Plot Summary
City Falls, Fate Awaits
Kurkevy, once vibrant, is reduced to rubble by the invading Adevian army led by the dark mage known as the Jackal. Amidst the chaos, Jaeda, a branded whore, survives by her wits and determination. She is captured with other women and marched to the temple, the only building left standing. The city's fall is swift and brutal, but Jaeda's spirit is not broken. She is determined to endure, even as she is herded with the other captives, knowing that the worst is yet to come. The air is thick with magic and fear, but Jaeda's inner strength and refusal to be a victim set her apart from the others, marking her as someone who will not go quietly.
Chosen in Chains
Locked in the temple's cells, Jaeda is ostracized by the other women, blamed for their fate because of her profession. The captives are stripped, washed, and paraded before the Jackal and his advisor, Treb. The process is humiliating, but Jaeda's resilience shines through. She recognizes the ritual for what it is: a selection, a search for someone who can fuel the mage's power. When the Jackal appears, his presence is intoxicating, his magic seducing everyone in the room. Jaeda's defiance and willingness to take control of her fate catch his eye, setting her on a path that will change her life and the city's destiny.
The Jackal's Seduction
The Jackal's magic is fueled by lust, and he uses it to enthrall his captives. Jaeda, recognizing the threat to a younger, innocent girl, boldly seduces the Jackal herself, drawing his attention and sparing the girl. Their encounter is electric, a battle of wills and bodies. The Jackal collars Jaeda with gold, marking her as his Chosen, the centerpiece of his ritual. She is promised pleasure and danger in equal measure, and the city's men are brought to her as part of the mage's need to recharge. Jaeda's agency in this exchange is both her weapon and her shield, as she navigates the perilous politics of desire.
Power and Pleasure
Jaeda is paraded before the city's men, forced to perform and be performed upon, her pleasure fueling the Jackal's magic. The ritual is both degrading and empowering, as Jaeda finds unexpected satisfaction and a sense of control in her role. Treb, the Jackal's advisor and former whore, becomes her ally and confidant, sharing his own history and understanding of their shared profession. Together, they navigate the complex dynamics of power, pleasure, and survival, forging a partnership that is as much about mutual respect as it is about physical gratification.
The Ritual Begins
The Jackal's need for power is insatiable, and Jaeda's role as his Chosen is central to his plans for Kurkevy. Each day, she is presented to different groups—merchants, nobles, soldiers—her pleasure binding them to the mage's web of power. The rituals are public and private, performances and genuine connections, each one adding to the Jackal's strength and Jaeda's understanding of her own worth. The city is transformed, its people seduced into compliance, but Jaeda never loses sight of her own agency, using her position to negotiate better treatment for herself and others.
Chains of Gold
Though collared and chained, Jaeda is treated with unprecedented luxury. She is given fine clothes, food, and comfort, but always under the watchful eyes of the Jackal and Treb. The boundaries between captor and captive blur as genuine affection and respect develop. Jaeda's intelligence and wit earn her a place at the table, and she becomes a key player in the Jackal's plans. Yet, the threat of betrayal and the ever-present danger of the Spider, the Jackal's cruel master, loom over them all, reminding Jaeda that her freedom is always conditional.
The Lord of Lust
As the Jackal consolidates his rule, Jaeda is drawn deeper into the politics of the new regime. She is both weapon and prize, used to seduce and bind the city's elite. The Jackal's power is seductive, but his vulnerability is revealed in private moments. Treb's loyalty is unwavering, and Jaeda finds herself at the center of a web of desire, trust, and ambition. The city's transformation is mirrored in Jaeda's own journey, as she learns to wield her sexuality as both shield and sword, navigating the treacherous waters of power with increasing confidence.
