The demon bar was hidden inside a crumbling cathedral.
Aria stared up at the stained glass windows—twisted depictions of angels crying blood and devils offering flowers. Music pulsed through the cracked stone walls, thick and heavy, like it had claws. Every shadow flickered. Every breath of air tasted like danger.
Lucien leaned against the doorway beside her, arms crossed, watching the crowd inside.
"Your first mission," he said casually. "Find the soul dealer named Vex. He's selling fragments of corrupted souls to humans on Earth. Dangerous stuff."
Aria raised a brow. "You're sending me in alone?"
He shrugged. "It's a test."
"Test of what?"
"Your instincts. And your ability to not punch anyone unless necessary."
She rolled her eyes and walked in.
Inside, demons of every shape and form danced, drank, and bartered. A group of imps played cards in the corner. A snake-haired bartender slid drinks down the bar with inhuman grace. A winged man was flirting with a banshee like it was just another Friday night.
Aria moved through the crowd, trying to act like she belonged.
Then she spotted him.
Tall. Lean. Silver tattoos crawling up his neck. Hair like ink and eyes like mercury. He sat at the back table, legs crossed, watching everything with a predator's calm.
Vex.
She approached. "You're Vex?"
He looked her over, amused. "Depends who's asking, Red."
"Someone who doesn't like corrupted soul dust floating around on Earth."
His smile widened. "Ah. The Devil's new girl."
"Not his girl," she snapped. "Just his temporary partner."
"Well," he drawled, "he might want to guard you better. Hell's watching."
Before she could respond, Vex suddenly leaned forward and whispered, "Your blood—it's not human. You should be careful who smells it."
Her breath caught. "What?"
But before he could explain, the bar suddenly went silent.
A force rolled through the room like thunder, shaking glasses, rattling bones.
Lucien had entered.
His gaze locked onto Vex. Then Aria.
Then Vex again.
He smiled, slow and sharp. "Is there a reason you're breathing so close to her?"
Vex stood, unfazed. "Just saying hello."
Lucien's power crackled in the air. "She doesn't need your kind of hello."
Aria stepped between them, annoyed. "Seriously? You're jealous now?"
Lucien's jaw twitched. "I don't get jealous."
"Sure. You just nearly melted the bartender."
Behind them, the bartender quietly extinguished the fire on her tray.
Lucien sighed and waved a hand. "Mission complete. We'll talk later."
As they left the bar, Aria grabbed his arm. "What did Vex mean about my blood?"
Lucien didn't answer at first.
Then softly, like it hurt him: "There's a reason your father left you that property. A reason Damien wanted it. And a reason I didn't want you near this world."
She stared at him.
"I'll explain soon," he said. "But first… you need to know how to fight what's coming."
A beat.
Aria smirked. "Then I hope Hell has a training room. I'm tired of being the victim."
Lucien looked at her, pride and fear in his eyes.
"You won't be," he whispered. "Not anymore."