On The Grounds Of Hell – Episode 9

On The Grounds Of Hell – Episode 9

  {•𝑩𝒍𝒖𝒆𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑯𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒔•}

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞: 𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝑩𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑯𝒆𝒓.

ʙʏ ʙᴀʀʙɪᴇʟʟᴇ 

  -ʟᴜᴄᴋ ɪs ᴀɴ ɪʟʟᴜsɪᴏɴ-

♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤

★𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐲’𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐦★

Bluey lay in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. The room was dim, the curtains drawn shut, trapping the silence with her.

 She hadn’t moved much since morning — not after that stupid session that almost took her life.

Her head still throbbed faintly, her thoughts a tangled mess of confusion and regret.

But mostly her mind was on Hades. They haven’t had a decent conversation since that incident and right now she hates to admit it but, she misses him.

A soft knock came at the door.

Before she could even climb down from the bed, the door opened and Hyce stepped inside, his usual calm expression softened with concern.

“Hyce?” Bluey said weakly, sitting up a little.

“Hey,” He greeted, closing the door behind him. “Are you feeling better? I heard you fainted.”

“I’m okay.” She forced a small smile. “Zayne told me what you told him. Thanks… for saving my life. I owe you one.”

“It’s no big deal,” Hyce replied, brushing it off with a shrug.

But Bluey could tell he meant it, he just didn’t like taking credit.

“Still,” she said quietly, “thank you.” She hesitated before asking, “How’s Hades?”

At that, Hyce exhaled deeply and rubbed the back of his neck. 

“Hades is… a proud jerk. You hurt his ego with what you did. I’m just glad you’re okay  but that’s as far as I can go meddling between you two.”

Bluey lowered her gaze, her fingers twisting the edge of her blanket. Guilt sat heavy in her chest.

After a pause, Hyce continued, his tone softer now. 

“Did you know that the morning you challenged him to that bet, he actually prepared a date for the both of you in his suite?.”

Her head snapped up slightly. “What?”

“He was so excited,” Hyce said with a faint, almost nostalgic smile. “Nervous, too. He wanted everything perfect, didn’t want you disappointed. But in the end… he was the one who got disappointed.”

Bluey’s throat tightened. “I… I didn’t know that…”

“He likes you,” Hyce said plainly.

 “I don’t know what you’ve heard about him, or what rumors people have told you, they’re probably true. But one thing about Hades? When he’s committed to something, he never lets go.”

Hyce’s voice grew quieter, more solemn. “But right now, Bluey…” He looked at her with a trace of pity. “Hades already lost all interest in you.”

The words hit harder than she expected.

Bluey’s chest ached as the silence stretched between them and for the first time since the game, she wished fainting had made her forget everything.

“If you get a chance, try talking to him. That’s if he lets you.”Hyce said before leaving the room.

—–

 ★𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫’𝐬 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞★

Gael sat under the shaded pergola in the mini garden, his laptop balanced on his knees, sunlight glinting off the silver rims of his glasses. 

The sound of birds and the faint hum of the fountain blended with his focused typing as he scrolled through a luxury jewelry website.

“Too flashy,” He muttered, rejecting yet another diamond necklace. “Corazon would think I’m too cheesy.”

He chuckled to himself, shaking his head before clicking on another option , a sleek sapphire bracelet.

 “Hmm… maybe this one. Or should I go with…”

The door creaked open.

Maureen walked in carrying a tray and set a bowl of freshly cut fruits on the table beside him. 

“You’ve been sitting here for hours, sir. You should eat something before your laptop overheats or you do.”

Gael looked up and smiled. 

“Maureen…” He took a slice of apple and popped it into his mouth. “Tell me something, if you were my wife, which of these do you think would make your heart melt?”

 “If I were your what?”Maureen blinked, startled.

“My wife.” He repeated with a teasing grin, spinning the laptop around to show her two tabs: one with a diamond pendant, the other with an emerald choker. 

“Be honest. Which one says ‘I’m a man who knows how to spoil his woman’?”

Maureen tilted her head, pretending to analyze like a fashion critic. 

“The emerald choker, definitely. The diamond looks like something you’d buy if you were guilty of something.” She said.

