Chereads / Wicked Ascendence / Chapter 22 - Chapter 22: The Cost of Power

Chapter 22 - Chapter 22: The Cost of Power

The tension in the chamber reached a boiling point, thick with unspoken desires and the palpable fear of those witnessing the confrontation. Eva felt the weight of the moment, the eyes of the captured women piercing through her, a reminder of the darkness she was willingly embracing.

The woman pressed against the wall, her body rigid with defiance, met Eva's gaze with an intensity that both unnerved and excited her. "You think you can just break me?" she spat, her voice steady despite the fear trembling beneath the surface.

Eva smirked, feeling a rush of exhilaration surge through her veins. "It's not about breaking you; it's about showing you the power of submission." She leaned in closer, their faces inches apart, her breath mingling with the woman's.

"Your struggle is admirable, but ultimately pointless," Eva murmured, her voice laced with seductive authority. She could feel the pulse of power coursing through her, and it was intoxicating.

Suddenly, a movement in the shadows caught her attention, and she turned to see Samael stepping into the dim light of the chamber. His presence was commanding, and the air crackled with energy as he surveyed the scene.

Eva's heart raced. Samael had always been a figure of power, a being who reveled in chaos and despair. She felt a mix of admiration and fear as he approached, his eyes glinting with an unreadable expression.

"What do we have here?" Samael's voice was smooth, dripping with a dark amusement as he regarded Eva and the captive woman.

"Just a little lesson in obedience," Eva replied, her tone confident. She stepped back slightly, giving Samael a clear view of the woman.

Samael's gaze sharpened, and he leaned closer to the woman, a predatory smile curling his lips. "And what if she refuses to learn?" he asked, his voice low and enticing.

The woman flinched at his approach, instinctively shrinking back against the wall. "You don't have to do this," she pleaded, her eyes darting between Eva and Samael, desperation seeping into her voice. "We can work together—"

"Together?" Samael interrupted, his tone mocking. "That's a quaint notion, but this world doesn't work that way. Power is seized, not given."

Eva watched with a mix of admiration and apprehension as Samael drew closer to the woman, his gaze unwavering. "You'll learn that the only way to survive in this world is to submit to those who hold power over you," he continued, his voice silky smooth. "And right now, that power resides with us."

The tension crackled in the air as Samael reached out, his fingers brushing against the woman's arm. She shivered at his touch, fear and uncertainty flooding her expression. "You have a choice," he said, his tone dark and enticing. "You can embrace your place beneath us, or you can fight against the inevitable. But know this: resistance will only lead to suffering."

As the words hung in the air, Eva could see the despair etched on the woman's face. It was a look she had seen before, one that ignited a twisted satisfaction within her. She stepped closer, leaning in to whisper in the woman's ear, "You'll find that submission can be liberating. You just have to let go of your fears."

With that, Samael's grip tightened around the woman's wrist, and he pulled her forward, forcing her to her knees. "You will kneel before us," he commanded, his voice a low growl that reverberated through the chamber.

The other women gasped, their eyes wide with horror and disbelief. The air was thick with a mix of dread and curiosity as they witnessed the unfolding power dynamic. Eva's heart raced, exhilaration coursing through her veins as she watched the scene play out.

"Please, don't do this," the woman begged, tears brimming in her eyes as she looked up at them. "We can help each other. Just give us a chance."

Samael's laughter was low and dark, sending shivers down Eva's spine. "You misunderstand, dear. This isn't about chances; it's about dominance. You will learn your place, and in time, you might even come to enjoy it."

As he spoke, the woman's defiance crumbled under the weight of Samael's words. He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a seductive whisper. "Submit to me, and I promise you'll find a world of pleasure in surrender."

Eva could see the woman's resistance falter, her resolve wavering as Samael's dark allure enveloped her. The room was thick with tension, the other women watching in rapt horror as they witnessed the power dynamic shift before their eyes.

"You'll find strength in submission," Samael repeated, his voice a dark promise. He reached out, forcing the woman's chin up so their eyes locked. "You'll come to crave it."

The woman's breath hitched as she felt the undeniable pull of Samael's presence, the allure of surrender mingling with her fear. In that moment, she was caught in a web of conflicting emotions—desire, terror, and an instinctual yearning for power.

As the air around them crackled with electricity, Eva felt a surge of exhilaration. She had stepped into a realm of darkness, and together with Samael, they would reshape the world. The captured woman was merely the first in a long line of others who would bend to their will.

"Now," Samael said, his voice dropping to a chilling whisper, "let's begin your education."