MARKED BY MY MONSTERS.

MAYA'S POV

"I can't let those two scumbags have a happily ever after they don't deserve, not after what they did to me. I'll ruin them." I whisper to my reflection in the mirror, and a sinister smile curls my lips.

My plan is simple: slip into his house and sabotage the stupid little engagement my boyfriend is throwing for my best friend—ex-best friend.

I open my closet and change into ragged jeans, a black leather jacket, and boots that can help me sneak around without being heard. I throw my too-heavy bag onto one shoulder and step out of my crampy little apartment.

I run down the street, glancing at my watch to ensure I'm not late. "Oh, this is going to be so much fun." I laugh out loud and quicken my pace.

I pause and glance up; it's going to rain. The sky rumbles, lightning flashes across it, silencing all noise and movement. My eyes move downwards as the ground beneath my feet begins to shake.

I take a U-turn quickly, running out of harm's way. Everywhere is suddenly so dark. The wind is so heavy, blowing my clothes and threatening to throw me against something too. Damn! Of all days, it had to be the day of my big revenge plan.

The rain doesn't pour in a drizzle; it pours down angrily. People scream and run to their houses for safety. The rain grows heavier and colder as chills begin to form on my skin. There's not a single person in sight. I scream loudly in fear. For the first time in my life I feel really alone, and it scares the shit out of me.

The water flows in an angry current, sweeping everything in its wake: electric poles, street lamps, trees, and roofs. The ground burst open, and black greenish water with a suffocating smell flows out, breaking the earth and burying those standing above it. The rain floods the city.

For a brief second, I wonder if this storm is happening because of me, the revenge I swore to the mirror.

I'm running backwards when I spot a small kiosk in the alley. I've walked past here a hundred times but never once noticed it. The sign above looks so worn-out and the paint faded, like it's been here forever waiting for me to notice it. I hurry over and stand under its shade to wait for the rainstorm to cool off.

"How may I help you?"

I shriek, turning around in so much fright. There's an old woman in the kiosk who's sitting behind a table with a variety of containers and books looking like potions. The woman herself has long grey hair and wrinkled skin. She's wearing a robe and looks like something from a fantasy movie. How may she help me? She's just a weirdo playing dress-up. I look away and fix my eyes on the road.

"What do you want, little one? I have a spell to solve all your problems." She asks again, sounding so sure of herself.

That one gets my attention. I turn around slightly, slowly moving to her sorcery table. The woman looks so scary and ugly, like a witch. I walk cautiously so that in case she tries to grab me, I can easily flee. "All my problems?"

She nods.

I shake my head; she doesn't understand what I'm asking, so I say it in clearer terms. "Do you have a spell to make my parents regret the divorce and my abandonment? Do you have a spell to make my best friend and boyfriend suffer for cheating on me?"

She chuckles loudly, lifting her hands up to the skies, and the rain grows intense, lightning shoots out around us. My eyes go wide in horror as I watch the freak show before me. "Wait, my child. I'll fix an ancient revenge spell for you."

I'm not your child, ma'am. I look around with so much unease crawling in my belly. This woman may be mentally disturbed. I should probably run, but to where? It's a miracle this kiosk is still standing despite the heavy rainfall.

She enters under her table. The corners are covered with a black veil, so I can't see a thing, but I hear her voice chanting words in a strange language, and a mass choir responds.

I look around, but it's just me and the rain. The rain grows angrier, splashing water on me despite the shade. I glance at the veil, and I swear I can hear drumming and see glowing color beneath it. Okay, this is getting so weird. I'd better leave.

The old woman finally comes out, holding a small box, just the size of a novel, towards me. It's smooth and metallic, glittering in blue and purple hues.

I take the box from her and jerk as a surge of electricity flows through me. Magic doesn't exist. Could there possibly be magic in this box? "How do I open it?" I ask, turning the box around, checking for an opening. "Are they procedures or anything?"

"He's been searching for you, child. This will direct him to you." She smiles mischievously, showing rotten teeth. "When the time is right, it'll be opened."

I frown, frustration tightening my face. Why is she speaking in so many riddles? Is this actually real?

"Run." The old woman's strained voice cries out. "Go," she repeats.

"Why? I was going to wait here for the rain to subside."

"Goo!!!" The woman screams louder this time and stands on her feet as if about to transform or attack me.

"Okay. Okay." I turn quickly and start moving under the rain. I've only moved a few feet when I remember I didn't pay the woman. I turn around and start saying. "So, how much do I—"

But she's gone, like disappeared with her entire freak kiosk. I scream loudly. Oh gosh! What did I just talk with? I remain rooted to the spot, the rain beating against my face and body as I contemplate whether to throw the box or keep it.

"I'm going to cast the spell tonight." I mutter breathlessly to myself. "What's the worst that could happen?" I keep trying to open the box, but it doesn't bulge until I'm back in my bedroom, lying in bed and ready to sleep.

I pick the box one last time and push the lid. It shifts, then stops; it shifts again, making mechanical sounds of gears hitting against each other, and the box opens. I turn the box upside down, pouring its contents on the floor: a dozen candles, white chalks, and a long dusty scroll that looks like it was written 10,000 years ago. I read through it, and the instructions are written in both English and a foreign language.

I laugh, but because of how bored I am, I decide to cast the fake spell. I move to my window and unlock it. Water splashes in, soaking me. The rain hasn't cooled off a bit. I move to the center of my room.

Following the instructions on the scroll, I draw a magic circle and light candles on each triangle; despite the rain, the candles haven't flickered since I set them on. It's burning with so much energy, like an invisible glass shield is protecting it. I stare in shock—normal fire doesn't act this way.

I turn off my room light and sit with legs crossed in the center.

I read out the spell and wait, but nothing happens. I laugh. This won't work. I look around the circle, still laughing at the silliness of them all. I squint my eyes, staring at the opposite end of the circle, where something appears to be glowing. The purple glow spreads across the circle and my laughter dies. "What's happening?"

Out of the blue, a strong lightning strike comes through my open window, heading directly at me. I duck downwards, covering my head with my hands. It hits my coffee machine, and the thing explodes. "Oh my gosh!" I jump to my feet, trembling as I look around. There's a glowing sigil appearing on my arm. I scream and fling my hands in the air, kicking and scattering the stupid spell set.

Everything stops. But I don't move; I look around for a second, then another. When I'm sure everything has truly calmed, I stride to my bed, but something makes me pause: the sound of glass splitting.

I turn and glance at my mirror, but instead of seeing my lean structure and gray eyes, I see a man.

My entire body tenses.

He's clad in dark fitted pants and a charcoal gray hoodie that covers his hair like a wolf's cloak. Beneath the cloak I see black hair that looks scattered like he's been running through the woods. What is he? His skin looks like glass, and his eyes—are those vertical ember slits I see?

I'm breathing hard. And I can't ignore the fangs peeking beneath his full, kissable lips.

He's big, with an intimidating height, broad shoulders, and defined muscles. I try not to strain my head upwards. He moves his hands, and I notice his hands are claw-like.

"Found you." He whispers, stepping out of my mirror like the spell summoned him, and heading straight for me...