Of Light And Shadows
Chapter Ten...

Jia sighed and touched the crest around her neck absently, wondering what Lucifer was doing while she was supposed to be sleeping.

It warmed under her fingertips and she frowned as it compelled her to get out of bed. She decided to follow, unsurprised when the pendant led her straight past his room and towards the study.

The crest grew warmer, humming with energy in her hand as she approached the door and listened. There were no voices through the wood so it seemed like he was alone. She knocked gently but received no answer.

The door opened silently and she stepped inside. The study was illuminated by the light of a low lamp, casting a glow over a sight that made her smile.

Lucifer was slumped over his desk with his head resting on his folded arms, snoring gently. His hair was mussed and his formal jacket and tie were hung over the back of the sofa, the sleeves of his black shirt rolled up over his elbows. In front of him sat an open book and several letters he’d obviously been half way through reading. One of them was still clutched loosely between his gloved fingers.

“Louie?” Jia said softly. He stirred but didn’t wake, so she padded over and touched his shoulder gently. “Lucifer?”

He sat up quickly and blinked, looking around like he had no idea where he was. His usually perfect hair fell into his eyes as he focussed on her face. There was a pink mark on his cheek where it had rested on his arms.

“Jia? What time is it?” His voice was husky with sleep.

“I don’t know. It’s late though. Why aren’t you in bed if you’re tired?”

“I was planning on finishing up here and then going,” he answered, running a hand through his dark hair to push it back off his forehead. Jia marvelled at how easily it settled back into its usual neat side-part. “I must have dozed off in the middle of reading.” She watched as he stretched and grimaced when his shoulders popped.

“How often do you do this?”

“Reading?”

“Falling asleep at your desk.”

“More than I’m happy to admit,” he replied. “Running a school for Demons is harder than it looks, especially one growing as fast as ours is. I get why my father abandoned it.” He frowned. “What are you doing wandering the halls at this time?”

“I had a nightmare,” she shrugged. “You know I could never get back to sleep after a bad dream.”

“So you came looking for me?”

“Not on purpose. I was wondering if you’d be awake or not and the crest got warm. It seemed like it was tugging me somewhere so I followed it and here I am.”

“You shouldn’t be able to use the crest that way,” he answered, his frown deepening. “You don’t have the blood for it. Are you sure you’re Lotura?”

“What else could I be?”

“I don’t know,” he murmured. “In any case, the only thing you should be able to do with that necklace is summon me to you. That’s it.” She blinked, unprepared for any further revelations after everything she’d been through.

“You know what? I’m not gonna think about it right now. The last couple of days have officially been too much for me and for a little while I’d like to forget my life and everything going wrong in it.” She walked to the nearest shelf and grabbed a book from it before going back to the desk. “Get up.” He frowned at her, surprised by her directness. “Don’t leave me standing here, get up.”

He did as she asked, raising an eyebrow at her but saying nothing. She took his arm and tugged him over to the sofa.

“Sit.” He sat. She took the thick blanket off the back and grinned. “Lie down.”

“I need to finish what I was doing.”

“You can finish it once you’ve slept. Lie down.”

“If I don’t sort the accounts tonight I’ll have twice as much to do tomorrow.”

“Shut up and lie down, Louie.” He sighed but conceded, settling back against the cushions. She could see the dark circles under his eyes even in the dim lamp light. She threw the blanket over him. “Get some sleep. I’m gonna read at your desk for a little while.”

“I really don’t think-”

“Zip it. You’re obviously exhausted. Worry about the accounts when you’ve had some rest. I’ll wake you up in a few hours, okay?” His brows pulled together but he sighed and relaxed into the soft leather, unable to fight it any longer.

She smiled as he crashed back into sleep almost immediately before making herself comfortable in his big leather chair.

She was going to read the book she’d chosen but the letters scattered across the surface caught her eye. The book he’d had open was the accounts ledger for the school. The currency they used was different but she could understand it enough to make sense of everything. She glanced over to make sure he was asleep before picking up a pen and getting to work.

“Jia?” The voice by her ear was gentle and familiar. She raised her head and looked around, surprised to replace herself still in the office with Lucifer stood beside her. “Now who’s falling asleep at my desk?” he asked.

“Sorry, I was reading,” she mumbled. “I was meant to wake you and I didn’t.” He cast his eyes over the neatly arranged papers and closed ledger in front of her.

“Apparently you did my job for me so it isn’t an issue,” he answered, tilting his head.

“I told you I was studying to be an accountant,” she mumbled. “I thought it might help you out a little.”

“It helped immensely. You’re better at balancing the books than I am and I’ve been doing it for a long time.” He gestured at the ordered papers. “You even organised my desk for me. I’m impressed.”

“I’m nothing if not efficient. Did you sleep okay?”

