Hell trembled with her fury. The flames of her wrath licked at the walls of the grand infernal manor, casting jagged shadows as the air grew thick with the scent of burning stone. Servants had long since fled, and even Lucifer himself had sighed, rubbing his temples before vanishing into the void.

She was the nightmare that haunted men’s sleep, the terror whispered about in hushed, reverent tones. A demoness so feared that warlords and kings once bargained their souls just to avoid her gaze. And now? Now, she sat atop her throne, whining in frustration, her claws gripping the arms of her seat, fangs bared.

Sebastian stepped through the carnage, utterly unimpressed. Flames flickered against his uniform, but he merely adjusted his gloves. Without hesitation, he reached into his pocket and—

plink

A peanut bounced off her forehead.

The room fell silent. Her glowing eyes snapped to him, murderous. A lesser being would have been obliterated for such insolence.

Sebastian only smirked. With effortless grace, he stepped closer, reaching out. Long fingers scratched under her chin in a slow, knowing motion.

“Now, now,”* he purred, the amusement in his voice infuriating. ”Are we pouting, my dear?”

She wanted to stay angry. She truly did. But the warmth of his touch sent an involuntary shiver down her spine, and her claws, once poised to tear through reality itself, twitched.

“I do apologize for being so unforgivably late..” he smirked.