Page 2 of Rafe

There was no mistaking the high priestess’s power. Like her roses, she appeared beautiful, but he was careful not to get pricked by her thorns.

His stomach growled again and he chose to avoid conflict. He reached for a sandwich, bit into it and moaned, the delicious bite melting in his mouth.

“Very well. So then. I think we have things to discuss.” Ilsbeth set to pouring tea and continued. “Viktor has been far too reckless with your life. Yes, yes, I know he saved you but he’s too busy now with his bonded woman. This thing with Julian? Ugh what a mess.”

“But—” Rafe reached for his tea.

“Do not argue with me on this. I know what happened in Japan. Ripped the fae’s head right off.”

Rafe shrugged. “He had it coming.”

“You’ve been running around the world, putting yourself in danger. I don’t like it one bit. You’ve had your time with the vampire. The Alpha too. Meanwhile, they ignore my talents. Your mother is the High Priestess.”

“It’s not really about you though. Sure. You gave me the extra shot of blood I needed, but it’s Viktor who’s responsible.”

“And how do you feel about that?” Ilsbeth held her teacup in her delicate hands and raised it to her pursed lips.

“Feel about what?” A shiver ran through Rafe as the vampire in him reminded him of the hunger, a craving for blood twisting through his gut. Vampire.

“You can’t hide it from me.”

“There’s nothing to hide. I am what I am.”

“You are wolf, are you not?”

His jaw tightened at the question. I never asked to be vampire. Rafe sighed and looked up from his plate to stare at her.

“Cat got your tongue?” Ilsbeth raised an eyebrow at him.

“What’s with the games?” Rafe shook his head.

“I know quite a bit about wolves.” Ilsbeth sipped her tea, her smile faded. “And before you interrupt me, it’s no secret about what I did to Dimitri. Or where I’ve been.”

* * *

“Hey, we all have our ups and downs. I’m not judging you,” Rafe lied. Yes, I am judging… all day long, every day. Rafe simply shrugged without revealing what he’d learned about her duplicitous background with the Acadian Wolves beta, Dimitri.

He’d heard the stories of the great high priestess. She’d once ruled over New Orleans but had conjured dark magick one too many times which landed her in Hell. To be fair, the entire town of New Orleans knew she’d crushed hard on him, invoking demonic dark magick to destroy his wolf.

“Like your maker, I feel you within me. The struggle. The pain. Perhaps not in the way you feel with Viktor, but it was my blood inside you. I suppose it makes me weak, but what’s done is done. And so.” Ilsbeth dabbed the corners of her mouth with the white embroidered cloth napkin. “We must fix this unnatural war inside you.”

“That’s nice of you, but what’s done is done. Besides, I don’t think about it…” The lie sat in his stomach like a bitter pill. I hate it. “I don’t think it’s healthy to go backwards. I’ve adjusted. I’m controlling it.”

“What if you didn’t have to control it? What if one day, the vampire was simply gone?”

“No, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Rafe shook his head. He couldn’t afford to go back to hoping for something that would never happen. He’d learned to feed, learned to control himself, learned to run with an Alpha. He’d made too much progress to indulge in a foolish fantasy.

“It’s possible to be free again,” she promised.

“Look, Ilsbeth. I appreciate the offer and the lift back to the states. Nice trick by the way. But I’m not drinking whatever black magick you’re serving up.” He sighed. “I didn’t want to go there but we might as well be honest with each other. I know what happened. I know about Dimitri. I’m not going down that road. Besides, I’ve come to terms with the situation.” Liar. “I can’t afford to get my hopes up just to end up in Hell. Nah, I’m good.”

Ilsbeth straightened her spine and stared at him, her expression impassive. “I’m not talking about dark magick⁠—”

“Demons, though?” Rafe raised a questioning eyebrow at her.

“I’m not suggesting anything like that. I just want to help you.”

“Hey, you wouldn’t have flashed my phone here too, would you? Maybe I can call Greyson and get a ride back.”