Chapter 15: 13 - The Dark alley

I woke up before dawn, as usual. The first rays of sunlight began to spill through the curtains, painting the room in muted gold. I frowned. The morning sun has always been an unwelcome guest. Perhaps I’d grown too accustomed to the comfort of the shadows. The darkness was my home after all .

Slipping out of bed, I got ready quickly, pulling on a black office fit —sleek, efficient, and perfect for blending into the shadows I navigated daily. As I smoothed my hair and straightened my cuffs, my thoughts strayed to the night before.

Lucifer had stayed. He’d taken the guest room, of course, but I’d bet everything that he had planned this from the start. Spare clothes in the car? Convenient. His subtle manipulations weren’t lost on me, though I didn’t mind. Not entirely.

When I stepped into the hallway, I noticed my staff huddled outside the kitchen. Their heads were bowed, their expressions nervous.

“What are you all doing out here?” I demanded, narrowing my eyes.

None of them responded, their silence laced with unease. One of the maids fidgeted, glancing toward the kitchen door.

Curious—and mildly irritated—I turned around and walked inside, only to pause at the sight before me.

Lucifer stood at the counter, sleeves rolled up, moving around the kitchen as though it was his personal domain. He was flipping pancakes, the rich aroma of coffee and maple syrup filling the air.

Lucifer Salvatore Di Carlo, the feared and revered, cooking breakfast in my kitchen.

It was so absurd, I couldn’t help but smile. Leaning against the doorframe, I watched him, arms crossed, letting the scene unfold.

“Morning to you too,” he said without looking up, though the smirk tugging at his lips made it clear he knew I was there. “Done checking me out?”

I raised an eyebrow, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, don’t flatter yourself. I was checking out the food.”

He chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. “Apologies for taking over your kitchen.”

I shrugged. “Just don’t burn the place down.”

Minutes later, he set two plates on the table, gesturing for me to sit. The food was surprisingly good, though I refused to admit it aloud. We ate in comfortable silence, the occasional scrape of cutlery the only sound.

After breakfast, he disappeared into the guest room, leaving me to tidy up. When he returned, I nearly dropped the dish I was holding.

He looked every bit the picture of a runway model—his suit tailored to perfection, his hair artfully tousled, and his cologne subtle yet commanding. I turned away quickly, focusing on wiping the counter.

Do not get caught staring, I scolded myself, though I knew the warning was futile.

“Ready?” he asked casually, his deep voice snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Yes,” I replied, perhaps a bit too quickly. I grabbed my bag, heading to the garage where my car waited.

He offered to drive me—of course, he did—but I declined. “I have my own car,” I said firmly, cutting off any argument.

We left together, our vehicles cutting sleek paths through the early morning traffic.

Arriving at the office was nothing short of a spectacle. Our expensive cars drew attention, murmurs rippling through the employees gathered near the entrance.

I sighed, shaking my head. “Humans and their obsession with appearances.”

Lucifer smirked, falling into step beside me. We entered the building and stepped into the elevator, silence enveloping us as the doors closed.

That’s when it hit me. A flicker of something dark—a glimpse of violence, blood, and death. I stiffened, my mind racing. Another murder. Another soul in danger.

Lucifer noticed immediately. “What’s wrong?” he asked, stepping closer. His hand brushed my cheek, his touch surprisingly gentle.

I blinked, startled by the unexpected gesture but didn’t pull away. “It’s nothing,” I lied. “I just don’t like mornings.”

He smiled, a warm, teasing expression. “Maybe I can help keep the mornings interesting.”

Despite myself, I smiled back.

As we stepped out of the elevator, I paused, a sudden thought taking hold.

“Lucifer,” I called out, stopping him in his tracks.

He turned, his brow furrowed with curiosity.

I walked up to him, extending my hand. “Let’s be friends.”

His reaction was priceless. He stared at my hand as though I’d asked for the deed to his company.

“Friends?” he repeated, his tone skeptical.

“Yes. Friends,” I said, gesturing toward my hand. “You’ve heard of the concept, haven’t you?”

For a moment, he simply stared, his expression unreadable. Then, just as I was about to withdraw my hand with an annoyed sigh, he reached out, pulling me closer instead.

“Fine,” he said, his voice low and laced with amusement. “Let’s be friends.”

I narrowed my eyes at his tone but said nothing, allowing a small smile to escape.

Once inside my office, I wasted no time. Closing the door, I let my powers surge, reaching out across the city to locate the source of the dark energy I had felt earlier.

My vision shifted, revealing the scene of the next murder—a dimly lit alley in another corner of the city. The victim’s face was unfamiliar, but the time was clear: tonight.

It wasn’t her time to die.

Something was wrong. The forged orders, the chaos in the underworld, the souls in danger —it all pointed to a larger scheme.

For now, though, I would play my part, pretending to be just another human while Lucifer hovered nearby. Unaware of the storm brewing around him.

