35

Viktor was finally liberated from the sedative infusion. It had taken some effort, but he had awoken feeling in full control. For a time. Much too soon, he had realised the wolf had tricked him into believing he was gone. The animal had waited until they were alone to surface in his mind. The beast’s thoughts interfered with his own, struggling to manipulate him into bloodthirst.

This time , however, Viktor could handle him . He was the one commanding the body, after all, which meant the wolf was subsiding.

Today was just another day in the lab. Viktor was pondering over the recent events without getting to any useful conclusion. His head was brimming with thoughts, thoughts, thoughts… Useless thoughts.

How the hell had he diminished himself from a warrior to a tiresome philosopher? A bookworm. A scribbler. He should be on the battlefield. Not in the lab. He wanted to feel the rush, the danger, the physical relief.

Turning now didn’t seem like such a bad idea. Why had Mikhail made him promise never to turn again? Why hadn’t he done it for so many years? It was rather unlikely that he’d lose control over his wolf again. If anything, it was a way to show the wolf that Viktor was his master, not the other way around. Much like he was doing now.

Viktor took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

The wolf stirred inside, clawing to get out…

The lab door burst open, and Alex’s sudden entrance forced him to cease the turning process. She rushed in, clutching a book with a worn-out cover.

“Is everything okay?” She scanned the lab with a suspicious look, before settling on him.

Mikhail had lied to her, saying Viktor had suffered a traumatic brain injury in Italy and that was why they’d needed to keep him unconscious until he healed. Alex was not stupid, and the explanation had been falling apart before her determined questions. But when Viktor had awoken and confirmed as much, she had finally accepted it.

He cleared his throat. “Of course, everything’s fine. Why?”

“I don’t know. I just…” She glanced around again. “I suppose it’s nothing. Anyway, check out what I found!” She stuck the book in front of his face.

“This is not a good time, Alex,” Viktor said.

She had probably run into one of those secrets about the world that he already knew. Any other day, he would have taken the time to listen and discuss – that was part of his job as a teacher, a sage… a bore. But not today. Today, he had neither the patience nor the desire.

“Are you sure you’re all right? You look weird.”

He sighed and gestured to the book. “I’m good. Go ahead. Read what you wanted to.” It would be far easier to hear her story than explain his condition.

And how would he explain what was happening to him, anyway? How would she react if she knew that her favourite pacified teacher, her father figure, her mentor, had been so weak in the past, unable to control the animal inside, that he had vowed never to let it loose? That he had accepted his role of healer and lab rat only to keep himself as far away from anything that could provoke him? He had always convinced himself that this was his own choice, and not shackles. Temperance, he preferred to name it.

Alex pursed her lips, inspecting him. “All right. But sit down, because what you’re about to hear might rock your world.”

Viktor plopped on the nearest chair, defeated.

Alex dug her nose into the book and read. “ April third, the year 2. Sometimes life is so slow, pathetic and pointless, but there are these rare days, which pass by too quickly. Before I can enjoy them, they are gone. Like water that I try to hold in my palm, but she slips through my fingers, and all I can do is sit and watch as it leaves my hands and soaks the earth… Once it finds itself there, it cannot come back. So, I keep asking myself, is there a way to slow down these precious moments and live them fully? Is there a way to fly past the empty days? For instance, two moons ago, I met Nerine. She had perfect, smooth skin, and her eyes… Nobody has eyes like hers. I desired her the moment I saw her .”

Viktor rolled his eyes, already bored. “Is this one of those human romance novels you love to read?”

“Listen to the end, Viktor! ‘Nerine was also not indifferent to me. The hours we spent together are among the most memorable in my life. Well, I suppose that I will remember them for a long time, at least. I wish I could relive them over and over again, but I cannot. This is the way in which we exist. But I have never been able to succumb to the Laws of the Universe and I shan’t do it this time either. I have found a way to defeat life. I have finally found the key to success. This night will be a night of creation…’ Then he goes on, in another entry, ‘April tenth, the year 2. I have failed. Nerine died in my arms from body shock, after she drank my blood. My attempts to prepare her gradually with increasing doses proved unsuccessful. I am starting to believe that turning someone into an immortal is impossible .’” Alex closed the book. “Well, what do you think?”

Viktor forced himself to focus. “What do you want me to say?”

“Don’t you get it? Someone tried to turn humans into immortals!”

“You don’t believe it, do you?”

“Of course, I do. This is a diary, Vik! You can’t even imagine what happens later. Something huge…”

“I don’t want to disappoint, but there’s no way your little book is a real diary, given the fact that in 2 they didn’t use this type of paper. That book may be old, but it’s not that old.”

Alex didn’t give up. “Yes, but it could be a transcript, a retelling. Here, listen…” She shuffled through the pages until she found what she was looking for. “ ‘February twenty-fourth, the year 4. As I suspected, the foreigner is of an unknown species. I have never seen a creature like him before. He resembles a human, but he is much stronger and far brighter.’ ”

Viktor needed out. “Alex, let’s leave this for some other time.”

“And here… ‘ March fifth. Today, there were two more… ’”

“Alex, I’m sorry, but I have work to do,” Viktor said, jumping to his feet. “See you later.” He marched out of the lab.

He needed to do something. A punching bag. The gym. Yes, he would work out. Exhaust himself to his limit. And a woman. He was going to fuck a woman, or a few, until he drained himself dry. And then…

He hoped the urge to turn would fade away.

At least for now, he still controlled the beast.