 “You’re not wrong! You’re really not wrong!”

Gael burst out laughing.

“And besides, the emerald matches Madam’s temper.” She added, nibbling on a grape. 

He laughed even harder, almost choking on his apple slice. “You’ve got quite the sense of humor, Maureen. Remind me never to get on your bad side.”

They shared a good laugh, light, casual, and full of ease.

But the moment didn’t last long.

Because standing at the entrance of the garden was Corazon — her eyes narrowing as she took in the sight of them laughing together.

Her hands curled into tight fists, nails biting into her palms as she stalked forward, her heels clicking sharply against the stone path.

Gael’s laughter faded the instant he saw her shadow.

“Uh-oh…” Maureen muttered under her breath.

 “Cora… you’re, uh…back early.”Gael looked up slowly, a smile forming on his face.

Corazon’s anger boiled over the moment she reached them.

Before Gael could open his mouth, her hand swung sharply across Maureen’s cheek— smack! 

The sound cracked through the quiet garden. Maureen froze in shock, a hand flying to her stinging face.

And then came the second slap— smack! Harder this time.

“Corazon!” Gael shouted, immediately rising to his feet. 

He caught her wrist before she could raise her hand again.

“Have you lost your mind?” He barked, his voice echoing off the stone walls of the garden.

Corazon’s chest heaved as she glared between them, her voice trembling with fury. 

“So this is what you do now, huh? Laughing, flirting,? With a mere servant?”

“Madame, it’s not what you—” Maureen tried to speak, her voice small, but Corazon cut her off.

“Shut up! You think I don’t see through you? You’ve been leeching off my husband with your daughter and then now acting all innocent while trying to get his attention! You’re just a maid…know your place!”

“Enough!” Gael’s voice thundered through the air, silencing her.

 His face hardened, disappointment shadowing his features. “You don’t even want to hear what happened. You just assume the worst every damn time.”

 “Don’t defend her, Gael! I know what I saw—”She turned to him, eyes blazing.

“You didn’t see anything,” He snapped, stepping between her and Maureen. “All you saw was your own jealousy!”

Corazon flinched, stunned by the edge in his tone.

Maureen stood silently behind him, trembling, still clutching her cheek.

“I was asking her opinion on what to buy for you, Corazon!” Gael said, his voice tight with anger. “And instead of thanking her for being decent enough to help me, you humiliate her?”

Corazon’s lips parted, but no words came out.

Gael exhaled sharply and grabbed Maureen’s hand.

 “Come on,” He muttered. “You don’t deserve this.”

He walked off with her, leaving Corazon standing in the middle of the garden, her fists trembling, breath shaking as the sound of their footsteps faded down the path.

“I need to do something about that Maureen.”

**

Corazon paced her bedroom like a storm barely contained. Her lipstick was smudged, her hair disheveled from running her fingers through it too many times. 

She grabbed her phone from the dresser and dialed Morgan, her chest heaving as the line connected.

“Mom?” Morgan’s voice came, calm as ever.

“Morgan, your father is losing his mind!” Corazon’s tone was sharp and trembling all at once. “That maid, Maureen, she’s trying to seduce him right under my nose!”

 “Wait, what? What happened?”Morgan frowned on the other end.

“I just caught them in the garden!” Corazon snapped. “He was showing her jewelry!! Jewelry, Morgan! and they were laughing like a couple of lovers. I confronted them, and do you know what he said? He said the jewelry was for me!” She scoffed bitterly.

 “As if I’m supposed to believe that nonsense!”

 “Mom, what if it was for you?”Morgan sighed.

“Oh, please,” Corazon retorted, rolling her eyes even though Morgan couldn’t see her.

 “He didn’t need her help to pick something out for me! That woman is always hovering, smiling, serving him like she’s auditioning to be the next Mrs. Gael Sinclair!”

“Mom—”

“I’m telling you, Morgan,” Corazon continued, cutting her off. 

“She’s sly. Acting all innocent and quiet, but she’s plotting. The way she looks at your father, the way she touches things that don’t belong to her….she’s crossing lines. I can feel it.”

“Did Dad say anything after you slapped her?”

