"Why do you keep me alive?" I've been in trouble more than any of my siblings ever had, combined. To be honest, some days I wish he'd just do it. Kill me. But some days I want to keep on living.

*****

His lips curl up into a smile. "Oh, I was tempted to eliminate you so many times," he sounds so casual, talking about killing me as though he's talking about getting a new suit. "But you amused me and I sensed that you are special." Is it strange that I hear the pride in his deceptively soft voice? "It turns out, I was right. Tonight you managed the impossible. You managed to capture the attention of Sasha Gauthier, the heir to the Nephilim throne.

"When he comes for you, I expect you to make nice. Be agreeable, sweet, and charming. Seduce him and gain his trust. Obviously, he's already attracted to you, so that won't be hard.

"I want you to watch them and keep me in the loop. I want to know their coming and going, their business dealings, their weaknesses, their strength, and whatever else you can find. Can you do that, my child?"

When Astaroth asks you to do something and you want to live another day to see the next sunrise, no matter if you're willing to do as told or not, the only acceptable answer is, "Yes, daddy."

*****

It's almost spring break but it's still cold. Some of my friends are already partying in the Hamptons.

Yet here I am, waiting for the Nephilim prince to come for me. I keep my phone on me even at school in case he calls. What if I missed it?

Two days, three days, four days, five days. Nothing. Not a word or a single text from him while I can't think of anything or anyone else but him. I don't know why. We hardly said a word to each other but I feel connected to him on the deepest level. I'm very sure he felt the same way too. A connection like that couldn't have been one-sided, right?

I need to see him, each day that passes without a word from him is unbearable. So, I google and find out that he spends his time mostly in Seattle but he is sometimes here in New York as well. I find the numbers to his office in New York City. I wish I had his personal number but I guess this is better than nothing.

I call the number and get connected to a woman who asks for my name then politely tells me that Mr. Alexander Gauthier isn't available. She wishes me a good day and hangs up before I could leave a message or ask for an appointment to see him.

So, I call two more times, insisting that they allow me to talk to him. On the third call, I'm being passed to another person.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart, but he's a busy man. He doesn't have time to entertain a little school girl like you." I know who he is right away. I don't forget a face or a voice. It's that other Nephilim, his best friend and right-hand man, Olivier.

"First off, I'm not your sweetheart. Second of all, I just need five minutes of his time..."

"Listen, sweetheart." He puts special emphasis on the word "sweetheart", his tone is very condescending. "We both know, it's never just five minutes with you, demons. You're no good for him. Consider it a charity or a good deed on his part to save you from the old pedophile. Forget about him. Go play with your own kind, preferably little schoolboys that you can manipulate and toy with."

My grip on the phone is so tight, I thought the screen would crack. I'm shaking for being so angry but I try to control my voice when I say, "Could you at least please tell him that I called?"

"Sure," he says before he ends the call. But I know he's not going to.

Tears gather in my eyes. Olivier's hurtful words keep playing in my head. I want to scream and throw my phone against the wall but this is my third phone this year and I still hope that he'd call.

Was that really why he bid on me? To save me from Pappalardo? Well, if that's the case, I don't want it. I can look after myself and I'm not anyone's charity case.

But still...I felt our connection to my bones. I'm pretty sure he felt it too.

To add insult to injury, half of the money from the auction is deposited in my account that afternoon. Ten million dollars. It's a lot of money but it's the money that I don't need nor want. I might be a half-demon but I'm not selling myself.

The next morning, I wake up very early as I usually do. I pull a thick sweater on before I go out to the balcony. From there, I climb over the railing before I jam my foot on the windowsill of my bathroom that I left open. Then I heave myself all the way up to the roof with a little help of the downpipe attached to the side of the house.

It sounds tricky but I've done this almost daily, I could have done it with my eyes close.

It's still dark out and the cold wind stings my face as I climb up further. When I reach my favorite spot in the house, or rather on the house, I pull my sweater close and fold my legs to sit down and wait.

On the roof, three-story high above the ground is the best spot to watch the sunrise over the horizon and also the place for me to think. It's the only place where I can be honest with myself.

It's quiet and I feel all alone in this world.

We're on top of the hill and I can see the rooftops of other houses far down below us. The windows of those houses are mostly dark. Sometimes I wonder about the people who live there. Are they happy?

