The masochists

The darkness surrounding Elara twisted like a living thing, writhing with a hunger she could now feel within herself. Every movement, every flicker of thought, sent ripples of power through the air. Her control was still shaky, but with every pulse of emotion, the shadows bent more willingly to her will.

Rael circled her like a predator assessing prey. "You have power now, but power without control is nothing more than destruction. Can you wield it, or will it consume you?"

Elara's breath came heavy, her body still adjusting to the raw energy coursing through her veins. The figures in the darkness closed in, their glowing eyes unblinking as they stalked forward.

A second attacker lunged.

Elara reacted without thinking, twisting her body to the side as a tendril of shadow erupted from her back, impaling the creature before it could reach her. It let out a shriek before dissolving into the void. The moment it vanished, a rush of energy filled her, the creature's lingering fear and pain absorbed into her core.

Her eyes widened. She could feel it—the essence of what she had just taken. It was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. Addictive.

Rael watched her carefully. "Do you understand now?"

Elara swallowed hard, trying to steady herself. "I—" She hesitated. She wanted to deny it, to say that feeding on emotion felt wrong. But the truth was, it felt good. The emptiness inside her, the hunger that had clawed at her since the bond was formed, had been momentarily sated.

The figures in the void did not stop. Another rushed toward her. This time, she embraced the power. Shadows coiled around her legs, propelling her forward with inhuman speed. She met the creature head-on, her hand striking out and sinking into its form. The second it made contact, its energy poured into her, raw and unfiltered.

She gasped as another surge of power flooded her senses, her tattoos flaring brighter.

Rael stepped forward, his voice sharp. "Enough."

The void vanished, and the alley returned to normal. Elara stumbled back, her heart pounding. The rush was still there, but she could feel the gnawing hunger underneath, whispering that it wasn't enough. It would never be enough.

Rael's gaze bore into her. "That hunger will only grow. Learn to control it, or it will control you."

Elara took a deep breath and clenched her fists. She had taken the first step. But the real battle had only begun.