Empress of the Shadow Cities - Chapter III.

Lara was one of those we liked to call intriguers. The reason was simple. Their only purpose was to cause harm and devise all sorts of plots to get ahead at the expense of others. Thanks to that, she had apparently already improved her standing a bit in the ranks. She was still a Sever, but she was trying with all her might not to be. For example, she was one of those who walked up and down the stairs in her spare time in an effort to improve her figure. Apparently, it suited her, as she had developed thighs and quite decent hips. She could be proud of her rear. Stupid cow.

She had nothing else to do than walk the stairs and gather information on others. Our residence was large, and she had targeted individuals. She openly disparaged some, and tried to preoccupy those who might surpass her in physical strength. Crafty bitch. I was one of them. I didn't have thighs as strong, but I was taller and heavier, so I should have the upper hand in a physical confrontation. It wouldn't be the first time my body managed to support me and I could assert myself. Nothing unusual in the shadow cities. When you are a Sever, you have to toughen up. The rule here is that the stronger take all. And guess who they targeted from the crowd of identical-looking severs? Why yes, me.

Therefore, I knew well how to chase off the vultures. But here in the residence, it wasn't that simple. There were rules for movement and hierarchy. As the Lady said. In her residence, nothing happens without her knowledge. It would make sense that I should go to my friend Lara and friendly let her know how things stood. It would certainly give me great pleasure to dent her ego and a few other things... except there's a catch. The rules forbid it. There must be no clashes or any proving of dominance or other things. In a way, it would be inciting a coup here in the residence. The moment I did that and Lady Sinclair found out about it, she would take it personally... from my perspective, it would look like I am directly subjugating the Severs in her possession and questioning her authority. So I'm challenging her... and that wouldn't end well. In my head, I pictured Lady Sinclair again and forced myself to think about what to do now.

During my descent from the upper floors, I had plenty of time to think. I didn't even notice how much it pissed me off that I had to drag myself through so many stairs. I'd love to lie down so I'd still have some energy when I broke the residence rules tonight... damn, another hitch. One way or another, I mustn't let Lara talk. If she found out, she would have aces up her sleeve. It was ironic that someone so physically insignificant was holding me in check. But her intrigues are her main weapon.

I stopped, and an idea flashed in my head. I smiled smugly to myself. Lara won't report me if she's outside with me. She would therefore also get punished since she was wandering outside as well. Now just to get her out there... I'd prefer to put a leash on her and drag her out. So why not do it that way... except I don't have a leash. But it is true that if she wakes up only once she's outside, she'll put up less resistance.

I was smugly grinning and feeling an inner joy at how I figured it out. I kept replaying it in my head over and over. I hope this works.

I finally reached the floor numbered 35. I had never been so glad to see it. I therefore headed toward my room. I couldn't wait to collapse onto the bed for a moment. It didn't take long and I found myself in front of the room door. I went inside and finally slammed it shut. For a few moments, just me. Despite how small and unremarkable the room was, I loved it. It was something I could consider my own. Something of mine. First, I headed to the tall mirror. It was desirable for every room to have one. Compulsory. We had to take care of our appearance. I therefore stood directly in front of it. It was my ritual. I stood there for a moment just looking myself over. I fixed my unruly hair. The meeting with Lady apparently ruffled me. I ran my hands over my hips from my breasts to the protruding hip bones and lightly smoothed my black dress. Subconsciously, I reminded myself of my curves, which often got lost in the dress. But I didn't have much clothing anyway. A few dresses of a similar look, some looser trousers, underwear, and some t-shirts and tank tops. Nobody would have sold me anything else anyway... not that there was any choice in the shop for Severs. For the few coins we received for our ridiculous work, it was only occasionally a stroke of luck to save something extra and buy something to wear. Personally, I think it was on purpose. The other Severs for some reason were happy with the nothing they had and never desired anything more. Or they didn't know how to go after it, and it was easier for them to accept the way they were.

I took off the dress and let it fall freely onto the cold floor. I lingered for a moment, just critically observing my body. If my head hadn't hurt all day, I would have happily stood there a bit longer. I don't even know why. Another habit the academy left in us. But I heard the bed whispering my name. It was irresistible, and I could finally lie down. Hopefully, that headache will finally subside.

The mostly dreamless sleep was replaced this time by a wild dance of glow and strange patterns. I kept tossing and turning and almost ended up on the floor. I woke up about four hours later in gripping pain. Strange sensations pulsed through my body, forcing me to writhe like a snake.

"Fuck, what's happening?!" I swore to myself. With effort, I sat up on the edge of the bed and interposed the moment with a deep inhale and exhale. The bed beneath me creaked unusually. I'd love to drop everything and go right back to sleep... If not for the arranged meeting in the lower quarters, I would have done it immediately. With effort, I stood up and with a slow, halting walk went to the small wardrobe in the corner of the room.

Since I was going to the lower quarters, I needed something suitable. Anything could happen there. It was a district of pleasure and all sorts of illegal activities. I had only heard about it by hearsay, and today someone was supposed to initiate me there. Somewhere in the local joints, the entrance to other districts beneath the shadow city was supposed to be hidden. I had no idea why, or what was supposed to be there. But people talked about it.

