The drive to the other company was a stark contrast to our usual grandeur. Lucifer sat beside me, his presence commanding as always, though his demeanor remained relaxed, almost too relaxed for what was to come. When we arrived, the building stood as a modest structure-a pale shadow compared to the empire we commanded. I couldn't help but feel a flicker of disdain; this place was barely worth our time.
As the car came to a stop, Lucifer stepped out first and walked to my side, opening the door for me. I arched an eyebrow, narrowing my eyes as I stepped out. "You know you don't have to do this," I said, my tone laced with a mix of sarcasm and curiosity.
His smirk was his only answer, that insufferable, confident curl of his lips that spoke volumes without a word.
We walked inside together, the air instantly thickening with tension. The employees scattered around the reception area stiffened at the sight of us. Their fear was palpable, their every movement cautious, like prey trying not to draw attention to itself. It amused me. The most powerful beings in the room were striding through their mediocre workplace, and they knew it. Oh, how they should be scared.
The CEO, a wiry man with thinning hair and a nervous energy radiating off him, approached us with an eager yet terrified smile. "Welcome, Mr. Salvatore, Ms. Ashford ," he stammered, extending a trembling hand toward Lucifer.
Lucifer's response was calm and measured, yet his voice alone seemed to make the man flinch. "Good to see you, Mr. Michael," he said, his deep voice resonating with an authority that could make anyone shrink in fear.
Michael turned to me, offering his hand. "It's an honor to meet you, ma'am," he said, his tone attempting politeness but betraying his unease.
I accepted the handshake, my fingers brushing against his palm. The moment our hands touched, a sharp, vivid vision pierced through my mind-a crumbling building, smoke, flames, and his lifeless body buried beneath the debris.
His death was near. Tomorrow night, to be precise. A fitting end for a man who had built his empire on the suffering of others. I smiled, a subtle curve of my lips that he mistook for kindness.
Michael stepped back, gesturing toward his office. "This way, please."
Lucifer and I followed him, walking past employees who quickly lowered their eyes as we passed. Once in his office, Lucifer pulled a chair for me-a small gesture that felt deliberate. I gave him a look, silently questioning his intentions, but I sat down gracefully, like the Queen I Was.
The conversation began, with Michael nervously presenting his case for collaboration. His words were rushed, his eyes darting between Lucifer and me as if gauging our reactions. Lucifer leaned back in his chair, exuding an effortless authority that silenced the room with his mere presence.
I watched quietly, speaking only when necessary to offer advice or steer the discussion. Mortal concerns weren't my priority, but as part of my role, I played along. My gaze occasionally drifted to Michael, observing his every move, his every nervous twitch. With a mere thought, I unraveled his life story-a string of lies, betrayals, and sins that had brought him here.
His death wasn't my doing. The natural order meant the demons who worked under me , would take care of him. Humans were often the architects of their own demise, their short lives made even shorter by their greed and recklessness.
"Excuse me," I said abruptly, rising from my chair. "I need to use the washroom."
Michael nodded quickly, standing to show me the way, but I waved him off with a small smile. "I can find it myself."
I left the office, my heels clicking softly against the tiled floor as I wandered through the building. My curiosity had been piqued. Michael's death didn't require my intervention, yet I found myself drawn to the whispers of his employees.
Turning a corner, I overheard a small group speaking in hushed tones. Their words carried a bitterness that was hard to miss.
"He thinks he's untouchable," one said, his voice filled with frustration.
"The way he treats us... it's no wonder people want him gone," another murmured.
I leaned against the wall, listening as they recounted tales of Michael's tyranny-long hours, unpaid wages, verbal abuse. Their anger and resentment were justified, but their powerlessness was evident. Mortals had such limited means to fight back.
For a moment, I considered intervening, perhaps offering them some solace or justice. But it wasn't my role to carry every soul or right every wrong. Still, their story added another layer to Michael's impending fate.
Returning to the office, I found Lucifer waiting, his eyes meeting mine with an unspoken question. I offered him a small smile as I resumed my seat, my thoughts lingering on what I'd learned. Humans were fascinating in their flaws, their lives intertwined with choices that sealed their fates.
