Chapter 4 Chains of Desire

Selena’s fingers twitched as she tried to loosen Michael’s grip, but he held on, his knuckles turning white. Across from them, Lucifer stood unnervingly still, his gaze locked on Michael like a predator sizing up its next meal.

The air thickened. A crushing weight settled over the room. Michael forced a smile, ignoring the cold sweat trickling down his spine.

“Mr. Morningstar,” he said, his voice steady despite the tremor in his hands. “Selena and I… we’re together.”

Lucifer didn’t blink.

Then snap.

Time shattered. The distant chatter of students, the rustling of leaves gone. Silence stretched, suffocating and unnatural.

Michael’s fingers stiffened around Selena’s, but before he could react, Lucifer pried their hands apart with a flick of his wrist. The invisible force sent Michael stumbling back, a searing pain shooting through his palm.

Lucifer barely acknowledged him. He turned away, retreating to his original position.

Another snap.

Reality jolted back into motion. Sounds returned. Movement resumed as if nothing had happened except now, an unmistakable distance lay between Michael and Selena.

Selena’s pulse pounded in her ears. She knew Lucifer. Knew his patience was razor-thin, his possessiveness dangerous. He had destroyed people for less.

Michael, however, was blissfully ignorant.

Lucifer’s gaze flicked toward him, and Michael froze.

“I never acknowledged you as her boyfriend,” Lucifer said, his voice silk-smooth but lethal. “And you will never stand before me and say that again.”

Michael’s mouth opened, but one look at Lucifer’s expression made him think better of it.

Lucifer exhaled, as if even looking at him was a waste of breath. “Get in the car.”

Selena didn’t hesitate. She knew that tone the one he used before he destroyed people. Without looking back, she slid into the Lamborghini Huracán, her fingers trembling against the seat.

Lucifer took the wheel without another word. The engine roared to life, and the car shot forward, city lights blurring past.

Selena swallowed hard. “You’re driving too fast.”

Lucifer’s grip tightened on the wheel.

“Lucifer”

A sudden swerve sent her forward, her seatbelt snapping her back. She gritted her teeth, fingers digging into the leather.

He was furious.

And when Lucifer Morningstar was furious, the world burned.

LUCIFER’S MANSION

The iron gates groaned open as the Lamborghini screeched to a stop. Selena barely had time to unbuckle before Lucifer was out, his strides long and unrelenting.

Inside, the air was thick with power. Shadows stretched along gothic walls, the scent of aged books and burning incense clinging to the air. Statues lined the halls, their marble eyes cold and watchful.

Then, he stopped.

Selena halted a breath behind him.

Lucifer turned slowly, his eyes dark, unreadable.

“Tell me,” he murmured. “When did you get a boyfriend?”

Selena’s throat tightened. “We’ve been together for two years.”

Lucifer inhaled sharply, his jaw flexing. “And you didn’t think I had the right to know?”

She hesitated. “I… I thought you wouldn’t approve.”

A smirk curled his lips cold, humorless. “So you knew,” he echoed, taking a slow step forward. “And yet you still chose him.”

Selena backed up, her legs brushing against the edge of an antique couch. “I didn’t want to upset you.”

Lucifer leaned in, his breath ghosting over her skin. “And yet, you did.”

Her fingers twisted the hem of her dress. “I’ll break up with him,” she whispered. “Just… please don’t hurt his father’s company.”

Lucifer tilted his head, studying her the desperation in her voice, the way her eyes glistened not with fear, but pleading.

He hated it.

Hated that her heart wasn’t his.

His jaw clenched. “You’re lucky I like you begging,” he murmured. “But don’t think I won’t follow through on my threat.”

Then snap.

A surge of energy wrapped around her like invisible chains. Heat bloomed in her chest, seeping into her veins. Her body softened, her lips parting as she stumbled forward.

Lucifer caught her effortlessly, his fingers curling around her waist.

“Don’t call me uncle,” he whispered, his lips grazing her ear. “Call me Daddy.”

A whimper escaped her throat as his mouth claimed hers a kiss that burned, demanding and absolute. Her body melted into his, the spell clouding her mind, making her forget why she’d ever wanted someone else.

It was wrong.

So why did it feel so right?

Her hands clutched his shirt. “It hurts,” she whispered.

Lucifer pulled back, watching her through heavy-lidded eyes. “It’s your punishment.” His thumb brushed her lower lip, smirking as she trembled. “No man owns you. You belong to me.”

The magic in her veins pulsed stronger. The haze in her mind deepened.

“I’m all yours, Lucifer,” she whispered.

Lucifer stared at her for a long moment. Then, his jaw tightened. With a flick of his fingers, the spell shattered.

Selena gasped, blinking rapidly as the fog lifted. She looked down her dress slipping off her shoulders. Her breath hitched as she yanked the fabric back up, her face burning.

“I—I’m sorry,” she stammered. Then she ran.

Lucifer watched her disappear up the grand staircase, her bare feet barely making a sound.

A slow, mocking clap echoed through the hall.

“Well, well.”

Lucifer didn’t turn. He knew that voice.

Morgana.

She stepped into view, crimson lips curling into a smirk. “The mighty Lucifer, King of Hell, in love with his own goddaughter?” She let out a sultry laugh. “That’s a new one.”

Lucifer exhaled sharply. “Why are you here?”

Morgana sauntered forward, her hips swaying. “Shouldn’t I be in Hell?” she mused. “Maybe. But I missed my master.” She trailed a finger along the armrest of a chair. “Came to check on you. Imagine my surprise when I found you casting love spells on your precious little Selena.”

Lucifer’s expression didn’t change.

Morgana’s smirk deepened. “Why not just claim her? Make her yours?”

Lucifer’s gaze darkened. “It’s not time.”

Morgana raised an eyebrow.

“There’s something about her,” Lucifer muttered, more to himself than to her. “Something I despise.” His fingers curled into a fist. “I need to know if she’s connected to him.”

Morgana hummed, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. “Ah,” she murmured, dragging out the word like a secret slipping between her teeth. “That explains everything.”

Lucifer didn’t respond. His mind was already racing.

If Selena was his, he would make her suffer.

She would give herself to him willingly.

And he would make damn sure of it.