I’m Not a Villain, I Just Absorb Women’s Powers

Jace walked over to the couch and looked down at Eva. She was still breathing, slow and steady. Her brow was relaxed now, no longer tight with anger.

He knew it didn't make sense, but something about her didn't feel evil. Dangerous, yes. Unstable, maybe.

But not cruel. She came in like a storm, but the pain on her face before she passed out, that hadn't looked fake.

Maybe he was crazy for not throwing her out. Maybe keeping her here was asking for more trouble.

Still, he sat down on the opposite end of the couch and leaned back, letting his body relax after everything.

He wiped the dried blood from the corner of his lip.

"Hey," he said aloud, voice low. "What can you tell me about energy siphoning? From what little info you've got."

[Energy Siphoning is a rare ability linked to species with advanced energy physiology. The user can absorb or drain energy, sometimes physical, sometimes ability-based, from others. This process may happen actively or passively depending on the user's control, emotional state, or proximity to the target.]

Jace sat up a bit.

"So… you're saying it's possible I drained something without meaning to?"

[Yes. It's possible. Especially if her body or ability type is energy-based. If your systems are unstable or underdeveloped, unintended siphoning may occur, particularly during extended physical contact.]

Jace ran a hand down his face.

"Shit."

"But wait," Jace said, leaning forward slightly. "Are you saying I can only take energy-based abilities?"

[Not precisely. All abilities, metahuman or otherwise, function through some form of energy, whether it's internal, elemental, biological, or otherwise. As an energy siphoner, you don't absorb the power directly. You copy the energy signature and replicate the ability.]

Jace rubbed his chin. "So I might've actually taken something from her… maybe even this kinetic energy thing?"

[That's possible. You already confirmed I told you your species doesn't naturally possess kinetic projection. And if she had an ability tied to energy-based force output, it could explain how you gained it.]

Jace looked back at Eva. "But she's not a metahuman."

[How do you know that?]

He went quiet.

"…You're right. I don't."

He leaned back, mind spinning again.

"If that's the case… then this really is a valid crash out. If I took her power, even by accident, then from her side, this wasn't random."

[It would justify her aggression.]

Jace sighed and looked at her again.

"Yeah. It would."

[Another reason to kill her. If she believes you took her power, she's even more dangerous now.]

"That's too far—" Jace started.

[You are playing with dangerous fire, Jace,]

Zin interrupted.

[You took her ability, intentionally or not, and if that's true, it's worse than theft. You can't return it. Siphoning isn't borrowing. It's replication. And with my limited access to data, we have no information on how, or even if, you can give it back.]

Jace clenched his jaw.

He didn't want to think about that. The possibility that he had taken something permanent from her. Something she lived with. Trained with. Believed was hers.

He looked back at Eva. She was still unconscious, arms relaxed by her side, face soft again.

It didn't matter what Zin said, he wasn't going to kill her.

But he couldn't ignore the weight of what he might have done.

And what she might do next.

It didn't take long before Eva began to stir.

Jace stepped back, keeping a safe distance between them. He wasn't going to lay a hand on her, but if she came at him again, he was ready to blast her across the room.

He took a deep breath and kept his focus on her, watching her every move.

Eva slowly opened her eyes. Her body shifted slightly, arms tightening as she adjusted to the unfamiliar couch. Her brows furrowed, confusion setting in.

She didn't notice Jace at first.

She blinked a few times, looking around the room, disoriented. Her breathing was steady but slow, as if her mind was still catching up to where she was.

Eva sat up slowly, holding the side of her head. Her movements were cautious, stiff, like someone waking up from a bad dream. She looked around the apartment with narrowed eyes, scanning the unfamiliar space.

That's when she saw him.

Jace stood near the kitchen, arms at his sides but his body tense. He didn't speak. He just watched her, alert.

Her eyes locked on his.

For a moment, neither of them said anything.

Then Eva leaned forward slightly, her voice dry.

"…Where am I?"

"My apartment," Jace said. "You broke in. Kicked me in the face. Twice."

She didn't respond immediately. Her memory was still catching up.

Jace raised an eyebrow. "Anything coming back to you? Or do you usually attack people after sleeping with them?"

Eva's eyes sharpened, and her voice came back stronger.

"You stole something from me."

Jace didn't flinch. "I didn't steal anything. I left in the morning like a normal person."

She stared at him, jaw tight.

"I don't know what happened," Jace replied, keeping his voice level. "But I didn't take anything. Not on purpose."

He paused.

"But I think I know what happened. And I want to figure it out too."

Eva didn't move. She was still on edge, still uncertain. But she didn't attack. Not yet.

Jace didn't know how to bring it up.

Telling someone you might have stolen their ability, without meaning to and without understanding how, wasn't exactly a conversation he'd ever planned on having. Especially not with someone who'd just tried to beat it out of him.

He looked at her, trying to read her expression. She was tense but calmer now.

He motioned toward the couch.

"Let's sit down. We need to talk."

Eva didn't move at first. She just watched him, still guarded. Then, slowly, she nodded and eased back down into her seat. Jace moved across from her and sat down, keeping a bit of space between them.

There was a long pause.

Jace took a breath.

"This… might sound crazy. But I think I have part of your ability."