**Lucian's POV (Present Time)**
The clock ticked mockingly as I paced my penthouse, the city's skyline glittering like shattered glass below. I'd sent Alex to dig up every scrap of information about *her*, but the idiot was taking far too long. My patience already threadbare snapped. I snatched my phone and dialed.
Three rings.
Then his hesitant voice: *"Boss...?"*
*"Where are you, Mr Busy?"* I snarled.
*"It's pitch-black here, and look, tracking her details isn't easy in this dump!"* Alex's whisper was punctuated by a sharp *"Ouch!"*
*"What now?"*
*"Mosquitoes, Boss. They're feasting on me like I'm a damned buffet."*
I pinched the bridge of my nose. *"You're a *devil*. Or have you forgotten? Use your powers to see in the dark or did you *choose* to play human today?"*
A nervous chuckle. *"Living among mortals does things to a guy, Boss. Blending in and all that."*
*"Boss...it's your university right the infrastructure and everything is top class and top notch why the hell this room is so dark"* Alex again *"aaaaa"*
I can clearly hear he was clapping for mosquitoes because of their amazing song and gifts to him
*"Enough excuses. You have two hours. Send me everything by 10 PM."* I hung up and collapsed onto the couch, the leather groaning under my weight.
Why did I care so much about this girl? The question gnawed at me like a rat in the walls. Exhaustion dragged me under.
---- *"Lucchiiii…!"*
A laugh like wind chimes. *"Catch me if you can!"* Grass beneath my knees, sunlight dappling through trees. A small figure tumbled ahead of me, giggling as she rolled down the hill. *"Caught you, bestie!"* I teased, pinning her wrists. *"Noooo! Cheater! Your legs are longer!"* Her pout was irresistible. I kissed her scrunched-up cheeks— **Screaming.**
I jolted awake, drenched in sweat, my heart hammering against my ribs. *Centuries*. Centuries of the same dream, the same voice. *"Where are you?"* I growled into the empty room, my voice was rough and hoarse because of the little sleep.
The clock read 9:45 PM. Still no file from Alex. I poured myself a glass of wine, the crimson liquid swirling like blood. *"Tomorrow,"* I muttered, *"this 'fate' shackles me to a mortal. But listen well, Lumina wherever you are *you* will never take her place."* My fist clenched, nails biting into my palm. --- **The Revelation** At 10:07 PM, Alex finally called. *"Boss, it's done. But sorting through decades of student records was..."*
*"Just get here."* I whispered
Twenty minutes later, my door slammed open. Alex staggered in, clutching a manila folder. *"Her entire life, Boss. Down to her shoe size."* I flipped it open. A passport-sized photo stared back—wide eyes, a hesitant smile.
Name -**Lumina Rose Celeste.** "Little mouse," I murmured, tracing the name.
*"You'll pay for existing."* The documents spilled her secrets-
**Age:** 21.
**Status:** Orphan (Parents deceased in a car crash at age 5).
**Guardians:** Maternal uncle (Marcus Celeste), aunt (Seraphina), cousin (Isabella). -
**Education:** Second year at Blackwood University.
Alex's brow furrowed. *"Why her, Boss? What's so special about this girl?"*
I tossed the file aside. *"Because 'fate' decided binding me to a mortal would be *hilarious*."
I drained my wine. *"The fate bounds me to her I can't do anything and you know as per the hell rule after we get our bride our powers will be doubled....so yes that's why I am marrying her not because I will get punishment from the hell but because i will get power and yes I am being selfish...cause if I will get double the power what I am having I will easily find someone dear to my heart.And power means answers—about what happened to *her*."
*"Your… best friend?"* Alex's voice softened. *"The one who vanished on her tenth birthday. No note. No trace. Just silence."*
My jaw tightened. *"This 'marriage' is means to an end. Tomorrow, you'll fetch her from the university. If she resists, drag her. I don't care how."*
Alex hesitated. *"She's an orphan, Boss. That's… rough."*
*"She has a family. A wretched one, but still."* I waved him off. *"Prepare the car. And Alex—don't be late this time."*
As the door closed, I stared at Lumina's photo again.*"You'll hate me, little mouse. But I've hated you longer."*
But Alex came again *"Now what Alex?"*
*"boss what if your bride...I mean Lumina shouts or screams?*" he asked me and I was done with this boy and then I replied *"She won't well in fear she will do but I have already read her mind her face she is a timid type easily will get scared you don't have to get worried for that and also do kidnappers let the victim shout? Are you new?....just do what I say...now go prepare for tomorrow and sleep"* I growled at the last.
He did some drama at last and went out of the room more than Lumina this boy Alex will trouble me *"More dramatic you are Alex"* I chuckled and went to the shower, right now I need to take a shower again it will calm my nerves down, as I slowly stepped into the shower the cold water slide against my skin and after a few minutes everything was done, I was in a black silk robe, slowly I lay down on the bed today especially today I was tired and exhausted as hell and it didn't took me a second to close my eyes and I know I will see the same dream again and again *"atleast in the dream I will see her, please come back to me"* I whispered sleepily and then the void of darkness which I am in already pulled me