Thaniel
It was that idiot… Lucifer.
Golden eyes burned with fury as wings of scorched light flared violently behind him. Fire spilled across the floor with every step he took away from the throne.
"Really, Lulu," I said dryly, wiping invisible dust off my shoulder, "did you have to drag me into this stinking cave of yours?"
A dark, ghostly silhouette slithered through the ground toward me. I shot it a glare, and the poor soul scrambled away like it had just remembered an urgent appointment elsewhere.
Lucifer's lips curled into a smile. "They don't seem to like you."
"Believe me, the feeling is mutual," I replied, turning slowly as I took in the throne room. "I see you've done a few things with the walls. Pretty… spooky, if you ask me. Was that why you brought me here—to show off your new interior décor?"
His expression darkened as he stepped closer.
"Don't play dumb. You know what you have done."
"And what did I do?" I asked.
"You broke the rule. You broke the law that guides our interaction with humans."
I sighed, unimpressed, and leaned back—letting myself fall.
A black couch appeared beneath me, and I sank into it comfortably. If Lucifer wasn't going to offer me a seat, I'd just help myself. Hell had its perks.
I crossed my legs, eyes locked on him. "I didn't do anything different from what the kid had already planned to do."
Lucifer let out a bitter chuckle. "Yet he wanted to live—but you made him change his mind. You practically killed him."
"Oh please, Lulu," I drawled. "Shouldn't you be happy? At least now you've got an extra soul swimming around in your pool of doom."
His grin widened. "Oh, I am happy, Thaniel. As a matter of fact, I owe you a whole lot."
My lips twitched—but not out of amusement.
"Because of you," he continued, eyes closing as his smile spread wider, hands lifting toward the sky, "I get to leave this place. I get to go to the surface in the fullness of my glory and—"
"I didn't do anything wrong, Lucifer," I cut in sharply. "I know the rules. I didn't go against them. You're just twisting what happened—just like Corvus said you would."
Lucifer sneered. "Then I guess you should've listened to your stupid pet."
Corvus—who I knew had been watching from the shadows—trembled.
That did it.
"Don't talk about him that way."
"Or else what?"
I smiled.
The shadows answered before I did.
They peeled off the walls, the floor, the cracks in the obsidian—stretching, curling. Firelight dimmed as darkness pooled at my feet, climbing my legs, my arms, my throat.
Lucifer laughed.
Flames erupted around him, wild and furious. The throne room trembled as fire licked the pillars, melting stone like wax. His wings blazed brighter, gold and white, the heat pressing against my skin like a dare.
"So you do want to dance," he said, fire spiraling into his palms.
"Careful, Lulu," I replied calmly as the shadows tightened around me. "You know I don't play fair."
He struck first.
A spear of fire screamed toward me. I twisted, dissolving into shadow as it passed through where my chest had been. I reformed behind him, shadows snapping like whips, slashing toward his wings.
Fire exploded outward, forcing them back.
We collided—light and dark, heat and cold—our powers crashing together in a violent shockwave that cracked the obsidian floor beneath us.
I lunged again, darkness rising like a tide, and then—BOOM.
The impact came from above.
The sky split open in a blinding burst of white light. Wind thundered through the throne room, scattering fire and shadow alike. I was thrown backward, skidding across the ground as Lucifer staggered in the opposite direction.
Someone landed between us.
The floor trembled beneath his feet.
I looked up.
Tall. Broad-shouldered. Perfect in that infuriating way only he could manage. White wings unfurled behind him—vast, immaculate, glowing with authority rather than flame.
Michael.
I rolled my eyes. Of course, it was Michael.
He sure knew how to make an entrance.
"Enough," he said calmly.
The word wasn't loud.
It didn't need to be.
Fire died instantly. My shadows recoiled into me like frightened animals. The throne room fell into a heavy, suffocating silence.
Lucifer snarled. "This doesn't concern you, Michael."
Michael didn't even look at him. His gaze was fixed on me—steady, unreadable.
"HEhas already decided," Michael said.
My stomach dropped. We didn't need to ask who he was talking about.
I straightened slowly. "HE didn't ask me."
Michael's jaw tightened. "And why should HE? You interfered."
"I nudged," I snapped. "The boy already—"
"You pushed him to do it," Michael cut in. "And by doing that, you crossed the line."
Lucifer's lips curved into a satisfied smile.
Michael continued, his voice even and merciless. "The judgment stands. Thaniel, you will be punished."
Lucifer clapped, smug and delighted—but Michael ignored him.
I laughed sharply. "Punished? For doing my job?"
No one answered. Michael simply went on.
"You will live," he said, "as a human."
The word hit harder than any chain ever could.
"What?" Lucifer and I echoed at the same time.
Lucifer frowned, fire flickering around him. "I thought I was supposed to be the one to choose his punishment."
Of course he did. He'd waited centuries for this—for me to take his place.
Michael turned to him. "In this situation, you don't get to decide."
Lucifer bristled, fury rolling off him in waves.
Before he could speak, I stepped forward. "No," I said. "No one gets to decide that without—"
Michael raised his hand.
I froze.
Not because I couldn't move—but because the sheer weight of his authority crushed down on me.
Once, I'd been stronger than him.
Now, I had to answer to this muscular jerk.
"Your memory will remain intact," Michael said, "but you will be bound to a human life. You will feel pain, fear, loss—and experience everything that makes them human."
My hands curled into fists.
"This is bullshit," I hissed. "I want a hearing. I want—"
"Silence," Michael said, eyes flashing.
Even Lucifer didn't speak.
Michael turned slightly, addressing him now. "And you may set the conditions of the punishment."
Lucifer's smile sharpened. "Gladly."
Shit.
If he couldn't have his freedom, he'd make sure I suffered for it.
I snapped my head toward Michael. "You're letting him decide?"
Michael met my gaze. "Balance must be maintained."
I laughed bitterly. "That's what you call this?"
He didn't respond.
Lucifer stepped forward, fire trailing behind him like a living crown. "Oh, I have so many ideas."
Michael raised his hand again. "There will be limits."
Lucifer scoffed. "Fine."
Michael turned back to me. "You are also allowed two requests."
"Two?" I muttered. "That's it?"
"Yes."
I clenched my jaw, fury burning hotter than Lucifer's flames.
"Choose carefully," Michael added. "This will be the last mercy you receive."
The throne room felt smaller and heavier.
Human. Mortal. Bound.
I looked from Michael's unreadable face to Lucifer's eager grin—and felt something dangerous stir in my chest.
Fine.
If they wanted to turn me human, I'd make damn sure it cost them.
"Alright," I said slowly, lifting my chin. "I've got a few things to say then."