"Something was taken from him", that was the first thought that crossed Asher's mind when he awoke. As someone who had a compulsion ability, he knew the sensation of brainwashing and being brainwashed.

Right now, he was brainwashed but differently, it was done in a unique way distinct from his method. Asher tried to think of the memory that could be taken from him but what he received was a splitting headache that elicited a groan of pain from his mouth.

Gosh, that particular memory was being suppressed and the more he tried to recall the more he hurt himself.

Of course, he wasn't a fool to believe he was the only one with the ability to compel people but there lived a specific group of beings who didn't need an ability to perform one - witches.

Asher was smart, how couldn't he figure that one out. But why would Ezekiel take away his memory? So far he had an idea of all his evil plans, so why erase this particular one? Unless it was something that could potentially harm him?

The two things that Ezekiel could be scared of were the council and his mate. Asher would rather choose the latter - this had something to do with his wife. He must have stumbled upon a secret that would destroy Ezekiel's marriage.

Asher sighed, his eyes closed. He just prayed his mother was fine wherever she was. Ezekiel must have done something to keep her from visiting her. He wasn't afraid of Ezekiel hurting Helen because she was his mate but people could do crazy things in the name of love, hurting their partner unknowingly.

Once his eyes fluttered open, his eyes settled on the cuffs binding his wrist, it now made perfect sense to him: why he couldn't use Raphael's ability.

He had heard Sabrina mentioning something called dampening cuffs used by the council to restrain the powers of some ability welding creatures.

That must be what was hindering his plans of using Raphael's ability after figuring how he's functioned.

Most abilities awaken for the first time after experiencing a certain strong emotion. So Asher had applied knowledge of his powers into figuring out what ticked Raphael's and bingo! Anxiety.

Raphael had always been an insecure son of a biscuit, fond of putting on airs and using his trickeries as a font to cover up his low self-esteem.

He had always been the type to run away from a dangerous situation instead of fighting it head-on. So the despondent feeling of helplessness must be the emotion that made him create copies of himself for the first time.

The bastard must have been so anxious he made duplicates of himself that would take the brunt of the attack while he escaped - typical Raphael, even abusing himself.

Once Asher had grasped that emotion, he put it into work. He thought of Raphael being with his mate Lia, that was the only scene that would make him desperate enough to want to leave here.

And yes it did work, he could feel the anger rippling through his body, his eyes turned red and furious with the veins on his neck protruding yet Raphael's ability didn't manifest.

Asher had first assumed he didn't get the emotion right and thought of different scenes over and over till he was depleted.

But now everything was clear to him; he was doomed. He had not taken any of Ezekiel's threats to heart because he had initially planned on escaping after figuring how Raphael's power worked but now that plan was dashed.

Ezekiel thought everything through.

Asher couldn't help but wonder what was keeping Dan from coming to his rescue. Had he not figured out what happened yet? Was Raphael that good at impersonating him? If that was the case then this was bad.

If Raphael had everyone fooled, it means his love rival Daniel was in trouble. His foxy brother would not go through all the troubles of expelling him out of this body only to share his prize, Lia, with Daniel.

Moreover, Raphael hated werewolves as much as they hated vampires amid the peaceful cohabitation. If he was right, his mate Lia should have left Kinney village exposing Daniel to danger - Raphael wouldn't strike with her around.

Even lost in thought, Asher was quick to notice the emergence of a strange aura.

"Who are you?" He asked, eyes darting around the prison room cautiously.

"Wow," Electra clapped thrice in a row, impressed "You're really awesome. Even in another's body, you could still discern me."

Asher's eyes widened, "You know I'm me? But how?"

She strolled across the room, explaining nonchalantly, "Went to your office to torture you as usual but the you in your office couldn't point me out which felt strange. So I just looked around and happened to eavesdrop on a certain conversation on the phone, bingo! You can connect the rest,"

"You could have called for help!" Asher felt the urge to grab the girl and spank her bottom till she got some sense into that head of hers.

"Excuse me?" She laughed mockingly, "I'm sorry but you've got the wrong idea of my presence here"

Electra stepped closer, "I'm here to verify if you're doing fine and so far, I'm satisfied with the result"

She lifted Asher's chin with the slightest touch of her finger, taking in the fading bruises on his pale face that was paler than usual; they haven't been feeding him.

His lips were blue and chaffed, his nose resting at a weird angle; they must have broken it and it healed at an improper angle, and there deep purples bag under his eye.

He looked like death and she loved it. Everything he was going through was retribution for what he did to her mother! He deserved it!

Asher looked around when she let go of his face, his brows furrowed, "This is the Raven Clan, where have you dropped your body this time?"

She grinned, "Oh don't worry, it's in bed with a sexy brute right now"

That comment aroused fury in Asher's heart without him understanding why.

"How could you allow - "

"Is too late to act daddy so keep the lecture for yourself" she shunned him down.

But inwardly, Electra was somewhat flattered by his protectiveness and she had lied to him. Her body was safeguarded on the treetop closest to this place - just hoped it wouldn't fall.

The girl just liked seeing Asher all stressed up and angry, even though it didn't cleanse the guilt in her heart.

"You need to help me out of here," Asher told her.

"In your dreams" was her reply, "I'm just here to joy in your predicament"

"My mate is in danger!" Anger yelled. This wasn't a game, he could really lose his mate.

Electra was already prepared to sass back but she didn't see that one coming. She was lost for words until she got her head back in gear, a smile stretching her face instead.

"Fine"

"Thank God" Asher threw his head back in relief, he had not expected her to agree to this readily.

"I mean I'll try to strike you a deal" she corrected the impression of her agreeing to help him out.

Asher didn't like this one bit but he had to try out," Fine, what's the deal"

"Reject your mate and I'll release you "