Vikirnoff is a powerful hunter. He converted Gabrielle Sanders and she is tied to him.
Vikirnoff had previously seen Natalya in a dream, but when Nicolae gave him her photo in Dark Destiny, Vikirnoff knew her eyes were a vivid blue like the sea. A vampire from the Morrison Center was looking for her and asked for MaryAnn's help should Natalya come for aid. The task of searching for and protecting the then unknown woman is what let Vikirnoff survive to find his lifemate.