The drive back to my place had been uneventful, yet my thoughts were anything but calm. Lucifer had dropped me off, lingering just long enough to tell me, "See you tomorrow," with a confidence that grated on my nerves and, oddly, intrigued me. As soon as he was out of sight, I used my powers, materializing in my room in an instant.
The sun hovered on the horizon, painting the sky in fiery hues that mirrored the heat simmering in my chest. I sat by the window, staring at the fading light, a strange sense of unease settling over me. Being around him required more effort than I had anticipated.
I had to be cautious. Lucifer was no ordinary man; even with the blaze heart in him, his willpower and sharp instincts made him a formidable challenge. I had used telepathy to summon Vincenzo during our meeting , sensing to call him .. But Lucifer's perceptiveness had caught on to my subtle act, forcing me to fabricate a lie.
He didn't suspect much-for now. Still, I would need to tread carefully. His resilience, emotional detachment, and sheer determination made him harder to manipulate than I had expected. The blaze heart's protection around him was almost impenetrable, shielding not only his life but also his emotions.
I closed my eyes and reached out with my powers, searching for him. In my mind's eye, I saw him driving back to his estate. His expression was calm, yet there was an intensity in his gaze, as though his mind was already formulating his next move.
Nothing unusual, I thought, yet I couldn't shake the feeling that his obsession with me was growing.
With a soft knock, the door opened, and Vincenzo stepped in. His presence was steady, grounding, and I welcomed it as a reprieve from my spiraling thoughts.
"La Muerte," he greeted, his voice calm but laced with curiosity. "What happened?"
I recounted the day's events, from the deal to the attack. His sharp eyes darkened with concern. "You need to be careful," he warned.
I hummed in agreement, but my thoughts were elsewhere. "Enzo," I began, my tone contemplative, "did you notice? He wasn't angry or afraid during the stunts I pulled to piss him off . He was...kinda obsessed."
"Obsessed?" Vincenzo echoed, his brows furrowing in confusion. "With what?"
I fixed him with a pointed glare, and understanding dawned on his face. "With you," he said quietly.
I turned back to the window, my gaze sweeping over the sprawling city skyline. The lights glittered like a thousand stars, but they offered no comfort. How was I supposed to retrieve my blaze heart if Lucifer remained impervious to fear or vulnerability?
"Enzo," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil in my mind, "obsession is an emotion, yes. But it will only serve our purpose if it turns into something uncontrollable. A madness that consumes him."
Enzo regarded me with concern. "And you're worried about him?"
I shot him a sharp look but softened as I replied, "Yes, I am. You know I don't enjoy hurting innocent humans."
He scoffed lightly, almost teasing. "Lucifer isn't exactly innocent. He's a killer, La Muerte."
I smiled faintly, the kind of smile that held secrets untold. "And yet," I said, my voice almost wistful, "he has never killed an innocent soul. Every life he took was one steeped in guilt, a soul that deserved its punishment."
Enzo stared at me, puzzled. "Then why," he asked, "do you think you've never visited him as the Goddess of Death?"
I tilted my head, meeting his gaze with a knowing look. "Because his deeds balance the scales," I said softly. "For every life he took, he saved another. For every sin he committed, he performed a good deed. The blaze heart in him ensures that."
Enzo's eyes widened slightly as understanding dawned. "So that's why you gave him your blaze heart, in the past " he murmured.
I nodded, a faint smile playing on my lips. "Yes. The blaze heart doesn't just protect him from physical harm. It shields him from the emotional damage that would otherwise consume a man like him. It tempers him, saves him from the darkness that would otherwise swallow him whole."
Enzo fell silent, absorbing my words.
The city's lights twinkled in the distance, and I allowed myself a brief moment of respite. But deep down, I knew the battle was far from over. Lucifer's obsession with me was growing, and the blaze heart that protected him might soon become the very thing that bound him to me.
And for the first time in centuries, I wasn't sure if I wanted to break that bond-or strengthen it.