“Oh, don’t remind me of that!” Corazon huffed.

 “He defended her, Morgan. Her! He yelled at me as if I was the problem, then left with that maid like some lovesick fool. Can you imagine the humiliation?”

Morgan stayed silent for a moment.

 “So… you think Maureen’s manipulating him?”

“Of course she is!” Corazon hissed. 

“Don’t worry mom. I know just whom to tell to warn her stupid mother.” Morgan hung up.

——

 ★𝐌𝐈𝐀- 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬★

The entire student body filled the vast marble courtyard, the school banners of Spades and Hearts,  swaying in the morning wind. The academy crest shimmered above the stage as the PA system crackled to life.

🔊 “Attention, MIA students! The long-awaited Annual Dorm Competition officially kicks off tomorrow morning! Each house will compete in a card game. Prepare well, because this year’s stakes are higher than ever.”

The announcement ended with cheers and chatter as the students began to disperse, buzzing with excitement.

“Too bad we’re not  in the same dorm,” Nia pouted, looping her arm around Bluey’s.

 “You can come spy for Hearts and we’ll still win.”Bluey smiled faintly.

“I wouldn’t get too confident, Bluey.” Zayne nudged her.

 “I’m not going easy on you tomorrow, babe.”Loci smirked, hands in his pockets.

“You bet I won’t either.” Nia winked playfully at him.

Morgan strutted toward them, her heels clicking sharply against the floor, her long ponytail swaying behind her like a whip. 

The cheerful chatter around the assembly ground died instantly. Even Nia’s grip on Bluey’s arm loosened.

“Morgan,” Bluey said softly, already sensing trouble.

Morgan stopped in front of her, folding her arms.

 “You must be so proud, huh?” Her tone dripped venom. “You are reading from www.mhiztaemy.com.ng”  “Your mother must’ve taught you well how to flirt your way into rich men’s homes.”

 “What did you just say?”Bluey froze.

“You heard me.” Morgan tilted her head mockingly. 

“Tell me, Bluey, did she really think she could s+duce my dad? Or was she hoping to get lucky and marry her way up like the pathetic maid she is?”

“Morgan, isn’t that a bit too much?.” Zayne said, stepping in front of Bluey.

Morgan smirked. 

“Don’t piss me off.” Morgan shoved him aside, with a brutal glare.

He tried to intervene but Bluey gave him a sign not to.

 “ What a joke your mother is.”

Bluey’s fists clenched. Her lips trembled, but she didn’t look away. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, I know plenty,” Morgan said coldly, stepping closer until she was inches from Bluey’s face.

 “I know your mother’s nothing but a gold-digging slut. And I know trash like her always raises trash like you.”

A sharp sound echoed, Bluey’s palm connecting with Morgan’s cheek. 

The crowd gasped.

Morgan’s head tilted slightly from the slap, her expression unreadable for a second before she chuckled darkly.

 “Bluey…no..”

🔊Player 090, You disobeyed Rule number 2 which……

“I…will handle this myself!!” Morgan shut the speaker off.

She grabbed Bluey by the hair and shoved her backward, hard. Bluey stumbled, barely keeping her balance.

“Morgan!” Bluey shouted, rushing to pull her away.

The crowd formed a circle fast, students whispering, phones out but no one dared step in.

Morgan stood over Bluey, eyes blazing with fury. “So you think you can slap me, huh? Just who the hell does your filthy self think you are?”

Before Bluey could respond, Morgan grabbed her by the hair and yanked her forward.

 Bluey gasped, stumbling as her knees hit the hard concrete.

“Morgan, stop!” Nia cried, trying to push between them, but Morgan shoved her aside with a glare so sharp it froze her in place.

“Your slu+ of a mother really had no shame, does she?” Morgan hissed, yanking Bluey’s chin upward.

“My mom’s not a slu+!!”Bluey yelled back 

 “Are you trying to say my mother’s a liar. Go on!”

Bluey whimpered, tears spilling down her cheeks as Morgan pushed her back, her shoes scraping against the pavement.

“Morgan, please,” Bluey’s voice cracked. “It’s not true, my mom didn’t do anything—”

“Then why  is she all over him, laughing like she belonged there?! Why did he defend her!!” Morgan snapped, grabbing Bluey’s collar and shaking her hard. 

