Seraphina’s POV

The heated pool water wafts its steam into the cool night air. Paige nudges me. “Okay, the last one in is a rotten egg!” Without waiting for a response, she sprints towards the edge and dives in with a shriek of delight.

I chuckle at her antics and jog over, slipping into the warm water. The heated pool feels wonderful after the chill of the evening. I swim over to where Paige is treading water and splash her. “You’re the rotten egg!”

Beau walks over to the edge and looks at us with a playful grin. “Watch out girls, the biggest egg is coming in!”

He runs and cannonballs into the water, creating an enormous splash. When he surfaces, Paige is laughing with her hair and face dripping wet. “Beau, you beast!”

Beau slices through the water and wraps his arms around Paige, hoisting her high above the surface. She lets out a startled shriek, her legs flailing in the air. I drift nearby, an amused smile creeping across my face as I watch their playful chaos unfold, my heart warming at the sight of her unrestrained joy.

Beau lowers Paige back into the water and swivels toward me. “Okay Sera, your turn! I promise not to splash as much.” His eyes twinkle.

I laugh, retreating. “Oh no, I think I’ll pass on that!”

“Come on, don’t be a scaredy cat!” Beau teases. Before I can react, he reaches out and grabs me by the waist.

“Beau, don’t you dare - ahh!” I shriek as he lifts me out of the water. My legs flail in the air as he grins up at me.

“Babe, put her down right now!” Paige scolds, but I can see the laughter in her eyes.

“Alright, alright.” Beau lowers me back into the pool. However, at the last moment, he pretends to lose his grip. I plunge into the water with an enormous splash.

When I surface, coughing and spluttering, Beau is laughing. “Your face! I’m sorry Sera, I couldn’t resist.”

I try to frown at him, but soon laugh too. The water feels refreshing after such a playful shock.

Beau grins at me before climbing out of the pool. Droplets glisten on his muscular arms as he offers a hand to help Paige out as well. She accepts with a shy smile, standing close as they towel off together.

I lean back and float, watching their playful banter in content silence. The heated water soothes tension from my muscles. Closing my eyes, I focus on the rhythmic splash of the filter and distant chirp of crickets, trying to grasp the calm this moment offers.

Though my mind still swirls with questions. Lucas’ searing kiss, the fire in his gaze - our encounter had stirred longing I dare not acknowledge.

What lies between this devil and me?

A soft giggle draws my gaze back to the poolside. Paige smiles up at Beau, her fingers tracing his jawline. Leaning in, they share a gentle kiss beneath the moonlight.

I look away, granting them this private moment. My mind returns to Lucas, wondering where the mysterious devil has disappeared to. So much remains unknown about the bond between us.

A sudden chill runs down my spine, as if in answer to my thoughts. I turn, gasping softly as Lucas seems to materialize out of the darkness. His eyes gleam like burning ambers, fixed on me with an intensity that sets my heart racing.

“Did you miss me, little angel?” Lucas says in a low voice, dripping wet. Even in the dim moonlight, I can see his lean muscles glistening.

“Lucas, you startled me!” My heart hammers in my chest. “How do you disappear like that?”

His smirk transforms into a predator’s grin. “I have my ways of slipping past... well, most eyes. I’ve been watching you, ensuring you’re being a good girl.” Lucas moves through the water with a deadly grace, each stroke sending ripples of danger toward me.

I swallow hard, my pulse quickening at his words. “You... you’ve been watching me?”

“Oh yes, Seraphina. I’ve had my eye on you since the moment we met.” He leans closer, his breath warm on my cheek. “And I must say, you’re even more captivating up close.”

“You... you devil,” I tease, striving for a facade of composure. I lock eyes with him, a blend of challenge and curiosity swirling in my gaze. “And I’ve decided that being good is overrated,” I continue, my voice laced with a playful tone. “Perhaps I need a little devilish influence to spice things up.”