Michael continued speaking, oblivious to the storm brewing around him. And though I had no intention of interfering, I couldn't help but wonder how much of this mortal chaos Lucifer and I would leave behind when our work here was done.
The meeting had dragged on for what felt like an eternity, each word from Michael's mouth testing the limits of my patience. By the end, I was irritable-not entirely due to his tedious droning, but because I was hungry. Hunger, even for someone like me, could stir annoyance. The human condition was contagious, it seemed.
We stepped out of the building into the late afternoon sun. Lucifer walked beside me, his demeanor calm as ever, though I could feel his satisfaction with how the meeting had concluded. "We'll finalize the deal the day after tomorrow," he said, his tone holding the certainty of someone who always got his way.
I couldn't help but let out a small chuckle as I turned to him. "If you really want to sign it, do it within the day."
He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity. As we approached his sleek black car and settled inside, he asked, "Why do you want to sign it so quickly?"
I shrugged nonchalantly, knowing he would read between the lines. "Maybe you won't get a chance after tomorrow."
The confusion flickered across his face like a shadow. He said nothing.
As we drove, I reached for my phone and called Enzo. I couldn't use my powers to summon what I needed with Lucifer by my side-it would break the delicate charade I was playing. Enzo, ever efficient, picked up after two rings.
"Are you too free that you're answering my calls so quickly?" I teased, smiling at the thought of his usual dramatic response.
He replied in his customary professional tone, rattling off updates about his work before shifting into his signature theatrics. "Maybe it's the pollution on Earth, boss . It's affecting even my divine efficiency."
I rolled my eyes, though the smile lingered on my lips. "Enzo, arrange something for me. I'm starving."
There was a brief pause before he replied, "Of course. I'll book a table for you at your favorite Italian restaurant."
"Good," I said, leaning back into the seat as I heard a faint sound beside me-a low, deliberate clearing of the throat.
I glanced at Lucifer, his expression calm but his grip on the wheel visibly firm. The tension in the air was palpable, radiating from him in waves. Anger? No. It was something more... raw. Jealousy? How intriguing.
"Thanks, Enzo," I said, keeping my tone light. "And make sure I have the papers by tomorrow."
"Understood, ma'am," he replied before the call ended.
As I placed my phone down, Lucifer finally spoke, his voice a mixture of annoyance and concern. "You should have told me you were hungry."
I knew why he was behaving this way, and I decided to indulge in a little game. "And why would I tell you that?" I asked, feigning innocence.
He fell silent, his jaw tightening as he searched for a reply he couldn't seem to find.
I smiled faintly and added, "I didn't want to burden you."
The car came to an abrupt halt in the middle of the road, throwing me off guard. "What are you doing?" I asked, glancing at him in confusion.
He turned to face me, his eyes locking with mine. "Never feel like doing your work-or anything for you-would be a burden to me."
The sincerity in his voice caught me off guard. For a moment, I was at a loss for words. "I know you don't like taking orders," I said, trying to lighten the mood.
"You're the exception," he replied casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
His words sent a ripple through me, a warmth spreading through my chest that was unfamiliar yet... comforting. I looked at him, understanding the significance of what had just happened. The barrier around the blaze heart-the one forged by centuries of betrayal and pain-had loosened ever so slightly. Not enough to break it, but enough to make me realize that warmth, not pain, was the key.
I smiled at him, a rare, genuine smile. "Okay, Lucifer. You said it. Don't regret it later."
His lips curved into a smile of his own. "I won't."
"Good," I said, leaning back with a newfound ease. "Now, I'm hungry."
With a chuckle, he turned the car toward a restaurant I'd once mentioned in passing. As we drove, I allowed myself a rare moment of hope. Maybe, just maybe, retrieving my blaze heart wouldn't be as impossible as I'd thought.
We reached the restaurant-a quaint Italian place tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Though I'd only visited this place once before, the taste had lingered on my palate, enough to warrant a return. The decor was warm and inviting, with dim lights casting a golden glow over the wooden furniture. Not my style! A faint aroma of garlic and freshly baked bread filled the air, soothing my irritation from earlier.
