I slipped into the map room, closing the door quietly behind me. Both my parents were huddled over the table, studying a spread of maps. My father looked up briefly as I entered, meeting my eyes before quickly returning his focus to the maps.

I crossed my arms, a smirk tugging at my lips. "Well, well, well. Look who finally decided to wake up and realize what's happening."

Before Lucifer could respond, a familiar voice cut in from the corner of the room. "Yeah, and look who's late to the party. Again."

I groaned, my smirk vanishing. "Landon, why are you even here?"

My older brother leaned casually against the bookshelf, twirling a dagger between his fingers like he thought he was the main character in some action movie. "Because unlike you, I was actually invited."

"For your information I was invited you glorified oxygen tank," I shot back.

Lucifer sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Both of you, stop." He gestured toward Lilith, avoiding my gaze. "I'm not thrilled about you being here, but she convinced me to allow you to join." He pointed toward my mom. I mouthed a "thanks" to her, and she smiled, reassuring as always.

Landon snorted. "Convinced him of what? Letting Libby tag along and slow me down?"

Uncrossing my arms, I stepped up to the table, ignoring him. Lilith looked up at me, her expression serious. "Libby," she said, her voice steady, "God didn't kill you last year. Do you know why?"

I shook my head, and she nodded thoughtfully. "When your father and I rebelled against Heaven," she explained, "God locked nearly all of His power in an ancient book."

I reeled, taking a step back. "Wait, I got stabbed in the shoulder and almost died—and that wasn't His full power?" My breathing grew ragged as I tried to process the enormity of her words.

Lilith quickly took my hand. "Hey, hey. Breathe. This is exactly why we can't let Him get His hands on that book, alright?"

I nodded, my breathing slowly returning to normal. "What do I have to do?"

She smiled, leaning in close to whisper, "That's my girl." Then, pulling out a map, she pointed to a small town in Italy. "This is where He hid the book. He's sending one of His so-called 'best angels' to retrieve it."

A sly smile spread across my face. "So, I just need to steal a book?"

"Yes," my mom replied.

"No, absolutely not," Dad interjected, his voice firm.

Landon smirked, stepping closer to the table. "Finally, some sense. Clearly, I'm the one for this job."

I rounded on him. "You? You couldn't steal a cookie from a jar without making a scene."

"At least I don't trip over my own feet," he shot back, rolling his eyes.

"Dad—"

"Lucifer—"

Lucifer raised a hand to silence us, his voice sharp. "Enough. Landon is more experienced—"

"At being a show-off," I interrupted. "If we let Landon do this, we might as well hand it over to Heaven ourselves."

Landon's jaw dropped. "Excuse me? I'm standing right here!"

"That's the problem," I muttered. 

Lucifer's eyes narrowed, a spark of anger igniting. "Libby, you don't know what you're walking into. This isn't some small, rebellious act; this is the very core of His power we're dealing with. Do you understand that?"

"Of course I understand!" I shot back, heat rising in my chest. "Why do you think I'm here, ready to take on something that serious? I wouldn't do it if I didn't know the risks."

"Risks you don't fully grasp," he said, frustration tightening his voice. "If anything happened to you, I wouldn't be able to—"

"Geez, dramatic much?" Landon chimed in from the side, earning glares from both of us. "Why not just let me handle it? I'm older, smarter, and way better equipped to deal with whatever overblown disaster you're imagining."

I spun to face him. "Oh, really? Because the last time you were 'better equipped,' you almost got yourself killed by a demon who was half your size."

Landon crossed his arms, unfazed. "And yet, I'm still here. Funny how that works."

Lucifer sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Enough! Both of you!" He looked between us, his frustration evident. "This isn't a competition. This is life or death."

"Dad, I need to do this," I pressed, ignoring Landon's smug smirk from the corner of my vision. "I'm not some kid you can shield forever."

"You might as well be," Landon muttered.

"Say that again, and I'll make sure you choke on your own arrogance," I snapped, heat rising to my cheeks.

"Alright, stop!" Lucifer's voice boomed, silencing both of us. He turned to me, his fists clenched, his voice breaking slightly. "Do you realize you could die, Libby? Do you understand that I can't let that happen?"

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. "I know, but that's not enough to make me back down. I'm doing this because someone has to, and I can't just sit back and watch everyone else risk their lives for something I'm capable of doing."

Lucifer's shoulders slumped, but his face was set, stubborn as ever. "Then let someone else risk themselves. You're not... ready for this, Libby."

Landon took a step forward, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "He's right, you know. You're reckless, and you don't think things through. You'd probably charge in, no plan, no backup, and get yourself killed."

I let out a frustrated laugh, spinning to face him. "And what's your plan? Winging it with your 'charming wit' and hoping the angels trip over themselves in awe?"

"Better than running in blind," he retorted, shrugging.

"This isn't about you!" I snapped, the heat in my chest threatening to boil over.

"Enough!" Lucifer's voice cut through again. He looked at me, his voice softening, pain flickering in his eyes. "This isn't a battle, Libby. It's a choice with a consequence that none of us can undo if something goes wrong. You may be ready to risk yourself, but I'm not ready to lose you."

A lump formed in my throat, but I kept my expression hard. "If you stop me, I'll just find another way. This is something I have to do, whether you want me to or not."

Lucifer held my gaze, his face crumbling under the weight of his emotions. "Libby, please. There's still time to change your mind. Let me protect you just this once."

"I don't need protecting, Dad," I whispered. "I need you to believe in me."

Lilith stepped in then, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Lucifer," she said gently, "she's stronger than you realize. Let her do this."

Lucifer turned to her, a silent, pleading look in his eyes. But Lilith only nodded, her support clear. "This is her choice, and you know she's right."

He looked back at me, swallowing hard. "If anything goes wrong... if you get hurt..."

I softened, reaching out to place a hand on his arm. "I'll be okay. I promise."

"She'll probably mess it up," Landon muttered under his breath.

"Keep talking, and I'll practice my dagger aim on you," I snapped, shooting him a glare.

Reluctantly, Lucifer released his grip on the map, watching me with a mixture of pride, fear, and a flicker of something like acceptance. "Fine. But, Libby—take care of yourself. And come back. That's all I ask."

I smiled, hugging him tightly. "I will, Dad. I'll come back."

I'm back on track and I'll be posting more often