Cass flinched at the harsh tone, his heart racing as he took a slight step back. The regret which flooded the vampire’s face eased the knot in his chest, but his fingers bit into his palms as he looked away. “I wasn’t caged. I am dangerous- he was right to contain me, to make use of me for the sake of the city-”

Raielle’s movements were too swift for human eyes to follow, Cass making a soft, strangled sound of surprise as he found the vampire suddenly leaning over him, his golden gaze burning. “You are not a tool to be taken from Emrys’s armory only when he desires your service,” the words were quiet but firm, his strong jaw set as his hands lightly rested on Cass's shoulders. 

“You don’t know what I am!” Cass’s voice was strangled with brewing panic, his breaths quickening as he shook his head. “This power Emrys treasures… the things I have done for him… I killed citizens in your sector because I was under orders, and that was when I had control! People have died for me- I have hurt the only person I care about- you have no idea what I’m capable of!” 

Raielle stared at him, golden eyes wide, shocked into silence for a moment by Cassius’s anguished expression. Sucking in a breath, his voice was low and calming. “If you believe you are dangerous, we will help you become confident in your ability to control your power.” His gaze searched Cass’s face, before he offered, “Or we shall make it so you never have to use that power again.”

The fragile hope Cass had felt when Arius held out his hand sparked in his chest again, the idea of never being forced to wield the unnatural, dangerous power again an overwhelming temptation. His throat was tight as he looked up at Raielle, wondering if the decision was really his own. “Do you… really mean that?” His voice broke on the question, heat welling in his eyes. “You’d let me live without demanding my service? I don’t… understand.”

A quiet rage flickered in Raielle’s gaze. “What did Emrys do to you?” he muttered under his breath, before he forced a smile for Cass’s sake. “You don’t have to earn the privilege of life, Cassius- it is a right you should not have to fight for. I am sorry you’ve been made to feel like you deserve less.” His hands gently squeezed Cassius’s shoulders, trying to console the distressed human.

His anguish broke into silent tears, Cass’s bottom lip drawn between his teeth as he sucked in uneven breaths. “I… have so many questions,” he whispered, his expression painfully vulnerable as he looked up at Raielle.

The vampire’s smile was more natural as he nodded, relieved; it was a sign the human was willing to listen, to attempt to accept what Raielle had to offer. “I will tell you anything you want to know,” he murmured, gesturing toward the massive doors which led into the mansion. “Will you come with me? If we’re going to talk, it should be somewhere you can be more comfortable.”

Cass hesitated, his tear-streaked face solemn, before slowly nodding. He allowed the vampire lord to lead him away from the roaring hearth, Raielle’s cool hand still placed on his shoulder as he guided Cass into the mansion. It should have been terrifying- everything was unfamiliar, Cass’s fate uncertain. But Raielle had insisted Cassius had the right to freedom, to live as he desired. And for the first time in his life, Cass felt he had little to fear in the vampire noble at his side.