Disclaimer: The song used in this part belongs to Icon for Hire - Curse or Cure. It's their newest single and I'm listening to it obsessively for a week now, so there it is :) 

Enjoy!

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"Wow, it's sure a big party," said Noah when they entered the auditorium at RAD. It was packed with fancy-dressed students and professors.

"It's the whole RAD. Do you want to get something to drink?" she asked. He nodded, and she pulled his arm, directing him to buffet tables.

While they were sipping their drinks and observing chatting and laughing students, Lucifer approached.

"You look beautiful, love," he said, wrapping an arm around her waist and kissing her brow, ignoring Noah completely. "Is everything going well for you? I've hardly seen you today."

"Well, I was busy with the party. And our guest who you keep ignoring," she added with a smirk.

"He's your guest, not mine," Lucifer scoffed. "I look forward to your concert later."

There was a loud bang at the other end of the hall. Lucifer frowned.

"I have a feeling Mammon is up to something again," he said with a sigh. "Enjoy the party, Lhori; I'll catch up with you later." She nodded and waved at him.

Noah was strangely quiet, looking around with a solemn face.

"What's up?" she asked. "You look troubled. I know you don't like parties, but it's not that bad, right?"

"No, it's all right. As long as you stick around, I'm fine," he shrugged.

"Do you ever loosen up?" she asked, sipping her drink.

"Do I what?"

"You are so stiff. So formal all the time. So guarded. It's a party! You can loosen up a little." He scoffed.

"I don't think it's a place to loosen up," he said with raised brows.

"Oh, come on! You still don't feel safe here? You've been here for two days already. You've seen it all, the lessons, the shopping district, the parks and other recreational spots. Has anything happened to you?"

"Not yet. It's not a reason to let down my guard, though."

"Ugh, you are hopeless," Lhori sighed and down her drink in one gulp. "Finish your drink. We are going."

"Where?" he asked but finished his drink and put the glass down on the table.

"Dancing," she replied and took his hand, pulling him into the dancefloor that was placed in the middle of the hall.

"Wait, no! I don't dance!" he protested.

"I don't care," she scoffed, stopping in the middle of the crowd of dancing students. She smiled brightly and started to move to the rhythm of loud music. "Come one. For once, just close your eyes, and let the music be the only thing that matter!" she shouted to his ear over the music, mischievous glint in her blue eyes. He groaned but started to move awkwardly with the music. He was stiff at first, but she kept making faces at him and exaggerating her own movements and making him laugh, so he just gave up.

After a few songs, they were both out of breath and laughing like mad people. Suddenly the pace changed, and the music turned to a slow and dreamy tune. Other dancers started to leave or pair up.

"Well, let's get something to drink," Lhori said and turned to go back to the tables, but Noah caught her hand.

"Oh, no, no, no," he chided with a grin. "You forced me to dance and made a fool of myself, so now you owe me a proper dance."

"What? I didn't force you!" she protested. He only smiled and pulled her close putting the other hand on the small of her back. She hesitantly put her hand on his arm, her cheeks suddenly red.

"One dance," he said and smirked. "And then I will probably be smashed to pieces by your boyfriend."

"He will do no such thing," she said frowning, while he led her in small circles.

"Why? Is he not afraid I will steal you away?"

"I'm not a thing that can be stolen, Noah," she replied, looking at him, her eyes narrowed.

"I didn't mean it like that."

"How did you mean it then?"

"Well, I don't know. I like you. We had a good time together. I'd love to spend more time with you and get to know you better."

"Noah, we can't be anything more than friends, you know that right?" she said cautiously, her face suddenly serious.

"Are you sure?" he asked, not missing a beat. "I can wait."

"I don't want you to wait. I love Lucifer, and nothing will change that," she said, looking at him with pity. He gritted his teeth.

"Lhori, I know you have a good heart and believe everyone is as kind as you. But he is a demon. Do you really think you two can have any future?"

"You are going too far, Noah. That is none of your business," Lhori said coldly.

"I'm worried about you."

"I don't need you to worry about me," she protested. She tried to pull away from him, but he held her firmly.

