I snapped my fingers a second time, the sharp crack shattering the frozen tableau around us.
Time surged back into motion, like blood into numb limbs—pedestrians stumbled mid-step, cars growled to life, the distant hum of the city swelling to a roar. Everything that was suspended, lifeless as marble statues, breathed, moved, burned with chaotic energy all over again.
Lucifer's lips arced into that devastating smile—slow, wicked, the kind that used to make my wings shudder in Heaven and still coiled heat low in my belly.
"Your mocking skills have improved, Lucarious,"
he purred, voice velvet and smoke, eyes glinting with dark amusement.
I did not break the gaze as I stepped closer, and the air between us grew thick.
"So," I whispered, letting the word caress the space separating us, "you're going to tell Akira everything, aren't you?"
He tossed his head back and laughed—low, mocking, the sound sliding over my skin like the sin itself.
"You think me a fool?" His tongue traced his lower lip as the laughter faded into something hungrier. "Oh, on the contrary, darling. I'm dying to watch how you play this game. My plans have… shifted after all. "
He lifted one elegant hand and pointed directly at Yuna, who stood a little apart, arms folded, watching us with quiet intensity.
"Well then," Lucifer drawled, "what's your purpose here?"
A small lethal smile played on Yuna's lips.
"Just to protect Yuna."
I expelled an exasperated groan.
"Hell nah, you're so boring."
The moment shattered when raised voices cut through the din of the street. Akira and Lint faced off just yards away from them, anger crackling between them like live wire.
"I'm saving humanity, Lint—can't you see?"
Akira snarled, fisting Lint's collar and hauling him close. Their bodies slammed together, chests heaving, faces inches apart. Akira's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper, breath ghosting Lint's mouth.
"If I hadn't done what I did, everyone would already be dead."
Lint's hands shot up, grasping Akira's collar in turn, hauling him closer yet until their lips almost touched. Tension thrummed between them-aggression, yes, but something rawer, older, hotter.
"You killed humans too, Akira," Lint growled. "Sinners or not, it wasn't your place to play judge and executioner. There's a system-"
"Shut up!"
The sword-sharp shout cut through their arguing. Yura plunged between them, her eyes blazing, snatching both their collars in a single swift motion and yanking them forward, the three nose to nose, trembling in a fierce triangle.
"Right this minute, we need you too work together-or the world would tarnished by these devils."
Her voice cracked on the last word, emotion bleeding through the anger. She tightened her grip, knuckles white against their shirts.
"We're friends," she whispered fiercely, her face close enough that they could feel the heat of her breath, the faint tremble in her lips. "We grew up together. It hurts me to watch you tear each other apart like this."
She let them loose abruptly, stepping back.
"Now hug."
A visible shudder ran through both men, blush crawling up their necks as raw embarrassment mingled with something far more dangerous.
Yura's glare sharpened.
They moved at the same time, arms wrapping around each other in a stiff, reluctant embrace.
Lint tried to pull away first.
Akira wouldn't let him.
His arms only seemed to tighten further, smashing Lint against his chest as his mouth brushed the shell of Lint's ear, speaking in low, hoarse tones.
"Five years," he breathed, and with a single word, the breath seemed to vibrate through both of them. "After five years I'll be dead. Let's work together… one last time."
Lint went rigid, then slowly, almost against his will, his own arms tightened in return. For a heartbeat the street noise faded; there was only the harsh sound of their breathing, the crush of muscle against muscle, the unspoken ache hanging heavy between them.
Then every screen in the city glitched.
Billboards flickered, shop windows stuttered, phone screens in the hands of passers-by went black. There was a collective gasp from the crowd as every display, every television and every plasma panel on every building around the world seemed to light up with the same image.
Kinard.
Black mask gleaming under harsh light, eyes cold and triumphant behind the slits. His voice rolled out, deep and commanding, broadcast to billions.
"Earth is no more a sanctuary for humans alone. From this day forward, demons, devils, ghouls may walk freely among you. And one man you have to thank for this blessing-Akira Kurogane."
Akira's name rung out across the city, across the planet.
"The hero you worship," Kinard said, spitting venom with every syllable. "has been bargaining with demonic powers to rule this world at their side. If you wish to survive, I am the only soul who can save you. Certain traitors aid him—Yura Mikawa and Vernon Kurogane."
Their pictures flashed onto every screen-clear, damning, inescapable.
Akira stared up at the towering image of his own betrayal, jaw clenched so tight the muscle jumped. Disappointment and fury warred in his dark eyes, but below it burned something far more dangerous: raw, seething hurt.
"Kinard,"
he said on a low, lethal tone, promising on every word a trembling of the air around him.
"I never thought you'd play this dirty."
The city held its breath. And somewhere in the shadows, Lucifer's smile widened slow, satisfied, and utterly sinful.