I grabbed my loose panties and a long-sleeved bodysuit. I needed to be mobile in case of necessity. In these streets, members of some of the clans often roam, and I don't want to start anything with them. I began to put on the usually loose trousers, into which I could slip with a single jump. But today it didn't go so easily. I got stuck at the level of my hips. Or beneath the rear end, if you prefer. Damn, what is this? I looked at them to see if they were twisted somehow... I wish. They were completely stretched, on the verge of bursting. But I wasn't going to give up. It took some effort, but I somehow pulled them on.

I couldn't believe my eyes... these unremarkable and very loose trousers were now hugging every single curve of my waist. I traced the curves with my hands and made sure that was indeed the case... and I'm not even talking about the state when I turned around... the legs around the calves were loose, but the rest was packed inside the cheap textile, which was originally meant to hide the shape of our bodies and emphasize our unremarkable origin. I could have worn them last just a few days ago, and they were nothing more than loose trousers, not something that looks like leggings. Why the fuck did my trousers shrink... Or did I grow? That doesn't make sense. I also checked my bust, which likewise showed signs of enlargement, though not as significant as the lower part of the body. Damn, that's a lot... I spun around in front of the mirror and examined every part. I didn't know how to react. I couldn't believe it; I was thrilled but also terrified. It was forbidden for a Sever to display her appearance like this. But I refused to feel like a Sever anymore.

There was no time to lose. Time was racing forward like a bullet train, and I couldn't afford to lose a single minute anymore. I snuck out of the room secretly. The hallways were empty, and I strained my hearing to prevent problems. It was quiet everywhere. Too quiet. Most Severs were in their quarters minding their own business. They most likely spent their free time either resting or, for the more diligent ones, exercising their bodies. The building did have some Guards, but they mostly goofed off in their room or by the main entrance. Fortunately, I didn't intend to go that way. First, Lara.

I arrived at her room, which was located on the same floor, so there was no need to walk far anywhere. In my head, I imagined how I would do it with her. I'd most likely have to force her a bit. She'd been draining my blood for a long time anyway, so why not taste hers for a change.

I knocked lightly on her door. Footsteps sounded from behind the door, and with the clinking of the handle, the door opened a crack. This was my chance. I wasn't going to give her time to realize what was happening. The moment she opened the door, I forced my way inside so abruptly that I knocked her to the ground with the door. In my defense, I hadn't planned to do it with that much force. I didn't expect where that came from inside me. But there was no time to think about it at length. I slowly closed the door and looked at my involuntary companion. A petite Severa, even smaller than I realized. Face beautiful like all of them, but the goddess didn't grant her much of the rest. The only thing left for her was to play intrigues and feed at the expense of others.

"What the fuck..." As if upon seeing me, she swallowed her own thought. She was completely stunned, and I didn't know why... her fixed gaze on my tight trousers spoke volumes, however. "What the fuck do you want here, Vaira? Don't you have enough problems?"

"Quite fitting that you ask, I have a few... But you on the other hand don't have any. And we should fix that." I couldn't hide my smugness and sense of superiority. "It's time to have a little talk," I added and jumped on her. I sat squarely on her waist with my whole weight and leaned over her while she writhed beneath me like a snake and whimpered like a wretch.

"Did you think I'd let that slide and continue to endure your intrigues? Mistake." When she drew breath to answer, I covered her mouth with my hand without hesitation. Only an incomprehensible mumble came out, and fear sparked in her eyes. That feeling of power was very addictive. I felt quite different. She thrashed beneath me and tried to defend herself. "Now I'll tell you how it's going to be. I have one interesting meeting today. You undoubtedly know about it and were waiting until you could tell Lady Sinclair... except you won't tell her anything because you'll be there too..." I uncovered her mouth and let her catch her breath.

"What do you think you are? If I were you, I'd let me go immediately. This is a violation of the rules, and you're going to have trouble because of it. But if you let me go, I'll forget you were here." She wriggled.

I had to laugh. Was this supposed to make an impact? "I forgot to mention you have no choice. Because when you wake up, you won't have a choice anymore."

Her eyes widened and you could literally feel how unsettled she became. Damn, finally. Now just put her to sleep and drag her into the city. So now the fun part. I raised myself up and moved onto her chest. I landed hard, knocking the air out of her lungs. I placed my legs beside her head and enjoyed a moment of looking at Lara, whose chatter was finally useless to her. She tried to persuade and manipulate in all possible ways. I had neither the mood nor the time for it.

"Want to hear a secret? I've never sent anyone unconscious before. So hope I don't kill you by mistake." Without warning, I squeezed her head between my long thighs, which now felt stronger than ever before. Those remarks about my thighs not being good enough don't apply anymore. I slowly added strength and had to control myself a lot. It didn't take long, and her limp body completely submitted to me. Good night, you crafty bitch. I stood up from her and gave her body a stern look. Try as you might, but in the eyes of others, you'll always just be a slave. Euphoria and a sense of vindication flooded me. I had wanted to do this for so long... it was hard not to just snap her neck right then and there.