— Lucien's POV*
They say devils don't feel.
That we exist only to take, to destroy, to tempt.
They're wrong.
I felt everything the moment I saw him.
Not because he was strong.
Not because he was brave.
But because he was breakable — and still walked into the dark.
He didn't see me at first.
But I saw him.
Soaking wet. Tired. Human.
The kind of boy who would stop to help a stranger bleeding in the rain.
The kind of boy who'd touch something he didn't understand.
And call it kindness.
I could have disappeared.
I almost did.
But something in me — something old and cruel — stayed.
Just to see what he'd do.
And when his hand reached out to me…
I knew.
He thought he saved me.
But I let him.
Because I wanted to know what it felt like —
to be held,
to be chosen,
to be claimed.
Even if it was just for a moment.
He doesn't know it yet,
but the second he touched me…
He stopped being free.
And I stopped being merciful.
He called it kindness.
I call it the beginning of his undoing.
ps:- hello everyone welcome to "The devil I held" I hope you find this novel worthwile.