Seraphina’s POV

Sleep refuses to come.

The entire weekend passes in a restless haze of half-dreams and fractured memories. Every time exhaustion finally drags me under, the same vision waits for me.

Golden eyes glowing in the dark.

Heat searing through my veins.

Lucas’s voice, low and dangerous, whispering against my ear. "Little angel."

I wake tangled in my sheets, heart pounding like something inside my chest is trying to escape.

By Monday morning, I feel like I’ve fought a war inside my own mind and lost.

The mirror over my dresser reflects the evidence—dark circles beneath my eyes, my brown hair an untamed mess that refuses to cooperate, my skin pale beneath the soft morning light creeping through my curtains.

I splash cold water on my face, trying to shake the lingering haze of the dreams away.

It doesn’t work.

Because the dreams feel too real.

His touch still burns on my skin.

Lucas.

Even thinking his name sends a strange chill down my spine.

I shake my head, grabbing my backpack.

Classes first.

Answers later.

By the time afternoon arrives, my exhaustion has settled deep into my bones.

But determination pushes me forward.

If devils and angels are suddenly a part of my life—if my soul is somehow tangled in their ancient war—then I refuse to sit around blindly waiting for the next nightmare to find me.

I need answers.

And there’s only one place on campus that might have them.

The library.

The tall glass doors slide open with a soft whoosh as I step inside, greeted by the quiet hum of fluorescent lights and the faint scent of old paper.

Sunlight spills through the towering windows, illuminating rows upon rows of bookshelves that stretch toward the ceiling.

Knowledge and centuries of it.

If there are answers anywhere, they should be here.

The elderly librarian behind the front desk glances up as I approach.

“Looking for something specific?” she asks kindly.

“Anything about ancient mythology,” I reply. “Demons. Angels. Hell.”

Her eyebrows lift slightly. “Interesting subject matter.”

I offer a weak smile. “You could say that.”

She gestures toward the far end of the building. “Mythology and theology are in the back archives.”

“Thank you.”

I wander through the quiet aisles until the modern textbooks give way to older volumes—dusty leather bindings and yellowed pages that look like they’ve been untouched for decades.

This feels more promising.

I begin pulling books from the shelves.

Angels of the Old Testament.

Infernal Hierarchies of Ancient Myth.

The Seven Princes of Hell.

Hours pass.

I read about fallen angels cast from heaven in divine punishment.

Demons bound by ancient contracts.

Hell described as a kingdom of fire ruled by powerful lords who command legions of infernal creatures.

But none of it explains me.

None of it explains the strange energy that lives beneath my skin.

None of it explains why a devil like Lucas would protect me.

Or why my pulse races whenever he’s near.

With a tired sigh, I run my finger along the spines of another row of books.

Nothing but legends, stories, and half-forgotten religious paranoia.

I lean against the shelf, frustration bubbling in my chest.

The library offers no answers.

My bond with Lucas… whatever it is… seems to exist beyond the scope of ordinary knowledge.

A memory flickers through my mind.

Lucas’s voice. “If the word holds meaning, it may be found in the archives of the lords.”

Their archives contain truths our scholars would burn for.

A shiver crawls up my spine.

Hell.

The word alone makes my stomach twist.

But if answers exist there… if something inside me truly belongs to that world… then maybe ignorance is the greater danger.

An angelic power is within me.

I shake my head immediately.

Impossible.

The idea feels absurd.

Ridiculous.

And yet… a strange warmth stirs beneath my ribs when I think about it.

What could be flowing through my veins?

The thought curls through my mind like smoke.

If I unlock this celestial power…, will I still be myself? Or will something else take my place?

My thoughts drift back to Lucas.

To the moment his lips brushed my neck.

To the heat that exploded through my body when he fed from me.

My stomach flips.

What was it—hunger, desire, or something darker?

His eyes had been filled with something I couldn’t quite name.

Something dangerously close to longing.

The memory sends heat creeping up my neck.

The air around me suddenly shifts.

I barely have time to blink before strong hands grab my waist.

The world spins.

A startled gasp escapes me as I’m pressed against the nearest bookshelf, books rattling behind me.

And suddenly—Lucas stands in front of me.

My heart nearly stops.

He’s so close I can feel the heat radiating from his body.

His golden eyes burn like embers in the dim library light.

Blonde hair falling across his forehead.

A crooked smile tugging at his lips. “Have you found any answers, my angel?” His voice is a dangerous whisper.

I force myself to meet his gaze.

“No,” I say evenly. “But I may have discovered something more interesting.”

His eyebrow lifts slightly. “Oh?”

Two can play this game.

Slowly, deliberately, I slide my fingers down the front of his chest.

His body is solid beneath my touch—hard muscle warm beneath my fingers.

Lucas goes still.

