Their Secret Obsession (A Reverse Harem) 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.

"Quiet, please," a croaky voice whispered.

I looked down to see the face of a frail male-the same one who had been forced to feed Astaroth grapes earlier. He was on his tiptoes to reach me, his long, bony fingers deftly working on the locks of my chains. His skin was pallid, stretched thin over his bones, and his eyes were sunken yet alert.

"I don't want master to hear," he added, his face etched with a mixture of fear and determination. I nodded, watching him work. I was beyond grateful for his help, but a familiar question played on my tongue. "Why?" I whispered softly. He paused, his eyes meeting mine with a 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 for me and try to help me," he murmured. "And I might not have known it when I was alive, but I do now..."

"Known what?" I asked, pleading with him to continue. His words stirred something inside me a flicker of hope, perhaps.

"That I deserve to be here... and you 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 my throat.

"You don't know that," I said, shaking my head. I fought against the wave of emotions crashing over me guilt, shame, fear. "I've done things... terrible things."

"I don't?" he replied, a faint, almost

mocking smile tugging at his cracked lips. I've been around evil for centuries... and in all that time, not one person has offered to help me or defended me." He

ver

straightened slightly, his posture frail

yet dignified. "Evil here is

wn

self-serving, consuming. But

you-you showed compassion."

"I'm sure you did it for others," I offered weakly, though deep down, I knew he hadn't. The weight of his past hung heavily in the air between us. He shook his head slowly.

"No. I was a selfish human. I was out

этой

for myself and only me." His eyes glistened with unshed tears. "You don't belong here." A loud click echoed as the final lock released The chains 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 I winced, quickly lifting them to see red, blistering skin.

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

"Thank you," I breathed, my voice raw. Standing unsteadily, I flexed my sore wrists, the relief of being free mingling with the persistent discomfort. He gave a modest nod. "We must hurry. He could return at any moment."

"Wait," I said, catching his arm. "What's your name?" He seemed taken aback by the question.

"It's been so long since anyone asked... Elias. My name is Elias."

"Thank you, Elias," I repeated earnestly. "I won't forget this." He offered a fleeting smile.

"Come. There's a way out, but we have to be quick." As we moved through the desolate cathedral, the fires outside cast eerie patterns on the cracked stone walls. The air was thick with smoke and the distant screams of the tormented. Each step felt heavier than the last, the oppressive atmosphere pressing down on me.

"Stay alert," Thor's voice resonated in my mind. "We can't trust anything here." Elias led me toward a narrow passage hidden behind a collapsed altar of skulls. "This way," he whispered.

"How do you know about this?" I asked, following closely.

"I've had centuries to learn the secrets of this place," he replied. "Though escape is rare, there are moments when the barriers weaken." We entered the passage, the walls closing in around us. The heat intensified, beads of sweat forming on my brow. The sound of our footsteps echoed ominously.

"Why are you helping me?" I couldn't help but ask. He glanced back, his expression thoughtful.

"Perhaps... perhaps it's my way of seeking redemption." Smiling, I offered him a weak smile, licking my cracked and sore lips.

"Do you know where he has gone? He's going to take my sister," I asked urgently, hoping to persuade Elias to do one more good deed. My voice echoed off the building's charred walls, desperation seeping into every word.

"I don't." He shook his head slowly. "But I do have some information that might help you," he replied, his gaze steady yet filled with a hint of sorrow.

"Anything!" I pleaded as I followed him, moving carefully to avoid the hellfire, human remains, and filth that littered the floor. The stench was overwhelming, but I barely noticed; my mind was fixated on Lottie.