The Past (5)

Lena stood there, her breath ragged as she stared at Viktor. The offer he presented hung heavy between them, its weight pressing down on her like a vice. Every fiber of her being screamed to reject him, to claw at his face and tear away that smug smirk. But the hunger inside her was relentless, gnawing at her insides, weakening her. She wasn't just fighting Viktor anymore—she was fighting herself.

Without another word, Lena swallowed hard and nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "Fine. I accept."

Viktor's smirk spread into a full-blown smile, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Knew you'd see things my way," he purred. Before Lena could react, he moved with blinding speed, pulling out a dark glass bottle from his coat. Before she had time to process what was happening, he grabbed her by the jaw, his fingers gripping her cheeks painfully, and forced the bottle to her lips.

"Drink up, darling," Viktor cooed, his tone mockingly gentle as the thick liquid poured into her mouth.

Lena gagged, trying to push him away, but he was too strong, holding her in place as the warm, metallic taste of blood flooded her senses. The hunger inside her roared to life at the taste, and despite herself, she couldn't stop drinking. Her body, her instincts, betrayed her as she gulped down the blood, her mind a chaotic swirl of disgust and relief.

"That's it," Viktor whispered, watching her intently. "Drink it all up. You'll need your strength."

When he finally pulled the bottle away, Lena gasped for air, wiping the blood from her lips with the back of her hand. She stumbled back, her body trembling as the blood took effect, coursing through her veins like fire. The hunger receded, but in its place came a sickening realization of what she had just done.

"Was that… human blood?" she choked out, her voice hoarse. She looked at Viktor with wide eyes, fear and revulsion rising in her throat.

Viktor's smile widened, his expression dripping with amusement. He tilted his head, as if the question was the most ridiculous thing he'd ever heard. "Of course it's human blood," he said, his tone patronizing. "What, did you think I'd let my brand-new subordinate go hungry? Weak? That wouldn't do at all."

Lena's stomach churned. She'd known, deep down, what she was drinking, but hearing him confirm it made her skin crawl. Her lips trembled, and she clenched her fists, fighting back the rising nausea. "You could've fed me animal blood," she spat through gritted teeth. "Why didn't you?"

Viktor raised an eyebrow, a mockery of surprise on his face. "Oh, I could have," he admitted, stepping closer. "But animal blood? It's not quite the same, you know. Sure, it'll keep you from going feral, but it's weak. Watered down. You wouldn't be at your full potential, Lena. And I can't have my new… subordinate running at half-strength, now can I?"

His lips curled into a wicked smile, his eyes gleaming with something dark. "Besides," he added, his voice dropping to a low whisper, "where's the fun in that?"

Lena's face went pale, her stomach twisting with a mix of fury and horror. She felt trapped, caught between the monstrous thirst she couldn't control and the vile creature in front of her who was relishing every moment of her torment.

Viktor, noticing the anger on her face, simply laughed. The sound was cold, devoid of any real amusement—just a display of power, of dominance. "Oh, don't look at me like that, Lena," he said with a grin that oozed arrogance. "You should be thanking me. I've just given you what you need to survive. You'd have gone mad with thirst otherwise, torn your precious little family apart. You wouldn't want that, would you?"

Lena's hands trembled with the urge to strike him again, but her body felt heavy, weighed down by the blood she had just consumed and the reality of her situation. The scent of blood still lingered in her nostrils, and the remnants of its warmth burned her throat. She swallowed hard, trying to push down the guilt, the shame, but it clung to her, suffocating her.

"I didn't ask for your help in this," she snapped, her voice shaking. "I don't owe you anything."

Viktor's eyes darkened, his smirk never faltering. "Oh, but you do, Lena. You owe me everything. Without me, you'd be just another mindless newborn, rampaging through the streets, leaving a trail of bodies behind. I've saved you from that fate."

He leaned in closer, his breath cold against her cheek. "And now, you're mine. My subordinate. My little vampire fledgling. You'll do as I say, or I'll make sure that thirst of yours gets so bad you won't be able to control it."

Lena gritted her teeth, trying to keep her fury in check. She couldn't afford to lose control—not now. Not with Viktor so close, his power so overwhelming. But inside, her thoughts raced in a frantic whirlwind. How did I get here? How did it come to this? She wanted to scream, to lash out, to tear Viktor apart for what he'd done to her, for what he'd turned her into. But she knew, deep down, that she couldn't win—not yet.

"You think this makes you powerful?" she hissed, her eyes flashing with defiance. "Forcing me to drink, to follow your orders? It doesn't make you a leader. It makes you a coward."

Viktor's smile faltered for a moment, a flash of something darker crossing his face. But it was gone just as quickly, replaced by that infuriating smirk. "You'll learn, Lena," he said softly, his voice dripping with condescension. "In time, you'll see that this is just the beginning. Power doesn't come from strength alone. It comes from control. And right now, I control you."

Lena's heart pounded in her chest, every word a bitter pill she was forced to swallow. But she wouldn't break yet. She'd play his game, pretend to fall in line, but the moment she had the chance, she'd make him regret ever turning her.

"I'll do what you want," she said, the words bitter on her tongue. "For now."

Viktor's smile returned, pleased. "Smart girl," he murmured. "I knew you'd come around. Now, let's get you started, shall we?"