Page 17 of Viktor’s Temptation (East Coast Territory #2)

Dave’s eyes gleamed with malevolent delight as he observed the fear rippling through the room. The chained humans were pathetic, trembling like cornered prey. Each whimper, each pleading murmur, was music to his ears. Fear was power, and tonight, he was a maestro conducting a symphony of terror.

“This group,” Dave sneered, pacing slowly before the shackled prisoners, his boots echoing on the cold concrete floor, “is even more disappointing than the last. Weak. Spineless.”

Johnny, still leaning casually against the wall, shrugged, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of unease. “What can I say? It’s slim pickings these days. People are on edge. The news keeps warning about the disappearances.”

Dave’s lip curled as he glared back at the man. “Excuses. I told you—stronger humans. Better stock!”

Johnny stiffened but kept his voice level. “And I told you, if you want better stock, maybe you should drag your precious self out there and help instead of hiding down here playing mad scientist.”

Dave turned sharply, his fangs glinting as they slid from his gums. “Watch your tone,” he hissed, his voice low and dangerous. “You’re expendable, Johnny. Remember that.”

Johnny stiffened but didn’t reply. Dave turned back to the trembling prisoners, dismissing his partner’s defiance as unworthy of his time. His attention focused on the fool who had dared to speak earlier.

“I’m robust!” the man stammered, his voice breaking with his fear. His wide eyes darted between Dave and Johnny, desperation etched across his face. “I’ll… I’ll do whatever you want! Just let me go!”

Dave chuckled, low and menacing, and strode toward the man. “Oh, you’ll do whatever I want?” His voice was mockingly sweet, dripping with venom. “And what makes you think you’re special, hmm?”

The man tugged against his shackles, sweat dripping down his temples. “I’m… I’m strong! I can—"

“Strong?” Dave interrupted with a laugh that sent chills through the room. “You think you’re strong?” He leaned in close, his face inches from the prisoner’s, letting his fangs glint in the dim light. “Let me see.”

The man’s terror reached a crescendo, his breathing quick and shallow. “What the hell are you?” he croaked, his voice barely a whisper.

“Something far beyond your comprehension,” Dave hissed. He inhaled deeply, savoring the sharp tang of the man’s fear, then smiled. “But you’re about to find out.”

In a swift, fluid motion, Dave bit into his own wrist, tearing open the vein with a feral precision.

Blood oozed from the wound, dark and viscous.

Without hesitation, he grabbed the man’s face, his fingers digging into the prisoner’s jaw to force it open.

The man struggled, his muffled screams echoing as Dave tilted his bleeding wrist over his mouth, letting the blood drip slowly onto his tongue.

The other prisoners erupted in a cacophony of terrified screams, their chains rattling as they tried futilely to pull away. Dave barely noticed; his focus was entirely on his prey.

“Drink,” he commanded, his voice sharp and commanding. “Swallow it down.”

The man gagged, choking on the thick, coppery liquid. Tears streamed down his face as he tried to twist away, but Dave’s grip was iron.

“Good,” Dave murmured as the blood began to take hold. He released the man and stepped back, watching intently. The man’s eyes widened, bloodshot and wild, as the transformation began. His body convulsed, every muscle tightening as if an unseen force was tearing him apart from the inside.

Dave crossed his arms, a cruel smile playing on his lips. “Let’s see if you’re as robust as you claim,” he drawled.

The man’s screams grew louder, more guttural, until they were cut off by a sickening crack as his spine arched unnaturally. Blood vessels burst under his skin, dark bruises spidering across his body. His face twisted in agony, his jaw slack as foam bubbled from his mouth.

Dave’s smile widened, a predatory glint in his eyes. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” he said, addressing no one in particular. “The human body pushed to its limits. The soul fighting to stay tethered while the flesh and bones tears themselves apart.”

Johnny, still leaning against the wall, looked away, his face pale. “You’re sick, man.”

Dave turned to him, his smile growing darker. “And you’re still here, Johnny. So what does that say about you?”

Johnny didn’t reply.

When the man’s convulsions ceased and his body went limp, Dave sighed, more annoyed than disappointed. He crouched beside the lifeless figure, pressing two fingers to its neck. No pulse. The transformation had failed.

“Useless,” he muttered, standing and wiping his wrist on a prisoner’s shirt. He turned to the others, his eyes gleaming with unholy amusement. “Who’s next?”

No one volunteered. So Dave decided to just force the blood on everyone’s tongue, one by one. They screamed and protested, pleaded for mercy. But Dave had none. He’d failed too often and his boss, the man paying for this insane experiment, was demanding results.

Once three more dosed, Dave stepped back and he waited.

The humans’ arms and legs gave out while their muscles twisted and turned, backs arching as bellows of pain ripped from their throats.

Dave considered reaching down to stroke his erection, maybe ease some of the pleasure-pain from his groin.

But no, he’d savor this moment, watching every moment of it so that his pleasure later would be all the more intense.

He tuned out the terror of the other humans, watching the one man for long moments. But nope, he didn’t survive either.

Then it was over and he sighed, lifted his head and looked at the other humans. Dave walked to the next human. A woman this time.

He paused before opening his vein again. It had healed while he’d stroked himself. She was screaming even before he reached for her jaw. “Now, now, don’t tease me, darling.” He lifted his arm and chuckled. “This is going to be better for me than for you.”

He let the blood drip down her throat, then stepped back to watch.