“Are you sure about that?” His voice drops to a husky whisper. “I can make you forget all about being good.”

“You’re dangerous, Lucas,” I murmur, my voice low and throaty. “I should be terrified of you.”

“But you’re not, are you?” He leans in, his lips brushing my ear. “You’re drawn to the darkness, Seraphina. Just as I’m drawn to your light.”

I glance to the side, where Beau and Paige are lost in their own world.

“Lucas, we should...” I begin, but his lips press against mine, silencing my words. His kiss is hungry, possessive, and I find my hands tangling in his wet hair. For a moment, I forget about everything—the world, my fears, and even the fact that we’re not alone.

Lucas lifts me, and I instinctively wrap my legs around his waist, clinging to him as the heated water laps at our bodies. His strong arms support me. One hand splayed against my back, the other tangled in my damp hair. I’m completely enveloped by his presence, my senses overwhelmed by the heady scent of him and the scorching intensity of his touch.

When we finally part, breathless, his eyes blaze with an almost feral desire. “You drive me mad, little angel,” he rasps, his voice dripping with barely controlled hunger.

I tremble in his embrace, captivated by the raw power simmering beneath his surface. “Lucas...” The name escapes my lips as a soft, tremulous plea.

“Sera...” Lucas murmurs, as if tasting the shape of my name. His racing heart matches my own beneath the water’s surface.

A bloodcurdling scream tears through the night, shattering our intimate moment. Lucas and I break apart hastily, whirling towards the source of the commotion.

To my horror, Paige is thrashing in Beau’s grasp, clawing desperately at the arm locked around her throat. But Beau is no longer the charming boy from earlier - his features have morphed into something monstrous.

I surge from the water, horror gripping my heart as Paige’s choked cries intensify. Lucas is already lunging from the pool, water streaming from his powerful form.

Beau’s eyes have gone pitch black, devoid of any humanity. His grip on Paige only tightens as he lets out an inhuman growl.

“Beau, stop!” I scream, rushing towards them. But I know this isn’t Beau - not anymore. Some demonic force has taken hold of his body.

“Seraphim. At last, we meet.” Beau - or rather, the entity controlling him - takes a step forward.

Paige lets out a strangled sob, clawing weakly at the arm around her throat. Beau’s grip only tightens, his black eyes gleaming with malice.

“Let her go, demon,” Lucas growls, crouching low with preternatural grace. His muscles ripple with power barely contained.

“Unless you want to see the girl’s life snuffed out before your eyes, I suggest you stay where you are,” the demon says, its voice like gravel. It tightens its hold further, and Paige wheezes painfully.

“What do you want?” I demand, my throat tight with fear for Paige.

“I bear a message from the Furies,” the demon says with a twisted smile. “They are aware of the power within you, seraphim, and the devil at your side. Our lords intend to unleash hell upon this world, and the damned will flood your home relentlessly. The Furies propose a bargain, devil: return to hell immediately...” Its coal-black eyes flick to me. “And take the seraphim with you. Comply, and the girl will be set free, unharmed.”

Lucas and I glance at each other briefly. We both know we have little choice. If we refuse, this demon will kill Paige without hesitation.

“Release the girl first,” Lucas growls, his tone eerily calm yet filled with authority.

The demon grins wickedly. “Wise choice.” Without warning, it throws Paige aside like a rag doll. Her motionless body skids across the concrete and comes to a rest near the edge of the pool.

I desperately want to run to her aid but dare not make any sudden moves that could provoke the demon further. Lucas must sense my fear and indecision, because he gives me a subtle nod, reassuring me without words. We have no choice but to accept the demon’s terms, for Paige’s sake.

The demon releases its hold on Beau, who collapses limply to the ground. Its dark smirk lingers a moment longer before its form dissolves, twisting and contorting unnaturally until it exits Beau’s unconscious body in a plume of black smoke.

