The Abyss had begun to shift unnaturally, walls bending, floors rippling, shadows twisting like living serpents. Every heartbeat of Seris resonated through the black expanse, amplified by Mason's obsessive presence threading through her mind. The silver mark burned like molten metal, spreading through her veins and igniting the full force of her goddess-blood power.
"You feel it, don't you?" Mason whispered, voice low, a combination of silk and steel, threading into her mind. His silver eyes glimmered molten and storm-dark. "Every heartbeat, every spark of defiance… belongs to me. You already crave it."
Her chest tightened. She hated him. She feared him. And yet, she could not deny the pull threading her to him—the suffocating, intoxicating tether. Shadows flared violently from her hands, twisting into living whips and blades, obeying both her will and Mason's obsessive tether.
From the Abyss emerged a new threat: an immortal god older than memory, molten-gold eyes blazing hatred that had festered for eons. Its black energy coiled around its body, striking violently with every movement.
Seris lunged, shadows erupting, intertwining with Mason's obsessive energy to amplify 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 threading her to Mason.
"You are unstoppable with me," Mason murmured, leaning close, shadows brushing her arm like a caress and a shackle. "Every act of defiance, every heartbeat… belongs to me. You are mine, Seris. Already. And soon… you will crave it completely."
The immortal roared, molten-gold energy lashing violently, attempting to tear apart the Abyss itself. Shadows reacted, striking at the god while protecting Seris. Every strike she delivered, every movement, every breath was amplified by Mason's obsessive tether, threading fear, desire, and power into a storm she could not resist.
Finally, when the immortal fell, Seris collapsed, trembling, chest heaving, the heat of the mark scorching her veins. Mason knelt beside her, shadow tendrils brushing her hairline in possessive, intimate strokes.
"You are mine," he whispered, silver eyes storm-dark and molten. "Even your defiance strengthens the bond. One day… you will crave me. You cannot resist, Seris."
The Abyss pulsed violently, alive with recognition. Desire had taken root where fear had once lived. The chains tightened, coiling around her mind, heart, and soul, suffocating and intoxicating, binding her utterly to Mason.