Chapter 22: 20 - Revelation

The room was quiet, save for the soft clink of my glass as I swirled the wine in my hand. The deep crimson liquid caught the dim light, reflecting my mood—calm, yet simmering with an undertone of chaos. I took another sip, savoring the rich taste as I leaned back in my chair, my gaze fixed on Enzo.

He sat across from me, his elbows resting on his knees, his head buried in his hands. His disheveled appearance betrayed his inner turmoil, a stark contrast to the stoic mask he usually wore. I had just told him everything—everything about Lucifer, about my feelings, about my plans. Nothing was hidden.

“La Muerte,” he finally said, his voice strained, “what do you mean by ‘you kinda like him’?”

I shrugged, a small smirk playing on my lips. “Exactly what I said, Enzo. I kinda like him.”

He straightened, looking at me like I had just declared war on the heavens. “Okay, Enzo,” he muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair. “Take a deep breath.”

I couldn’t resist the opportunity to tease him. “You’re not human, Enzo. You don’t need to breathe to calm down.”

His glare was sharp, but it barely fazed me. He was always like this—overly dramatic, yet so easy to rile up.

He crossed his arms and leaned back, his tone accusing. “So, why did you tell me to twirl you earlier? And that hug? Don’t tell me you’re trying to make him jealous.”

I tilted my head, letting my smirk grow wider. “What if I am?”

His reaction was priceless. He clutched his chest and pretended to faint, falling back into the chair as if the revelation had physically struck him. I laughed softly, swirling my wine again as I waited for him to recover.

A moment later, he sat up, his expression a mix of exasperation and disbelief. “So, what’s your plan now, la muerte? What are you going to do?”

I tapped my chin thoughtfully, pretending to consider his question. “I don’t know.”

His jaw dropped. “You don’t know?!”

I leaned forward, setting my glass on the table. “Enzo, take a breath.”

He narrowed his eyes. “I’m not human.”

I chuckled. “Touché. Fine, then. I’m staying for now.”

“Why?” he asked, his curiosity piqued.

I glanced at him, my tone turning serious. “I need to know what was in that phone call. What triggered him to be so harsh with me.”

His eyes darkened. “Do you really want to go down that path?”

“Yes,” I said firmly.

He hesitated, then leaned closer. “It’s about your Blaze Heart.”

The words sent a chill through me. My Blaze Heart. I stood abruptly, pacing the room. My heels clicked against the floor, echoing like a countdown.

“I’ll take it back,” I declared.

Enzo shot up, alarmed. “You know what that means, right? If you take it back—”

“I know,” I interrupted. “He could die. And I won’t let him die like this.”

Enzo sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Fine. What now?”

I turned to him, my eyes narrowing. “Find out what was in that phone call.”

He stared at me blankly. “How?”

I glared, and he quickly raised his hands in surrender. “Okay, okay. I’ll figure it out.”

Satisfied, I picked up my glass and sat down again. “What happened in the Hell Court while I was away?”

His expression grew serious, the playful banter fading. “Someone is trying to undermine your position.”

I nodded, already expecting this. “By forging false memories and causing unusual deaths in the mortal realm?”

He blinked, surprised. “How do you know that?”

I gave him a knowing smile, one that sent a shiver down his spine.

“Of course,” he muttered, bowing slightly. “the goddess of Death.”

I smirked, leaning back. “It’s the work of a demon, obviously. Forging memories is their specialty. But someone summoned that demon into the mortal realm. A human.”

Enzo’s eyes narrowed. “Do you have any suspicions?”

I swirled the last of my wine before answering, my tone deliberate. “Tell me, Enzo, who in the mortal world knows demons best?”

Realization dawned on him like a thunderclap. He whispered the answer, his voice trembling.

“The Di Carlo family.”

I smirked again, this time with a hint of malice. “Exactly.”

It had been two days since I walked out of Lucifer’s estate. Two days of silence, yet I knew he was far from indifferent. My ways of keeping tabs on him were... let’s say, efficient. Even from a distance, I could sense the ripples of his restlessness. He wasn’t hiding it well—not from me, at least.

As I stood before the mirror, fastening the last strap of my heels, a smile curved on my lips. Tonight was going to be interesting. Enzo had suggested I try something “mortal” for a change, a way to pass the time and entertain myself. A pub, he’d said. Mortals find excitement there. I wasn’t exactly in need of excitement—I had plenty of that—but the idea intrigued me.

Besides, I had a little game of my own in mind.

My dress was daring, a deep crimson that clung to every curve, with a plunging neckline and a high slit that promised to turn heads. My hair fell in loose waves down my back, and my makeup was sultry—smoky eyes, bold red lips. I exuded seduction, power, and a touch of danger.

