Samael

Luka is visibly shaking. What Miles is suggesting scares the shit out of him. He isn't ready for this, but it could be Katrina's only chance. He's worried he'll lose control. I know he won't, though. He might think he's been burying his darkness this entire time, but I've been able to see it since I started attending Divine Academy. It's constantly swirling around him, intermixing with his aura. He's had control of it this entire time without being aware. The only reason he's become conscious of it now is his strength increasing by being fated to Katrina and me. She's incredibly powerful, and I'm a full-blooded God; we've increased his energy tenfold, and now he can feel it thrumming through his core.

"You've got this," I murmur, caressing his shoulder, hoping to provide reassurance.

Luka probably thinks I'm angry with him, but I'm not. I'm worried. We already have so much going on in our lives; we don't need disruption in our circle. Whatever was going on in that classroom wasn't what Katrina thought it was; it couldn't have been. I just know it. But Luka's a big dummy for putting himself in that kind of situation. For being the most intelligent in the groups, he's also one of the most naive. He has zero situational awareness and seems to always believe in the best of everyone. Unfortunately, this time his naivety has gotten in the way of his relationship.

I know that once he's able to talk to Katrina, they'll be able to work through it, though. She's level-headed and is also slow to judge. She's also head-over-heels obsessed with her naughty professor. If she played the favorites game, I would bet my last penny that he'd be her favorite. Not that I blame her. He's the entire package, plus all the extra add-ons. I'm lucky to have him, luckier than I should be. The stars were shining down on me the day they decided to make him mine.

"I...I can't do this." Luka chokes out, stepping away from Katrina, Miles' steel grip on his opposite shoulder holding him firmly in place.

"Luka, look at me," I demand, grabbing his chin and turning his face so he can meet my gaze.

"You can do this. You have to do this. Do it for Katrina. Do it for me. Do it for our future. We can't save her without you. It needs to be you." With each statement, my voice increases in volume.

He swallows deeply, staring intensely into my eyes, I can still see a shadow of a doubt, but I can also see an inkling of determination. I'm getting through to him. He's beginning to understand that he's our only hope.

"I'll be here every step of the way. Miles, Aphelion, and Beckett will be here too. We're strong enough to combat whatever you throw at us. I'll protect everyone from your darkness. You can't hurt me, just like I can't hurt you." I remind him, with a gentle smile, stroking his chin with my thumb.

I see when the memory clicks into place. When we were in Tartarus, my blue flames licked at him but didn't harm him, and a remembrance of when my black wings protected him from the darkness.

"Okay." He whispers, still a little hesitant but determined to help.

"Okay." I nod, letting go of his chin and taking a small step back.

Miles squeezes Luka's shoulder before he also lets him go. Luka walks slowly toward Katrina. It feels like it takes years for him to finally reach her side, but it's only a matter of seconds. The air all around us is silent; it's like everyone is waiting with bated breath. Waiting for something, maybe even a miracle, to occur. Out of nowhere, there's a loud whooshing wind, and standing before us, is not the Luka we recognize. The beast turns, facing us. And I stare back at him, my heart stuck in my throat, my breath hitching, and my stomach churning. He's beautiful. His hair is a bright fiery red; it's long, falling just below his shoulders, tucked behind his elf-like ears, framing his face just so. His eyes are a piercing green; even in the brightness of day, they look like bright glowing orbs. He's also sprouted horns that remind me so much of Katrina's, making me wonder if Demons were created in the image of the Gods of Choas. His arms and neck are covered in Tattoos, ancient Viking Symbols that speak of misery, chaos, and strength. Black flames and grey smoke swirl around his body, reminding me of the mist that follows Eris and Loki wherever they go.

This beast standing before us is no longer our dark-haired professor but a beast-like God. He looks like nothing I've seen before, yet his presence is familiar. He's still my Luka. My dark Prince. This is the darkness I've seen so many times in his gaze, the darkness that's always waited in silence, waiting for its moment to grace us with its presence.
His very image reminds me of the ancient stories that tell of the powerful God and Goddess of Choas, stories that were said to be false, but it's always been said that even stories are derived from past truths.

The dark Luka smiles at me cockily, desire swirls in his eyes, and it almost makes me chuckle. Luka would be horrified if he discovered he'd been overcome with desire in such a dire setting. He was always so serious, so matter-of-fact, and his beast was the exact opposite. I blush fiercely when he licks his lips, sucking his bottom lip between his teeth.

"All right, big boy." Miles commands, swatting dark Luka's behind, "Eyes off of your man, and attention on your Demon Princess."

The darkness ignores Miles and instead steps toward me, entrapping my lean body with one arm and holding my face firmly with his free hand. His lips are on mine before I can blink, demanding a kiss. His kiss is full of dominance; it's brutal and punishing. He pulls my lip into his mouth and nips it, causing me to wince. His tongue forces its way into my mouth, intertwining with my tongue, licking the bottom of mine with the tip of his, causing me to groan. By the time he's pulling away, I'm hard, breathless, and left wanting. His gaze promises me more, and it sends chills through my body.

A shrill scream fills the air, and our connection severs; the beast's gaze turns from mine and focuses on our mutual Fated. It's as if she's summoning him, and from the looks of it, he's more than willing to listen to her calls.

"About damn time," Beckett grumbles, and this time I do let out a chuckle because sometimes, in the darkest of moments, we have to let in a little light.