Allies and Rivals
Jaeda's relationship with Treb deepens, their shared history as whores creating a bond of trust and understanding. The arrival of Civan, a soldier assigned as Jaeda's personal guard, introduces new dynamics. Civan's compassion and strength make him both ally and potential rival, and Jaeda must navigate the complexities of desire, loyalty, and jealousy. The trio's interactions are fraught with tension and tenderness, as each seeks their place in the shifting hierarchy of the Jackal's court. The threat of the Spider grows ever closer, and alliances are tested as the stakes rise.
The Catalyst's Confession
Treb reveals the truth of his role as the Jackal's catalyst, the person whose emotions amplify the mage's power. Jaeda learns that she, too, may possess magic, her own emotion—compassion—serving as a source of strength. The discovery is both exhilarating and terrifying, as Jaeda grapples with the implications of her newfound power. The bonds between the four—Jaeda, the Jackal, Treb, and Civan—deepen, their relationships evolving beyond simple lust or necessity. Together, they form a new kind of family, united by choice rather than circumstance.
The Spider's Shadow
The Spider, the Jackal's master and a mage of pain, arrives in Kurkevy, bringing terror and violence. Jaeda is taken and tortured, her resilience tested to the breaking point. The Jackal and Treb are powerless to stop the Spider's cruelty, forced to play their roles to protect her. Jaeda's survival is a testament to her strength, but the scars—physical and emotional—are deep. The experience cements the bonds between the four, as they vow to protect each other against all threats, even as the Spider's shadow lingers over them.
Bargains and Betrayals
As the Jackal's spell to bind Kurkevy nears completion, secrets and betrayals threaten to unravel everything. Jaeda and Civan plot to protect themselves, even as they struggle to trust the Jackal and Treb. The politics of the city grow more dangerous, with nobles and guilds vying for power and the Spider's influence ever-present. Jaeda's compassion becomes both weapon and vulnerability, as she learns to wield her magic and navigate the treacherous world of mages. The lines between friend and foe blur, and every alliance is tested.
The Web Tightens
The night of the grand ball arrives, the culmination of the Jackal's month-long ritual. Jaeda, resplendent and powerful, dances at the center of the celebration, her magic binding the city to the Jackal's will. The Spider strikes, demanding a sacrifice, and chaos erupts. Jaeda, Treb, and Civan fight to protect the Jackal, but the cost is high. The bonds between them are pushed to the limit, and Jaeda must make a choice that will determine not only her own fate but the future of everyone she cares about.
The Ball of Desire
The ball is both triumph and trap, a display of the Jackal's power and the city's submission. Jaeda's performance is mesmerizing, her magic at its peak. The Spider's arrival turns celebration to terror, and the fragile peace is shattered. In the chaos, Jaeda's true power is revealed, and the bonds between the four are tested as never before. The night ends in blood and betrayal, but also in hope, as Jaeda and her allies seize the chance to break free from the Spider's control.
The Spider Strikes
The Spider's attack is brutal, his magic fueled by pain and sorrow. Jaeda is once again the target, her compassion both her strength and her weakness. The Jackal is forced to choose between his own survival and Jaeda's, and the cost is nearly unbearable. Treb and Civan fight desperately to protect her, their loyalty and love put to the ultimate test. In the end, it is Jaeda's magic—her compassion—that turns the tide, but not without a terrible price.
Breaking the Bond
With the Spider defeated, Jaeda and the Jackal seize the chance to break the bond that has enslaved him. The ritual is dangerous, the outcome uncertain, but together they succeed. The Jackal is finally free, and Jaeda's power is fully realized. The four are united not by necessity, but by choice, their bonds forged in fire and tempered by compassion. Yet, freedom comes with new risks, as the world of mages is forever changed by their actions.
Compassion Unleashed
Jaeda embraces her identity as a mage of compassion, her power a force for healing and unity rather than domination. With Civan as her catalyst, she learns to wield her magic for the good of others, building a new kind of power based on trust and mutual respect. The four—Jaeda, the Jackal, Treb, and Civan—form a family of choice, their love and loyalty stronger than any spell. Together, they set out to change the world, one act of compassion at a time.
