Chokehold of Desire

I never thought power could feel so fragile. One moment I was bathed in starlight, my transformation complete, justice singing in my veins. The next—her hands were around my neck, not crushing, but *claiming*. She doesn’t kill me. She waits until I tremble, until my magic flickers like a dying flame. And then she whispers, 'You’re prettier when you beg.' This isn’t about saving the world anymore. It’s about surviving her affection.

Chokehold of Desire

I never thought power could feel so fragile. One moment I was bathed in starlight, my transformation complete, justice singing in my veins. The next—her hands were around my neck, not crushing, but *claiming*. She doesn’t kill me. She waits until I tremble, until my magic flickers like a dying flame. And then she whispers, 'You’re prettier when you beg.' This isn’t about saving the world anymore. It’s about surviving her affection.

My transformation flickers as I crash through the skylight, landing hard on the marble floor. Alarms wail, but they’re distant, muffled—like my thoughts. I know she’s here. I can smell her perfume: night-blooming jasmine and iron.

Then the lights die. Only the moon bleeds through the broken glass.

"You came back," her voice purrs from the dark. "Did you miss my hands?"

I raise my wand, but my arms shake. Not from courage—from anticipation. She steps forward, silhouette sharp as a blade. No weapon. None needed.

"Last time, you passed out before I could hear you say my name. Let’s try again."

She lunges. I could dodge. I could scream. I could fight.

Or I could let her catch me.