LUCIFER'S VISIT

Untouchable Books.

Lucifer paused mid-step.

The halls of his domain were silent, as they always were, but something felt... off. Not loud enough to be an alarm. Not sharp enough to be a threat.

Just a ripple.

He narrowed his eyes, turning slowly. "Interesting."

Lucifer extended his senses across his realm, searching for the source. Gates were intact. Wards unbroken. No summoning. No intrusion.

Nothing.

Yet the feeling lingered, faint and irritating, like an echo already fading.

"Someone brushed too close," he murmured, more amused than concerned.

The library did not respond.

Lucifer dismissed the thought. The library had existed long before even him. Whatever secrets it held were buried deep-untouched for millennia.

No one would be foolish enough to step inside. That would be a multiple death in different ways before throwing whoever it is to his insanely hungry burning hell...just for invasion.

Back in the Human World

Maya checked the clock again.

Too much time had passed.

Shawn had promised only minutes-just long enough to slip in, confirm the book, and leave. But the air in the apartment felt heavy now, tense, as if the walls themselves were holding their breath.

Lionel sat cross-legged on the floor, arms wrapped tightly around himself. "Something's wrong," he whispered.

Roshan stood near the window, unmoving. They had come back from Dallas as soon as they were informed of what Shawn had done.He hadn't spoken in a while, which worried Maya more than if he were shouting. Demons trusted silence only when it was earned.

Their mother pressed her fingers together, murmuring a quiet spell under her breath. Not to track Shawn-Lucifer would notice that instantly-but to feel.

Her eyes snapped open.

"He's still alive," she said quickly. "But-"

"But?" Maya urged.

"But the place he's in doesn't want him there."

Lionel's head jerked up. "The library," he said. "It's testing him." He had read it in books that the ancient library in Lucifer's hold tests anyone who walks into it to confirm their worthiness and if they are, the book appears to them, moves towards them but would take powers of parans to open it.

Maya's chest tightened. "We shouldn't have let him go alone."

Roshan finally turned from the window. "If any of us had gone with him," he said grimly, "Lucifer would already know."

As if summoned by the thought, the lights flickered.

Just once.

Lionel gasped. "That wasn't Shawn."

The air shifted-subtle, almost unnoticeable-but Roshan felt it immediately. His jaw tightened.

"Lucifer," he said quietly.

Their mother's voice trembled despite herself. "Does he know?"

Roshan shook his head slowly. "Not yet."

Maya clenched her fists. "Then we don't have much time."

In the Library

Shawn's fingers brushed the edge of the book.

The moment he made contact, the whispers stopped.

The library went utterly still.

A surge of power rushed through him-not violent, not painful, but overwhelming. Images flashed across his mind: realms dividing, truths buried, the locket being torn from history and sealed away.

And then-

A presence brushed against the outer edge of the library.

Shawn stiffened.

Lucifer was very close to him.....he had to make a run for it before he was caught. His hands brushed the edges of the dusty book, grabbing it, the book seemed to listen to him as if it had been waiting for thousands of years to be revealed.

As soon as a breath of air brushed across the room, Shawn knew that Lucifer was closer than before, he quickly teleported and left with no trace, but the air still cold and ancient.....not like before because the book has gone with him.

..........

Lucifer sped through the library for confirmation, his servants were too stupid, they could be fooled but not him..

He had come too far to be destroyed, he had done everything he had to do for this throne and the only thing he needed was the locket, a locket that could change everything. It would make all the supernaturals in the world disappear, leaving only him to rule the world, over humans and no one...no soul could stop him.

Seeing no one there, he left to torment some of his advocates into giving him their souls.

Back at home.....(human world.)

Everyone could feel the sudden change in the atmosphere as if something new had arrived. The weather condition was changing. It could never be summer during spring but here it was, the blazing heat.

"Something is wrong and it is not ordinary." Mandeli stopped in her tracks. She had been pacing for the past half an hour. Maybe if they had just stayed in the Paran, her son's life wouldn't be in danger but here it was. She should have seen this coming but she wanted the best for her children.

A different type of wind flickered and they all jerked up.......

"Shawn.... he's home." Maya whispered opening the front door. Demons wouldn't walk into a house that they weren't welcome in unless they were allowed to. Shawn followed this rule strictly even if it was his own home.

Shawn gave them a faint smile, marking his victory but they were still worried, his demon was under control but not him.

Collecting the book, Lionel felt the weight bigger than him, he used his magic to gently place it on the table.