His eyes darken.

Surprise flickers across his face before something far more dangerous replaces it.

I lean closer, letting my breath brush his ear. “There are more thrilling ways to learn things than reading books.”

For a moment, silence hangs between us.

Then Lucas lets out a low growl.

The sound vibrates through my entire body.

“You’re playing with dangerous fire, little angel.” His breath ghosts across my neck.

A shiver ripples down my spine.

I tilt my head back slightly, meeting his burning gaze. “Then light the match.”

Something shifts in his expression.

A flicker of something almost protective.

Then he smirks. “As you wish.”

Before I can react, his arm sweeps beneath my legs.

A startled yelp escapes me as he lifts me effortlessly off the ground.

And then his lips crash into mine.

The world disappears.

The kiss is scorching.

Lucas tastes like smoke and something dark and intoxicating.

His lips move against mine with a hunger that steals the air from my lungs.

My fingers clutch his hair as heat floods through my veins.

Every nerve in my body ignites.

The library fades away.

There’s only him.

Only this impossible moment.

When he finally pulls back, I’m breathless.

My head spins.

Lucas studies my face like he’s trying to solve a puzzle. “Does your curiosity know no bounds?”

I grin despite the chaos in my chest. “Only where it concerns you.”

A quiet chuckle rumbles from his chest. “Concerning indeed.”

His gaze softens slightly.

For a brief moment, the dangerous devil in front of me looks almost… gentle.

Lucas slowly sets me back on the ground.

But he doesn’t step away. His arms remain wrapped loosely around my waist.

The warmth of him seeps into my skin. And suddenly the question slams into my brain.

What am I doing?

I’m flirting with a devil.

My heart hammers in my chest. But the storm in his eyes pulls me in like gravity.

Do I enjoy provoking him?

Hell yes.

The quiet moment shatters when a familiar voice gasps behind us.

“Sera?!”

Lucas stiffens.

I whip around in his arms.

Paige stands at the end of the aisle. Her eyes are huge and jaw practically hits the floor.

Heat floods my cheeks. “Paige—this isn’t—”

She blinks rapidly. Her brain clearly trying to catch up with what she just saw.

“You said he was— and you were— I just—” She gestures wildly between us.

Then suddenly her expression changes. A mischievous grin spreads across her face.

“Oh my god.” She crosses her arms. “Sera. Spill.”

My face burns. “It’s not what it looks like!”

Paige looks Lucas up and down. “Well it looks like you’re making out with tall, dark, and very hot in the mythology section.”

Lucas raises one amused eyebrow.

Still holding me. Completely unfazed.

“Not bad.” Paige nods approvingly.

“Paige.” I groan.

But before I can say anything else—Lucas dips his head.

His lips brush against my neck.

A sharp shiver races through me.

Then—Smoke.

His body dissolves into dark mist.

And he’s gone.

Paige stares at the empty space then turns toward me.

“Well damn.” She whistles softly. “I’m starting to see the appeal.”

I bury my face in my hands. “I have no idea what’s happening anymore.”

Paige loops her arm through mine.

“Well, whatever it is…” She grins. “…he’s definitely into you.”

Later that night, Paige drags me into her latest adventure.

Apparently, she has a date. And apparently, I’m coming too.

“You need a distraction,” she insists while rummaging through her dresser.

“I need sleep.” I protest.

“Too bad.” She tosses a swimsuit at me. “Midnight pool break-in.”

I blink. “You’re kidding.”

“Nope.” She grins. “Beau has the gate code.”

Of course he does.

Thirty minutes later, we’re sneaking across the dark football field. Towels over our shoulders. Crickets chirping in the cool night air.

The campus pool glows in the distance beneath bright overhead lights. A tall figure waits near the gate.

Paige grabs my arm excitedly. “There he is!”

Beau waves as we approach.

He’s tall, with dark hair and an easy smile.

“Hey,” he says. “You must be Seraphina.”

“Sera,” I correct.

“Nice to meet you.” He unlocks the gate. “The more the merrier.”

While Beau fiddles with the pool heater, Paige leans toward me.

“So?” She whispers. “Cute, right?”

I glance at him. He does seem nice.

“You could do worse.”

Paige sticks her tongue out. “Thanks for the glowing review.”

Beau returns. “Water should warm up in a minute.”

Paige immediately cannonballs into the pool. Water splashes everywhere.

I laugh despite myself.

For the first time in days, the tension in my chest loosens.

Maybe tonight can be normal.

Just swimming with friends.

No devils or ancient wars.

I dip my toes into the pool.

The water is warm.

But as I slide beneath the surface… something prickles at the back of my neck.

Like eyes watching from a distance.

And somewhere beyond the glowing pool lights—Smoke curls through the shadows.

Lucas.