But this wasn’t just for the mortals. No, I had made sure Lucifer knew where I was going tonight. A subtle whisper here, a deliberate slip of information there—it was enough to catch his attention. I smirked at the thought. He wouldn’t be able to resist, not after what I had planned.

This wasn’t entirely unprovoked, of course. Two could play the jealousy game. Enzo had shown me a clip earlier—a grainy office security feed of a woman throwing herself into Lucifer’s arms. He hadn’t hugged her back, but the small, faint smile on his lips? That was enough to ignite a fire in me.

Oh, Lucifer, you wanted to play? Let me show you how it’s done.

Enzo was waiting downstairs, looking his usual composed self in a sleek black suit. He raised an eyebrow as I descended, his eyes briefly scanning my attire. “Making a statement, are we?” he teased.

I smirked, brushing past him. “Always.”

We arrived at the club shortly after. The neon lights flickered against the darkened sky, and the bass of the music thudded through the ground even from the entrance. Mortals lined up outside, some already tipsy, others eager to lose themselves in the chaos of the night.

What the hell was I doing?

The great Lucifer Salvatore Di Carlo, calmly waiting in one of my clubs for a woman—a woman—to arrive so I could apologize. The thought grated on my nerves, but here I was, swirling a glass of whiskey in my hand, my patience wearing thin.

Amara wasn’t answering my calls. She wasn’t responding to my messages. She hadn’t let me near her estate for the past two days, and it was driving me insane. I couldn’t focus on work, couldn’t sleep, couldn’t even pretend to care about anything else.

And the clip. That damned viral clip.

It wasn’t my fault. That woman had thrown herself at me, and the cameras had caught the exact moment her arms wrapped around my shoulders. What they didn’t show was the aftermath—how I had shoved her off and called security to escort her out for such disrespectful behavior. But none of that mattered. Amara had seen the clip, and I knew what it looked like.

I exhaled sharply, my grip tightening around the glass. My sources told me she was coming here tonight. My club. Enzo was with her, as always. That little pest. He was good at his job, I’d give him that, but his closeness to her grated on my nerves more than I’d care to admit.

The bass of the music thudded in my chest as I leaned back in the VIP lounge, nursing my drink. My eyes were glued to the entrance, anticipation coiling tight in my chest. And then it happened.

The lights near the door dimmed for a moment, casting an ethereal glow as the crowd seemed to collectively gasp, even over the pounding music.

And there she was.

My fingers clenched around the glass, the ice shifting against the sides as I took her in. She was a vision, a tempest, a walking sin wrapped in a dress that clung to her curves like it was painted on. Deep crimson, with a plunging neckline that left nothing to the imagination and a slit that revealed just enough to tempt and taunt. Her heels clicked against the floor as she walked, her hips swaying in a way that demanded attention.

And she was getting it.

Every head in the room turned toward her—men and women alike, their gazes filled with awe, lust, and envy. Even the girls were stunned, some whispering to their companions, others too dumbfounded to speak.

But none of it mattered. My focus was solely on her.

Her eyes scanned the room briefly, a faint smirk playing on her lips as though she knew exactly the chaos she was causing. Beside her was Enzo, his ever-present shadow. He leaned in close to whisper something, and she chuckled softly.

That chuckle.

It was a casual, fleeting sound, but it hit me like a dagger. Here I was, sitting in my own club, while she—the one I was trying to fix things with—was laughing with him.

She made her way to the bar, leaning against the counter as she ordered a drink. My jaw tightened as I watched her sip it, her movements slow and deliberate, as if she were savoring every drop. She wasn’t doing anything overt, yet somehow, everything about her screamed seduction.

And I couldn’t look away.

Then she leaned toward Enzo again, her lips close to his ear as she whispered something. He nodded, a faint smirk on his face, and the two of them made their way to the dance floor.

That’s when I saw red.

The lights on the floor pulsed in time with the music, casting them in shades of blue and gold as they moved. And move they did. Too close. Too intimate.

Her hands rested on his shoulders, her body swaying in perfect rhythm with the music. Enzo’s hands hovered near her waist—not touching, but close enough to make my blood boil. She tilted her head back slightly, her hair cascading down her back as she smiled, her eyes half-lidded in a way that could make anyone lose their sanity.

Including me.

I set my glass down with more force than intended, the sound barely audible over the music but enough to catch the attention of my security. They glanced at me nervously, unsure whether to act.

And I? I was ready to tear through the crowd and drag her off that floor myself.

But I didn’t. Not yet.

Instead, I leaned forward, gripping the edge of the table as I watched them, my chest tight with a mixture of jealousy and something far more dangerous. She was doing this on purpose. I knew it. Every laugh, every sway of her hips, every glance she threw in his direction—it was all for me.

