The lunch rush is in full swing, and we're working tirelessly to ensure every visitor leaves satisfied. Lately, more people seem drawn here, carried by a wave of autumnal nostalgia. They seek the comfort of a warm cup of coffee and a good book—not out of necessity, but as part of a cherished ritual.
The doorbell chimes cheerfully, pulling my gaze toward the entrance. My knees nearly give out, and the smile on my face disappears in an instant. It feels as though my soul momentarily leaves my body as a wave of bone-deep horror crashes over me, robbing me of breath. I barely manage to keep hold of the ceramic plates in my trembling hands.
The guest briefly locks eyes with me before turning away and casually walking to a table. I hope he didn't notice my reaction. My gaze darts around the room, searching for familiar faces.
Elle and Arthur have spotted him too. Their faces pale, but they quickly compose themselves. I catch the subtle changes in their posture, but shake my head, silently pleading for restraint. A confrontation here, surrounded by oblivious customers, isn't an option. Colleagues seem to get the message.
Taking a steadying breath, I remove my apron and approach the guest. Each step feels like a battle. My heart's racing, thoughts clouded by dread. The closer I get, the more I fear my legs will fail.
When I reach the table, I pull out the chair opposite him and sit down. His icy blue eyes sweep over me, studying every detail, and a crooked smile plays on his lips. I'm currently sitting less than a meter away from my worst nightmare.
Balthazar's warnings echo in my mind, sharp and clear. There's no doubt—Leo hasn't been idle. He's not far from complete unification. And if he succeeds, the consequences will be catastrophic.
"Cozy place," he chuckles.
"How did you find us?" I blurt, even though the answer is painfully obvious.
"It wasn't that hard. You didn't think you were well-hidden, did you?"
"We never tried to hide," I retort, clenching my fists beneath the table. "What do you want?"
"That should've been your first question," he sighs, leaning back. "But tell me, Nathaniel, what do you think you're achieving by skulking in this little hole, pretending you're not dying to find me?"
"I'm not pretending anything. Unlike you, I don't need to chase to prove I exist. And when the time comes, I'll destroy you."
Leo laughs, baring his teeth. "You think you can do that?"
"Not alone. But we can. If you're here, you're at least a little worried, aren't you?"
He leans forward, his smirk unrelenting, his gaze piercing through me. "I have no doubts. I didn't come here to spill blood by surprise."
"You can't outrun what's waiting for you in hell," I say, leaning in too, refusing to show any sign of backing down.
"Perhaps," he replies, a grin spreading across his face. "But are you sure you won't sacrifice something precious in the attempt to send me there?"
I can't help but laugh. His words, meant to unnerve me, only highlight his desperation.
"Don't worry about me," I say, meeting his gaze without flinching. "I'll make sure you lose everything before I do."
"This world was built to destroy and be destroyed because of stupid humans. Wouldn't you rather use your power for something more meaningful?" he asks, a twisted smile on his face. "I wanted to offer you the chance to watch the world crumble with me. Isn't that exciting?"
"Your hatred of humans reeks of self-loathing," I scoff. "You despise them because you were once one. But I know who I am. And if I use my power, it'll be to make sure no one else becomes like you."
There's a hint of disgust in his eyes as he chuckles, the sound low and mocking. As he locks his gaze with mine, something tugs at my apron. Before I realize it, he's twirling my name tag between his fingers. The psychokinetic trick jolts my instincts awake. I glance around to ensure no one noticed. Thankfully, it seems nobody did.
"You're so confident. But are you sure about your intentions?" he says, and I immediately understand his implication.
"My intentions don't matter. Stopping you does. You may have killed me once, but now it's your turn."
His eyes flicker with a sudden spark of surprise. It's brief but unmistakable. He didn't expect these words. For the first time, I've caught him off guard.
"Ah, so you remember our little history," he says, his voice dripping with amusement. "Funny, I barely remembered you until I absorbed Sophia's soul and felt this power within me. It's fascinating."
"You'll pay for everything," I hiss, my voice laced with fury.
His grin widens, more sinister than ever. "I don't know why you're still alive, but just as you've changed, so have I. And this time, it'll be much more... interesting."
Leo stands slowly, dragging his fingers across the table's surface with a deliberate, almost mocking slowness. I turn my head, locking eyes with him once more, refusing to look away despite the overwhelming pressure. He casually pins my name tag back onto my apron, his fingers lingering for just a moment longer than necessary.
"I see you're not interested in a powerful ally. So, until we meet again, my nemesis."
With a final glance, he turns and exits the bookstore, the weight of his words lingering in the air like a dark omen. Weakness suddenly floods my limbs, and I collapse back into the chair, the world spinning around me. A wave of nausea rises because of one horrifying realization.
That night on the rooftop, when I met my death, he was still human. Not a demon. Everything he did up to that point was his own choice, his own doing. He didn't become a demon until much later. As much as I loathe admitting it, there's truth in his words. Sometimes, humans are far worse than demons. And one of them just sat across from me.
"Fucking demons," Arthur mutters, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"How did he find us?" Eleonora whispers, shivering.
"He came on his own, and I let him go," I mutter, frustration weighing heavily on me.
"There wasn't another option," Arthur sighs.
Caught off guard and overwhelmed, we fall silent, staring blankly out the window. The weight of his visit and the truths it unveiled are too much to process. Though I already knew some of it, everything I believed until now feels even more twisted.
I remember Balthazar's words and a cold chill runs through me as I realize how deeply intertwined our fates truly are. A sick, malignant bond that binds us beyond escape. I was complicit in his destruction, in hurting others alongside him. He killed me. He hurt my sister and imprisoned her soul within his monstrous form. And it's him who dragged my past back into the present.
The rage surges inside me, a burning need to run, to hunt him down and tear him apart piece by piece, to scatter the remains across the earth so no trace of him remains. But I know I'm not ready. Not yet. I need to master my fire.