“I did, as it happens. The sofa was surprisingly comfortable. Thank you for your help.” His gratitude left a warm feeling in her stomach. “I need to change clothes before heading down to breakfast. You should change too. I had Mammon bring some uniform to your room while you were sleeping.”

“Mammon knows I slept in here?”

“He does. He also knows you did my job for me.”

“I’m never gonna hear the end of that,” she grumbled as she rose slowly from the chair and stretched. There was a nagging ache in her neck where she’d aggravated the bruise, but at least she felt rested. She paused as she reached the door. “When can I see Evan?”

“Not for a while. When he woke up last night he was...agitated. We’ve had to keep him sedated for now and only wake him when it’s time for him to feed.” He sighed. “We can’t risk him getting loose in the school. He might not bite anyone but he’d still attack the students regardless. The safest thing for him and everyone else right now is for him to stay asleep until he’s been a Vampire for a little longer.”

“But if he’s asleep surely there’s no issue with me seeing him?”

“It’s not that simple. If he catches the scent of your blood he could become frenzied enough to overcome the sedatives. His body is essentially undead. Medicine doesn’t work on him the way it used to.” Jia cast her eyes downwards. “I’m sorry. We’re doing all we can for him but my priority is keeping you out of harm’s way.” He hesitated for a moment, seeming like he wanted to say more.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Last night I heard you talking to Mammon.” A prickle of unease settled in her stomach. “I was in my room next door trying to replace more ink for my fountain pen. Unfortunately my wonderfully sensitive ears caught your conversation as clear as day. I left as soon as I found the ink but not before I heard you say what your father has been doing to you. I heard you ask my brother not to tell me.” He laid a hand on her arm.

“You weren’t meant to hear that.”

“I won’t push you to talk to me about it.” He looked at her earnestly, concern and anger hidden in his red hues. “But that man will never lay a finger on you again. I won’t allow it.”

She was startled by the tears that welled up in her eyes. She’d missed this place. She’d missed Lucifer and Mammon and Belphegor for years, every single day. She should’ve known that she couldn’t keep anything from them.

As soon as he saw the moisture in her eyes Lucifer pulled her into a rare, gentle hug. The tears spilled over as years of abuse crashed down on her like a mountain crumbling into an ocean.

Before coming to the Demonic Realm she hadn’t allowed herself to dwell on it because she knew it would crush her. But here, in the place she felt at home, with one of the people she loved most in the world? Maybe it was okay to let it out.

She sank to her knees and Lucifer sank with her, keeping her close until the tears dried up and her sobs quieted. He wasn’t a hugger so she was surprised that he didn’t seem to mind. His arms around her were gentle, careful not to squeeze the bruises he knew were under her clothes, and he stroked her hair as she cried.

Eventually she pulled back, wiping her eyes and sniffling.

“I got your shirt wet,” she mumbled. He chuckled.

“I’m changing it anyway, don’t worry about it.”

“I’m crying a lot lately. I soaked Mammon’s shirt too.”

“He told me.”

“I’m going to miss you when I have to go back,” she whispered. His eyes grew sad.

“I know. Let’s not think about that, okay? You’re here now and will be for at least the next few weeks. That’s the important thing as far as I’m concerned. Enjoy your time here with us and we’ll come to the sad parts later.”

“You’re far too sensible,” she muttered, making him laugh. “Bell would’ve cried with me about it so I didn’t feel silly.”

“Belphegor is overly-emotional. You know that.”

“Mammon said he’d come back with me to make sure I could settle somewhere away from my parents. Can he even do that?”

“He can’t stay indefinitely but he can certainly help out as long as he intends to come back here,” Lucifer answered. “I’d prefer it if he did go with you, in all honesty. You’ll need help with moving. I can’t leave this place unmanaged for prolonged periods and Evan may not be stable enough to rely on. Mammon or Belphegor would be ideal helpers.”

“I don’t have the money to move out,” she answered sullenly. “I’ve been saving but I don’t even have enough for a deposit because all my money goes on my tuition and rent to my father right now.”

“Don’t worry about that,” Lucifer answered. “We can sort all of that for you with very little trouble.”

“I can’t accept money from any of you.”

“I don’t intend to give you money directly. We’re going to replace you a place to live and you’re going to move in and that’s it.”

“Accepting an entire home is much harder than accepting money,” she protested. “That’s way too much!”

“I never said you got a choice,” he replied, raising an eyebrow at her again. She narrowed her eyes at him as he stood up and offered her a hand. She took it begrudgingly and let him help her to her feet. “Call it payment for the work you’re going to do while you’re here, if that makes you feel better.”

“Work?”

“Yes.” He beamed and she saw that mischievous glint in his eye again. “You’re my new accountant.”