"Hey, guys."
Ella's voice echoed through the gym doors as she walked in alongside Remu. The buzz in the room dropped a little as Lucifer turned his head toward them. His red eyes scanned the space—then narrowed.
No sign of Francisca.
"Where's Francisca?" he asked calmly, but his gaze was sharp.
The moment Ella heard his voice, it hit her like a wave. Her breath hitched. Her legs wobbled. Her heart felt like it was about to explode. Every part of her body screamed to go to him—to let him have her, completely. She bit her lip, fists clenched, trying to hold it together.
"We're not in the same major," Remu said coldly, crossing her arms. "How would we know?"
Same old Remu. No filter. No care.
"I… I'm not feeling well," Ella blurted out, her voice trembling as she turned and vamp-sped out of the gym like a gust of wind.
Angel blinked. "Weird. Since when do vampires 'not feel well'?"
Everyone looked in the direction Ella disappeared to.
Lucifer didn't say a word. He already knew what was wrong. But that wasn't his priority right now. His eyes shifted to Remu, who was already turning to follow Ella.
"I'll go check on her," Remu muttered, brushing her hair back as she headed toward the door.
But before she could take another step—whoosh—Lucifer appeared right in front of her, blocking her path. His sudden movement made her flinch slightly, more out of surprise than fear.
He smiled, charming and dangerous.
"I'll let the attitude slide today," he said softly. "Because I need your help… away from curious eyes."
Before Remu could react, he grabbed her wrist gently—but firmly—and with another burst of speed, they vanished.
Fwoosh.
Silence.
Ken, Mob, and Angel stood frozen, staring at the empty space where they'd just been.
"…what the hell is going on today?" Ken muttered, scratching his head.
"Drama," Mob sighed, sipping his water.
Angel didn't say anything. She just flipped a page in her book and whispered, "Interesting."
Elsewhere on a rooftop
They landed on the rooftop with a soft gust of wind. Lucifer released her wrist casually, like it was no big deal.
Remu staggered a bit, then immediately turned and puked near the railing.
She wiped her mouth, spun around, and shouted, "Are you insane?! How dare you bring me here without my damn permission?!"
Her eyes flared bright purple, crackling with energy. She was pissed.
Lucifer just sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Relax. Like I said—I need your help."
The calmness in his voice made her snap even more. That annoying, casual tone like none of this mattered.
Her fists clenched. Magic circled her palms, glowing hot and violent. Then she started chanting under her breath.
Fwoosh!
Flames erupted out of nowhere, swallowing Lucifer whole. He screamed, dropping to the ground as the fire tore through him. His skin cracked, smoke rising, his clothes gone in seconds.
Remu stood above him, her voice shaking with rage. "I've been waiting to do this for years. And now—now I'm not holding back."
She raised her hands, and the flames roared higher, burning hotter. Lucifer writhed on the rooftop floor, eyes wide with pain. His body was seared, charred, a twisted mess of steam and ash.
But then—
"STOP!!"
Lucifer's voice boomed like thunder.
His eyes flared crimson, brighter than ever.
BOOM.
A wave of pure pressure exploded out from him, slamming into Remu like a truck. Her flames vanished instantly, snuffed out. Her breath caught in her throat.
The rooftop trembled.
Predator's Aura. It blanketed the space like a black fog. Heavy. Cold. Unforgiving.
Remu fell to one knee, heart pounding. It felt like her lungs were shrinking, like she was being stared at by something ancient—something that hunted for sport.
Lucifer stood, steam rising off his body, skin slowly stitching back together. His red eyes locked on her.
He was still naked.
Still burning with fury.
But calm.
Dead calm.
Remu gulped. For the first time… she felt fear.
"You foolish girl," Lucifer said, his voice low and cold as he walked toward Remu.
Before she could react, he grabbed her by the neck and lifted her clean off the ground. Her legs kicked in the air, her hands grabbing at his wrist, but he didn't budge.
"I might need your help," he said, tone calm—too calm. "But don't think for a second that I won't kill you. There are a lot of witches in this world, Remu. You're not special."
His red eyes locked on hers as he continued, slow and deliberate, "I could end you right here, right now… and make up some story. They'd believe it. Even your mother—by the time she finds out the truth, I'll be strong enough to burn your whole coven to the ground."
Remu's eyes widened, and a cold sweat broke across her back. His grip tightened just a little.
"From now on… you answer to me. Your life belongs to me. One wrong move—and you're gone."
He saw the fear in her eyes, then suddenly yanked her aside like she weighed nothing. She hit the ground, coughing hard as he stood tall, completely healed, not a single mark on his body.
"What I actually wanted…" he said, raising into his hand as his daylight ring came to view, "…was for you to help me with this."
Remu coughed and slowly looked up, her eyes catching the ring immediately. Her expression shifted—shock, curiosity, then understanding. Whatever anger she had was gone now.
She got to her feet, a little shaky, then stepped close to Lucifer and took his hand carefully. Her fingers brushed against the ring, eyes scanning every inch of it like a spellbook.
But then… something poked her stomach.
She froze. Looked down. Her face went blank.
Lucifer blinked. "Oh."
Remu's gaze slowly traveled back up to meet his eyes. Her cheeks twitched.
"Seriously?" she asked, completely deadpan.
Lucifer just shrugged. "Wasn't on purpose. Can't help what heals with me."
Remu let out a slow sigh, clearly holding back the urge to light him on fire again.
"Just… hold still and don't say a word," she muttered, trying to ignore the awkward situation as she focused on the ring.
Lucifer grinned, saying nothing, but the smirk on his face said it all.