I sat in my expansive office, my chair spinning lazily as I let myself revel in the morning's success. My empire, as I preferred to call it, was thriving-and today had been particularly eventful. Enzo had truly outdone himself.
I leaned back, gazing out at the city skyline through the massive glass windows, a devilish smile tugging at my lips. Hiring real humans to execute our plans had been a stroke of brilliance. Enzo had only needed to use the faintest touch of his powers to nudge events into motion. The rest? Social media and digital networks did the heavy lifting. Humans were surprisingly efficient when you knew how to manipulate their desires.
Three deals. Stolen. Before noon.
The thought sent a thrill through me. I imagined Lucifer Salvatore Di Carlo, sitting in his own office, fury etched into his impossibly handsome features. Handsome? I could practically see him clenching his jaw, his hand tightening around a crystal glass, the sound of it shattering echoing through the room.
At least, that's what should have been happening.
"Break his heart," I muttered to myself, the words a mantra I had repeated endlessly over the past few hours .
I couldn't simply take his life outright-not yet. It wasn't his time, and I wasn't foolish enough to defy the sacred laws that bound even me. But to weaken him, to provoke him into making mistakes, to see his powerful aura crumble just enough to let my blaze heart shatter his defenses-that was the plan.
A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.
"Come in," I called, already sensing who it was.
Enzo stepped inside, holding a tablet in one hand, his expression somewhere between cautious and amused. That look instantly set me on edge.
"He's furious, right?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.
Enzo hesitated, his lips twitching into a nervous smile-the kind he always gave when he knew he was about to deliver news I wouldn't like.
"Spit it out," I said, my tone sharp.
"Well..." He shifted awkwardly. "Lucifer sent us a collaboration deal."
For a moment, I thought I hadn't heard him correctly.
"What?" I said, my voice low and dangerously calm.
"A collaboration deal," he repeated, taking a step back as if anticipating the explosion that was about to follow.
I shot up from my chair, the force of my movement so sudden and fierce that it sent the chair spinning violently behind me. Anger surged through me, heat radiating from my body like an inferno barely contained.
"A collaboration deal?" I hissed, my voice rising. "I've been carefully orchestrating every move to provoke him, to make him furious, and this is how he responds? By offering me a collaboration deal?"
Enzo took another step back, his nervous laugh only fueling my fury. "L-La Muerte, calm down," he stammered, raising his hands defensively. "If you lose control, you'll burn the entire building down-and there are still humans inside!"
His words only half-registered. My powers crackled and flared, the room growing hotter as the rage within me built to a boiling point.
Enzo, realizing that talking wasn't working, dove behind the couch, peeking out cautiously. "Just take a few deep breaths," he said, his voice muffled but laced with panic. "Please?"
I clenched my fists, willing myself to calm down. It wasn't easy, but after a few moments, I managed to suppress the worst of it.
Still, I couldn't stop myself from screaming out, the sound reverberating through the room: "Lucifer Salvatore Di Carlo!"
Enzo winced from his hiding spot. "Maybe... maybe it's not such a bad thing?" he ventured cautiously.
I turned to glare at him, my eyes blazing. "Do you want me to incinerate you right now?"
He immediately shook his head, waving his hands frantically. "No! No, no, of course not! I'm just saying... maybe the collaboration deal is a good idea. It'll bring you closer to him, give you more chances to provoke him. Think about it."
That gave me pause.
As much as I hated to admit it, he wasn't entirely wrong. Being closer to Lucifer would undoubtedly open up new opportunities to get under his skin, to unravel him piece by piece.
I let out a slow breath, the fiery energy within me dimming but not extinguished.
"Fine," I said through gritted teeth. "But if he thinks for one second that I'm going to play by his rules, he's in for a rude awakening."
Enzo peeked out from behind the couch, relief washing over his face. "Of course not," he said quickly, nodding. "You're the boss, after all."
I rolled my eyes at his attempt to placate me, but the flicker of amusement in his expression made me smirk despite myself.
"Draft a response," I ordered, my voice firm. "But make it clear-we're not playing nice. If he wants a collaboration, he'll have to work for it."
Enzo saluted, his usual confidence returning. "On it, boss."
As he left the room, I leaned against my desk, my mind racing. Lucifer thought he could outmaneuver me. He thought he could maintain control, keep his emotions in check.
But I wasn't done with him. Not by a long shot.
Night had fallen, and the towering building that housed my company stood cloaked in silence. Everyone had left, retreating to their homes, leaving the structure as empty as a mausoleum. But here I was, standing in front of a gilded mirror in my office, preparing for what mortals might call a "date."
