Sweet Heaven

Chapter 2: Shadows of Truth

The echoes of their argument still reverberated in Amber's mind as she stormed through the corridors of Sweet Heaven Boarding School, her heart pounding with a mix of anger and frustration. Lucian's words lingered, each one a sharp thorn in her side. She had to speak with her father, find out why this absurd arrangement had been forced upon her.

Amber pushed through the heavy wooden door that led to her father's office. The room was adorned with majestic bookshelves filled with ancient texts and artifacts, a testament to her father's role as not just the school's principal, but also as a guardian of knowledge and tradition.

Michael Valentino looked up from his desk as his daughter entered, his expression a mix of warmth and curiosity. "Amber, what brings you here, my dear?"

Amber's eyes bore into her father's, her voice edged with tension. "Why, Dad? Why am I stuck sharing a room with Lucian?"

Michael leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled beneath his chin. His gaze met hers, unwavering and steady. "It's a complicated situation, Amber."

Amber's frustration surged, her voice tinged with impatience. "Complicated? That's not an answer. Why him, of all people?"

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Michael's lips. "Because, my darling, there was simply no more space for him in any of the dorms. And, well, it's also useful for me that my daughter is living with him."

Amber's brow furrowed in confusion, her voice laced with incredulity. "Useful? What do you mean?"

A knowing glint danced in Michael's eyes, his tone measured and controlled. "Lucian Danford – the son of Lucifer – is not an ordinary presence. He carries secrets, Amber, secrets that could hold the key to understanding the forces that threaten both our worlds."

Amber's eyes widened, her mind struggling to process the implications of her father's words. She took a step closer, her voice hushed. "You mean... you want me to keep an eye on him? To gather information?"

Michael's gaze held a mixture of pride and concern. "You've always had a keen mind, Amber. I trust that you can uncover what he's hiding. It's not just for us, but for the safety of everyone here."

Amber's anger wavered, replaced by a deep sense of responsibility. But one question remained, burning in her mind. "Why is he here, Dad? Why is he back on his last year?"

Michael's gaze softened, his eyes heavy with the weight of a hidden truth. "He's here because I couldn't keep him hidden forever. When Lucifer accidentally impregnated a mortal, I felt his presence. I hid Lucian from his father's grasp, using my powers to shield him from detection. I raised him in the human world, all the while making sure he learned about his angelic heritage, whether he liked it or not."

Amber's eyes widened as the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. "So, he's here because you decided it's time?"

Michael nodded solemnly. "Yes, my dear. He's old enough now to face the truth, to understand his purpose. He's here for his last year because I believe it's time for him to embrace who he is and the role he must play."

Amber's mind whirled as the weight of her father's revelations settled upon her shoulders. She had thought the situation with Lucian was a mere twist of fate, a challenging roommate arrangement. But it was so much more – a carefully orchestrated plan to ensure the safety of both worlds, a plan that now involved her in ways she could never have imagined.

Amber left her father's office with a swirl of conflicting emotions in her chest. The revelation that her father had orchestrated Lucian's presence at the school to serve a greater purpose was a heavy burden to bear. As she returned to her dorm, she was met with the reality of the situation – a reality she would have to face every day, whether she liked it or not.