She wanted me to react. To lose control.

And damn it, she was succeeding.

The room seemed to blur, the only thing in focus being her. My temptress. My fury. My undoing.

And if she thought I was going to sit here and let her get away with this, she was sorely mistaken.

I knew exactly what I was doing.

Every sway of my hips, every flick of my hair, every deliberate glance—it was all calculated. I was enjoying every second of this game, feeling the storm I’d stirred brewing in the air around me. As the music pulsed, I let myself sink into the rhythm, feeling the eyes on me, especially his.

Enzo leaned in close, his breath warm against my ear as he murmured, "Why me, La Muerte? Of all people, why set the target on me to catch the shark?”

I smirked, spinning slightly before resting my hands lightly on his shoulders. "Because you’re perfect bait, Enzo," I teased, letting my lips curve into a mischievous smile.

He chuckled, shaking his head as we moved in sync. "You’re going to get me killed one day, you know that?"

I laughed softly, tilting my head. "Oh, come on. You’re loving this as much as I am."

"Only because I value my life less than my loyalty to you," he retorted, his tone dripping with mock resignation.

"Good," I replied, my eyes gleaming with mischief. "Then keep dancing. He’s watching."

Enzo glanced subtly toward the upper level, where Lucifer sat brooding like a thundercloud ready to unleash. "He’s fuming, all right. You’re playing with fire."

"I always play with fire, darling. It’s how I stay warm," I said, giving him a wink.

He laughed, shaking his head as we twirled. "One day, La Muerte, that fire’s going to burn you."

"And when it does, it’ll be worth it," I replied, my voice dripping with confidence.

But then, something shifted.

We froze mid-step, our movements halting as an unspoken tension rippled through the air. Enzo and I exchanged a glance, both of us sensing it at the same time. A demon. Close by.

"Stay here," Enzo said firmly, his expression serious as he began to step away. "Lucifer’s here ."

I nodded, but as he turned to leave, something in me rebelled against letting him go. Without thinking, I reached out, grabbing his hand. "Be careful, Enzo."

He paused, looking at me with a soft smile. "Always," he promised, squeezing my hand briefly before slipping away into the crowd.

The moment he disappeared, a strong force pulled me back. Before I could react, I found myself pressed against someone’s chest. I didn’t need to look to know who it was.

Lucifer.

I felt his hand slide firmly around my waist, pulling me closer as he began to sway with me to the music. His touch was possessive, almost branding, and I could feel the tension radiating from him like a coiled spring ready to snap.

"Having fun?" he murmured, his voice low and dangerous, his lips brushing against my ear.

I smiled, leaning back just enough to meet his gaze. "More than you can imagine," I said, my tone teasing as I let my fingers trail along his arm.

He exhaled sharply, his grip tightening. "You think this is a game, don’t you?"

"Isn’t it?" I countered, tilting my head as I gave him an innocent look.

His eyes darkened, jealousy swirling in their depths. "You’ve had your fun, Amara. But it ends now."

"Does it?" I asked, my voice a whisper as I leaned in closer, my lips just a breath away from his.

He didn’t answer, his jaw clenching as he struggled to maintain control. I smirked, loving every second of his torment.

"You’re jealous," I teased, my voice light as I let my fingers graze the back of his neck.

"And you’re reckless," he shot back, his voice rough as his hand slid to the small of my back, pulling me flush against him. "Do you know what it does to me, seeing you with him?"

"Maybe I do," I said, my tone playful as I looked up at him through my lashes.

"Careful, MOON ," he warned, his voice a low growl. "You’re playing a dangerous game."

"And you’re losing," I whispered, my lips curving into a provocative smile.

The music ended, but the tension between us didn’t. Without a word, he grabbed my wrist, pulling me through the crowd with a determined stride.

Upstairs, the VIP lounge loomed. He pushed the door open and dragged me inside, slamming it shut behind us.

"Lucifer," I began, but before I could say another word, he spun me around, his hands gripping my arms as he pressed me back against the wall—not hard, but enough to make his point clear.

"Do you have any idea what you’ve done to me tonight?" he demanded, his voice a mixture of anger, frustration, and something deeper.

I met his gaze, unflinching. "Enjoyed myself?"

"Amara," he growled, his hands tightening briefly before he released me and paced a few steps away, raking a hand through his hair.

I watched him, my lips curving into a slow smile. "You’re cute when you’re jealous," I teased.

He turned back to me, his expression dark and unreadable. "And you’re impossible."

"Isn’t that why you like me?" I asked, my tone light but laced with meaning.