Lucifer held the door open for me as we entered. I gave him a side glance and a small nod of acknowledgment, which he returned with a faint smirk. His manners were impeccable, almost to the point of irritating perfection.
We were quickly ushered to a corner table with a view of the bustling street outside. The server handed us menus, and I quickly selected my dish-a creamy pasta with a side of bruschetta. Lucifer ordered something with far too many technical names, though I had no doubt it would be excellent.
As we handed our menus back to the server, I noticed the flicker of hesitation in his eyes. He wanted to ask me something. It was written all over his face, in the way his fingers drummed lightly against the table and his jaw tightened ever so slightly.
I chuckled inwardly, knowing exactly what was on his mind-Enzo. His curiosity was palpable, but his pride wouldn't allow him to voice it outright. I decided to let him stew, enjoying the subtle tension in the air as I sipped my water.
Our food arrived swiftly, the vibrant colors and tantalizing aroma promising a delightful meal. We ate in relative silence, save for the occasional clink of cutlery against plates. The silence wasn't awkward; it was a quiet understanding, though I could still feel his curiosity simmering beneath the surface.
Once we finished, Lucifer paid the bill without a second thought, and we headed back to the office. The afternoon sun had mellowed, casting long shadows on the streets as we drove.
---
Back at the office, I returned to my desk, piles of papers waiting for me like loyal servants eager to be dismissed. I took a deep breath and let the exhaustion roll off me as I quietly summoned my powers. With a flick of my wrist, the documents sorted themselves. The necessary ones were signed with a flourish, and the useless ones were reduced to ash in an instant, their remnants disappearing into nothingness.
Hours slipped by as I worked, the clock ticking steadily in the background. Finally, as I set the last signed document aside, I leaned back in my chair and exhaled deeply. The workload was complete, yet there was still time before the day officially ended.
A mischievous smile tugged at my lips as an idea formed. Rising from my seat, I smoothed out my dress and made my way to Lucifer's office.
I knocked on the door, hearing his familiar, authoritative voice respond with a simple, "Come in."
As I stepped inside, the sight before me was enough to give anyone pause. Lucifer was seated at his desk, his coat draped over the back of his chair, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing strong forearms. His tie was loosened just enough to give him an air of disheveled elegance. His sharp features were illuminated by the glow of his laptop screen as his fingers moved effortlessly over the keyboard.
He didn't acknowledge me at first, so I allowed myself a moment to appreciate the view. His focus was unwavering, his presence commanding even in silence.
But then, as if sensing my gaze, a smirk curled at the corner of his lips. Without looking up, he said, "You know, staring at me like that is hardly professional."
I cleared my throat, a faint heat rising to my cheeks. "I wasn't staring," I said, my tone carefully composed, though I knew he could see through the lie.
He finally glanced up, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Of course not."
Ignoring his playful jibe, I walked over to the large glass window that overlooked the city. The view was breathtaking-skyscrapers bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun, cars moving like tiny specks on the streets below.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, pulling me from my thoughts. I pulled it out to see a message from Enzo.
Enzo: Something urgent came up in Hell Court. I'll be out for a while but will return soon.
I sighed, replying with a simple Okay. Handle it.
Slipping my phone back into my pocket, I stared out at the horizon, my mind turning over the implications. With Enzo occupied, I'd have to manage things on my own for a while. Not that I couldn't handle it.
A shift in the air behind me made me turn slightly. Lucifer was watching me, his gaze steady and unyielding. Our eyes met, and for a moment, neither of us said anything.
I narrowed my eyes at him. "Do you ever stop staring?"
He didn't flinch, didn't look away. "Do you ever stop captivating?"
The bluntness of his reply caught me off guard. I shook my head, turning back to the window. The warmth of the evening sun seemed to seep into my very being, a reminder of how much I was enjoying the flow of time on Earth.
As much as I hated to admit it, moments like these were making me feel... alive in a way I hadn't for centuries.