The Abyss pulsed violently, alive and watching. Seris's mark flared, Mason's obsession threading into every beat of her heart. Shadows curled and coiled, alive with awareness, protective yet reactive to her movements.
"You cannot escape me," Mason whispered, moving close, silver eyes intense. "Every spark of independence, every act of power… only strengthens the tether. You are mine. And one day… you will crave it."
Seris's chest heaved, trembling from the heat of the mark, the pull of his obsession, and the intensity of their bond. Rival gods lurked in the shadows, drawn by the pulse of her goddess-blood power. She struck first, shadows lashing and twisting, amplified by Mason's obsessive presence.
When the last rival fell, she collapsed, trembling, chest heaving. Mason knelt beside her, brushing a shadowy tendril along her neck. "You are mine," he whispered. "Even your defiance… only feeds the tether. And eventually… you will want it. You will want me."
The Abyss quivered, alive and aware. Seris Vale realized she was awakening—not just to her powers, but to the inescapable, obsessive bond that tied her to Mason forever.