A dark chuckle escaped my lips. This wasn't a date. This was a judgment.
I adjusted my attire-a sleek, floor-length black gown that shimmered faintly under the dim light of the room. My hair fell in the cascading waves down my back, the ends glowing faintly with the embers of my inner fire. My eyes, the windows to an endless abyss, glimmered with an otherworldly light. Tonight, I didn't need to look mortal. Tonight, I needed to embody the essence of who I was-La Muerte.
A knock at the door broke my reverie.
"Come in," I called.
Enzo stepped inside, his usual calm demeanor intact. He looked me over, his sharp eyes assessing. Finally, he nodded, his approval unspoken but clear.
"It's time," he said.
I returned the nod and grabbed a sleek black cloak from a nearby chair, draping it over my shoulders. "Let's go," I said.
Despite the annoyance Lucifer Salvatore had caused me earlier, I had another sinner to deal with tonight. Mortal justice often faltered, but mine did not. This man was a blight on the world, his sins staining the threads of fate. He had escaped consequences for too long.
Enzo followed me silently as we left the office and made our way to the rooftop terrace. The night air was cool, the city sprawled below like a glittering map. I could have taken a car, blended in with mortals, and arrived in mundane fashion-but honestly, I was too lazy for such theatrics.
"Ready?" I asked Enzo.
He nodded.
With a snap of my fingers, the world around us shifted. The wind howled, and the skyline blurred as we stepped through a veil between spaces.
When the distortion cleared, we stood outside the door of a luxury hotel suite. The corridor was silent, the plush carpeting muffling every sound. This was the sinner's lair, a place he had chosen to hide in plain sight, believing himself untouchable.
"Enzo, stay here," I said, my voice low and dangerous.
Enzo nodded again and leaned against the wall, watching me with quiet curiosity.
I turned the handle of the suite door-it wasn't locked, not that it would have mattered-and stepped inside.
The man was lounging on an oversized couch, a glass of amber liquid in his hand and a smug grin plastered on his face. He looked up as I entered, his expression shifting from surprise to confusion.
"Who the hell are you?" he demanded, his voice thick with arrogance.
I tilted my head, studying him like one might study an insect before crushing it. "Hell? No, darling. I'm far worse."
His brow furrowed, and he stood up, his movements unsteady. "Look, I don't know who you are, but you've got the wrong room. Get out before I call security."
"Security won't save you," I said, my tone laced with mockery. I took a step closer, my presence filling the room like a suffocating fog. "You've been hiding for a while, haven't you? Murder, cheating, and hurting those weaker than you. All to build a life of luxury you don't deserve."
He blinked, his bravado faltering. "I don't know what you're talking about."
I laughed, a cold, chilling sound that made the lights in the room flicker. "Oh, you don't? Let me remind you, then."
With a wave of my hand, the air around us shimmered, and scenes from his past began to play out like a ghostly projection. His crimes-every theft, every lie, every act of violence-manifested before his eyes.
He stumbled back, his face pale. "What... what is this?"
"This is your reckoning," I said, stepping closer until I stood mere inches from him. My voice dropped to a whisper, dripping with menace. "You've spent your life taking from others. Tonight, I'll take it from you."
Before he could react, my hand shot out, gripping his wrist. A searing heat spread from my touch, and he screamed, the sound echoing through the suite.
"Hurts, doesn't it?" I said, my tone almost playful. "That's the pain of every soul you've wronged, concentrated into a single moment. Consider it... poetic justice."
His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the floor, clutching his wrist as the mark of my judgment burned into his skin-a black, intricate sigil that would never fade.
"Please," he whimpered, tears streaming down his face. "I'll change. I'll do anything. Just... stop."
I crouched down, tilting his chin up so he was forced to look into my eyes. "Oh, you'll change," I said softly. "But not because I believe your pathetic lies. No, you'll change because every step you take from this moment forward will be haunted by the weight of your sins. You'll feel the pain you've caused others, every second of every day, until your final breath which you'll be taking in a few minutes ."
I stood and turned toward the door, my cloak billowing behind me.
"Enjoy your second chance," I said over my shoulder, my voice dripping with mockery. "Not many get one."
As I stepped out of the suite, Enzo looked at me with raised eyebrows. "All done?"
I nodded, the fire in my veins settling into a steady hum. "Let's go. He will come after us ."
With another snap of my fingers, the hotel vanished, replaced by the rooftop terrace.
Enzo gave me a sidelong glance. "You know, you could have just incinerated him."
I smirked. "Where's the fun in that?"