The morning air carried a crisp chill, a whisper of the approaching winter. The sky outside was painted in pale hues, the sun only beginning to peek over the horizon. I stood in front of the mirror in my room, the corners of my lips curling into a faint smile. My reflection stared back at me, adorned in a dark red dress as rich as blood, paired with a black leather coat that hugged my frame. My boots clicked softly against the floor as I turned to adjust the collar, the silver detailing glinting faintly in the soft light.
The dress, a sleeveless bodycon style with subtle embroidery near the neckline, was paired with a belt that accentuated my waist. My hair, cascading in soft waves, shimmered like midnight silk. As I ran my fingers through it one last time, I caught a glint of my black nail polish, perfectly complementing the dark aesthetic. I really loved this things exist on earth !
A sharp knock broke my focus. "Come in," I said, my voice calm yet firm.
Enzo entered, his demeanor as composed as ever, a file tucked under his arm. "La Muerte," he began, his tone professional, "I've arranged your schedule for the day, both for the matters here on Earth and the underworld. We'll need to finalize some contracts and address a few concerns from our allies."
I nodded, slipping on a pair of sleek black gloves as he continued.
"I'll have the paperwork delivered here," he added with a sad pout . "It seems we'll be staying on Earth for a while now."
I glanced at him, my expression neutral but my tone deliberate. "From today, I'll be using my car to commute. You can come when I summon you."
He raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "May I ask why?"
I smirked slightly, picking up a black satchel from the corner. "I think Lucifer doesn't like you."
Enzo blinked, feigning innocence. "I didn't do anything to offend him."
"I know," I said, fixing the last strand of hair that had escaped. "But his silence says otherwise."
Before leaving, he paused, a knowing look crossing his face. "You're worried about him."
My gaze snapped to him, cold and sharp. "I'm doing this to achieve our goal, Enzo. His emotions are key to retrieving the blaze heart."
He bowed slightly, retreating without another word.
---
I descended to the private garage, my heels clicking against the polished marble. My car, a sleek red beauty with dark black detailing, awaited me. I didn't need to drive-I could control it with my powers. With a thought, the engine roared to life, and the vehicle glided out of the garage. The city blurred past as I willed the car to its destination, arriving at Lucifer's company in no time.
Stepping out, I strode confidently through the grand entrance, my heels echoing against the tiled floor. The receptionist tried to stop me, but one glance from me silenced her. I made my way to his office, each step calculated, my presence demanding attention.
I knocked softly and heard his deep voice call out, "Come in."
Pushing open the door, I entered. Lucifer was seated behind his desk, his dark eyes lifting to meet mine as a small smile played on his lips. "Good morning," he greeted, his voice smooth, almost expectant.
I narrowed my eyes, sensing something off. "Good morning," I replied curtly. "Do you always come to the office this early?"
"Of course," he said with a nonchalant shrug, but I caught the flicker of deceit in his tone.
I arched an eyebrow but didn't press. Instead, I asked, "I hope you've arranged a space for me here, as we agreed."
"Naturally," he said, standing and gesturing for me to follow. "Your office is right next to mine. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
I followed him down the hall, his broad shoulders moving with effortless confidence. He opened the door to a well-furnished room, the decor minimalist yet elegant.
"I can manage," I said, stepping inside and glancing around.
As I turned, my heel caught on the edge of the carpet. I stumbled, my balance slipping. Before I could hit the ground, his arms were around me, catching me with a strength and swiftness that took me by surprise.
For a moment, time seemed to still. His face was close-too close-and I could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath his shirt. It wasn't just steady; it was fast, erratic, as if it were trying to break free.
His eyes locked onto mine, and for the first time, I saw something unguarded in his gaze.
"Careful," he murmured, his voice lower than usual.
I straightened, stepping out of his hold, though I couldn't ignore the heat that lingered where his hands had been. "Thank you," I said, my tone clipped, trying to regain control. "But don't get used to it."
He chuckled, the sound deep and warm, a stark contrast to his usual cold demeanor. "Noted."
I turned away, but his laugh echoed in my mind. Against my better judgment, I found myself thinking how different he looked when he smiled-how good he looked.
What are you doing, La Muerte? I scolded myself silently. Focus. He is nothing more than a means to an end.