“Say it! Say your mom’s a slu+!! she’s a slut, just like you!”

Bluey’s lips trembled.

 “She’s a slu+…” she stammered, sobbing.

“Louder!” Morgan yelled. “Say it properly!”

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry, okay?!” Bluey cried out, her voice breaking completely. “Please just stop—”

Morgan raised her hand again, ready to slap her across the face—

“Enough!”

Trevor’s voice cut through the air like a whip. He rushed forward, grabbing Morgan’s wrist midair.

 “Morgan, that’s enough!”

She was trembling, breathing hard, tears of anger in her eyes. Trevor pulled her against his chest, wrapping his arms around her.

 “Hey, look at me. Calm down.”

“She…she deserved it—” Morgan choked out, trying to push away, but Trevor held her tighter.

“No,” he said firmly. 

The crowd began to scatter as Trevor led Morgan away, his arm still around her shoulders.

Bluey stayed on the ground, clutching her bruised arm, her eyes red and swollen. Nia knelt beside her, wiping her tears gently.

“Bluey…”Zayne crouched to her, hugging her tightly and she hugged him back.

“Does it get any worse?”Nia sighed.

——

  

Hyce was on his way to Sergio’s dorm room when someone suddenly shoved him hard against the wall. His back hit the tiled wall  with a thud.

“What the f+k!” Hyce hissed, eyes narrowing as he looked up to see Gomez, towering over him, one arm pressed beside his head, trapping him in place.

“Where did you go with Sergio?” Gomez’s tone was low, dangerous — the kind that carried more jealousy than anger.

 “We went on a date. Got a problem?”Hyce glared back, unbothered.

“What do you mean a date? Since when did you two start going on dates?” Gomez frowned.

 “He just answered you, didn’t he? Or don’t you understand what it means for two people to go out on a date?”A deep voice cut through the tense air.

They both turned. Sergio stood a few feet away, hands in his pockets, eyes locked on Gomez with a cool, blank stare as he walked toward them.

“I thought I told you to stay away from him,” Gomez said, jaw clenching.

“And I thought I told you to stay away from me,” Hyce shot back, his voice firm but tired.

“Hyce—” Gomez began, but Hyce cut him off sharply.

“What? We’re done, okay? You like girls, fine. I’m not holding anything against you, but for once, just leave me alone.”

“Hyce, just give me another chance,” Gomez said quietly, reaching out to cup his chin. “Please, I—”

“Get your hands off my boyfriend.”

The words came from Sergio, cold, lethal, and loud enough to make Gomez freeze.

Before Hyce could even step back, Sergio’s fist connected with Gomez’s jaw, sending him stumbling sideways.

“Boyfriend?” Gomez spat, wiping the blood from his lip as his expression hardened.

Sergio moved forward again, placing a steady hand on Hyce’s shoulder, keeping him behind.

“Yeah,” he said with a smirk that didn’t reach his eyes. “You heard me right.”

Gomez’s face contorts with fury and he lunges, throwing a wild punch at Sergio.  Hyce moves instinctively, sliding in front of Sergio to shield him.

 The punch clips Hyce’s jaw instead; he grunts, shocks of pain shooting through him, but his feet stay planted.

 This time Hyce answers with a clean, brutal punch to Gomez’s face that snaps his head to the side. Blood spatters. Gomez staggers, hand to his mouth, eyes wide with stunned shock.

“Just ‘cause I’m pretty doesn’t mean I can’t whoop your ass, you asshole,” Hyce spits, chest heaving.

 He steps forward until their faces are inches apart, voice flat and cold.

 “You touch Sergio again, or you try that shit with me, I’ll make you so unwelcomed in MIA you’ll wish you’d never signed up. I’ll use everything I’ve got as an Ace to get rid of you. Don’t push me.”

For a beat the hallway is frozen. Gomez’s jaw ached badly, blood trickles from his lip. Around them a few students murmur, sensing the line just crossed. 

Sergio kept one hand on Hyce’s shoulder, steadying him, his other fist is still clenched.