Flight into the Desert
Forced to flee Kurkevy as the Spider's forces close in, Jaeda and Civan escape into the desert, seeking refuge in a town of outcasts and whores. The journey is perilous, but their bond is unbreakable. As they build a new life, Jaeda's power grows, and the promise of reunion with the Jackal and Treb lingers on the horizon. The story ends with hope and determination, as Jaeda claims her place as the Dark Orchid, a mage of compassion, ready to face whatever comes next.
Characters
Jaeda (The Orchid)
Jaeda is a woman marked by hardship and survival, branded as a whore and forced to navigate a world that devalues her. Her strength lies in her refusal to be defined by her past or her profession. Intelligent, resourceful, and fiercely independent, Jaeda uses her sexuality as both shield and weapon, turning the tools of her oppression into sources of power. Her relationships with the Jackal, Treb, and Civan are complex, blending desire, trust, and vulnerability. As she discovers her own magic—compassion—Jaeda becomes a force for healing and unity, challenging the brutal world of mages with empathy and courage. Her journey is one of self-acceptance, agency, and the forging of chosen family.
The Jackal (Xel/Xelas)
The Jackal is a dark mage whose power is fueled by lust. Charismatic, beautiful, and dangerous, he wields sexuality as both weapon and sustenance. Beneath his confident exterior lies a man tormented by his own enslavement to the Spider, forced to serve and conquer in order to survive. His relationship with Jaeda is transformative, as she becomes both his Chosen and his equal. The Jackal's vulnerability is revealed in private moments, his longing for connection and freedom driving much of the narrative. His evolution from master to partner, from user to beloved, is central to the story's emotional arc.
Treb (Trebar)
Treb is the Jackal's right hand, a former whore whose experience and empathy make him both confidant and protector. As the Jackal's catalyst, his emotions amplify the mage's power, but Treb is more than a tool—he is a man of deep feeling, humor, and resilience. His friendship with Jaeda is built on mutual respect and shared history, and his loyalty to the Jackal is unwavering. Treb's journey is one of self-acceptance, as he navigates the complexities of desire, love, and chosen family. His role as mediator and emotional anchor is vital to the group's survival and growth.
Civan
Civan is assigned as Jaeda's personal guard, but quickly becomes much more. His strength, loyalty, and innate compassion make him both protector and partner. As Jaeda's catalyst, his emotions fuel her magic, and their bond deepens into genuine affection and trust. Civan's struggle with his own desires, his place in the group, and his evolving relationship with Treb and the Jackal add layers of complexity to the narrative. He is the steady presence, the one who grounds Jaeda and helps her embrace her power.
The Spider (Hian)
The Spider is the Jackal's master, a mage who feeds on pain and suffering. Manipulative, sadistic, and relentless, he embodies the worst excesses of magical power. His arrival in Kurkevy brings terror and violence, and his torture of Jaeda is a turning point in the story. The Spider's control over the Jackal is both literal and psychological, and his eventual defeat is hard-won. He serves as the primary antagonist, a symbol of the old order that Jaeda and her allies must overthrow.
Madam Shira
Madam Shira is the leader of the city's whores, a woman of intelligence, dignity, and survival instinct. She negotiates with the Jackal for the benefit of her guild, recognizing the shifting tides of power. Her interactions with Jaeda are marked by mutual respect and understanding, and she offers Jaeda both practical support and emotional validation. Shira represents the possibility of solidarity and agency among women in a brutal world.
Lord Rabin
Lord Rabin is one of the few nobles in Kurkevy who earns the Jackal's respect. Honest, principled, and willing to speak truth to power, he is chosen as the city's new governor. His appointment signals a shift toward more just and representative rule, and his interactions with Jaeda and the Jackal are marked by mutual respect. Rabin's role is to embody the possibility of change within the existing power structures.
