The night pressed heavy against the glass of Chloe's windows, thick and suffocating. Lucifer stood in the center of her living room like a pillar carved from darkness, eyes glowing faintly, jaw clenched tight. Minutes earlier, something non-human had moved through her home—silent, fast, fearless.
And more importantly:
It had not feared him.
That alone made Lucifer furious.
Chloe paced near the doorway, gun clutched tightly, adrenaline still running cold through her veins. "Whatever that thing was… it moved too fast. That wasn't human."
Lucifer didn't respond at first. His fingers brushed the wall where the shadow had passed—touching the faint residue of something celestial but corrupted. A familiar scent hit him, ancient and unpleasant.
"Not an angel," Lucifer murmured.
"Not a demon either," Maze added, stepping through the open door without knocking. Her blades gleamed at her sides, catching the dim light. "I tracked the residue. It's… wrong. Like something mixed celestial energy with something else."
Chloe turned quickly. "Something else? What 'something else'?"
Maze shrugged. "Your words won't help you. You don't have them."
Lucifer turned slowly to Chloe. "Something was sent here. Not to kill you. Yet. To observe."
Chloe swallowed. "Observe… me?"
"Or me," Lucifer said quietly. "You are the bait. I am the prize."
The words hung in the air like a knife suspended by a thread.
They left Chloe's house together—Maze scouting rooftops, Lucifer walking ahead with predatory purpose, Chloe following close behind. Lucifer's car gleamed on the street, its polished surface reflecting the streetlights.
Chloe stopped him before he opened the door.
"Lucifer," she said softly. "Why didn't you tell me earlier that something like this could happen?"
He stared at her, expression unreadable. "Because telling you invites fear. And fear clouds judgment. I need you sharp."
"That sounds like an excuse."
Lucifer sighed. "Fine. Would you prefer the truth?"
"Yes."
"The truth," he said slowly, "is that I didn't want you to look at me differently."
Chloe blinked. "…Why would I?"
Lucifer looked away—genuinely uncomfortable. "Because danger follows me, Detective. Wherever I walk, something follows. Always. That shadow was just the beginning."
Chloe stepped closer. "Lucifer. I already look at you differently."
He froze.
But before he could answer, Maze dropped down from a rooftop with feline silence. "We have a bigger problem."
Both turned toward her.
Maze pointed down the street. "There's someone watching us right now. Up there—third window, brick building."
Chloe's hand shot to her gun. "A person?"
Maze's lips curved into a cold smile. "Not exactly."
Lucifer's eyes narrowed. "Enough games."
Together, the three walked toward the building, shadows stretching behind them. The street became eerily quiet—no cars, no wind, no sound at all. The stillness felt deliberate, artificial.
As they entered the lobby, the lights above flickered violently.
Chloe whispered, "Why does everywhere we go feel like a horror movie now?"
"Because something wants you unsettled," Lucifer said.
He led them up the stairs, steps quick and silent. On the third floor, Lucifer raised a hand—stopping them. The hallway was dimly lit, doors closed, nothing unusual at first glance.
Then Chloe saw it.
A thin smear of something black and oily on the wallpaper—like soot mixed with ink.
Lucifer touched it with the tip of his finger. "It's celestial corruption."
Maze's expression hardened. "Only one being leaves a trail like that."
Chloe's voice wavered. "Who?"
Lucifer answered without turning.
"A Watcher."
Chloe frowned. "Is that like… an angel?"
Maze shook her head. "No. They're ancient. Older than angels. They were supposed to observe humanity, not interfere. But some went rogue."
Lucifer clarified, voice low. "A rogue Watcher becomes something else. Something that only cares about control. They see humans as experiments."
"And me?" Chloe whispered. "Why me?"
Lucifer stood straighter. "Because you're the only human who makes me—"
He stopped.
Maze raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
Lucifer ignored her.
Chloe crossed her arms. "Lucifer. If I'm in danger because of you, I deserve to know why."
Lucifer finally met her eyes. His voice softened, losing all its deflection and charm.
"You matter to me," he said simply.
Chloe's breath hitched.
Maze groaned. "Finally."
Before either could respond, a door at the end of the hallway creaked open.
All three turned toward it.
A figure stood inside the dark room—tall, thin, face hidden in shadow. Its presence radiated cold not of this world. Celestial energy pulsed faintly from it, but twisted, sickened, distorted.
Lucifer stepped in front of Chloe instinctively.
Maze hissed under her breath. "It's him."
The Watcher spoke in a voice that echoed as if layered with others.
"You cannot protect her, Morningstar."
Lucifer's eyes blazed. "Try me."
"You are weakened," the Watcher said calmly. "She makes you vulnerable."
Lucifer bared his teeth—something primal, furious. "You don't get to speak her name."
"I haven't," the Watcher responded. "Yet."
Maze tightened her grip on her blades. "Lucifer, he's provoking you."
"No," the Watcher said, "I'm informing him."
Lucifer stepped forward, rage simmering. "Why are you here?"
The Watcher tilted its head. "To deliver a message."
"And?" Lucifer snarled.
The Watcher's eyes glowed faintly—like stars dying. "Return to your role. Or she will burn."
Lucifer lunged.
In an instant, the Watcher vanished—disappearing like smoke caught in a gust of wind, leaving only the lingering chill of its presence.
Chloe staggered back, heart racing. "What… what just happened?"
Lucifer stood motionless, hands shaking.
Maze stepped beside him. "He's serious. If a Watcher is involved, you're dealing with something that even angels avoid."
Chloe looked at Lucifer.
He turned to her slowly, expression stark and raw.
"This isn't about the case anymore," he said quietly. "It's about me. And I've dragged you into something ancient, something far beyond human danger."
Chloe swallowed. "What happens now?"
Lucifer's voice hardened into something colder than steel.
"Now? Now we hunt a Watcher."
"But you said he's powerful," Chloe whispered.
Lucifer's eyes glowed with deep, burning fury.
"So am I."
Maze smirked. "Finally."
Lucifer stepped closer to Chloe, his voice softer but urgent. "From this moment on, you don't go anywhere alone. Understand?"
Chloe nodded slowly.
Lucifer extended his hand. She hesitated only a second before taking it.
The hallway light flickered.
A gust of icy wind brushed through the corridor.
A whisper curled through the air:
"Too late."
Chloe's hand tightened around Lucifer's.
Lucifer's eyes went scarlet.
And the real hunt began.