Gomez spits on the ground, nostrils flaring. “You’re going to regret this,” He sneers, but there’s a new caution under the threat.

Gomez glares once more, then, blood and pride both stinging, he stalks off, pushing past them. 

Sergio watches him leave, chest heaving, knuckles white and bleeding, then lets out a shaky breath and leans into Hyce grabbing his face.

“Come with me.”

***

 

★𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐨’𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞★

Sergio guided Hyce to sit on the edge of his bed, gently inspecting the small cut on Hyce’s jaw.

 He grabbed a clean cloth and dampened it with antiseptic, dabbing carefully.

“You shouldn’t have punched him,” Hyce said quietly, wincing as the sting hit.

“I couldn’t stand him touching you,” Sergio admitted, voice low, almost trembling. “I hate it. I get jealous… and scared.”

 “Scared of what?”Hyce blinked, tilting his head.

“If he touches you… and you somehow like it,” Sergio’s hand froze for a moment, his thumb brushing lightly against Hyce’s tender skin, “…..or start having feelings for him again… I… I can’t stand it.”

Hyce swallowed, his chest tightening as he felt the raw intensity behind Sergio’s words.

 The room was quiet except for the faint hum of the lights, both of them suspended in the tension of unspoken emotions.

“You don’t have to worry about that,” Hyce whispered, leaning closer, letting his forehead brush against Sergio’s.

 “It’s always going to be you… only you.”

Sergio’s breath hitched slightly, relief and longing mixing as he finally let himself brush a thumb along Hyce’s cheek, holding him close.

Sergio’s hand lingered on Hyce’s cheek, his thumb tracing gentle circles as their foreheads pressed together.

 Hyce’s eyes fluttered closed, his breath shaky, heart hammering in his chest.

Slowly, Sergio leaned in, letting his lips brush against Hyce’s in a tentative, feather-light kiss. 

Hyce responded almost instinctively, tilting his head, pressing closer, his hands finding Sergio’s shoulders.

The kiss deepened gradually, a slow burn of passion. Sergio’s hands slid down to Hyce’s waist, pulling him gently onto his lap, their bodies pressing together. 

Hyce let out a soft sigh, his lips parting slightly, allowing Sergio to explore with tender insistence.

Every movement was deliberate, slow, and consuming. Their breaths mingled, hearts racing in sync, as the world outside the dorm room seemed to vanish.

 Sergio rested his forehead against Hyce’s, as their lips slowly parted.

“I love you,” Sergio murmured against Hyce’s lips, and Hyce’s hands tightened in his hair, whispering back.

“I love you too… always.”

“You hungry? I can cook for you.”Hyce added.

“You can cook?” Sergio gasped in surprise.

——

★ 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 & 𝐏𝐚𝐰𝐧𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐚★

Bluey stepped out of the ladies’ bathroom, wrapping the towel tightly around her, still damp from the shower. 

Her eyes immediately went to her locker.

Her heart sank. Her clothes… were gone. She frantically searched, pulling open drawers, checking under benches, but there was nothing.

 Her bag was gone too.

“Where… where is everything?!” she muttered, panic rising in her voice.

 The training arena was nearly empty, the echoes of the day’s chaos fading, leaving a strange quiet that made her situation feel even worse.

She glanced at the clock. It was late, far later than anyone should still be here. The thought of anyone finding her like this made her shiver.

Training ended late so she decided to take a bath at the Arena’s bath house instead of her dorm and she’s slowly regretting that decision.

Bluey gritted her teeth, clutching the towel tightly around her, and sprinted toward the exit, her bare feet slapping against the cold metal floor. 

Every step was urgent, every second stretching into a nightmare.

The doors loomed ahead. She flung them open, praying no one would be there. Once outside, the cool night air hit her skin, and she bolted across the training grounds. 

Her mind raced as fast as her legs: Who would do this? Why? She had no answers, only the fear and humiliation pushing her forward.

***

Bluey hurried across the campus toward her dorm, the towel clutched tightly around her. Students and staff who caught sight of her stared, whispering and pointing.

 She kept her head down, cheeks burning with humiliation.

Her heart skipped a beat when she accidentally bumped into someone. She looked up and froze. It was Trevor, and beside him, Juniper.