The first glimpse of the sunlight is the best sight. It signifies a new day. Maybe today is going to be better than yesterday. I hope it is. Or maybe this is the last sunrise I'd ever see. Maybe this is the last time I feel hope. But at least I feel it today.

The sky is a beautiful splash of pink, gold, and purple when I make a decision that I should see Sacha Gauthier in person. I could ditch school today and go see him instead. It's not like Astaroth or anyone else cares if I missed school.

Maybe if I see him he'll be reminded of what it feels like to be in each other's presence. The magnetic pull, the tingles, the fast heartbeat, the connection, the magic between us.

Or maybe I'll find out that my memory of that evening was flawed and I'd get rid of this pain in my heart over him. Maybe then I can breathe again. Whatever it is, I have to know.

I also want to return the money. His money. Not the whole amount, obviously, since I don't have them, but at least the 50 percent that they gave me. I also want him to undo the bracelet with the tracker. I've taken the choker off but the bracelet has been on my wrist for six days now. Maybe we can talk about us too if the feeling is real...

I stay until the sunlight fills the sky and bathe the earth with its glory. Then I climb down to get cleaned up and dressed so that I can pay a certain Nephilim prince a visit.

*****

The building owned by the Gauthier empire is fifty-two stories of stainless steel and glass that glitter in the sun. The front lobby is intimidating with a soaring ceiling supported by six large square marble columns. The floor is gleaming white marble, so shiny, I can see my own reflection.

The lady behind the reception desk is a human. She looks like a model in her smart white silk top and a black pencil skirt. Her blonde hair is neatly tucked in a shiny french braid.

The change in her expression is instant when I mention Sacha Gauthier's name. Her eyebrow climbs up, almost reaching her hairline as though my request to see him was so ridiculous, I might as well demanded to see the Queen of England herself. "Do you have an appointment?" she asks, eyeing me from top to bottom with disdain.

I'm wearing dark skinny jeans, a long sleeve pink printed chiffon top with a bow at the throat, and a pair of black leather ankle boots. I thought my outfit is stylish but convenient since I took the subway to get here. I didn't dare to ask Astaroth's driver to send me since the words about it would reach Astaroth.

The way the woman is looking at me is as though I'm wearing a rag. My top is Dolce & Gabbana, my boots are Italian leather, and my jeans are also designer, darn it!

I lift my chin up proudly. "No, but could you tell him that Danica Saint would like to see him, please?"

"What's the nature of your visit?" she asks even though I can see that she's already made up her mind that I'm not going to see her boss.

"It's personal," I tell her and she stares at me with derision.

"Mr. Alexander Gauthier isn't here," she says. The relish I hear in her voice and see in her eyes when she tells me this makes me think that she might have a design on the future CEO herself.

"When is he going to be here? Can I make an appointment to see him?"

"Listen," she says with a patronizing smile. "He's a very important and busy man. I'm sure he doesn't have time for a little schoolgirl like you."

"Why don't you call and tell him that Danica Saint wants to see him?"

"I suggest you leave before I call the security." She lifts her phone up and starts to press some buttons.

"I just need five minutes," I try to tell her when a beefy man walks over to stand behind me. I feel my shoulders slumped. She already called the security.

"She insisted on seeing Mr. Alexander Gauthier and wouldn't leave," She tells the security guy. Then she adds louder, "I need this girl escorted out before she gives us any more problem."

The lobby isn't crowded but a few people already stop to watch the spectacle. My cheeks burn with embarrassment. I've never felt so insulted in my life. I just need five minutes...

"There won't be any problem and I can find my own way out," I tell the massive security guy, shrugging my arm out of his hold and he lets me.

I walk with my chin up the whole way while fighting the tears from falling. The man follows me quietly.

"Hey, you okay, kid?" asks the man when we exit the building to stand on the sidewalk. "You know how to get home from here?"

I just keep walking without looking back at him because if I stop or open my mouth to say anything, I know I'd start crying. And if I let myself cry, wouldn't be able to stop.

**************************************************

Hello, fellow readers!

My next update is going to be on Friday evening (est). If you want to read three chapters ahead, go to Inkitt:

htpps://Inkitt.apps.link/RA_NicoleRidd3y

Have a wonderful week and stay safe, everyone!

XOXOXO

Nicole♥