Page 196 of Victorious

For the first time, panic flickered in her eyes. “You can’t just leave.”

It occurred to Victor, then, that he had never asked her why.

Why she so willingly agreed to help him.

Why she dedicated so many hours over so many days and nights, devoted so much energy to solving the problem of his power.

He hadn’t asked because he didn’t need to.

He recognized her single-mindedness. Knew the power of retribution, spite.

Someone had tried to convince Daniela Dean that she wasn’t good enough. And she needed to prove them wrong. Victor was a means to do that. Not just a science experiment, or even a challenge for an under-stimulated mind. He was a way for Dani to prove, to herself if no one else, that she could do anything. And now that she had, she wasn’t ready to go back.

“I won’t be gone for very long,” he said, ejecting the cartridge. It was less than half full. He set it on the desk. “But this won’t be enough.”

Dani’s expression darkened. “That’s not how this works, Victor. I’m not a pharmacist.”

“And I’m not standing here, holding a prescription,” he shot back, coldly. “I’m asking you to make an exception.”

Dani’s sharp eyes narrowed as she searched his face. After a moment, she reached into her pocket, and produced a single vial.

Victor let out an exasperated breath. “Dani.”

“It’s all I have right now,” she said. He didn’t believe her. “You said you won’t be gone for long,” she went on. “Well, this will last a week. If you take it properly.” He held his hand out for the vial. She started to give it to him, but paused. “Promise me you won’t abuse it.”

Victor hadn’t lied to Dani yet, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t do it.

“I promise,” he said evenly.

Eli flickered at the edge of Victor’s sight. He crossed his arms, amusement playing on his face. “Do you think she believes you?” Victor turned the dial in his mind until the phantom disappeared.

Dani frowned but dropped the cartridge into his palm. It vanished into his coat. It would be enough, he told himself. It should be enough. But just in case—

Victor’s gaze flicked toward the half-empty vial, the one he’d set down on the desk.

Dani noticed it, too.

She lunged for it.

Victor didn’t.

He simply watched as her hand froze, hovering inches over the vial. Her fingers, like the rest of her, now in his control. She tried to fight his hold, tear free, but it was no use. Daniela Dean was a brilliant scientist, but she was human, and he wasn’t.

Victor stepped forward, retrieving the cartridge from beneath her frozen fingers.

“Don’t do this,” she said through gritted teeth. He could have forced her mouth shut, locked her jaw, but he didn’t. “Is it worth it?” she hissed. “Wherever you’re going. Whatever you’re about to do. Is it worth risking everything we’ve worked for?”

If Victor had told her anything about his life, the few people in it, and what he’d do to keep them safe, she might have understood it was. But he hadn’t.

“I’m sorry,” he said simply. And he was.

“Victor,” she demanded as he walked away.

“I’ll be back soon,” he said, letting Dani go as the door swung shut between them.

XLNOW. THEN.

DOL’S red dot was still moving as he crossed the Lockland parking lot, the gulf between Victor and the others growing wider by the minute.