“I’m so—” Bluey started, her voice catching as she noticed something in Trevor’s hands.

 Her eyes widened. Her clothes which were folded neatly were in his arms.

“Trevor—” she stammered.

“Just because I saved you from Morgan earlier doesn’t mean there isn’t a part two,” Trevor said, a teasing smirk curling his lips. “You made my baby cry.”

“But I didn’t do anything!” Bluey protested, panic rising in her chest.

“Shh. You’re not allowed to speak,” Juniper interrupted, her arms crossed.

Trevor circled her slowly, eyes glinting with mischief. “I’m wondering what else I should do to you…”

Before Bluey could react, in an instant, he yanked the towel off her.

She gasped, frozen in shock, the cool night air hitting her skin.

Bluey froze, only in her p+nties, her hands desperately trying to cover her bare chest. Her cheeks burned as she looked down.

“Trevor… please…” She whispered, her voice trembling.

Trevor crossed his arms, leaning casually against a nearby pillar, his expression unreadable.

 “Hmm… it’s so fun messing with you but also boring at the same time cause you always give the same energy, always crying.” Trevor scoffed.

Bluey’s heart raced. “I—I didn’t do anything!”

“Shh,” Juniper interrupted, stepping forward, her eyes cold. “You’re not allowed to speak right now.”

Trevor tilted his head, watching Bluey shift nervously from foot to foot.

 “I wonder… what else I should make you do to remember this,” He said slowly, circling her like a predator assessing prey.

 Not close enough to touch, just enough to make her awareness of him unavoidable.

Bluey hugged herself tighter, shivering.

“Don’t even think about moving too fast,” Trevor added, stopping directly in front of her, meeting her eyes. 

“Every action has consequences. And right now? Your consequence is standing here like this until you… learn a lesson and warn your stupid mother to….God, my head hurts from just talking to you.”

Bluey swallowed hard, trapped in her own humiliation, knowing he wasn’t joking but also that he wasn’t physically harming her.

Trevor looked up, scanning the arena to see if anyone was watching Bluey’s humiliation. No… no one. Every student’s head was bowed low, avoiding eye contact. A smug grin crossed his face.

He and Juniper turned sharply at a noise behind them, only to come face-to-face with Hades, standing tall and unreadable, arms crossed.

“I thought you were told not to meddle,” Trevor sneered, trying to mask the twinge of unease in his voice.

“Did I meddle?” Hades’ voice was flat, almost bored and that made it worse. 

He stepped forward, slow, everyone feeling the shift in the air.

“Go on, hurt her some more. I love being entertained.” Hades said.

“If I’m right, you like her, right?”Trevor asked but Hades kept mute.

Trevor sneered and shoved Bluey so her shoulder scraped his chest; she fell forward, hands scraping the floor. 

Trevor laughed, loud, cruel convinced he’d read Hades wrong.

That was the last laugh he got.

Hades moved quickly , his hand hooked under Trevor’s chin and jerked his head back; Trevor’s face snapped toward the sky.

 A short, precise flurry of strikes, one to the ribs, a hammer of a palm to the jaw, a shoulder throw that planted Trevor on his knees, all deliberate, controlled.

Trevor coughed, blood at the corner of his mouth, fury and surprise warring in his eyes as he scrambled up.

 Students watched with bowed heads; no one dared to look up.

Hades leaned in, breath cold against Trevor’s ear.

 “You think I like her?” he said quietly, every syllable sharp.

 “You think I care if you wipe the floor with her?” He pushed Trevor back hard enough to stumble. “Do whatever you want to her. Humiliate her but keep that filthy body of hers away from touching me. It’s really disgusting.”

He straightened, his voice dropping to a lethal whisper.

 “One more time she touches me because of you  and I won’t warn you next time. I’ll make you wish you’d never been born.”

Trevor swallowed, fury drained into something thinner and frightened. He spat on the floor, chest heaving. 

“You’re a coward,” he hissed.

With that, Hades turned, cold and contained, and walked away. He didn’t help Bluey up. He didn’t offer comfort.

 He left her, shaking on the floor and she dried her tears before looking back at Trevor who walked away.

