Chapter 149 The fight for control
The growl did not stop, and it stayed low and constant as it vibrated through Maya’s chest and into the space around her.
Marcus held his position and did not move his hands or pull away from her.
He kept his eyes on hers and spoke steadily. “Maya, stay with me.”
Her eyes did not change, and they remained bright and yellow without recognition.
Aria felt the shift in the room immediately because this was no longer confusion or pain but something more instinctive and dangerous.
She spoke carefully as she watched Maya. “Marcus, this is different.”
Marcus did not look away from Maya when he answered. “I know it is.”
Kane stepped closer, and his posture remained controlled even as his attention sharpened.
He looked at Marcus and asked, “Can you reach her?”
Marcus watched Maya closely as he tried to read her reactions.
“I do not know yet,” he said after a moment.
Maya tilted her head slowly as if she was studying Marcus in a way that did not rely on memory.
She tightened her grip on his wrist, and this time the pressure carried no hesitation.
Marcus felt the strain in his bones, but he did not react.
“You know me,” he said calmly.
Her lips parted slightly, and the growl deepened in her chest.
Aria took a careful step forward, and Maya’s attention snapped to her immediately.
The reaction was sharp and defensive, and Aria stopped moving at once.
She raised her hands slightly to show that she was not a threat.
“It is me,” Aria said in a steady voice. “You know me.”
Maya’s gaze did not soften, and it remained fixed with uncertainty and tension.
Kane spoke again, and his voice carried quiet authority. “Nobody else moves.”
The command settled over the room, and no one challenged it.
Marcus adjusted his stance slightly so he could keep his balance without losing contact.
“Maya, focus on my voice,” he said.
Her attention shifted back to him briefly, and that small response gave him something to work with.
“There you go,” he said quietly. “Stay with me.”
Her grip tightened again, and this time the pressure increased enough to show how much strength she had gained.
Marcus held his composure and continued speaking. “You are safe, and you are not alone.”
The growl wavered slightly, and that small change did not go unnoticed.
Aria saw it, and Kane saw it as well.
Aria spoke again in a softer tone. “Think about where you are and who you are with.”
Maya blinked once, and her breathing shifted unevenly.
The sound that left her throat lost some of its steadiness, and it carried uncertainty instead of pure aggression.
Marcus leaned slightly closer to her and lowered his voice.
“You are with me, and you are okay,” he said.
For a brief moment, something changed behind her eyes, and it suggested that she was still present beneath the surface.
Then the moment broke.
Maya moved suddenly, and her other hand struck Marcus hard enough to push him off balance.
He caught himself quickly and did not retaliate.
“Maya, stop,” he said.
She did not stop, and she moved again with more force and direction.
Her body twisted as she tried to pull free, and the bed frame rattled under the strain.
Kane spoke sharply as he stepped in closer. “Marcus.”
Marcus answered without looking away. “I have her.”
Maya’s movements became more controlled, and it was clear she was trying to escape rather than reacting blindly.
Aria stepped forward despite the earlier command. “We need to restrain her before she hurts someone.”
Marcus shook his head firmly. “No restraints yet.”
Maya’s attention shifted toward the door, and her focus locked onto it with clear intent.
Kane reacted immediately. “Block the exit.”
That’s when his focus shifted toward the doorway.
He paused.
“Where is Devon?” he asked.
The question changed the direction of the room immediately.
Aria looked up sharply. “He left during the chaos.”
Kane nodded once as the conclusion settled. “Lock down the perimeter.”
A guard moved quickly to carry out the order.
“No one leaves the grounds,” Kane continued. “And no one enters without clearance.”
The tension in the room shifted again, and this time it extended beyond Maya.
Another guard moved into position, and Maya responded at once with a sharper and more aggressive sound.
Her body tensed as she prepared to move again.
Marcus felt the change before she acted. “Maya, do not do this.”
She lunged toward the door with sudden force, and the speed of her movement caught him slightly off guard.
He grabbed her arm, but he could not fully stop her momentum.
The guard braced himself as she collided with him, and the impact pushed him back a step.
The room erupted into motion as everyone reacted at once.
Kane reached her immediately and pulled her back before she could break through.
She fought him without hesitation, and there was no recognition in her actions.
Kane held her firmly as he controlled her movement without harming her.
“Marcus,” he said with urgency.
Marcus moved in and secured her other arm, and together they tried to contain her strength.
“Maya, stop,” Marcus said again.
She did not respond, and her strength increased as she struggled against them.
The bed overturned behind them, and the monitors tore loose with a loud crash.
The noise filled the room as the situation escalated.
Aria stepped forward again, and her power rose instinctively. “Marcus, she is going to hurt someone.”
Marcus spoke more forcefully this time. “I said not yet.”
Maya’s head turned sharply toward him, and her eyes locked onto his again.
For a brief moment, everything slowed.
The struggle paused, and the tension shifted into something heavier.
Her breathing came fast and uneven as she stared at him.
Marcus held her gaze and spoke quietly. “Stay with me.”
Something flickered behind her eyes again, and it suggested that she was still fighting internally.
Then her entire body went rigid.
The change was immediate and unnatural, and it sent a warning through everyone in the room.
Aria felt it first, and she spoke quickly. “Something is wrong.”
Maya’s body arched suddenly, and the movement was sharper and more violent than before.
Her mouth opened as if she was screaming, but no sound came out at first.
Then a raw and tearing sound followed, and it did not resemble anything human.
Marcus tightened his grip as he tried to keep her from injuring herself.
Kane looked toward the healer and demanded answers. “What is happening?”
The healer responded quickly. “The second wave is starting.”
Maya convulsed violently, and her body fought against every point of contact.
Marcus struggled to keep her steady as the force increased.
Aria stepped in without hesitation this time and extended her power around Maya instead of forcing it into her.
“Hold her,” Aria said firmly.
Kane adjusted his grip, and Marcus did the same as they worked together.
Maya screamed again, and the sound was louder and more prolonged.
Her body strained as if something inside her was trying to break free.
The air in the room felt unstable and charged.
Aria focused harder as she tried to stabilize the energy without overwhelming it. “This is moving too fast.”
The healer shook her head as she watched the readings. “This is not normal.”
Maya’s back arched again, and this time the movement lifted her higher.
Her hands clawed at the air as the convulsions continued.
Then everything stopped suddenly.
Her body dropped, and all movement ceased.
Marcus froze as he looked down at her. “Maya?”
There was no response, and her chest did not rise.
Aria’s power faltered slightly as the silence returned.
Kane’s grip loosened as the moment shifted again.
The stillness felt heavier than the chaos that came before it.
Then Maya’s eyes opened.