"I can't help it. Do you think that this little oasis of peace and tolerance you have here in Devildom will stay like this forever? While in the rest of the underworld the rebel demons going rampant?" Lhori stopped suddenly, her eyes wide.

"What? What rebel demons?"

"Shoot," he groaned and brushed his hand over his face. "Of course, you didn't know that."

"Didn't know what?" she demanded.

"You know what, why don't you ask Lucifer?" he said, raising his hands. "It's not my place to talk about demons' business."

"You started it!"

"I thought surely you knew. Listen, Lhori. I'm sorry, I get ahead of myself and..."

"Oh, just save it," she hissed. The clock chimed at seven o'clock.

"Lhori, please..."

"Have a good party, Noah," she said coldly. "I have to go now to prepare for the concert. I believe you'll manage not to get killed while I'm not around?" she added with raised brows, turned on her heel and walked away.

"Lhori, wait!" Noah called after her, but she did not stop nor look back. She was furious and had enough of being a bridge and negotiator between stubborn men. She had enough of being treated like a delicate flower and spared all the bad news. She had enough of being kept in the dark.

Suddenly Lucifer appeared in front of her.

"Lhori, what happened, love? You're upset," he said, concern written all over his face.

"You!" she hissed. The demon raised his brows in surprise at her hostility. "After the party, we have to talk."

"Talk? What about?" he asked cautiously. She scoffed.

"Think carefully about all those things you haven't told me about and take a guess," Lhori said bitterly and walked away, leaving him flabbergasted.

***

Noah was standing at the far wall of the auditorium, looking at a crowd of students gathered in front of the stage. All lights were dimmed, and the sound of a horn blared through the silence. All the lights illuminated the scene, where the band with Lhori in front started playing.

She looked completely different now. Gone was the cute dress, replaced by tattered black trousers with a leather belt and black top. She looked like a completely different person. Noah couldn't hide his smile, seeing her up there. Her voice was so strong and powerful; it was hard to believe she was so emotional just a few moments ago.

The band seemed to be doing well. Despite all the anxiety he saw at the rehearsal, they all played like professional musicians. He smiled, seeing a blond angel playing solo on his guitar, while Lhori was clapping her hands and engaging with the audience.

Suddenly he felt a powerful presence moving his way. He clenched his teeth and straightened his back.

"Demon Hunter," said Lucifer casually standing next to him.

"What do you want? You come here to beat me up?" he asked sarcastically.

"As much as I'd love to do just that, I'm afraid it's not worth the hassle. I wouldn't hear the end of it," the demon said calmly gesturing toward the stage. Noah smirked.

"What do you want then?"

"What did you tell her?"

"How do you know I told her anything?"

"Don't play dumb, Demon Hunter. She was with you, and she suddenly got pissed with me."

"Well, maybe if you were honest with her, there would be no problem?" Noah said mockingly with raised brows. Lucifer growled.

"I don't need your advice. How much did you tell her?"

"Not much. Just about demons going rampant in the underworld. I thought she knew."

"She didn't have to know about that," the demon said looking at the man with annoyance.

"Oh, really? And what if the rebellion reaches Devildom? Will you tell her then?"

"It won't come to that. We have it under control."

"Yeah, right. Why is it not resolved yet then?" Noah asked. Lucifer only gritted his teeth. "Look, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I can tell you care for her. Maybe even love her. So you must have thought about her safety if the rebellion comes here."

"If there is any danger, I'll send her back to the human world," Lucifer said quietly after a pause, looking at the stage.

"Do you think she'll let you do that?"

"I'm not going to ask her. I'm not taking any chances when it comes to her safety. If she hates me for that, so be it. As long as she's safe, it doesn't matter."

"Make sense," Noah admitted.

"I don't like you, Demon Hunter," said Lucifer turning his gaze to a man, his eyes cold and threatening. "But I also believe you care for her in your own way. I get that you'll keep an eye on her if the worst comes to pass and she is sent back to the human world?"

"I will. But most certainly not for you," Noah scoffed.

"At least there is one thing we agree on," nodded Lucifer and walked away.