—–

8𝐏𝐌

Dawn and Desiree walked briskly through the halls of Spades Dorm, heading to the dining hall. 

“So, he said all that to you? Don’t tell me you’re going to run back to him?”Desiree said to Dawn after she explained what Hugo did to her at the penalty zone.

“I won’t go running back to him. I’m going to ignore him like he wants, but one thing I’m sure of is that he’ll be the one coming back to me…”Dawn said determined.

“And if he does? You’ll take him back?”Desiree arched her brows.

“He wishes.”Dawn scoffed.

As they reached the entrance, Hugo appeared, leaning casually against the wall, his usual confident smirk in place.

Dawn’s eyes narrowed for a brief second, but she didn’t acknowledge him at all. She acted as if he wasn’t even there, walking past with Desiree by her side.

Hugo blinked, slightly thrown off by her deliberate coldness, but he didn’t let it show. 

He tilted his head, watching her go, a mix of surprise and intrigue flashing across his face. 

He had expected at least some reaction—anger, resentment, or even a glare but Dawn’s complete dismissal left him momentarily speechless.

For once, Hugo didn’t mind the silence between them, though he was clearly shocked by how determinedly she ignored him.

—–

Outside**

Bluey called Maureen as soon as she reached outside the dorm. Immediately, Maureen picked up the phone.

“Mom.” Bluey’s voice was tight, anxious.

“Let me guess… you heard what happened at home?” Maureen said, already sensing the tension.

“Is it true, mom? I know for a fact you wouldn’t flirt with Sir Gael… but… what happened?” Bluey asked, her voice trembling slightly.

“Bluey, calm down. Nothing happened, okay? It’s all just a misunderstanding,” Maureen reassured her.

“But mom… Morgan is saying nasty things about you—” Bluey’s voice cracked, panic rising.

“Ignore them. You know me, Bluey. I would never do anything like that. Gael is my boss, and I respect that. It’s just… rumors and Corazon being paranoid,” Maureen explained patiently.

Bluey exhaled shakily. “I just… I don’t want anyone thinking badly of you… or me.”

“You don’t have to worry about that, sweetheart. Focus on yourself and your school. I’ll handle the rest,” Maureen said firmly.

Bluey nodded, feeling a mixture of relief and lingering anger. “Okay… thanks, mom.”

“Anytime, baby girl. Call me if you need me, alright?”

“Alright… love you, mom.”

“Love you too, Bluey.”

Bluey hung up the call with her mom and glanced around the quiet courtyard, her pulse still uneasy. 

After a moment of hesitation, she pulled out her phone again and dialed another number.

The line clicked.

“Hello, how are you?” a deep male voice answered, calm and composed.

Bluey sighed softly, lowering her gaze.

 “It’s so difficult being here. I don’t have a clue yet,” she murmured.

“Did you talk to Maureen?” the man asked, his tone shifting slightly.

“Yeah, I talked to Mom… but about something else,” Bluey replied, glancing over her shoulder nervously.

“You don’t have to rush things,” he said gently. “Just try and observe, and—”

Bluey froze. A strange prickle ran down her spine. Someone was near.

She looked around, nothing but shadows and the faint hum of the night breeze.

Without another word, she pressed the power button and slipped her phone into her pocket, pretending to be calm even as her heartbeat raced.

Bluey turned sharply, her voice trembling. “Who’s there?”

No response.

The silence thickened, and her pulse began to pound in her ears. She could feel it—someone was close, watching. Her eyes darted around the dim courtyard until a shadow moved.

“Relax, it’s me,” Zayne’s voice came through as he stepped out from behind one of the pillars.

 “Don’t scare me like that.”Bluey exhaled, pressing a hand to her chest.

“You should be in your room,” he said, half-teasing, half-concerned.

“I’m just taking some fresh air,” she muttered. “Go ahead and rest, you need it to be recharged for tomorrow.”

“I will,” Zayne said softly. “I came to check up on you.”

 “Okay.”Her shoulders loosened.

Zayne stepped closer and gave her a warm hug. “You know I’ll always be here, right?”

Bluey smiled faintly and hugged him back.