The day blurred by in a haze of work and meetings, leaving little time for interaction. Lucifer and I hardly crossed paths, each buried in our responsibilities. While a part of me was relieved not to have to deal with his endless smirks and teasing, another part... wasn’t so sure.

Finally, the workday came to an end. As I packed up my things, I caught sight of him walking in my direction. Before he could utter a word, I hurriedly waved and called out a quick, “Bye!” before stepping into the elevator.

The doors slid shut, and I sighed in relief. Not now, Lucifer. I had more pressing matters to attend to.

I exited the building and made my way to my car, slipping into the driver’s seat. Once I was far enough from the company and prying eyes, I allowed my powers to ripple outward, pulling me into the shadowed streets of the city.

I arrived at the alley, the atmosphere thick with tension and the scent of impending violence. My gaze swept the surroundings, taking in the flickering streetlights and the shadows that danced against the walls.

A vending machine caught my eye, and I grabbed a can of beer from it, the cold metal a sharp contrast against my warm fingers. I leaned against the wall, sipping casually as I waited.

The scream came moments later—a piercing, heart-wrenching sound that shattered the stillness.

I smirked, my eyes glowing with anticipation as my blazing cloak enveloped me. My flames cast an eerie glow across the alley as I strode forward, each step echoing with authority.

In the darkness, I saw her—a young girl, her face pale with terror, her body trembling as she clutched a bleeding wound.

I softened my steps, approaching slowly to avoid startling her further. Before I could reach her, a figure lunged at me from behind.

Too slow.

Without flinching, I turned and caught the attacker's hand mid-swing. His face twisted in shock as I effortlessly lifted him into the air, pinning him against the wall with one hand.

“You dare?” I whispered, my voice like velvet laced with steel.

The girl’s cries brought my attention back to her. I released the man for a moment and knelt beside her, my fiery cloak dimming slightly.

“It’s okay,” I said softly, my voice soothing despite the fire in my veins. “You’re safe now.”

She flinched as I reached out, but I ignored her fear, placing my hand over her wound. A soft glow emanated from my palm as the injury mended itself. Her breathing steadied, though her eyes remained wide with fright.

I rose, turning my attention back to the attacker. My eyes burned brighter as I extended a hand, delving into his memories. What I found only deepened my anger.

“Forged memories,” I muttered, my tone dangerous. “Someone’s tampering with mortal lives.”

He struggled against the invisible force binding him, but I tightened my grip on his essence, watching him choke on his own breath. The urge to end him was strong, but I held back. Killing him wouldn’t provide the answers I needed.  I needed to calm down.

Releasing him with a flick of my hand, I turned back to the girl. She was frozen in place, her tears still threatening to spill.

“Let’s get out of here,” I said, my tone was softer now.

Wrapping us both in a shroud of shadows, I transported us to the rooftop of a nearby skyscraper. The city lights twinkled below, a sharp contrast to the horrors of the alley.

She trembled, hugging herself as I stood a few feet away, giving her space.

“Take your time,” I said, leaning against the railing. “I’m not in a rush.”

She sniffled, wiping her face with shaky hands. “Who... who are you?”

“Good question.” I tilted my head, smirking. “You can call me La Muerte.”

Her eyes widened. “The goddess of Death?”

“The one and only,” I said, giving her a little mock bow. “But don’t worry—I’m not here for you. Not today.”

She swallowed hard, her fear slowly giving way to curiosity. “Why did you save me?”

I shrugged. “Just because I deal in death doesn’t mean I like seeing innocent people hurt. You’re not on my list, sweetheart.”

Her lips twitched, almost forming a smile. “You’re... different from what I have always heard about .”

“Let me guess,” I said, crossing my arms. “You expected a scythe-wielding skeleton? Maybe a grim hooded figure who talks in ominous riddles?”

She nodded sheepishly, and I chuckled.

“Sorry to disappoint,” I said. “I like to keep things... interesting.”

A comfortable silence settled between us as she looked out over the city, her breathing finally steady.

“Thank you,” she said after a while, her voice small but sincere.

“Don’t mention it.” I straightened, my tone turning playful. “Really, don’t. I have a reputation to uphold.”

She actually laughed—a soft, hesitant sound, but genuine.

“Are you always like this?” she asked, wiping the last of her tears.

“Sweet, charming, beautiful and endlessly sarcastic?” I smirked. “Only on good days.”

She shook her head, a faint smile lingering on her lips.

I stepped closer, my expression growing serious. “Listen to me. Stay safe. Whoever attacked you—can you keep this a little secret between us.”

Her smile faded, replaced by worry. “Will he come after me again?”

“Not if I have anything to say about it,” I said firmly. “But you need to keep your guard up. This world isn’t as simple as it seems.”

She nodded, her fear returning but tempered with determination.

With a final glance at the skyline, I wrapped the shadows around her, transporting her to a safe location far from the alley. As I watched her disappear, a storm of questions churned in my mind.

Something was wrong in the mortal world .