Seraphina’s POV

The weekend drags on as I try to recover from my encounter with Dean. Sleep eludes me, my dreams haunted by the vision of his glowing red eyes and the searing heat of his touch.

By Monday morning, I’m exhausted but determined to find answers.

After my classes, I head to the campus library, hoping its vast archives will illuminate the mysteries surrounding me. The librarian directs me to the mythology section, where I spend hours poring over dusty shelves bathed in sunlight.

With a sigh, I trace my finger along the spines of the old books, hoping in vain for something that might illuminate my predicament. The library has offered no answers. It seems my bond with Lucas and the infernal creatures who now pursue me are matters beyond the scope of ordinary texts.

A flickering memory returns - Lucas mentioning ancient knowledge held by the lords of Hell. Their archives may shed light where ordinary books fail. While the idea of delving into hell terrifies me, staying ignorant leaves me exposed.

An angel’s soul lives within me. As I shake my head, the skepticism in my heart echoes louder than any assurance. Accepting such an improbable truth feels as though I’m losing a part of myself, yet the allure of it teases my imagination.

What abilities might be coursing through my veins?

The thought twists within me, a tantalizing dance on the edge of fear—what if, I unlock this celestial energy, would I lose who I am entirely? And what of Lucas?

My emotions churn, a chaotic storm beneath the surface as I recall his touch, the intimate crossing of boundaries his feeding created. His eyes, shadowed with a depth I feared to explore, haunt me—was it lust, desire, or a deeper longing that mirrored my own fears? The question gnaws at me, an unsettling hunger for understanding balanced with the terror of uncovering a truth that might change everything I know.

The world blurs, and in an instant, firm hands grasp my waist, whirling me around and pressing me against the bookshelf. My heart races, thrumming wildly, as Lucas draws near, his face hovering close to mine, eyes alight with an intensity that shifts the air between us.

“Have you found any answers, my angel?” His voice a low, dangerous whisper.

I lock eyes with his fiery gaze, refusing to flinch. “No answers, it seems. But I’ve uncovered something... far more intriguing.”

A sly smile tugs at the corner of my lips. Two can play this game. I let my fingers trail slowly and deliberately down his chest, each touch savoring the hard planes of his muscles. Lucas’s eyes narrow and darken with surprise and a hungry intrigue.

I lean in, my breath a sultry caress against his ear, and whisper, “There are darker, more thrilling paths to knowledge than books alone.”

Lucas growls low in his throat, a sound that sends a shiver down my spine. “You’re playing with dangerous fire, little angel,” he murmurs, his breath hot against my neck.

I tilt my head back to meet his burning gaze evenly. “Then light the match.”

A flick of emotion passes across his face - desire, caution, curiosity - before his expression settles into a wry smile. “As you wish.”

In a swift motion, his arms sweep my legs out from under me. I yelp in surprise before his lips silence me with a searing kiss. All sense melts away as Lucas’s kiss overwhelms me. His lips are scorching yet tender, coaxing a surrender I never imagined. When he finally pulls away to catch his breath, my head spins with want.

Lucas’s gaze holds mine, searching. “Does your curiosity know no bounds, little angel?”

I smile up at him, equal parts lightheaded and bold. “Only where it concerns you, devil.”

A chuckle rumbles in his throat. “Concerning indeed.” His eyes trace my features as if seeing me anew, edged with hesitation and care. It strikes me how tender such a dark creature can be.

Lucas sets me back on the ground, though his arms remain wrapped firmly around me. I gaze up at him, still breathless from our kiss.

What am I doing, flirting with a devil? I’m not thinking—I’m surrendering to the storm that brews in his eyes.

Do I crave the pandemonium at his reaction? Hell, I do.

Our quiet moment shatters by Paige’s startling gasp. “Sera! What in the world...?”

I whirl around in Lucas’s arms to see Paige standing at the end of the aisle, eyes wide with shock and confusion. Heat rises in my cheeks as I stammer, “Paige, it’s - it’s not what it looks like.”

She blinks rapidly, seeming to come back to herself. “Explain? Sera, you said - and he’s - I just...” Paige trails off helplessly, gesturing between Lucas and me.

I take a calming breath, trying to make sense of the swirl of emotions within myself, let alone explain this confusing situation to Paige. But before I can respond, she breaks into a mischievous grin.

“Seriously girl, spill the deets! I leave you alone for one weekend and you’re hooking up with tall, dark and handsome in the library?” She eyes Lucas appraisingly. “Not too shabby.”

Heat rushes to my cheeks as I sputter out a reply. “Paige, it’s not - I mean, we were just -“

Lucas meets my flustered gaze with a single, bemused eyebrow lift, holding his silence without releasing his grip. His arms encircle my waist, a bewildering mix of warmth and tension threading through their closeness.

Paige’s grin widens with a playful challenge, her eyes dancing with anticipation, waiting for me to unravel. Before I can form any coherent explanation, Lucas dips down, his lips grazing my neck with a softness that ignites a visceral shiver down my spine.

Without warning, he vanishes, dissipating into a thin wisp of smoke. Paige and I are frozen, the air thick with disbelief. She recovers first, breaking the fragile silence.

“Well damn, I never thought I’d say this, but I’m seeing why you’re into him,” Paige says with a chuckle.

I shake my head in disbelief. “I’m not really sure what’s happening between us.”

Her words bring a flush to my cheeks as I recall the warmth of Lucas’ embrace—an irresistible pull that stirs more questions about the bond between my soul and his power than I can’t answer.

Pushing those thoughts aside for now, I turn to Paige. “Enough about me. What are your plans for the night?”

A mischievous grin spreads across her face. “So, here’s the plan: I’ve got a date tonight, and we’re breaking into the pool for a midnight swim. You in?”

I grin back at Paige, eager for a carefree night out after all the strangeness of the past few days. “Count me in. A midnight swim sounds like just what I need.”

As we walk together toward Paige’s car, I nudge her playfully. “So, are you going to spill the details on this mysterious date? Anyone I know?”

Paige rolls her eyes good-naturedly. “Fine, you got me. It’s Beau from my English class. He asked me out at the bonfire, and I thought why not, you know? He’s cute.”

“Aw, you like him!” I tease, bumping her shoulder with mine. For a moment, I forget all about Lucas and the portentous danger following me. It feels nice to just be a normal college student again, gossiping with my friend.

We chatter and laugh the entire drive to Paige’s house. After changing into swimsuits, we sneak out under cover of darkness, towels flung over our shoulders. Crickets serenade us as we dash across the empty football field toward the glow of pool lights in the distance.

As we approach the pool area, Paige points out a lone figure waiting by the gate. “There’s Beau!” she whispers excitedly.

Beau waves as he sees us coming. He’s tall with dark hair and a calm smile. “Hey bae, glad you made it. And you must be Seraphina?”

I nod in greeting. Beau seems nice enough. “Call me Sera. Thanks for inviting me along.”

“No problem. The more the merrier, right?” Beau unlocks the gate and leads us inside. “Let me just turn up the heater - it gets chilly at night.”

While Beau fusses with the controls, Paige nudges me. “So, whaddya think? Cute, right?”

I grin. “He seems nice. You could do worse.”

Paige sticks out her tongue playfully. “Thanks so much for your approval.”

As the heater warms the pool area, Beau asks us about our upcoming plans for the weekend. Paige excitedly shares details of our shopping trip, while I nod along, my mind drifting elsewhere. Thoughts of Lucas linger underneath the surface of this carefree evening.