Yet, as I exited the room, I couldn't shake the lingering warmth in my chest-or the nagging thought that perhaps I was underestimating the power of his obsession.
The afternoon sun filtered through the large windows, casting golden hues across my office. Papers were spread neatly over my desk-documents from the underworld intertwined with those from here on Earth. It wasn't overwhelming, though. Keeping busy helped me focus, leaving no room for stray thoughts.
I felt it before it happened-the faint trace of energy as someone approached my office. A second later, a soft knock echoed through the room. Without looking up, I said, "Come in, Mr. Salvatore."
The door opened, and Lucifer stepped in, his dark eyes fixed on me with mild curiosity. "How did you know it was me?" he asked, his tone light, but there was an undertone of suspicion I couldn't ignore.
I froze for a brief moment, realizing I'd been careless. My gaze dropped briefly to the papers on my desk as I scrambled for a believable answer. With a casual shrug, I said, "On this floor, I haven't seen anyone else's office."
His lips curved into a small smile, and I felt my defenses waver. His smile was rare-a fleeting moment of warmth in the otherwise stoic exterior-and it had a disarming effect I hated to admit.
Before I realized it, my gaze lingered on him a second too long, tracing the sharp curve of his jaw and the light crinkle near his eyes as he smiled. I quickly snapped out of it, my heart hammering in my chest.
To distract from the possibility of him catching me staring, I cleared my throat and asked, "Why are you here?"
His smile lingered as he stepped further into the room. "I wanted to discuss the next project. Since we agreed our companies would collaborate, the profits will be split fifty-fifty, as we decided."
I nodded, my fingers tapping lightly on the desk. "I'm aware of that, Mr. Salvatore."
His expression shifted, his eyes narrowing slightly. As if making up his mind, he turned and closed the door behind him. The soft click of the latch made the air feel heavier. He took a deliberate step closer, his presence filling the room.
"Why do you call me Mr. Salvatore?" he asked, his voice quieter now, holding a teasing lilt.
I tilted my head, feigning nonchalance. "What do you want me to call you? Di Carlo, instead?"
A flicker of amusement danced across his features. He caught on to my teasing and leaned slightly closer, the corners of his mouth quirking up. "No," he said, his tone playful. "But I wouldn't mind hearing you call me Lucifer."
The sound of his name on his own lips was far too intimate, the way it rolled off his tongue with ease. I narrowed my eyes, fighting to maintain control of the situation. A small smile tugged at the corner of my mouth despite my better judgment.
"And why should I call you by your name?" I asked, keeping my tone even. "You know, in professional settings, it's considered unprofessional."
"Not unless the other party insists," he countered quickly, his smirk growing.
I shook my head, rising from my chair. My heels clicked softly against the floor as I moved around the desk, deliberately brushing past him. "Yet the other party seems very insistent on professionalism," I said, a mischievous glint in my eye as I headed for the door.
He followed, his strides quick as if he couldn't let me leave without having the last word. "Amara ," he called after me, his tone holding a boyish determination.
I stepped into the hallway, but he was right behind me. "You can't avoid this forever," he added, his voice dipping into a playful challenge.
I turned slightly to glance at him, catching the faintest pout on his lips-one so fleeting I might have imagined it. He almost seemed childlike, chasing after me with the persistence of someone desperate for a favor.
"You're persistent," I remarked, unable to hide the small smile tugging at my lips.
"And you're stubborn," he shot back, stepping in front of me to block my path. His smirk returned, his confidence back in place. "But you smiled. I'll take that as a victory."
I narrowed my eyes, though the corners of my mouth betrayed me with the faintest curve. There was something so disarmingly sweet about this side of him-a side I never expected from a man who could be so calculating and controlled.
"Fine," I said, crossing my arms. "Lucifer. Happy now?"
His smirk widened, and he leaned slightly closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Ecstatic."
I rolled my eyes, but a soft laugh escaped me before I could stop it. As I turned and walked away, I couldn't help but think how dangerous this man truly was-not because of his power or influence, but because he was starting to make me forget why I was here in the first place.