Page 94 of Hunter

“Yeah. I doubt it.”

Willa smiled at the vampire, who had donned baby blue pajamas. “Nice pjs.”

“Versace. Never underestimate the comfort of silk.” Viktor smoothed his hand over the lapel.

“Where are we?” she asked.

“Mary’s home dock is Coconut Grove. I have a charity event in Naples next week, so we’re catching a ride in the Gulf of Mexico.”

A formal butler dressed in all white approached. Viktor tapped on the edge of his empty champagne glass.

“What are you drink…” Willa lost her words as the thick sanguine fluid flowed from the bottle.

“Ah, thank you, Brann.” No words were spoken as the server left in silence. “He’s not much of a talker. I’m afraid the medieval times were a bit difficult for him. Blasphemers.”

“Their tongues,” she whispered.

“I saved him from certain death. But there was nothing I could do to repair the damage. He enjoys the sea, though.” Viktor sipped from the glass and grimaced.

“What’s wrong?” Willa rested her hand on his forearm.

“This is bottled. I really need the fresh stuff. I used quite a bit of energy flashing. I’m afraid I might have to leave.”

“You can’t leave us on a boat staffed by vampires,” Willa blurted out without thinking. “I mean…not that there’s anything wrong with…it’s just that…it’s…”

“Dangerous. No fucking way, Vik. You flash us all the way out here and…” Hunter went silent as several servants placed dinner plates in front of them and proceeded to pile them with crab legs and grouper. “Thank you.”

“This looks amazing. Thank you, Viktor. But where…” Willa watched with curiosity as the servants retreated to the galley.

“Just because I don’t eat human food doesn’t mean I don’t keep it in stock for guests. Look around. We’re in the Gulf of Mexico. It’s plentiful.”

“All this. We could have just gone back to my house.” Hunter picked up his fork and flaked off a chunk of fish.

“We’re a team.” The vampire took another sip.

“We are, aren’t we?” Willa laughed, intrigued by their unlikely friendship.

“The grouper’s delicious,” Hunter commented. “Tell me. All the crew on this ship are vampires, yeah?”

Viktor nodded. “Of course.”

“How do vampires know how to cook like this if they don’t eat?” Willa asked with a moan. “Hmm…so good.”

“It’s delicious,” Hunter agreed.

“We need blood to survive. To be strong. But,” he held the glass up to the moonlight, “some choose to still eat. Like Quint. My chef too. I had to make the break.”

“The break?” the Alpha asked, continuing to eat.

“Yes. The break. Quintus prefers to remember his humanity, but I cannot allow myself to go there.” He stared off into the darkness, the lights of the boat flickering on the waves. “My life. I can barely remember it now. Life before Baxter. In Scandinavia. I had a wife, children. And then in one day in a battle…well, needless to say it didn’t go well. I never saw my family or my homeland again.” He looked to Willa and Hunter, giving a wistful smile. “So, you see. The day I awoke from being nearly dead to being newly turned, I broke. I broke from human ways. The pain of living was far worse than dying. Trust me on that.”

“I’m sorry, Viktor,” Willa told him, her voice soft with empathy.

“Ah, no worries. Life evolves and so did I.” He set his glass down onto the table. “Let’s discuss the skin book, shall we?”

“After our meal, we can take a look at it, but I doubt that it’s going to tell us anything. Right now, we just have to trust like hell that the witch isn’t lying about the demon wanting it.”

“I think it’s safe to assume she’s lying about something,” Viktor countered. “It’s Ilsbeth.”