The restricted-level corridor felt narrower on the way out.
Fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting long shadows that moved when they shouldn't have. Vesper led—map tucked inside her sweater, codex clutched to her chest—while Lilith, Seraphina, and Irina flanked her like a protective diamond. The air was colder than when they'd entered; the faint metallic tang of old books now mixed with something sharper—ozone, anticipation.
They reached the stairwell door.
Vesper paused, hand on the handle.
"Something's wrong," she whispered.
Before anyone could respond, the lights snapped off.
Darkness swallowed them.
Then came the click of multiple safeties disengaging.
Four figures stepped from the gloom—silver veins glowing faintly, eyes crimson in the emergency strips. Nadia Voss at the front, flanked by Freya (red hair, tailored suit), the scarred woman with dreads (Aisha), and Elena (silver-streaked, elegant black dress). All armed—knives, compact pistols, one with a short baton.
Nadia's voice cut through the black. "You should have taken the truce."
Lilith stepped forward—coat open, silver lines flaring. "We're not here to negotiate."
Seraphina drew her knife—blade catching the faint light. Irina's hand went to her pistol. Vesper backed up, clutching the codex tighter.
Nadia raised a hand. "No guns. Not yet. We're not here to kill you… just to remind you who's been doing this longer."
She moved—faster than human. Freya and Aisha flanked, Elena covering the rear.
Seraphina lunged first—knife slashing toward Nadia. Nadia sidestepped, caught Seraphina's wrist, twisted. Seraphina grunted—dropped the blade. Nadia kicked it away, then slammed Seraphina against the wall—forearm across her throat.
Irina raised her pistol—Elena was on her in a blink, wrenching the gun free, spinning Irina face-first into the concrete. Irina snarled, elbowed back—Elena absorbed it, then drove a knee into Irina's kidneys. Irina buckled.
Lilith charged Nadia—silver veins blazing—but Freya intercepted, tackling her from the side. They hit the floor hard—Freya pinning Lilith's arms, knees on her thighs. Aisha joined—grabbing Lilith's wrists, wrenching them above her head.
Vesper tried to run—Aisha's dreadlocked partner (the silent one) caught her from behind, arm around her throat, dragging her down.
In seconds, it was over.
The four sisters were pinned—face-down or against walls, wrists held, weapons scattered.
Nadia crouched beside Lilith—fingers tracing the silver lines on her exposed collarbone.
"You burn so bright," she murmured. "It's almost beautiful. Almost stupid."
Lilith spat. "Get off me."
Nadia smiled—cold, intimate. "Not yet."
She nodded to the others.
Freya tore Lilith's coat open—buttons popping. Aisha ripped the beanie away, yanked Lilith's sweater up and over her head—leaving her in bra and jeans. Seraphina's hoodie was shredded—knife cutting straps, exposing her sports bra. Irina's coat was stripped—dress shirt torn open, buttons flying. Vesper's sweater was pulled up—codex pried from her grip, tossed aside.
They were stripped to underwear in moments—bras, panties, boots still on. Cold air kissed skin. Silver veins glowed brighter—embarrassment and rage making them pulse.
Nadia knelt between Lilith's spread thighs—held open by Freya's knees.
"Look at you," Nadia whispered. "All that power… and still so vulnerable."
Her fingers traced the waistband of Lilith's panties—then slipped beneath.
Lilith hissed—body tensing.
Nadia's touch was slow—deliberate. Two fingers sliding along her folds, finding her already wet from the adrenaline and lingering ritual echoes. She circled Lilith's clit—once, twice—then pushed inside.
Lilith bucked—growling.
Across the corridor:
Freya had Seraphina pinned face-down—hand between her legs from behind, fingers pumping steadily. Seraphina cursed—hips jerking involuntarily.
Aisha had Irina on her knees—back arched, one hand pinching a nipple through her bra, the other working between her thighs—three fingers deep, thumb on her clit.
The silent fourth had Vesper against the wall—legs spread, fingers curling inside her—slow, rhythmic, forcing gasps.
Nadia leaned close to Lilith's ear. "Feel that? This is what power feels like when you're not in control. You think you can burn the Sovereign? You can't even handle us."
Lilith's breath hitched—rage and unwanted pleasure warring. The silver threads between the four sisters flared—connecting them, amplifying every sensation. Seraphina's moan echoed in Lilith's mind. Irina's sharp gasp. Vesper's stifled cry.
They were linked—every touch shared.
Nadia curled her fingers—hitting that spot. Lilith's back arched—unwanted orgasm building fast.
"You're going to come for us," Nadia whispered. "All of you. Then you're going to listen."
She sped up—thumb grinding Lilith's clit.
Seraphina broke first—shuddering against the wall, cursing in multiple languages.
Irina followed—body jerking, teeth gritted.
Vesper—quiet, trembling—came with a soft sob.
Lilith fought it—fought hard.
But the threads betrayed her.
She shattered—wave after wave crashing through all four of them at once. Silver veins blazed white-hot—then dimmed.
Nadia withdrew her fingers—licked them clean—slow, deliberate.
"Lesson over," she said.
She stood.
The Mirror Order released them—stepped back.
Lilith pushed to her knees—chest heaving, eyes blazing crimson.
"You think that stops us?" she rasped.
Nadia smiled—sad, almost pitying. "No. But it reminds you: we can take everything if we want. Stay out of our way. Or next time we won't stop at fingers."
They vanished—shadows melting into the corridor.
The lights flickered back on.
The four sisters stayed on the floor for long seconds—breathing hard, skin flushed, silver lines pulsing in time.
Seraphina spoke first—voice hoarse. "They're stronger than we thought."
Irina pushed to her feet—retrieving her pistol. "They're scared. That's why they did that. Not to teach. To warn."
Vesper clutched the codex to her chest—hands shaking. "They know we have the map. They'll guard the Hollow Spire harder now."
Lilith stood—slow, deliberate. Adjusted her torn clothes. The humiliation burned—but so did the rage.
"Let them guard it," she said. "We'll take it anyway."
She looked at the others—eyes hard.
"Next time they touch us… we take their souls."
Seraphina grinned—feral, dangerous.
Irina nodded.
Vesper exhaled—steadying herself.
Four women—bound tighter now, even by violation.
The Sovereign's gaze pressed heavier.
But the sisters were no longer just hunting.
They were at war.