The Abyss shifted around Seris as though it were breathing. Shadows twisted along the walls, curling protectively around Mason while threading through her movements, responding to her every heartbeat. The silver mark burned like molten fire, coiling through her veins, amplifying both her goddess-blood energy and Mason's obsessive presence.
"You cannot fight it," Mason whispered, voice silk and steel. His silver eyes glimmered molten, storm-dark. "Every flicker of defiance, every heartbeat… belongs to me. You crave it. You already do."
Her chest tightened, breaths coming ragged as shadows erupted into whips and blades. A rival immortal appeared, molten-gold eyes blazing with hatred older than centuries. Its black energy coiled violently, lashing at her with unstoppable force.
Seris lunged, shadows intertwining with Mason's obsession, amplifying her strikes. Fear, exhilaration, and desire collided violently inside her chest. She hated him. She feared him. And yet… she wanted him, the suffocating tether, the chains threading her soul to his obsession.
"You are unstoppable with me," Mason murmured, leaning close. Shadows brushed along her arm like fire and ice, both caressing and binding. "Every act of rebellion, every heartbeat… belongs to me. You are mine, Seris. Already. And soon… you will crave it completely."
The immortal roared, flaring molten-gold energy, attempting to annihilate the Abyss itself. Shadows reacted violently, striking at the god while protecting Seris. Every movement, every strike, every breath was amplified by Mason's obsessive tether, a deadly and intoxicating rhythm.
When the god finally fell, Seris collapsed, chest heaving, trembling from exhaustion and the heat of the mark. Mason knelt beside her, shadows brushing along her neck and shoulders in intimate strokes.
"You are mine," he whispered, silver eyes molten and storm-dark. "Even your defiance strengthens the bond. One day… you will crave me. You cannot resist, Seris."
The Abyss pulsed violently around them, alive and aware. Desire had taken root where fear had once lived. The chains of obsession tightened, coiling around her mind, heart, and soul.