All Chapters of MARKED BY MY MONSTERS.: Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

MAYA'S POV I reach the dungeon and once again, there are no guards on duty. Am I really so lucky? Or is the academy so confident no one would dare come down here? I move slowly along the brick walls. This place is familiar. This is where I was locked as punishment for defiling the Grand-mistress. I walk quietly on my toes, trying not to make a sound. When I reach an alcove, I hesitate. Left or right? I stand there, turning in a slow circle. I press my fingers towards my temple, trying to focus. The left direction feels… like it’s calling me. So I use it, venturing towards an underground, cave-like prison. I step closer and look down at the pit. The cells line the walls, thick rusted iron bars seal the top.It's cold down here. I wrap my arms around myself. I crane my neck and squint my eyes to see through the bars. There's a thin figure crumpled inside one of them. “Lux…” I whisper. She doesn’t move. I rub my hands together, forcing myself to concentrate. “Wake up,” I whisper

MAYA'S POV “Where did she go?” Morien asks suddenly. All of us turned toward him, then toward the spot where Hadies had been circling just seconds ago. It’s empty. “Shit.” I try to stand too fast, but my body is still weak. I staggered and ended up falling backward right into Jaden’s lap. I try to scramble up again, but he discreetly wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me back down. “How did we miss her?” Lux demands, disbelief thick in her voice. “We were all watching her.” “No,” Morien says, lowering into a squat in front of me. “She slipped out, but at least now she knows what you’re capable of. She’ll choose her next move carefully,” he continues. “Because now she knows we’re an army.” I nod slowly. "An army." I repeat. Without looking, my hand drifts across Jaden’s bare torso, tracing over the place where his wound had been. A deep, throaty groan vibrates beside my ear. I froze. “Oh—shit. Sorry. I should probably get down.” “No,” Jaden murmurs, tightening his arm aro

MAYA'S POV “Too soon? What do you mean too soon? I didn’t intentionally unlock it. I was trying to save you all and it just— it just happened.” My pulse started racing. “From the book, it says if Hades did it first…” My words tangle together. I can’t seem to breathe right. “If Hades had done it first, and one of you pledged allegiance to her, she would’ve been able to take us all down. That’s why I stepped on it. I didn’t have a choice.” Maddox runs a hand through his hair. “This power you unlocked? It has severe limitations. It will drain you and drain us if you can’t control it…” He doesn’t finish the sentence. “And if I can manage it?” I press. A knock on the door makes all of us flinch. "Who the fuck is knocking right now?" Lux moves first, walking toward the door carefully. She unlocks it slowly. My breath stops as I see selene standing outside the room in a perfect school uniform, not a single wrinkle. Her makeup is flawless, hiding any trace of the bruises from wh

MAYA'S POV “Where are you going?” Lux calls, her voice catching me mid-step as I take a sharp left turn, away from the direction of my room. “I’ll join you guys soon,” I waved her off, my pace quickening. I don’t look back. “Maya!” Morien calls, in a half-chilled, half-concerned tone. I ignored him. My focus is elsewhere. “Maddox, please… don’t call my name,” I murmur under my breath as I hear approaching footsteps, but they fade and retreat in the opposite direction, multiplied in echo and intensity. I need a moment. I need to think. My head is too full; I need to breathe. My pace is erratic. I mutter words to myself as if repeating them enough could ground me: My space… my space… Eventually, I find a corner where I collapsed, sitting down among the heaps of rubble and ashes scattered across the floor. Hugging my knees to my chest, I try to will away the tears. “Don’t cry, Maya. You’re strong. Don’t cry, Maya. You’re beautiful. Don’t cry, Maya. You have people who love

MAYA'S POV I bite my lip, searching for the right words. Morien had told me: sell your vision. But the truth is simpler. “I’ll be honest,” I say, letting my voice carry my conviction. “I am the Hex Queen, and I know there’s something buried under this sea. I can restore this academy to the place you once loved. I know you’re torn between visions, between loyalties, but selling a story is not easy. I might not be perfect for this, but I’ve learned through my mates. And I know you want the best for this place. Give me support, prepare your students, and we can revive this academy.” She studies me, silent, trying to see the truth from the lie. “That’s why I don’t like politics,” I add quickly. “Because promises don’t guarantee results. If I fail, the effort is wasted. I’m not giving you a promise. I just… want your support. A go-ahead. Calm the seas, tell me what’s underneath. I’ll find the sword.” “I want to trust you,” she finally says. “But...”“Don’t trust me. Don’t trust