Chapter 8 The Father of All Liars
Lilith crossed her legs on Selena’s writing desk, drumming her fingers against the wood. "What truth?" she asked, tilting her head.
Selena leaned back in her chair, the glow of her desk lamp casting a warm halo around her. She swirled the coffee in her cup before taking a sip, the bitterness lingering on her tongue. "What do you think about me researching vampires?"
Lilith’s reaction was immediate. Her eyes widened, her hands freezing mid-air. "Wait. You’re serious?"
Selena smirked over the rim of her cup. "Yeah. Why?"
Lilith groaned, flopping dramatically onto the desk. "Ugh, come on, Selena. We have a ton of work to do, and you’re thinking about chasing after myths?"
Selena shrugged, setting her cup down with a soft clink. "I just want to know if they exist or not." A flicker of hesitation crossed her face before she murmured under her breath, "I need to know if my mom was telling the truth."
Lilith straightened, sharp eyes narrowing. "What was that?"
"Nothing." Selena waved her off too quickly and reached for her phone. "I’m texting Michael. He’s meeting me at the city library tonight."
Lilith made a show of shivering, rubbing her arms. "Babe, you need to be careful. You know the stories, right? What if a vampire actually finds you?" She bared her teeth playfully, mimicking a bite near Selena’s neck. "What if they sink their fangs in so deep you turn into one of them?"
Selena snorted, swatting her away. "That’s ridiculous. Vampires don’t exist, and even if they did, I doubt they’d just be lurking in the library, waiting to turn me."
Lilith crossed her arms. "Still, you never know."
Selena sighed, stretching her legs out beneath the desk. "Besides, I’ll be with Michael. And it’s been forever since I last saw him. Ever since graduation, my uncle’s guards have been watching me like I’m some lost princess."
Lilith arched a brow, a sly grin tugging at her lips. "Speaking of the overprotective devil, are you going to tell your brother about this little night trip?"
Selena's fingers tightened around her phone, her expression darkening. "No." She exhaled, running a hand through her hair. "I can’t. Every time I bring up Michael, it’s like something in him snaps. He hates hearing his name. If I tell him I’m going to the library, I’ll leave out the part where Michael is coming with me."
Lilith gave her a knowing look. "And what about what you’re researching?"
Selena's response was immediate. "Absolutely not."
Lilith rolled her eyes. "Figures. If he knew, he’d probably tear up the assignment and make sure you never get near a book again."
Selena smirked, nudging Lilith’s foot with hers. "That’s why I need you to come with me. We could make a night of it—just the three of us."
Lilith recoiled in mock horror. "Oh, hell no! I am not third-wheeling while you and Michael exchange long, lingering looks over dusty old books. Count me out."
Selena laughed, shaking her head as Lilith stuck out her tongue.
Selena hesitated outside Lucifer’s door, her knuckles hovering just above the dark wood. The hallway was silent, save for the distant ticking of the grandfather clock downstairs. Taking a breath, she knocked twice.
No answer.
Then, without warning, the door swung open on its own. A shiver ran down her spine as a gust of cold air slithered past her.
"Come in."
Lucifer’s voice wasn’t raised, but it carried the weight of command.
Swallowing hard, Selena stepped inside. The room was dimly lit, a single lamp illuminating stacks of papers and an open laptop on the mahogany desk. Lucifer didn’t look up, his fingers flying over the keyboard.
She shifted on her feet, playing with the hem of her sleeve. "I’m going to the city library tonight."
Lucifer’s typing didn’t pause. "For what?"
Her pulse stuttered. "Research."
Silence stretched between them. Lucifer finally glanced up, his gaze sharp and calculating. He didn’t need to say anything for her to know he saw right through her lie.
A slow smirk curved his lips. "Is that so?"
Selena clenched her fists. "Yes."
His gaze flickered to her wrist, and his expression darkened. That damn mate thread. He hated the sight of it.
Tension thickened the air. Then, after what felt like an eternity, Lucifer leaned back in his chair, exhaling through his nose. "Go."
A chill swept through the room, making the curtains billow. The temperature dropped, and Selena’s breath hitched. She didn’t stick around to ask questions—she turned on her heel and walked out, her heart hammering.
The moment the door shut behind her, a shadow in the corner stirred.
Morgana stepped into the light, her violet eyes glinting with amusement. "Did she just lie to the father of all liars?" She slid into a chair, legs crossed, fingers drumming against the armrest. "Bold."
Lucifer’s jaw tensed as he shut his laptop with a click.
Morgana smirked. "You know she’ll be with Michael, right?"
Lucifer’s hands curled into fists. "Let them enjoy the little time they have together for now."
Morgana tilted her head. "And what if she digs too deep? If she uncovers something she shouldn’t? You know how ruthless Luca is when humans get too curious. What if she finds out the truth and he decides to silence her?"
A slow, dangerous shift overtook Lucifer’s features. His once-human frame rippled, muscles stretching, suit tearing as his true form emerged. His shoulders broadened, his horns broke through his skull, and his eyes burned with a hellish glow.
Morgana’s smirk faltered as the air in the room thickened with power.
Lucifer’s voice was no longer human it was something darker, something ancient.
"He won’t dare touch her."
The walls trembled. His presence was suffocating.
"Luca knows I am here. And he wouldn’t dare take what’s mine."