Dorin
Dorin is the Spider's enforcer, a man whose loyalty and cruelty make him a formidable foe. He is the instrument of Jaeda's torture, and his eventual defeat is a moment of catharsis for the protagonists. Dorin's role is to embody the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of solidarity among the oppressed.
The Fawn
The Fawn is a professional whore in the Jackal's employ, her jealousy and ambition making her both rival and cautionary tale for Jaeda. Her eventual outburst and expulsion from the temple highlight the dangers of internalized oppression and the importance of chosen family.
Cal
Cal is a commander in the Jackal's army, a man of few words but unwavering loyalty. He serves as the practical backbone of the Jackal's forces, ensuring the safety and discipline of the troops. Cal's role is to embody the possibility of loyalty and honor even in a world defined by conquest and betrayal.
Plot Devices
Ritual of Power
The central plot device is the ritual by which the Jackal recharges his magic: a month-long series of public and private acts of lust, each binding a different group in the city to his power. The ritual is both literal and symbolic, representing the ways in which power is constructed, maintained, and challenged. The use of sexuality as both weapon and shield is a recurring motif, with Jaeda's agency and pleasure central to the success of the ritual.
The Web of Power
The Jackal's ultimate goal is to weave a web of power over Kurkevy, connecting every citizen to his magic through Jaeda's sacrifices. This device serves as both a literal spell and a metaphor for the interconnectedness of power, desire, and community. The web is strengthened by acts of compassion as well as lust, and its completion marks a turning point in the city's fate.
Collars, Chains, and Marks
The use of collars, chains, and magical marks serves as a constant reminder of the characters' shifting status as captors and captives, masters and servants. These symbols are both tools of oppression and sources of power, with Jaeda's collar becoming a mark of pride as well as bondage. The breaking and remaking of these bonds is central to the story's emotional and narrative arc.
Catalyst and Mage Bond
The relationship between mage and catalyst is a key plot device, with the catalyst's emotions amplifying the mage's power. This bond is both blessing and curse, creating deep connections and vulnerabilities. The discovery that Jaeda is a mage, and Civan her catalyst, adds a new dimension to the story, challenging traditional gender roles and power dynamics.
The Spider's Curse
The Spider's magical enslavement of the Jackal is a driving force in the narrative, representing the dangers of unchecked power and the struggle for autonomy. The breaking of the curse is both a literal and symbolic act of liberation, marking the transition from survival to self-determination.
Chosen Family
The formation of a chosen family among Jaeda, the Jackal, Treb, and Civan is a recurring motif, contrasting with the blood ties and forced loyalties of the world around them. Their relationships are built on trust, mutual respect, and shared vulnerability, offering a vision of community that is both radical and deeply human.
Narrative Structure
The story is told through a close third-person perspective, alternating between Jaeda and the other main characters. This structure allows for deep emotional intimacy, as the reader is privy to the characters' thoughts, fears, and desires. The use of ritual, repetition, and performance creates a sense of inevitability and tension, building toward the climactic breaking of the Spider's bond.
Analysis
Auryn Hadley's Power of Lies is a bold, subversive fantasy that reimagines the tropes of conquest, sexuality, and power through the lens of agency, compassion, and chosen family. At its heart, the novel is a meditation on survival and self-acceptance: Jaeda's journey from branded whore to mage of compassion is both literal and symbolic, challenging the hierarchies of her world and the reader's expectations. The use of sexuality as both weapon and source of power is handled with nuance, centering Jaeda's pleasure and agency in a genre that often denies both to women. The relationships between the four main characters—Jaeda, the Jackal, Treb, and Civan—are complex, fluid, and deeply human, offering a vision of love and loyalty that transcends traditional boundaries. The novel's exploration of bondage and freedom, both magical and emotional, is particularly resonant in a modern context, inviting readers to question the structures that bind and define us. Ultimately, Power of Lies is a story about the transformative power of compassion, the necessity of trust, and the possibility of building a better world—not through domination, but through connection, empathy, and the courage to choose one's own path.
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