Page 52 of The Nephilim's Finesse

Nate was quiet for a moment, then finally nodded. "You're right," he conceded, his eyes filled with determination. "We'll discuss it further with Puriel when the time is right."

"Thank you," I whispered, relief washing over me like a warm wave.

As we continued down the hallway, I felt that I was playing with fire. My emotions for Victorija were a dangerous game, yet I thought that she might be the key to unlocking a brighter future for us all—one where fear and hatred no longer ruled our lives. But first, I had to navigate the treacherous waters of my own heart and find the courage to face whatever lay ahead.

15 Victorija

Raph entered my room alone, a small smile on his lips.

“Where is John?”

Gone was his smile. Raph’s eyes went hard in an instant. “He isn’t needed anymore,” he growled.

His gaze was an intense one, smouldering and passionate. I suppressed my instinct to turn away as he continued to look at me with an intensity that made me blush. My heart beat faster in anticipation as he moved closer, never breaking eye contact.

The next second, he was on me, kissing me hard, a forceful kiss that felt both demanding and passionate. The warmth of his body on mine sent a wave of electricity through my body, making me arch into him and moan with pleasure. His strong arms clutched at me tightly as I felt the sensation of his lips urgently against mine. His hands roamed over my body, exploring every inch desperately, like he wanted to know every hidden part of me. His fingers caressed my skin delicately, leaving trails of fire in their wake, as if it was telling me who I belonged to without saying a word aloud. His hands ran through my hair and down my back as he guided me to bed, never breaking our kiss for even an instant.

He eased himself onto me, pushing my legs apart ever so slightly while exploring my body with his hands and lips. His movements were forceful and impatient, like he couldn't wait to be inside of me but still wanted to give me enough time to be ready. I spread my thighs and pulled him towards me, never wanting to let him go again. Hooking my legs around his hips, I pushed my core towards him, and he understood. In one fluid movement, he entered me, spreading me wide, making me feel complete.

I gasped out loud as his hard thrusts sent shockwaves through my entire being, intensifying and escalating until I thought I could take no more. With every stroke, it felt like we had become one entity, one being that fed off of each other's desire and pleasure until it became too much. With one final push, he pushed us both to unimaginable heights before crashing down together in a blissful embrace—limbs entwined and sweat dripping from our skin.

The warmth of Raph's fingers on my skin lulled me into a trance-like state. I felt myself drift away with exhaustion as he murmured softly, “We have had a lot of demon sightings in the last couple of days. Do you have something to do with this?” His voice was soft, yet it held awareness.

My mind raced to a memory of a pact that, it seemed to me, I had made long ago. “I had a deal with a demon to aid me in the battle where you took me prisoner. As I failed to deliver my end of the bargain, I don’t see a reason why he should provide demons to help our cause.”

“Which demon?”

“Beleth, a king of Hell.”

Raph's brow furrowed at this news, and he seemed deeply disturbed. He asked tentatively, “What did the demon require in return?”

“The pregnant witch. I should deliver her to him.”

He bobbed his head in understanding. “Do you have an idea who summons these lesser demons?”

"No," I replied softly, adding before Raph could object, "but I could find out if you let me go."

Raph shook his head sadly. "That’s not possible.”

An overwhelming sense of despair flooded my senses as I looked at him hopelessly. "Why?" was all I could whisper in desperation.

“I talked to my fellow leaders, and they think it’s too dangerous to let you go.”

I sighed, frustrated. “Why?” I knew I had run out of questions, but maybe Raph would answer nonetheless.

Raph looked away for a moment before meeting my gaze again. He said gently, “They think that you would join whoever summons the demons. After we’ve dealt with that problem, they’ll consider letting you go.”

His tone held no judgement or condemnation of me, which filled me with an inexplicable gratitude. “Thank you.”

He raised an eyebrow in question. “For trying. For standing up for me. For believing that I wouldn't join the summoner.”

“Would you?”

“That depends on how you let me go and what the negotiations reveal.”

He nodded in understanding. I was glad that he didn’t argue that I had to stay on their side, no matter what. That I had to take every deal they'd suggest. Raph saw me and accepted my opinion and what I needed to do.

As we lay there in silence, my mind drifted, and a memory overcame me of another deal that I had made in my past. One of the few times that fate had favoured me.

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