he was putting it off. He needed to freaking read it or give it back and let her read it. She was a good daughter and had done as she was instructed, but now it was time to know if any useful information was within the pages her mother wrote. She had no desire whatsoever to hear about the lovey-dovey shit, but the rest could give them some kind of clue. “It’s important. Plus there may be something in there that can help us.”

  “You know,” Steve came toward them from the opposite direction, “if people could just follow orders I wouldn’t have to be Sloan’s bitch boy.”

  “But you do it so well,” Bonnie said, finally pulling her eyes from Viktor. “I was on my way to get Mira and Kira, but since you’re here, you can grab them... bitch boy.”

  Bonnie loved messing with Steve, actually loved fucking with anybody. It took her mind off her own issues. After a quick glance at Bishop, she turned and headed toward Sloan’s office. Her feelings toward the Warrior were mixed. He was the brother to the guy her mother was madly in love with until her father got involved. Bonnie snorted at the thought. Where was Dr. Phil when you needed him? “Shit,” she whispered to herself as she walked into Sloan’s office.

  “Where’s Mira and Kira?” Sloan grumbled, looking behind her.

  “Steve’s getting them.” Bonnie nodded to Vanessa and Pike. Vanessa sat in a chair with Pike behind her. She’d seen them briefly and they seemed cool enough, but Pike was an odd character. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but he was very protective over the small blonde.

  “But I sent Steve to find you and them,” Sloan said, but before she could respond with something smartass, he waved her off. “Never mind.”

  Bonnie glanced at Pike and Vanessa again. Pike was staring at her or more like glaring at her. “Hey,” she said to him, but he remained closemouthed. “Silent type. Got it.”

  “I’m Bonnie,” she said to Vanessa. “We really haven’t met met.”

  “I’m Vanessa, and this is Pike,” Vanessa replied, but her eyes went quickly to Charger then down to the ground.

  Bonnie slid her gaze toward Charger who was, shocker, staring openly at Vanessa. Who could blame him? She was gorgeous.

  “You got a problem?” the silent Pike growled.

  Cocking her eyebrow with interest, Bonnie waited for Charger’s response. She wasn’t disappointed. Was it terrible she enjoyed a good banter here and there? Especially when it involved two very nice-looking men.

  “Not yet,” Charger replied without hesitation, his eyes still on Vanessa, who shifted uncomfortably in her chair.

  “Can we install a fucking intercom?” Steve walked in breaking up the tense moment. “I swear everyone is scattered all over this fu
cking place. By the time I find everybody I want to—”

  “Steve!” Sloan warned.

  “Throat punch the person I’m looking for, and that’s not me, man. I’m a peaceful guy,” Steve continued as he always did. “Think of it, Sloan. You can bitch people out without them even being in the room.”

  Bonnie chuckled discreetly behind her hand. God, she loved this place. So much more entertaining and less scary than her dad’s hellholes.

  “Steve! Shut the fuck up and get your ass to my office.” Steve deepened his voice, sounding eerily like Sloan. “And while you’re at it, find every Warrior who walks the halls of the compound.”

  “Damon,” Sloan responded, with narrowing eyes. “Find Steve and decapitate his stupid ass.”

  “Yes.” Steve snapped his fingers pointing at Sloan. “Except for your order. We don’t need to go that far, but your voice would be perfect over the intercom.”

  Damn, the boss man’s got jokes. Who knew? Bonnie grinned. Glancing around, she saw that Nicole, Tessa, Jared, and Katrina had all walked in during Steve’s comedy show. Katrina looked at her and shook her head, rolling her eyes at Steve’s antics.

  “Can we get on with whatever this is?” Viktor said, glaring at Steve, then Sloan. “If not, then I’m out. I’ve got somewhere I need to be.”

  “Then leave,” Sloan countered without blinking an eye.

  Bonnie’s eyes opened in surprise as she looked at Viktor. He shrugged then headed for the door. Her gaze met Bishop’s. “No!” Bonnie said, and turned toward Sloan. “We need him.”

