Their Secret Obsession by Pippa Moon

Chapter 0310

Chase POV

Resting my head back against the crumbling walls, I sucked down a sharp breath of the warm, polluted air, hoping that something would ease my frayed nerves. I couldn't believe I was back here in hell with Astaroth. Or rather, waiting for him to return like some obedient housewife. The irony wasn't lost on me. Being at the beck and call of a demon lord was both humiliating and infuriating. How did it come to this? I thought bitterly. Is this my fate now?

"Why does this always happen to me?" I sighed, feeling the oppressive heat caress my body like an unwelcome embrace. Through the shattered stained-glass windows of the decaying cathedral, I could see the infernal fires burning relentlessly. Flames danced across the desolate landscape, casting grotesque shadows that flickered against the ashen sky. Rivers of molten lava flowed in the distance, their glow illuminating the ruins with a hellish light.

A part of me wondered if this was where I truly belonged. I'd done some pretty rotten things in my life-betrayals, lies, actions that haunted me in quiet moments. Is this karma's way of telling me I'll never leave without a part of this place attaching itself to my soul? The thought gnawed at me.

Perhaps I was destined to remain here, trapped in an eternal cycle of regret and damnation.

Leaning my head back, I closed my eyes and pulled at the literal chains holding me in place. When Astaroth left, he took my powers with him, leaving me defenceless. The thick iron bolts that bound me were etched with dark symbols, and they rendered me powerless. The metal was cold against my skin, a stark contrast to the searing heat around me. Every movement caused the cuffs to bite into my wrists and ankles, the rough edges scraping my flesh. The weight of the chains was a constant reminder of my captivity, pressing down on me both physically and mentally.

"Really, you're thinking of yourself right now?" Thor's voice echoed in my mind, startling me. I jolted, my eyes snapping open.

"Thor?" I whispered incredulously. I hadn't sensed him. The last time I was here, our connection had been severed; I'd assumed it was the same again.

How is this possible?

"Yes, it's me," he replied, his tone a mix of exasperation and relief.

"How..." I began, my eyes widening in shock. Relief surged through me, but so did confusion. "I thought we couldn't connect here."

"Neither did I, but something's changed," Thor said. "Maybe Astaroth's hold is weakening." making me laugh because I doubted that very much.

please," a croaky voice

had been forced to feed Astaroth grapes earlier. He was on his tiptoes to reach me, his long, bony fingers

kind of kindness I hadn't expected in this place. There was a spark of humanity there, a glimmer of something pure amidst the darkness. "Because in my years down here, you're the first person to look out

what?" I asked, pleading with him to continue. His words stirred something

do not," he nodded solemnly, resuming his work on the locks. His admission made me suck in the warm, acrid air, a lump forming in

said, shaking my head. I fought against the wave of emotions crashing over me

don't?" he replied,

around evil for centuries... and in all

ver

slightly, his

dignified. "Evil

wn

self-serving, consuming. But

you-you showed compassion."

weakly, though deep down, I knew he hadn't. The weight of his past hung heavily in the air between

I was a selfish human. I was

этой

loosened their grip, and I stumbled forward, falling to knees. The sudden impact jarred me, and my palms pressed against the scorching hot floor. A sharp pain seared through my hands, and

he cautioned, reaching out to help me up. I hesitated, then accepted his

of being free mingling with the persistent

"What's your name?" He seemed taken aback

long since anyone asked... Elias. My name is