His silence was answer enough.

We were inches apart. The tension between us was electric, crackling in the narrow space separating us. I could feel the heat radiating from his body, and my own pulse quickened despite the careful control I usually prided myself on. Lucifer’s breath brushed against my skin, his gaze locked onto mine with an intensity that made my knees weak. He leaned in, his lips hovering just above mine, and for a moment—just a moment—I let myself wonder what it would feel like to give in to the magnetic pull between us.

But I couldn’t .

I turned my face to the side just before our lips could meet, breaking the charged moment. He didn’t back away. Instead, he pulled me even closer, his hand firm on my waist, his lips grazing my cheek as he exhaled heavily.

“Why, Amara?” he murmured, his voice low and rough, tinged with frustration. “Do you like him?”

I couldn’t help the soft chuckle that escaped me. “If I liked him, Lucifer, I wouldn’t be here,” I said, my tone light but edged with meaning. “Letting you push me against a wall, no less.”

His grip on me tightened slightly, his desperation slipping through the cracks of his controlled demeanor. “Then why are you staying with him?”

I met his gaze, unflinching. “He’s my assistant,” I said simply. “More like my best friend. We treat each other like siblings, nothing more.” I paused, letting the weight of my next words sink in. “But with you…”

Before I could finish, he dipped his head, his lips brushing the curve of my neck. The touch sent a shiver racing down my spine.

“Continue,” he whispered, his voice a seductive command.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to focus despite the storm of sensations he was stirring within me. “With you, it’s different,” I admitted. “But you should know what you’re dealing with before you claim me as yours.”

He chuckled, the sound dark and possessive. “You were mine the moment I saw you,” he declared, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I smiled faintly, though my heart ached with the weight of what I was about to reveal. “You won’t dare say that when you see my truth,” I warned softly.

His hand moved to my chin, tilting my face up so I couldn’t avoid his piercing gaze. “Try me,” he challenged.

I let my smirk widen as my eyes began to glow, a deep, ominous red that matched the fiery color I’d kept hidden until now. His reaction was subtle, but I caught the flicker of shock and confusion in his expression before he masked it with his usual calm.

“So you’re not entirely fearless,” I murmured, pushing against him with enough strength to create distance between us. He staggered back a step but didn’t let go of my gaze.

“Find out what I am first,” I said, my voice carrying a quiet power. “Then confess your obsession with me. But before you assume too much, know this: I’m not a ghost or some harmless spirit.”

He frowned, his confusion deepening. “What are you?”

“your grandfather knew me , your whole family generation knows me ,” I said cryptically, my tone softening. “You’re standing here because of his sacrifice. Live your life, Lucifer. Don’t get involved with me.” I paused, my voice breaking slightly. “I’ll protect you, as I promised. But this time…”

He stepped closer, his desperation evident. “Finish what you’re saying.”

I closed the distance between us, brushing my lips against his in a fleeting kiss that left him stunned. Before he could react, I turned and walked away, locking the door behind me with my powers.

As I descended the stairs, I felt the weight of every eye on me. The party had come to a standstill, the guests frozen in place under the sway of my power. With a single command, they began to leave, moving like puppets on strings, their minds blank and unaware of what had transpired.

I grabbed a glass from a nearby table, swirling the liquid idly as I glanced up at the glass wall overlooking the floor. Lucifer was there, watching me. His expression was unreadable, a mix of confusion and something deeper that I didn’t want to name.

“He’s watching,” Enzo’s voice broke through my thoughts.

I turned to him, my lips curving into a bitter smirk. “I know,” I said softly. “I’m letting him see me as La Muerte.”

Enzo’s concern was evident, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he dragged a struggling demon into the room, tossing him to the ground at my feet. The creature snarled and thrashed, but I remained unmoved.

With a flick of my wrist, my powers surged forth, lifting the demon off the ground by his throat. He clawed at the invisible force holding him, his struggles growing weaker as I tightened my grip. My glowing eyes remained fixed on Lucifer’s reflection in the glass, knowing he could see everything.

“La Muerte,” Enzo said cautiously. “You’re being too brutal.”

I didn’t look at him. “He needs to see this,” I said, my voice filled with a pain I couldn’t hide. “He needs to hate me.”

The demon let out a final gasp before I ended him, his body crumpling to the ground. I stood there for a moment, my chest heaving as I tried to steady my emotions.

“Let’s go,” I said to Enzo, turning away from the scene. I didn’t glance back at Lucifer. He would have to find out the truth on his own, piece by piece. It was better this way.

As we left the building, I allowed myself a small, bitter smile. “It’s finally starting,” I thought to myself. “He’ll live. He has to. And if hating me keeps him alive, so be it.”