  “She’s right,” Charger added with a nod. “I’m here because of Viktor and Bishop. One of them walks, I walk.”

  Sloan didn’t respond, and Bonnie noticed that Viktor stopped, but stayed close to the door. Man, these guys were intense. One minute joking, the next minute all hell was getting ready to break loose, but still better than where she came from. She hoped Sloan didn’t give her walking papers anytime soon.

  “This is Vanessa and Pike,” Sloan began, looking at Charger. “Nicole works with Children’s Services.”

  “Okay.” Charger nodded, then looked at Nicole. “Nice to meet you. I’m Charger McNeil. I’ve met your mate.”

  “We appreciate your help.” Nicole smiled and then introduced Tessa and Katrina. “My mate says you’re a Dark Guardian. I’ve never heard of them before.”

  “Yeah, we’re not as well known as the Warriors.” When Charger grinned, Bonnie realized how damn good-looking this guy truly was. Holy crap. All her womanly parts sighed at the sight of his large grin. “Most of our dealings are... not well advertised I guess you could say.”

  “So you mainly deal with demons?” Tessa asked with a frown.

  “Mainly, but we also work closely with guys like Viktor and Bishop, witch hunters.” Charger looked toward Kira and Mira, who had come in with Steve. “Dark witches are who we have a problem with because of their association with demons and bringing them to the surface.”

  “Sorry, this is hard to wrap my head around,” Tessa replied before glancing at Jared who just stood without saying a word. “I mean, how bad is the demon problem? How long have they been here among us?”

  “To answer your second question, since the beginning of time.” Charger looked around at everyone who was staring at him, waiting for his answer to the first question. “As some of us in this room know, it’s bad. Look around at what’s happening, what’s been happening. Who do you think was responsible for most of the wars, plagues in years past?”

  “Humans,” Steve answered, frowning. “But that’s wrong, isn’t it?”

  “For the most part, yeah, it is,” Charger replied, his features turning grim. “Humans refuse to see what’s behind tragedies. There’s a war going on, but humans are only being used as pawns, and they’re buying it because they don’t want to believe in anything so evil can walk their streets, eat at their restaurants, or ride the bus. No, they want to remain blind to what’s really going on as they can’t control the evil.”

  “Damn, that’s deep,” Bonnie replied quietly, but everyone heard her.

  “It’s the truth,” Charger countered, looking her way. “Evil loves to be ignored. It makes them more powerful. Humans are their tools for chaos.”

  “Then what are they collecting vampires for?” Vanessa finally spoke, her gaze going from the ground to Charger.

  “I was hoping you could answer that,” Charger replied, his voice deep and low. “Because you are the first human we know of so far who has been in the situation Nicole found you in and has lived to talk.”

  “I’ve told them everything.” Vanessa frowned before glancing back at the ground.

  “Have you?” Charger questioned, earning a growl from Pike. “Or what I should have said is, you haven’t told me everything, and that’s why we’re here.”

  Bonnie had been waiting for the mic-drop moment, and there it was. Boom. Both she and Charger felt there was more that Vanessa knew that she wasn’t saying. Eyeing everyone in the room who stared at the girl, Bonnie knew they were thinking the same thing.

  Chapter 22

  Viktor listened to everything, but his mind was on Lacey. Dammit, he felt like such a dick for acting like he had, but he had good reason for it. He wasn’t good for her, but after what Charger had said, he believed he was the only one who could keep her safe. He didn’t even know if Lacey was in any danger, but his protective instincts were on full alert, which was driving him in-fucking-sane.

  He watched Charger’s mouth moving, but Viktor really wasn’t paying attention, and that was dangerous. He knew she was with Slade and Jill as Jill was keeping him informed. Slade had put his foot down and forced her to the hospital for X-rays. They were still there. He started to send off a text, but Charger’s next words stopped him cold.

