Curse of the Fallen Deity (Zarsothian Tales #1 | Volume 1 & 2)

Chapter 12: The Restricted Chamber

"Who are you?"

"Ara Belacour," I replied in a matter-of-fact tone.

She grunted and picked herself up, pero hindi nakatakas sa paningin ko ang pangangatog ng kanyang tuhod.

Such a coward.

"I'm not stupid." She successfully managed to stand straight. "Sino ka?"

Napairap ako at pinagkrus ang braso. "Are you deaf?"

Demi slammed her stone goblet on the floor. Nilamon ng ingay nang pagbagsak nito ang kabuuan ng cafeteria, but what took me was how the floor where the goblet was slammed formed a slight crack. Gano'n ba kalakas ang kapangyarihan niya para masira pati ang sahig ng building na ito?

The students weren't even surprised as much I am. They'll probably used on seeing this woman pisses her ass off. How does throwing objects helps one's anger, anyway?

"Who's behind the Ara Belacour everyone is talking about?" she uttered. Her gaze sharpened. There was something in there that I could not tell nor comprehend. They were empty and as gray as stone. Sumisimbolo ng kapangyarihan niya. "What is your secret?"

Halos lahat ng mga estudyante ay lumingon sa gawi ko. It was almost as if I could hear the swift movement of their heads. Their eyes were fixed in my direction, some are not even blinking.

Now, she had put me on the hot seat.

Isang matagumpay na ngisi ang binigay ni Demi sa akin. Isang ngisi na naghahatid ng kayabangan, na parang nanalo siya sa isang madugong labanan.

Tsk. As if naman mananalo siya. Magkakamatayan muna.

Lahat ba ng estudyante sa akademyang ito ay kayabangan lamang ang laman ng utak? Mga hangal.

"Secrets?" I narrowed my eyes, caressing my invisible beard. "It's too complex for an idiot like you."

Tila umusok ang ilong at tainga ni Demi sa aking itinuran. Her fist clenched, making her veins mark visible. She gritted her teeth and glared at me. Tinaasan ko lamang siya ng kilay kasabay nang marahan na pag-angat ng sulok ng labi ko.

Half of the students laughed, half did not. Estelle and the two girls next to me, Shaye and Rhysan, gave a soft chuckle. I scoffed. Masyadong pabebe.

"You—" dinuro niya ako. "You wench!" Mabilis na lumipad ang kamay niya papalapit sa mukha ko, buti na lamang at mabilis ko rin itong nasangga gamit ang kamay ko. I could feel the weight of her hand. She had put extra strength on her palm, and if it did meet my face, my cheekbone would be dislocated.

Nanginginig ang kamay naming dalawa habang pilit na itinutulak ang isa't-isa, but I did not use my full strength yet. She's not even worth a sweat.

She glared at me one more time and I responded with the same manner, but I flinched secretly when my hand seemed to harden. Tila mayroong tumusok sa dulo ng mga daliri ko, at isang malamig na pakiramdam ang dumaloy paakyat sa aking braso. After a second, Demi's hand against mine vanished, or did it? Nangmamanhid ang kamay ko at paakyat iyon sa leeg ko.

And then it hit me.

This is her power. Petrification magic.

Damn. I did not see that coming.

Inangat ko ang tingin sa kanya. I maintained a straight face. Walang bakas na pagkagulat o takot ang mukha ko pero ngumiti ito ng nakakaasar.

"You are no match for me," nakangisi niyang sambit.

Tahimik akong napamura nang umabot na ang paninigas ng katawan ko sa aking kanang balikat. This can't happen. I had sworn to myself na hindi na ulit ako magpapatalo sa kahit sino, lalong lalo na sa hinayupak na babaeng ito.