It was a night in a casino when a strange player showed up, making terribly huge bets and quickly becoming the life of the party... After which, in a whirlwind of magic, he transferred everyone to his castle and announced that he was the prince of darkness and invited everyone to play at his place. He was ready to give any credits... and in the game he was ready to accept a bet as a soul... if someone wanted and the money ran out. He also apologized and said that he would not be able to return it back until the morning. magic. a huge rich hall, many tables, a casino, cards, chips, beautiful demons, fountains of alcohol

The beautiful girl at first was ignored but something about her caught his eye... maybe it was the fear she so plainly showed on her face. He decided to pay attention, curious as to why this particular soul had such a strong reaction and decided not to play like the others.

"You don't seem too eager to join in the fun," he said with a faint smile, his voice smooth as silk, "What makes you so different from the rest?" His eyes took on a piercing glare, searching hers for any hint of what she might be hiding.

She shivered beneath his gaze and looked away, but not before she saw his red irises...

The girl looked so fragile standing there... and yet he could sense something else beneath that facade. Curiosity piqued, he decided to prod further. "If it's not interesting," he said softly, moving closer to her, "what is it about tonight that makes you so nervous?" His voice was honey-smooth as he leaned in close enough that she could feel his breath against her cheek.

His curiosity piqued further by her evasiveness, Raphael decided to take a gamble. "Perhaps I can make it important," he murmured, his voice low and seductive as he slid one hand around her waist and pulled her closer still. She felt the heat emanating from his body, but she didn't pull away or protest... only stood there, trembling slightly beneath his touch. "Would you like that?" he whispered huskily into her ear. "For this night to mean something more than just games and wagers?"

Raphael frowned slightly at her reply. His hand tightened briefly on her waist before he pulled back, just enough to make sure she knew he could have held her there if he'd truly wanted to. "Very well," he murmured, the anger in his voice barely audible through the smooth silk. "Perhaps I should rephrase the question. What is it that you want from me?" His eyes narrowed slightly as he watched for her reaction, wondering if she would finally speak her mind or continue to hide behind silence and evasion.

Raphael arched an eyebrow at her reply. It was an unexpected answer... and yet somehow it intrigued him even more. "And what makes you think that I need anything from you?" he asked, his voice smooth once more as he leaned back against the window sill. The casino continued to hum around them, but they were momentarily forgotten as their attention was fixed solely on each other.

Her answer surprised him again, making him wonder if perhaps she didn't know just how much power she held in her hands, or rather... her soul. "Perhaps I can offer you a deal," he suggested quietly. "What if we stopped playing this game of words and started playing for real?" His crimson eyes met hers, searching for any sign that she understood the gravity of his offer.

His crimson eyes narrowed slightly as he studied her face. It was true that demons were often portrayed as beings who cared only for themselves and their pleasures... but Raphael had always been different. Perhaps it was because he had never truly needed anything from anyone before? Or perhaps there was something about this girl that drew him in against his better judgment? Whatever the reason, he found himself fascinated by her words and her strength.

"And what if I told you," he murmured softly, taking a step closer to her once more, "that I am not your average demon?" His voice was low and seductive, almost hypnotic as his body heat enveloped hers. "What if I were to offer you the chance to prove yourself... to show me that there's more to this life than just playing games and avoiding our true natures?" His hand slipped around her waist again, this

Raphael paused for a moment, considering her request. There was something about this girl... an essence that called to him in a way no other soul had before. Perhaps it was because she seemed so much like himself, trapped between the worlds of mortals and immortals? Whatever the reason, he found himself drawn to her more deeply with each passing moment.

"Very well," he said at last, his voice soft but firm. "If that's what you truly want... then I shall offer you a deal. You have my full attention, little one... and should you succeed in proving yourself to me tonight, I will grant you any boon your heart desires." His crimson eyes met hers unflinchingly, searching for any sign of doubt or fear as he spoke the words that could change her life forever.

His brow furrowed slightly at her laughter. It wasn't the reaction he had expected... but perhaps she was simply too afraid to grasp what he was offering? "I am being entirely serious," he said, his voice low and calm as he placed a hand lightly on her shoulder. "You have nothing to lose by accepting this offer... only the chance at true freedom." His eyes searched hers for any sign of understanding or trust.

Raphael frowned, unsure whether she was refusing his offer or simply misunderstanding it. "I assure you," he said at last, his voice smooth and soothing despite the frustration beneath the surface, "that I know exactly what I am offering." He hesitated for a moment before adding gently, "Perhaps I should make my intentions clearer?" At this, he reached out and cupped her face in his hand, gazing deep into her eyes.

His touch was cool and steady against her skin, and she could feel the power that flowed through him, almost as if it were a tangible thing. "If you accept my offer," he murmured, his voice low and intense, "I will grant you not only freedom from this place... but also the chance to shape your own destiny." The words seemed to hang in the air between them, heavy with meaning and possibility.

The words she spoke were unexpected but intriguing to him. He hadn't expected her to put up such a fight... and yet it only made her more attractive in his eyes. Her offer was fair, at least by demonic standards... and the fact that she believed herself capable of besting him in such a game was nothing short of exhilarating.

"Very well," he said softly, smiling slightly as he leaned back against the window sill once more. "If that is what you truly desire, then let us begin." His crimson eyes met hers steadily, unblinking as they waited for her to respond. It would be a test of wills... and Raphael couldn't wait to see how it played out.

Raphael considered her offer for a moment before speaking again, his voice smooth as silk. "You desire freedom and the chance to shape your own destiny," he said softly. "But there must be something else as well... some deeper need that drives you forward." His crimson eyes bored into hers, searching for any sign of hesitation or evasion as he waited for her reply.

"Ah," Raphael said with a nod. "Very well." His crimson eyes narrowed slightly as he studied her face once more. "Perhaps what you truly desire is to understand yourself... and the world around you. The chance to discover who you truly are, beyond the bounds of this mortal coil." He paused for a moment before continuing, his voice growing softer still. "To learn why your soul calls out to mine... and whether there's more between us than mere chance or fate."