Chapter 40: Bound by Power
No matter how much she had prayed, the next day came faster than the light.
Lirian’s scream rang out through the chamber as a searing pulse of energy seethed through her body.
It wasn’t fire, though it burned; it wasn’t ice, though it froze her veins.
The magic being used against her was hers—pulled from the very core of her being and twisted into something cruel.
The masked man was standing before her, more than fascinated as he manipulated her mana with his gloved fingers.
The glowing runes on her chains pulsed in response, amplifying the sensations tormenting her.
"Fascinating," he murmured, stepping closer. "Your power resists even now, yet it obeys me when I call to it. Do you feel that, Lirian? That is the strength you’re too afraid to wield."
Lirian gasped for breath, her chest rose and fell as she glared at him.
"You—you’re a coward," she mumbled.
"Am I?"
"You can only control me because of these chains. If you were half the man you pretend to be, you’d fight me without them."
The man laughed gently. "Ah, but why should I fight you when I can break you instead?"
He took another step forward, close enough now that she could feel the heat radiating from his body.
His hand hovered over her arm, and with slowness, he trailed his fingers just above her skin, drawing out the crackling energy that shimmered faintly beneath the surface.
"You see, this power of yours," he continued, softly and intimate, "it’s alive. It craves direction. Purpose. And without me, it will consume you. Just as it is now."
Another pulse of energy erupted through her body, this time more focused, more invasive.
Lirian bit down hard on her lip to stifle the cry that was going to escape.
She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.
"Stop this," she demanded, gasping for air.
"Stop?" he repeated, tilting his head as if considering her words.
"Yes...please..."
"But why would I stop? You need to learn, Lirian. To feel the truth of what you are. What you could become."
He leaned in closer, his breath was so warm against her ear.
"And I must admit, there’s something thrilling about watching you struggle. Knowing that every ounce of resistance only strengthens my control over you."
"Get away from me," she hissed, jerking against the chains.
The runes flared again, sending another electric pain through her veins.
The man smirked, his fingers brushed against her collarbone.
"Why do you fight so hard, Lirian? Do you hate me so much? Or are you afraid of what you might become if you surrender?"
"I hate you," she snarled, forcing her jaw to shake. "You’re a monster."
"Perhaps," he conceded, his hand trailing lower, just above her heart.
"What are you-"
"But you should be grateful. I’m the only one who truly sees you. The only one willing to show you what you’re capable of."
Lirian recoiled as his touch persisted, her skin crawler beneath his gloved fingers.
"You disgust me," she mumbled, glaring up at him with fire in her eyes.
The man’s laughter was soft, almost gentle, but it sent chills through her body.
"Disgust? No, Lirian. That’s not what I see in your eyes. You’re afraid—afraid of the power I’ve unlocked within you. And perhaps..." He paused, his voice dropped a bit lower. "Afraid of how much you like it."
Her breath caught in her throat, anger bubbled beneath her skin.
"You’re wrong," she replied calmly. "I’ll never become what you want me to be."
He tilted her chin up with two fingers, forcing her to meet his eyes. "We’ll see," he murmured, his golden eyes boring into hers.
With a wave of his hand, he summoned another surge of magic, pulling it from the depths of her being.
The energy crackled around them, filling the room with an oppressive heat that made her feel as though she were suffocating.
Lirian writhed against the chains, her body trembled as the magic coursed through her veins like it was building life.
She could feel it—wild, chaotic, and terrifyingly powerful.
It felt as though it might tear her apart, and yet, there was a strange, horrifying allure to it.
"Stop," she begged..."Please."
The man leaned closer, his hand rested just above her trembling shoulder.
"There it is," he whispered, softly. "That vulnerability. That honesty. It’s beautiful, Lirian."
His hand went against her neck, dwelling there for a moment too long.
She tried to pull away, but the chains kept her bound, leaving her exposed to his unsettling touch.
"You’re a vile, twisted—" she began, but her words faded as another wave of energy traveled through her, robbing her of breath.
The man smiled beneath his mask.
Seeing Lirian so weak, it was beautiful. He wanted to torture her, to cause her more pain...to enjoy himself.
"Call me whatever you like, my dear. It doesn’t change the truth. You belong to me now—your power, your will, your very essence."
"I’ll kill you," she muttered under her breath. Lirian’s voice was weak but threatening.
"I’d like to see you try," he replied in an almost playful way. "But first, you’ll have to learn to control yourself. And I’m the only one who can teach you."
His hand drifted lower, brushing against her ribs, and Lirian’s stomach churned.
"Don’t," she growled.
He paused, his fingers hovered just above her skin.
"Don’t?" he repeated in a quite mocking tone. "You’re not in a position to make demands, Lirian."
Her eyes blazed as she glared up at him. "I’ll never give in to you," despite her trembling body, Lirian was talking confidently.
"Oh, Lirian. You’re already mine. You just don’t know it yet."
He straightened, taking a step back and gesturing to the chains that bound her.
"Rest now," he spoke codly and commanding. "You’ll need your strength for what comes next."
She didn’t know how she would do it, but one thing was certain—she would make him pay for every moment of suffering he had inflicted upon her.
"Gabriel...where are you?"