Chapter 3 The Devil’s Claim

Lucifer entered his mansion, the scent of firewood and aged leather filling the grand hall. In his arms, the girl barely stirred small, fragile, yet inexplicably warm against him. Selena. The name echoed in his mind, unfamiliar yet oddly significant.

His grip was firm, but his movements were careful, almost instinctive. He had carried countless souls to their damnation, yet this was different. This was… delicate.

From the shadows, Morgana stepped forward, golden eyes gleaming with curiosity. She tilted her head, her raven hair cascading over one shoulder, a smirk playing on her lips.

"Since when do you collect strays?" she drawled, arms folding across her chest.

Lucifer barely spared her a glance as he strode toward the leather sofa, laying Selena down with an unusual gentleness. The girl murmured something, shifting slightly before settling again. His fingers lingered, brushing a stray curl from her face.

Morgana's smirk faltered. "You’re serious."

Lucifer exhaled, slipping his hands into his pockets. "I found her."

"Found?" Her voice was laced with disbelief. "On the street?"

Silence.

Her amusement flickered into something sharper. "And yet you brought her here? You barely tolerate adults, let alone"

"She's different."

Morgana arched a brow. "How different?"

Lucifer hesitated. His gaze rested on Selena, unreadable. Finally, he spoke.

"I can't read her." His voice was quieter now, as if saying it aloud made it more real. "When I try, it’s like staring into an abyss. No thoughts. No memories. Just" His jaw tightened. "Fear."

That caught Morgana off guard. Her smirk vanished. Slowly, she stepped forward and placed two fingers against Selena’s forehead.

The air around her darkened, magic reaching, seeking

And then, nothing.

A void.

The sensation was suffocating, like plunging into lightless water. It was wrong.

Morgana yanked her hand away as if burned, shaking out her fingers. Her expression hardened.

"That’s impossible."

Lucifer said nothing.

Morgana studied him, the weight of her gaze pressing down. Then, she exhaled, leaning back. "Alright. Say she is different. What exactly do you plan to do with her?"

Lucifer crouched beside the couch, watching the slow rise and fall of Selena’s chest. He had instilled fear in countless souls, but never had he seen fear repel him like oil over water.

His fingers curled into fists.

"I’m going to adopt her," he said.

Morgana blinked. Then blinked again. "I’m sorry what?"

"You heard me."

A beat of silence.

Then, Morgana let out a breathless laugh. "Lucifer Morningstar, the King of Hell, adopting a child? This is rich."

Lucifer barely reacted. His gaze remained on Selena, unreadable. "She’s too young to carry this kind of fear." A pause. "I’ll wipe her memories. Give her a new life."

Morgana tilted her head, something unreadable flickering in her golden eyes. Amusement? Curiosity? Perhaps even… respect.

"You’re serious."

"Yes," he said, finality in his tone. "I am."

FIFTEEN YEARS LATER

"Selena."

The name cut through the air like a whip, yanking her out of the nightmare.

She sucked in a breath, blinking rapidly. The world snapped back into focus bright sunlight, the hum of students chattering, the scent of coffee lingering in the air.

Not darkness.

Not him.

She was in the college courtyard, sitting at the café table, her untouched latte growing cold in front of her.

Across from her, Lilith leaned forward, brows raised in concern. "You totally spaced out for like, ten minutes. What’s up?"

Selena forced a small smile, running a hand through her dark curls. "Just… remembering something."

Lilith scoffed, flipping her sleek ponytail over one shoulder. "Well, stop thinking about depressing stuff. Today is huge our last day in college! You should be celebrating, not brooding like some tragic gothic heroine."

Selena exhaled a laugh, the tension in her chest easing slightly. "I know. I won’t let it ruin today."

"Good, because"

Lilith’s words cut off as a familiar figure approached.

Michael.

Selena felt her heart stutter. He was the kind of handsome that made girls trip over their words dark tousled hair, easy smirk, a gray T-shirt stretching over toned arms.

Lilith elbowed her playfully. "Someone’s blushing."

"Shut up," Selena muttered, glaring at her.

Michael grinned as he reached them. "Hey, ladies."

Lilith waggled her brows but said nothing as he leaned down, pressing a kiss to Selena’s cheek.

"So," he said, dropping into the seat beside her. "Where are we celebrating tonight?"

Lilith clapped her hands. "That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out! I say we hit the bar first, then"

Selena groaned. "Lilith…"

Lilith shot her a look. "Come on, you can’t bail! Not today."

Michael draped an arm over Selena’s shoulder. "She’s right. You need to have some fun for once."

Selena bit her lip. "I can’t stay out too late. My uncle’s picking me up."

Lilith sighed dramatically. "Ugh, Lucifer Morningstar the walking, talking forbidden fantasy of every woman on campus."

Michael’s smirk dropped. "I don’t get what’s so special about him."

Lilith smirked. "That’s because you’re not a six-foot-four billionaire with criminally good looks."

Selena rolled her eyes. "You wouldn’t say that if you actually met him. He’s terrifying."

Lilith leaned in, grinning. "Terrifying in a good way, though."

Before Selena could respond, the deep rumble of an engine cut through the courtyard’s chatter.

A sleek black Lamborghini Huracán glided to a stop at the curb.

Her stomach dropped.

The driver’s door opened.

A man stepped out tall, devastatingly handsome, dressed in an all-black suit. His presence was a storm cloud rolling in, heavy and dark.

Lucifer.

His gaze locked onto her, unreadable but unwavering.

Lilith let out a breath. "Speak of the devil."

Michael stiffened. "I don’t get why he has to pick you up all the time. You’re a grown woman."

Selena’s gut twisted. "Don’t"

But Michael was already standing, grabbing her hand. "I’m asking him."

Selena’s breath hitched.

Lucifer’s gaze flicked down to where Michael’s fingers wrapped around hers.

A shift in the air. Subtle. Lethal.

Then, slowly too slowly Lucifer began walking toward them.

And in that moment, Selena knew.

Michael had just made a very, very dangerous mistake.