He was doing fucking nothing.

Luce wasn't an idiot, though. The angel was biding his time before he enacted his plan. Luce was waiting for his old friend to set things in motion, but he didn't want the fight to be drawn anywhere near her.

So he kept his distance, but it didn't last long, because he felt the pull from over three thousand miles away. He'd zapped right there, unable to ignore it, and the concentration of sin nearly knocked him on his ass.

Lust.

Small doses had brewed in her as an angel. He'd felt them then. He'd capitalized on them. But this? This was like nothing he'd ever felt from her before.

Luce stood still, watching as Serah exited the neighbor's house and strolled through the yard toward hers. She was light on her feet, but somewhat unsteady, weaving as she strolled along. She glanced up when she neared her porch, gasping and stopping abruptly. "Luce."

His name was a whisper. Her breath smelled like wine. Her cheeks flushed pink from her intoxication, and the wave of desire struck him hard. His own body started buzzing from it, a needless breath entering his lungs as he inhaled the aroma. He needn't see himself to know his eyes were dimming, the purity draining from him. He could feel it, feel the flames igniting under his skin, his temperature steadily rising.

Sinners run hot because they're destined to burn.

It's Hell's way of calling them home.

"Serah," he said quietly, his voice strained as he addressed her.

"Luce," she said again. "I haven't seen you."

"I haven't been around."

It was the longest Luce had stayed away from her in months.

"I know. You left."

"I did."

"But you're here," she said, stepping toward him. "You're here now."

"I am."

She stared up at him, her breaths shaky. He could see she had a dozen other questions, her mouth opening and closing as she struggled to form them. She remained silent, though. The words wouldn't come out.

Carefully, Luce reached over, grazing his fingertips along her flushed cheek, feeling the warmth brewing beneath her skin. Touching her was dangerous. His fix was right in front of him, glowing like a beacon, calling out to him. He could satiate his need and purge the build up, drawing the lust out of her as she welcomed him in. And she would. She yearned for him. He could feel it stronger at that moment than he ever felt it down in the pit.

Luce started to speak but the words were stolen from him when Serah thrust up on her tiptoes, lips smashing against his. The moment they connected, all thoughts wiped from his mind as he blanked out, feeling nothing, seeing nothing, except for her.

Energy surged inside of him. Snatching a hold of Serah, he dragged her inside, never breaking the kiss. He pulled her through the house, frustration mingling with the powerful sensation. It was so damn difficult not being able to zap her anywhere.

He found the bedroom and easily lifted her up by her hips, pulling her onto the small bed, on top of the crisp, cool sheets. Her dress bunched up around her hips as he settled between her legs, kissing her deeply, tasting the wine on her lips.

His hands roamed her body, caressing her skin, groping her flesh. He thrust against her, material still separating them, but the friction was enough to push Serah over the edge. She moaned into his mouth, her sighs becoming cries that Luce feasted on, hungrily devouring every whimper as he thrust, and thrust, and thrust. He nearly knocked her off the bed from the force, the headboard banging against the wall as he fucked her with their clothes on, not once breaking the kiss.

It was enough... just enough... for him to get a taste, to give her what she yearned for, but it wasn't what Luce really craved. He wanted her. All of her. Lust wasn't enough. He wanted to pull everything out of her and bask in it.

He thrust harder, and harder, feeling her body quiver beneath his as she started to come. She called out to him, the shaky cry of pleasure exiting her and flowing through him. His body lit up from the inside, tingling from head to toe, as a sudden and unexpected crash of thunder rumbled, lightning flashing right outside the window.

He tilted his head back, absorbing it all.

"Oh God," Serah whimpered. Luce's hand clamped down around her mouth, smothering the words. Her eyes shot open, startled, as he looked at her.

"Be careful who you invoke," he said quietly, his body rubbing against hers, riding her through the orgasm, as he stared her in the eyes. He could see a reflection of his own--pitch black. At least they weren't red. Red would terrify her, but right now she just looked intrigued.

He pulled his hand away just as her voice rang out. "Your eyes are so dark… and your skin is burning up. I feel like... I feel like I'm humming. Like my soul is vibrating because of your touch."

It is, Lucifer thought. He recharged her energy just by getting her off. Lust still clung to her, surrounding both of them, but he'd siphoned most of it off.

Without responding, his hands cupped her face. He kissed her again, kissing her deeply, as her body started to relax into the bed.

"You're sleeping," he whispered against her lips. "You're dreaming, angel. This didn't happen."

Pulling back, he hovered over of her and stared down into her eyes. She held his gaze for a moment as he brushed his fingertips across her forehead.

Her eyes fluttered closed.

Out cold for the night.

Tension smothered the throne room.

Michael had never felt such suffocation before, his chest tight like his lungs needed air but he couldn't breath. He clutched the hilt of his sword tightly with both hands, the tip of it grinding into the floor.