Page 12 of Rafe

“Ilsbeth what?” Greyson silenced the TV and slammed the remote down onto the table.

“It’s nothing.”

“Don’t talk about the witch unless you’re ready to walk in the bowels of Hell. She’s grown stronger. She’s restraining herself.”

“Samantha rivals her,” Rafe challenged.

“Don’t deflect. What nonsense did the witch fill your head with?” Greyson sighed. “I know she told you something. It’s been two months since she pulled you off that mountain and you’ve said nothing.”

“She said…she said she could remove the vampire.” He shrugged.

“Here we go, here we go. You know better. Don’t let her talk you into anything.” Greyson waved a hand at him.

“She said something about a spell.” Rafe sat down on a stool and set the carafe onto the counter.

“This is a bad idea. A very bad idea.” Greyson shook his head. “You’re not messing with her. No way.”

“I heard her out. That’s it.” Rafe stretched his neck to the side, realizing he never should have brought up the topic.

“I’m sorry, Rafe. I’m sorry Viktor changed you. But it is what it is. You have to accept the fate of the Goddess. And this whole thing with Ilsbeth? She saved your life. End of story. You play the cards you’re dealt. Don’t let Ilsbeth put crazy ideas in your head. No,” He held up his finger to him. “Dangerous ideas. You’ve come too far. I can’t even tell Viktor or Julian about this. Our little secret. My brother will lose his fucking shit. No. Don’t let Ilsbeth tempt you with promises.”

“I told her no.” Rafe rolled his eyes. “Do you think I’m that fucking stupid?”

“No but I think you’re still angry. And impulsive.”

“Yeah, I’m angry. I had a life. With Hunter. Now I have nothing. Nothing here at all. No offense, Greyson. I appreciate you. Julian. And Viktor. Sometimes.” He paused. “It’s just that my entire being is different than everyone. I’m not meant for this.”

“I’m sorry, mate. You’re gonna have to accept it.” Greyson told him.

“But do I? If it weren’t for Ilsbeth, I wouldn’t even be here. She owes Viktor a million times over and would she really kill her son?” He held up his hand. “Don’t answer that.”

“She owed Viktor a favor. You read too much into it.”

“You know I can play her. Witchy momma isn’t going to hurt her prodigy.”

“Number one, she doesn’t care. Number two and the most important point of all, no one plays the High Priestess.”

“She likes me. I think. Okay, I don’t know for sure, but I can see it in the way she looks at me. The way she treats me. She’s a ball buster, yeah. The stuff with Dimitri? In all fairness, love makes you do crazy things.”

“She’s been telling you tales. Do not justify the witch,” Greyson growled.

“But I’m her only child per se. If she has another one, I don’t know of them.”

“You’re her child by blood only. You have a mother. She’s a wolf. End of story.”

“True. And I’d better call her soon before she gets to me first.” Rafe hadn’t spoken to her often since he’d become vampire. She’d also been traveling and so they hadn’t yet talked in person. Becoming hybrid was a painful burden he didn’t want them to know about.

“You’ve been busy.” Greyson sighed and put a hand on his shoulder. “Look, I know it’s been a rough couple of years, but things are going to get better. Just stay away from the witch.”

“Ilsbeth could be the cure to my problem. She’s the one who snatched me off that mountain in Japan.”

“That’s how it always is with her. Tit for tat. Quid pro quo. Dude. You need to just stop with all this nonsense talk. She’s gonna get you killed,” Greyson insisted.

“I just brought it up because—” Rafe listened. Her voice echoed through his mind.

“What’s wrong?” Greyson whispered.

“Shhh. Listen.” Rafe held up his hand.