 “I know.”

“Always tell me if you need anything.”Zayne said, rubbing her back.

 “Sure, Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

Zayne turned and headed toward the dorms, his footsteps fading down the path.

But the moment he was gone, the unease crept back in.

That same heavy feeling pressed against her chest—the sense of being watched.

Then she smelled it. Lavender. Subtle but distinct.

Her heart skipped. 

“Hades?” she whispered into the night.

For a brief moment, the air shifted, lighter, softer, almost as if his presence had truly been there. Then, just as quickly, it was gone.

Bluey stood frozen under the pale courtyard light, unsure if she was imagining things… or if he had really come.

—–

𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

The air was thick with tension and anticipation. All nine members of Spades Dorm sat around the long, dark table — the emblem of the black spade etched into its center.

Hades sat at the head, his expression unreadable, his sharp eyes occasionally flicking across the room.

 Beside him, Hyce fidgeted with a pen, while Hugo lounged back lazily in his chair. Bluey sat opposite Hades, unable to help herself from glancing at him again.

Their eyes met.

Hades looked away almost instantly, his jaw tightening. Bluey bit her lower lip, trying to focus on the instructor’s voice echoing from the speaker at the front of the chamber.

🔊 “Listen to the rules of the game. Each member of each house will be distributed a card. The cards are as follows: King, Queen, Jack, 9, 8, 7, 5, 3, and Ace.”

The members exchanged looks. Desiree leaned toward Dawn, whispering something that made her laugh quietly.

 Hugo had his eyes fixed on Dawn, she saw him and rolled her eyes.

🔊 “In this game, the Ace is the lowest card, and the King is the highest. A higher card beats a lower one. King beats all.”

 “So the King’s untouchable?”Hyce raised his hand slightly.

🔊 “Not exactly. Two opposing members — Jack and any other card — can beat an opposing Queen. And the king isn’t  untouchable because: Ace beats the King.”

The room buzzed with murmurs.

🔊 “Once you win against someone, you steal their card. The higher the cards your house holds, the higher your sigils at the end of the round.”

 “Sounds fun.”Loci chuckled under his breath.

🔊 “King can also kill King — only if the first King flaps out his card first.”

 “So it’s not just about power… it’s timing.”

Dawn’s brows furrowed.

🔊 “You have five minutes to discuss who holds which card.”

As the timer on the wall started counting down from 5:00, 

Hugo picked up the deck on the table and dealt them out one by one with a casual flick of his wrist.

“Hades — King.”

“Hyce — Queen.”

“Hugo — Jack.”

“Sergio — Ace.”

“Dawn — 9.”

“Desiree — 8.”

“Loci — 7.”

“Natalie — 5.”

“Bluey — 3.”

Hyce leaned forward, eyes on Sergio. “Sergio, you’re holding the card that can beat the King.”

Sergio glanced at his Ace, then around the table. “Yeah. But the problem is, every other card can beat it.”

Hades folded his hands, voice flat and deliberate.

 “Trevor will be their King and Morgan their Queen. Since Jack and any other card beat Queen, Hugo- you and Dawn go after Morgan. Desiree, Loci, Natalie, Bluey target their number cards. Pair off in twos and take one each. Sergio, hide as good as you can. I’ll find Trevor’s location; when I do, I’ll disclose it to you.”

 “Why don’t you just beat him instead?”Sergio cocked an eyebrow.

 “I’m not in the mood to play.”Hades shrugged, his voice cold.

A mechanical chime cut through the room. 🔊 “Time’s up. The game will last twenty minutes. Once the King is captured, it’s game over.”

Loci pushed back from the table, worry creasing his face. 

“But Hades, it’s obvious you’ll be the King. Trevor might find you first and steal your card. It doesn’t matter how many cards we hold; once the King is captured, it’s over.”

“Also,” Desiree added, “….they could target the Ace with a number card. If the Ace is gone, we’re practically doomed.”

Hades paused, weighing the room with a quiet patience. Then he turned his gaze directly to Bluey.

Bluey looked up too, her eyes meeting his.

“I have an idea,” He said.  “And they won’t see it coming.”

He smirked.

.

.

𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐝 ✰

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