Page 61 of The Nephilim's Finesse

“What? No, I...I care for you. Please, don’t let him kill you!”

He shook his head. “We can handle this.”

Balling my fists, I frowned at him. “No! You can’t! He’ll kill all of you! Please!” I gulped. “Please let me go. I’ll try to talk him out of it, take back control.”

“Talk him out of what?”

“To kill every witch and warlock that exists.”

He laughed. “He can never achieve that.”

I crossed my arms. “He’s done a good job so far.”

“Yes, with your help!” Anger washed over his face. “And now you want to go back to him so that you can both be together again and execute your evil plans!”

I took a step back from him, shaking my head. “No, Raph. I hate that man with all my heart. He used me for centuries. Yes, I helped him, but because he made me do it! I don’t want that fight anymore. I want peace.”

“I don’t believe a word you say! What is he to you?”

I halted. This was a very complicated question. I remember how he taught me to write and read, act in an elevated society, and survive in an unforgiving world. However, I also remembered how he used me as an instrument to achieve his goals, made his goals mine, and scolded me like a little girl.

“Can’t find the words to describe how much you love him?” Sarcasm coloured his voice.

I frowned. What had got into him? “No. Yes. It’s complicated.”

“It’s complicated to describe that you want to run to him when you know he's here? That you’d rather be with him than here?”

I just raised an eyebrow. Did he really just ask if I wanted freedom over being in prison, no matter how pretty it was?

“He’s more like a father to me. I have a lot to thank him for, but I don’t agree with his goals. I want to stop him!”

He laughed bitterly. “Of course. You want to run to Daddy to fix your problems.”

Letting his provocation bounce off me, I shook my head. “It’s not like that. I want to stop him from eliminating every single magical being that isn’t a vampire.”

Raph crossed his arms over his chest, his lips pressed together. A small part of me craved connection and touch, yearning for his understanding, closing the distance between us. At the same time, anger snapped at me because he didn’t believe me and didn’t have faith in me that I wanted to do the right thing. “Please, trust me!”

“Trust you? No way!” He turned to leave. While placing his right hand on the scanner, he turned his head. “I won’t ever let you get out of here.”

There was too much feeling in my chest; it was choking me. Gulping for air, my heart raced in my constricted chest while my throat hurt from narrowing down. Sliding down the wall, I hugged my knees and wept. Why did Raph act like this after all we’d been through? Was there no way he’d let me go? Didn’t he feel any compassion for me? As I sat there for the next hour, I scolded myself. I was a fool for trusting him, for letting myself go, to let myself feel. That was over now.

To my surprise, John came in at our usual daily playtime, his erection already straining against his jeans. I thought he wasn’t needed anymore, as Raph had stated. John was freshly showered, his hair still wet, and he smelt of soap and sandalwood.

“Sorry, Raph is occupied at the moment. He’ll come back later,” John said. The disappointment was written all over his face when he turned for the door.

This was the perfect opportunity. I couldn't fail if I wanted my freedom. John was the perfect target: trusting, young, naive, and horny. I stepped behind him, running my hands over his muscled back.

“Why don’t you wait here with me? I have some ideas on how to spend the time.”

John turned, his look torn. “I’m not allowed to be in here alone.”

I smiled alluringly at him, moving my hands over his stomach and jeans. “He just doesn’t want you to have me. He’s become quite possessive. I miss you. He’ll never have to know.”

I nibbled on his neck and scraped my fangs along his skin. In response, he let out a little moan and his eyes turned dark with desire. I had him.

“I need you inside of me.” I smiled. “Please.” This was his undoing. I knew how he liked it when I begged, and he took me by the hips and carried me to bed, already devouring my neck.

He had me naked in no time and kissed his way down to my sweet spot, but I stopped him. I had to focus on my plan. Right now, I wouldn’t be able to relax at all.

---