The night air was crisp and cool as Enzo and I stepped onto the rooftop terrace of the hotel, the lingering energy of judgment still crackling faintly around me. The sinner had been dealt with, his soul marked and his path irrevocably altered. Yet, the smoldering fire inside me had not fully subsided.
Enzo noticed it, of course. He always did.
"You know," he began, his tone light yet calculated, "you could use some good food to simmer down. Fancy dinner? My treat."
I raised an eyebrow at him, my lips curving into a faint smirk. "Cheering me up, are you? Do you really think a mortal indulgence like fine dining will fix my mood?"
He shrugged, a playful glint in his eyes. "It's worth a shot. Besides, if anyone deserves to splurge on ridiculously overpriced food after tonight, it's us."
I gave him a sharp look, but it lacked the heat it usually carried. Enzo had a way of softening my edges, even when I didn't want them softened. "Fine," I said with exaggerated reluctance. "But only because I'm curious to see if mortal chefs can impress me. And don't expect me to thank you."
Enzo laughed under his breath as we made our way out of the hotel. Of course, no one saw us. The cameras wouldn't register our presence unless I willed it, and tonight, I didn't feel like leaving evidence behind.
As we exited the lobby, I noticed a sleek black car waiting by the curb, its polished surface gleaming under the streetlights. I turned my gaze to Enzo, a silent acknowledgment passing between us. He had anticipated my mood, my movements, everything-as always.
"You're efficient," I said coolly, though my expression softened just enough for him to notice the praise beneath my words.
Enzo grinned and walked ahead to open the car door for me, bowing theatrically. "Your chariot awaits, your majesty . Shall I roll out a red carpet as well?"
I shot him a pointed look, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "If you want to roll out a carpet, make sure it's made of fire and brimstone. Otherwise, I'm not interested."
He laughed again, his teasing demeanor never faltering. "Noted. Next time, I'll bring the infernal decorations."
Sliding into the car, I allowed a faint smile to tug at my lips, hidden from view as Enzo rounded the vehicle and got into the driver's seat.
The cityscape blurred past us as we made our way to the restaurant. It was one of those high-end establishments with a waitlist months long. Enzo, of course, had arranged everything. His mortal manipulation skills were almost as sharp as his humor.
When we arrived, the valet opened my door, and I stepped out, exuding an aura of quiet authority. Enzo joined me, offering his arm with mock gallantry. I ignored it, striding ahead, my heels clicking against the polished stone pathway leading to the restaurant entrance.
Inside, the ambiance was predictably luxurious: soft golden lighting, the murmur of refined conversation, and the faint notes of classical music drifting through the air. A hostess greeted us, her polite smile faltering ever so slightly as her gaze met mine.
"Welcome," she stammered, her mortal instincts likely sensing something she couldn't place. "Do you have a reservation?"
Enzo stepped forward smoothly. "Of course. Under Vincenzo Marquez."
The hostess checked her ledger, her hands trembling just a fraction. "Ah, yes. Right this way, please."
We were seated at a private table near the back, away from prying eyes. The menu was presented with great ceremony, though I barely glanced at it. Enzo, as usual, took the lead, ordering a variety of dishes I assumed were meant to calm me down .
"So," he said once the waitress had departed, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied grin. "Feeling more relaxed yet?"
I gave him a pointed look. "We just left a man marked for the rest of his existence, and now we're here indulging in mortal luxuries. It's almost amusing how detached this feels."
Enzo shrugged. "Punishment is part of the job. Dinner is part of mortal life . Balance, La Muerte. Even you need it."
I allowed a small, dry laugh to escape me. "Balance. Coming from the man who just helped me ruin another soul's carefully constructed illusion of safety."
He smirked, unbothered. "I call it multi-tasking."
The first course arrived, and I was reluctantly impressed by the presentation-delicate arrangements of flavors and textures that spoke of skill and precision. I took a bite, my expression neutral as I processed the taste.
"Well?" Enzo asked, watching me with barely concealed amusement.
"It's... acceptable," I admitted, setting my fork down with deliberate grace.
Enzo laughed. "High praise, coming from you."
I allowed myself to relax, just a little, as the evening unfolded. Despite my earlier mood, I couldn't deny that having Enzo by my side made even the most mundane experiences tolerable. He was the only being who could endure my fire without being consumed by it.
By the end of the meal, the simmering rage from earlier had dulled into a quiet hum, replaced by a strange, fleeting contentment.
"Thank you," I said suddenly, the words slipping out before I could stop them.
Enzo blinked, clearly startled. Then, he grinned. "Wow. I'll make sure to record this moment in the annals of history."
I rolled my eyes but didn't bother retorting. Some moments, even for a being like me, were better left unbroken.