Elias woke to the sound of whispering.
At first, he thought it was just the usual voices that haunted Varian's cursed palace—strange spirits, broken echoes, shadows speaking languages no human could understand. But this time, the voice was clear.
And it was his own name.
"Elias."
He sat up fast.
Varian stood at the foot of the bed, dressed in black, the gold in his eyes molten and sharp. The second rune—Trial Two—burned in the air beside him.
"Today," Varian said, "I'm giving you power."
Elias narrowed his eyes. "What's the catch?"
"You'll use my magic. Just once."
"No."
"I haven't even told you what it does."
"I don't care," Elias said. "I don't want to be like you."
"You already are," Varian replied calmly. "The longer you wear my mark, the more of me lingers in you. You may as well see what it feels like."
He opened his hand. A crimson orb of energy pulsed there—dark and inviting.
"You touch this," Varian said, "and I'll let you kiss me tonight. Anywhere you want."
Elias blinked. "What kind of reward is that?"
"One you want more than you admit."
Elias stared at the orb. His fingers itched. It did call to him. Not like temptation—but like something already buried inside him, waiting to wake up.
"What do I have to do with it?"
"Throw it," Varian said. "At that target."
A straw dummy appeared, stitched like a puppet, standing in the corner.
Elias took the orb. It felt like heat and blood and lightning.
He threw it.
The dummy exploded.
Flames curled, ash swirled, the scent of burning fabric filled the air.
And Elias felt powerful.
Varian watched him with dangerous satisfaction. "See? You're not meant to be helpless."
Elias turned to him, breathing fast. "What was that?"
"Your first taste of demon magic," Varian said. "You'll get more if you're a good boy."
"I'm not your—"
"—Servant?" Varian stepped forward, closing the space between them. "Then take your reward."
Elias hesitated.
Varian leaned down.
"Anywhere," he whispered. "Your lips. My neck. My chest. Your choice."
Elias grabbed the front of his shirt—and kissed him.
Hard.
He meant it as defiance. As punishment.
But Varian kissed back with fire. One hand wrapped around Elias's waist, pulling him flush. Their mouths collided again and again, until Elias's breath hitched and his knees almost buckled.
Then Varian pulled away. "You liked that."
Elias didn't answer.
Didn't need to.
His flushed face said everything.