Chapter 2

After seeing the giant wolf, I'm having trouble prying my eyes off the bushes in the area where I last saw the creature. Excitement is bubbling within me. It's highly unlike me, but I'm curious about my new school and the different species I will meet there.

"Raven?" My father calls. "Is this normal?"

Swiftly, I whirl around and tilt my head at the colorful sparkles appearing on the road ahead of us. And once applauds of people who aren't even here fills my ears, I roll my eyes. What an entrance…

"Don't worry about the fireworks dad," I'm having trouble containing my laughter. My father looks terrified. "It's just grandmother making her appearance."

With my arms planted firmly beneath my chest, I look at the tall woman who materializes out of nowhere. She is wearing a black witch hat and a dark green gown—most witches prefer to dress in modern clothes, but not my grandmother.

"Raven!" My grandmother lifts her arms, and I smile when I see her wrinkly face. She has aged, but her eyes have remained lively through the years.

"Grandmother!" I run up to hug her and wrap my arms so thickly around that I no longer feel fear.

Everything will be fine. I can do anything, even enroll in this new school. With my grandmother as a teacher, I won't be alone in the magical dimension.

"It's been too long." My mother leans back to grip my cheeks in her hands. She is taller than me and smiles while I stand there, awkward because her eyes roam my face. "You look lovely! I notice you didn't inherit your mother's height, though."

Her words mean no harm—I can tell by the happy tears already accumulating in the corner of her emerald eyes.

"No, the height she takes from me."

My grandmother releases me at the sound of my father's voice, and I inwardly celebrate that I no longer have to crane my neck. I don't mind being short, but sometimes it hurts to look up towards the skies.

"Richard!" My grandmother embraces my father in a hug. "Long time no see!"

"How have you been, Margaret?"

I watch the two grownups smile at each other and exchange silent condolences; my mother's funeral was exactly a year ago.

My grandmother didn't attend the funeral, said she was too busy to travel between worlds. I was angry she didn't make an appearance, but I can see the sadness carved into her features while she looks at me.

My father rarely shares his inner grief with me, and although it makes me sad my grandmother will wipe his memory, I'm happy that he no longer needs to live in pain.

I bite my lower lip to hold back the ocean and glance up at my grandmother with that thought in mind.

When will she say the magic words?

"Raven," My grandmother gives me a pained look. "Why don't you say goodbye to your father?"

My father blinks. "Are you leaving already?"

Without further instructions, I rush into his arms. There is no proper way to say goodbye to my father. No hug in the world can make what is about to happen right, yet I tell myself that things will be easier if I hug him as hard as possible.

"I will miss you so much!" Tears are spilling from my eyes, and my lips are trembling. "I'm sorry about mum. I wish I had spent less time locked up in my room. I love you more than anything in this world; please remember that in your heart."

My father turns tense. "Raven... Why are you-..."

Suddenly, my grandmother claps her hands, and my father's eyes glaze over as he turns frozen.

"Time to go, Raven," My grandmother says. "It will never be easy."

Reluctantly, I step away from my father and back towards the portal opening behind my grandmother. She smiles briefly with her eyes conveying grief.

"You know what is about to happen, right?"

I nod and dry my cheek with my sleeve. "You will wipe my father's memories..." Saying those words makes my lips tremble. I'm throbbing so badly. "It hurts."

My grandmother doesn't meet my gaze. "This isn't easy for me, either. When Julia told me her mate was a human, I had my concerns, but Richard kept our secret for all these years. He is a good man."

"Will it ever stop hurting?" I ask after seconds of silence.

"Never," My grandmother says. "A part of your heart will disappear forever, but eventually, the constant pain will come in waves. I've lost both my daughter and my mate. Now I have to cut out Richard from my life, a man who I regard as my son."

I smile through my tears. "At least we have each other."

My grandmother chuckles. "I understand that today is dull and sad, but you're turning eighteen soon. After your grief, you will find love in the shape of a wonderful mate."

I frown, not because I don't want a mate, but because I'm too busy focusing on my inner pain to dream about some guy who will be my soulmate.

"I can't think about finding my mate now-..." I hastily turn around when I feel a strange pulsating inside my skull. A voice is calling my name—it sounds like a child.

'Uh, Raven? Are you just going to leave me inside the car?'

There is a voice inside my head!

"Is something the matter?" My grandmother asks and follows my gaze to the car. "Did you forget something?"

Dumbfounded, I lift my hand to point at the car with a slacking jaw. "T-There is a voice inside my head asking if I'm going to leave them inside the car!"

Laughter fills the air, and I stare at my grandmother, who looks massively amused. Her eyes dart to the car, and her smile only grows, making roses appear on her cheeks.

"Oh dear, it might seem Lucifer is finally accepting you as his new master; he only talks to those who he deems worthy. You better get used to hearing his voice inside your head, darling."

There is a snort inside my head. 'Don't listen to her! I refuse to call anyone my master! The old lady doesn't know what she is talking about. She is clearly delusional! The great Lucifer doesn't bow down to anyone! I just don't want to spend eternities alone inside this car...'

Lucifer sounds so grumpy.

What does he look like?

Slowly, I walk for the car, rip up the door and then stare down at the face that has appeared in the mirror.

'Good evening, Raven.' A boy with hair as dark as mine waves his hand from what appears to be a throne. His cheek is resting in his palm, lips curling into a twisted but amused smile.

I stare at the winged boy with confusion seeping through me. Leather-clad wings cover his back, and his eyes are scarily absorptive; even with a child's face, he looks knowledgeable.

"Lucifer?" My voice is doubtful.

I heard the mirror suppresses the demon of his powers, forcing him to take the appearance of a child. Still, I never expected him to look so human—the only demonic thing about him are his wings, red eyes, and flawless, airbrushed skin that looks much too perfect.

Is this demon supposed to be scary and powerful? Seriously? He looks adorable, and he is so tiny I could hold him in my hands! Every item around him is vast in comparison!

The demon frowns. 'What are you smiling about? Pick up the damn mirror already; I want to get out of this car today!' He yawns and stretches his arms, reminding me of a house cat. There even seems to be an arrow-shaped tail behind him. 'And I shall allow you to call me Lucy.'

I glare down at him. "What am I, your servant?"

'Precisely.' Lucifer shows me a glimpse of his pointy canine teeth. I don't think I will ever get used to his red eyes. 'Treat me nicely, Raven, and I might tell you what truly happened to your mother.'

What did he just say?

A shudder travels through me, and I open my mouth to speak, but Lucifer's narrowing eyes stops me.

'Not here,' Lucifer says, with eyes more severe than before. 'We will talk once your grandmother isn't around; until then, smile and pretend I said nothing important.'

I silently nod, uncertain whether Lucifer is already trying to manipulate me or if he is speaking the truth. Regardless, I pick up the mirror. The demon has caught my interest and made my head spin.

Would a great witch die in something as simple as a car accident?