Raphael (The Immortal Youth Book 1) Read Free Page B

birthday meal; two slices of pizza at his favorite place, and a beignet filled with custard from the pricey bakery near Termini Station.
    Stepping out of the walkway, he put two fingers in his mouth and called a cab. “That’ll be enough for a short ride.” He pressed the euros in her hands.
    One yellow car pulled over. Luisa shook her head as Raphael opened the passenger door and pushed her inside, while looking over his shoulder.
    “Come with me,” she pleaded and his heart broke.
    The Controller and two of the security guards exited Coin at the same time. A second cab was slowing down, the driver expectantly looking for clients. Raphael didn’t have any money left to send the second cab away. If he got in with Luisa, the demon would follow them.
    “You were right two years ago, splitting is the smart move.” Raphael then asked, “Where do you live?”
    Luisa’s eyes went to the side, then back on him. “At the Mattatoio.”
    “What’s your last name?”
    “Caroli.”
    “Luisa Caroli. I promise I’ll find you.” With a pat on the ceiling he closed the door. “I’ll always find you,” he mouthed.
    The cab left the curb as the Controller grabbed Raphael by the shoulder.
    “Mr. Letta, we meet again.” The demon’s hand kept Raphael in place as he automatically struggled—he couldn’t help it.
    “Not by choice.” Waiting for the taxi to be out of sight, he only relaxed when he was sure Luisa was safe.

Chapter Two
    Only two months at the Renegade Youth Shelter, and Raphael had tried to escape countless times.
    On top of the fence, his right leg swinging on the other side, he heard shouts and heavy steps and looked ahead. The Reserve stretched out for acres, but a vast plain between the shelter’s grounds and the forest hindered Raphael’s dreams of freedom. Only low shrubs dotted the expanse of green pasture. Nowhere to hide for a kilometer or so.
    Raphael had waited for the adults to look away from him, and snuck out of the cafeteria while the other kids had breakfast. His pockets full of croissants and small sandwiches, he hurried down the hall and out of the main house. As for any of his other attempts, he had no plan.
    “Get back here!”
    The shout made him turn and look down at the two burly guards. Both were-pumas, the two men hadn’t even broken a sweat chasing him. Healthy food and a good exercise regime must work for those shifters.
    “Come on, kid. You know you have nowhere to go.” The one with a pair of impressive sideburns shook his head, and pointed at the ground with his stun gun.
    Noticing the second guard had his stun gun pointed at his nether regions, Raphael climbed down and followed the shifters back to the shelter. A dose of electricity applied anywhere on his body wouldn’t have been pleasant, something he knew from experience. And it wouldn’t have helped his cause. A scrawny werewolf seizing on the ground would not be able to stand up and run anytime soon.
    The RYS rector, Mr. Valdi, one of the new additions to the place, looked at him with a scowl on his large face. The werewolf was bigger and more menacing than the guards who escorted Raphael into the dark office. Mr. Valdi sighed, shook his head, then splayed one of his massive hands onto the marble surface of his antique desk, a mammoth piece of wooden furniture with sturdy columns for legs. “I must confess I am at a complete loss with you. We all want to help you here—”
    The lecture was old. The Controller had imparted a similar speech on Raphael during their long ride from Rome to that strip of Latium bordering Umbria where RYS was located. Raphael scoffed and shifted on his chair, an equally large wood and metal structure which resembled a torture device more than something one would sit on.
    “I know what happened to you, but things have changed. The man who mistreated you—”
    Raphael looked straight into Mr. Valdi’s eyes. He steadied his hand on the armchair, and gripped it until his knuckles became