  “Tonight was not random.” Charger’s voice was directed toward him, but then he scanned the room. “Neither will the next one be. You, just like the Dark Guardians, are a threat. Demons take out their threats, so expect more of the same. Watch each other’s backs. For some reason, they’ve set their sights on this area, and I have a feeling it has everything to do with the Grail women.”

  “Because my father made a deal with the devil.” Bonnie sighed.

  “Not with the devil.” Charger shook his head. “If this was Satan himself, you’d all be dead, as would I. There are many demons who want to overthrow Satan, take all the glory. They make deals with dark witches so they can roam the earth. Satan is banned to hell, still looking for his way out. If that ever happens we will all see what ‘hell on earth’ really is.”

  “So we, the Grail women, are the reason all of this is happening?” Kira frowned, her voice hard.

  Charger laughed. “If it were that simple.”

  “Well fuck!” Steve walked over and stood next to Mira. “Can you please spell this shit out for us instead of these short-ass sentences ’cause I’m lost.”

  “I know exactly what he means.” Mira glanced at Kira, who nodded. “The demons have been using Orjyll to do their dirty work while they grew their army. In exchange, the demons will hand over the Grail women to Orjyll and his power will be restored.”

  “Over my dead fucking body.” Steve stepped closer to Mira.

  “An army of who?” Tessa spoke up. “Humans?”

  “Vampires.” Vanessa’s small voice rang out as her eyes rose toward Charger.

  “Vampires,” Charger agreed with a nod. “Starving vampires go rogue. Before they go rogue, they hold some of their human qualities. Once they go rogue from blood lust, they lose their free will. Humans can be tortured, starved, etc. and keep their free will.”

  “Which means vampires become weaker than humans,” Nicole added, her eyes going to Vanessa. “They fed from you just enough to keep them from going rogue.”

  Vanessa nodded, her gaze going to Nicole. “Yes.”

  “She was ordered to do that.” Pike broke his silence. “She would have bled herself dry for us.
”

  Viktor frowned, knowing that would have killed the small girl. Charger stiffened and Bishop took a step toward Charger to intercept him if need be.

  “You fed from her?” Charger’s eyes narrowed as he moved toward Pike, but Bishop was there to stop him..

  Vanessa stood up with her chin held high and anger in her eyes. “Do not judge him or any of those vampires. If they hadn’t fed, they would have died or become mindless killers just like they wanted.”

  Charger glared for a long, tense moment at Pike before looking down at Vanessa. Viktor saw the man’s eyes soften toward her. What the hell? He’d never seen Charger soft toward anyone, even the ladies. “So you do know more than you’ve been letting on.”

  “Vanessa, you can trust us.” Nicole stepped forward and frowned. “You need to tell us everything so we can help.”

  Viktor needed to fucking leave, but he was with Charger—Vanessa knew more than she was letting on.

  “I will make sure you will be protected,” Charger said, ignoring Pike’s growl.

  “I will protect her.” Pike sneered at Charger, pulling Vanessa back toward him.

  “You did a poor fucking job doing that by feeding from her in a cage, boy.” Charger’s voice was deadly.

  “I’ll show you boy, fucker.” Pike flew at Charger just as Sloan, Viktor, Bishop, and Jared ran to break them up.

  It took three of them to subdue Charger, while Sloan managed Pike. “Dammit, Charger.” Bishop grunted as they struggled to keep him away from the guy. “Calm the fuck down.”

  “Stop!” Vanessa screamed, putting her hands over her ears and squeezing her eyes shut. “Stop!”

  Charger suddenly stopped struggling. Viktor looked toward Sloan to see Pike had already stopped and was trying to grab Vanessa, who started to fight him off. “Vanessa!” Pike’s bellowed order didn’t sound like someone who cared. It sounded more like a warning and everything sensed it.

  “Get off me,” she said more calmly, but glared first at Pike and then Charger, who she walked up to. Viktor moved out of the way but was still ready to grab him if necessary. Vanessa’s head barely came to Charger’s chest as she looked up, way up. “You better than anyone should know, Dark Guardian, that if warned by a demon to keep their mouth shut... you keep your mouth shut.”