Clara's POV
I lay in bed for what felt like hours, thoughts circling Jason, guilt gnawing at me. He was the enemy—I knew that, I told myself that—but still… why did it feel as if I had known him for thousands of years? Like he was family, like he belonged to some forgotten piece of me.
The door clicked open. My breath caught as Ciel stepped in. Our eyes met—his were red, hollow, broken. He looked away almost instantly, as if the weight of my gaze was too much to bear. Without a word, he changed into a robe, movements slow, deliberate, exhausted. Then he crossed the room and settled onto the bed beside me.
Silence wrapped around us, heavy and suffocating. At last, he whispered into the dark, "Today was a long and exhausting day, my love. Let's rest for now." His eyes fluttered shut, but the emptiness in his voice carved into me.
I couldn't bear it. I turned and pulled him into my arms, holding him tighter, closer. My voice trembled against his shoulder. "Ciel… it's okay. You don't have to put on a mask with me. I know you're hurting, so please—cry in my arms. Let yourself go. You don't need to pretend to be fine."
The moment the words left me, his walls shattered. He clung to me with desperate strength, his body trembling as sobs tore free. I held him tighter still, until I felt my own tears spill. Together, we broke down in silence, our pain pouring out like a storm only the two of us could endure.
Lucien's POV
Okay, Malvrik, I know you're mad, I kept my voice calm, steady, even as tension buzzed in the air. But still—why don't we try to resolve our differences? Not here. Somewhere more private.
"More private?" Malvrik spat, venom dripping from his words. "I think here will be just fine, Lucien."
Lila stepped forward, eyes blazing. "Hey, let him go! What business do you have with him anyway?"
"Business?" Malvrik's glare cut into her like a blade. "I have a lot of business with this bastard right here."
I lifted my hands, trying to smooth out the flames before they spread. Look, I know you're upset. But this isn't the place. Let's take this somewhere else and talk it out.
But nothing reached him. His anger was too thick, too wild. His fist rose, ready to strike. My stomach tightened. Guess I have no choice but to fight, I thought bitterly. Even though creating a scene is the last thing I wanted.
And then—before I could move—his body jolted. Malvrik staggered back, struck down by a force that wasn't mine.
My eyes widened as I turned. Asriel stood there, hand still outstretched.
"What the hell do you think you're doing, Malvrik?" His eyes blazed like fire, fury radiating off him in waves. I froze, staring at the scene, disbelief rooting me to the spot.
"Master Asriel…" Malvrik muttered slowly as he struggled to rise.
"How dare you touch him?" Asriel's voice was a storm, each word sharp with rage. "I just introduced him as my second in command. As you're superior, you dare strike him?"
"Master Asriel, this man… you don't understand. He's the reason I fell from heaven. The reason I lost my eye. He—" Malvrik's hatred boiled over, his glare slicing through the air.
"I don't care," Asriel stepped closer, unflinching. "Even if he killed your family and ripped your wings from you… it wouldn't matter. Lucien is my second in command. He belongs to me. And anyone who hurts what's mine will not be spared."
The room fell silent as Asriel struck. Blow after blow rained down on Malvrik, until he lay bloody and unconscious on the ground. Gasps and murmurs echoed through the crowd, including my own.
"This should be a lesson," Asriel's voice cut through the tension, low and lethal. "Next time you lay a hand on him, you won't get away alive." He turned, leaving the chaos behind.
"Lucien, come with me." I heard from behind him. I glanced back at Malvrik, letting a satisfied smile curl across my lips before falling in step beside Asriel. Well, this partnership is definitely starting to work in my favor, I thought, anticipation lacing my pulse.
I returned to Asriel's office with Lila at my side. The door clicked shut behind me.
"I'm sorry," Asriel murmured, sinking into the chair. "It seems my fallen need more discipline."
"It's alright. I'm sure that won't happen again—not after what just went down," I replied, a smirk tugging at my lips.
"What the hell was he talking about, Lucien?" Lila's eyebrow shot up, suspicion clear in her gaze.
"Ahh… that was long ago, back in heaven," I began, leaning back slightly. "I wanted to rise through the ranks, so I used Malvrik as a lackey. He helped me spy on the other angels, frame them, but he got caught. Fought, lost his eye… and I placed all the blame on him. That's how he fell from heaven. Never thought I'd run into him here." Anger and pride mingled in my voice.
"Wow… Lucien, you really are a bastard," Lila breathed, half in awe, half in disbelief.
"What else was I supposed to do? Let myself be exposed? Of course I'd let him fall," I snapped, my jaw tightening.
"That's not what's important right now," Asriel interrupted, calm but commanding. "Ladies and gentlemen, it's high time we get started on the plan."
"All right," I said, excitement quickening my pulse. "Let's begin."
"Yes," Asriel replied, eyes glinting with purpose. "The first phase begins with Clara. You have to make contact with her."