Beau remains motionless as the last wisps of demonic essence leave him. I start toward Paige, panic clawing at my chest, but Lucas extends an arm to restrain me. “Wait. It may not be over.”

His words ring true as the shadowy apparition reforms a short distance away. Two glowing pits observe us from within the swirling darkness, filled with malicious glee.

“A bargain well-struck,” it rasps. “The Furies will be pleased.” The demon glances meaningfully from me to Lucas. “Your time draws short, devil. Best make haste before our numbers grow beyond your control.” With that, the demon dissipates into wisps of shadow that scatter on the night breeze.

For a moment, an oppressive silence envelops us as we grapple with the gravity of what just transpired. Our agreement with the demon hangs heavily in the air. I break the stillness, rushing to Paige’s side and falling to my knees.

“Paige? Can you hear me?” I brush her hair back, feeling for signs of injury. Thankfully, she stirs, eyes fluttering open weakly. Relief washes over me at the sight of her chest rising and falling.

“Sera... what...” Paige groans, struggling to sit up.

Before I can reply, Lucas appears at our side. “We have to get them home before others arrive. He’s dangerously open to possession.”

I nod and help Paige steady herself on her shaky legs. With unsettling ease, Lucas lifts Beau’s limp body into his arms. Together, we head from the pool to the parking lot.

Once inside Paige’s car, I quickly explain what transpired - the demon possessing Beau, its ultimatum, and our agreement to enter hell. Paige listens with wide eyes, rubbing her bruised neck in disbelief.

We drive in tense silence, each lost in our own troubled thoughts. My mind races with uncertainty about what lies ahead. Lucas senses my tumult and places a reassuring hand on my knee. His touch, meant to comfort, only serves to heighten my conflicted feelings.

Upon arriving at Paige’s home, Lucas carries Beau’s still-form inside while Paige and I follow unsteadily. We lay Beau on the couch to rest, then move into the kitchen for privacy.

“How do we get to hell?” I ask Lucas directly once we’re alone. Paige watches us closely, still shaken from her ordeal.

Lucas leans against the counter, arms folded in thought. “Perhaps through one of the seven portals, but each is guarded by a lord’s hellhounds.”

An idea forms in my mind. “What if we reopen yours? You were once lord of pride, were you not?”

Lucas shifts, eyes darkening as old memories surface. “My domain fell when I was cast down, dominion lost.”

“But there may be a way to regain access,” I press, hope blossoming in my chest. Lucas considers this silently.

Encouraged, I take his hands in mine. “You said my soul carries remnants of your power. What if we could temporarily reopen it?”

He searches my gaze, hope and hesitation warring within. Finally, Lucas nods. “It is possible. But the risk...”

“I’m willing to try,” I say firmly, squeezing his hands. Lucas exhales slowly and offers a small smile.

“Then we shall try tomorrow. For now, you both need rest after this ordeal. The matters of hell can wait until the morning light.”

Paige nods, swaying on her feet with fatigue. I feel exhaustion pulling at my own bones, but my mind races with uncertainty. Lucas seems to sense my turmoil, taking my hands in his once more.

“Sleep, Sera. I will watch over you both tonight,” he promises. His touch and voice soothe my frayed nerves, and I nod in agreement.

Paige shows us to the guest bedroom upstairs. “Get some rest, both of you. I’ll be just downstairs with Beau if you need anything,” she says, offering a weary smile before retreating to the living room.

Alone now with Lucas, fatigue washes over me in waves. But my mind continues racing with questions and uncertainties about what tomorrow may bring. I turn to find Lucas watching me intently, as if sensing my turmoil. Somehow, his presence eases my troubled thoughts.

Slipping under the soft sheets, I try to settle myself for rest. After some time, exhaustion finally claims me into a fitful doze. Images from the night terrorize my dreams - Paige struggling for breath in Beau’s grasp, the demon’s black eyes filled with malice, Lucas and I staring into the abyss of hell.