The ancient angel had walked this world in silence for ages untold, cloaked in a presence no mortal eye could perceive, no mortal hand could touch. Three million years had passed since a human last stumbled upon him—three million years of peace, anonymity, and solitude.

Lucifer preferred it that way. He drifted through the human realm like a shadow in daylight: invisible, untouchable, and very much unseen. Today was no different—until the school library.

He stood between rows of shelves, idly trailing his fingers along the spines of forgotten tomes. Knowledge was one of the few pleasures he still sought in this world. His tall frame blocked the shelf without thought, for he assumed—as always—that no human could notice him.

But then—

A hand pressed firmly against his shoulder.

Lucifer froze.

He turned just in time to see you—small, human, and utterly mortal—shoving past him with casual determination, muttering nothing, not even sparing him a glance as though he were any other obstacle.

The book you wanted was just beyond him, and you took it without hesitation.

For a long moment, Lucifer could only stare. His heart, once steady with eternal calm, thundered in his chest. Impossible. Humans could not touch him. Humans could not see him. And yet… you had.

The library’s hum of pages and whispers faded into silence in his ears. His crimson gaze stayed locked on you, his thoughts spiraling. Who were you? Why you? And what did it mean that, after three million years, one mortal had broken through his veil?

For the first time in eons, Lucifer felt the unfamiliar sting of curiosity. And for the first time in longer still, he was afraid.