✔ How To Tame A Succubus

[25] Vela

"Merlin?"

He looked over his shoulder. In that moment, I couldn't even meet his eyes.

"What is it, lambkin?"

Pinuno ng tunog tubig ang tahimik na kusina. Ibinalik na ulit ng wizard in training ang kanyang atensyon sa mga plato. I guess knowing a few magic tricks don't exempt you from washing the dishes, after all.

When I didn't answer, Merlin turned off the faucet and turned to give me his full attention. Wiping his hands on a kitchen towel with his sleeves rolled up, Merlin eyed me with concern and curiosity.

"You're surprisingly quiet."

"So kailangan ko lang palang manahimik para makuha atensyon mo? Aww, don't tell me you care that much~" I teased.

But Merlin didn't even flinch. Tsk!

"Anong problema, Vela?"

Marami.

'Ikaw. Ako. Lahat. Kung problema lang din naman ang pag-uusapan natin, baka 'di na matapos ang listahan,' I thought. But of course I didn't say that. Instead, I braved myself to meet his human gaze. Habang tumatagal, lalo kong napagtatantong mali ang pinasukan kong deal noon. Well, yes. I am becoming weaker since my 'desires' aren't being fed (succubus things, I can't help it!) and I am VERY curious why he's immune to my influence...

But I realized it wasn't worth betraying him.

Hindi ngayong alam ko na ang halaga ng grimoire kay Merlin.

Ngayong alam ko nang mas marami pang sakripisyo si Merlin sa sitwasyon namin.

Nagiging mabuti na ba ako? Ew.

"May kailangan lang akong sabihin sa'yo. Don't hate me for this, darling. But you know that Grimoire of Forbidden Spells? I---"

Bago pa man lumabas sa bibig ko ang naging "deal" namin ng taxi driver noong gabing tumakas kami sa Nightspell, my body was suddenly engulfed in an endless cocoon of darkness. Bigla na lang naglaho ang kusina. Wala na akong ibang marinig o makita! An ominous chill crawled under my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. My limbs suddenly felt heavy, as if something is weighing them down.

I can't move.

'What the fuck is this?'

"MERLIN!"

I called his name.

Repeatedly. Over and over again until my voice became hoarse.

"MERLIN?!"

Anong nangyayari? Bakit hindi niya ako marinig? Nasaan ako?

"Merlin...?"

Merlin.

Merlin.

Merlin.

I call out his name as if it was the only spell that can free me.

Hindi ko alam kung gaano katagal ko nang tinatawag ang pangalan ng wizard. How many times did I call out his name? Fifty? A hundred? And no, I am not exaggerating the numbers. Pero sa kabila nito, nararamdaman ko na ang unti-unting pagkaubos ng lakas ko.

Soon, a voice other than my own filled the empty space.

"A deal is a deal, succubus."

That voice.

"Sa tingin mo ba hahayaan kitang isiwalat sa wizard student na 'yon ang mga napagkasunduan natin?"

Hindi pa rin ako makakilos. Hindi ko alam kung saan nanggagaling ang boses niya.

How did he even find me?

I sighed.

"Trapping me here so I can't spill the beans to my man? Try to grow some balls," I plainly said. Akala ba niya magiging kawawang damsel in distress na lang ako rito? Oh, please. The only time I beg is when I'm in the bed. This is nothing. I can't let this break me. Merlin needs me and (dare I say it) I want to be there for him. "I call off the deal. Get it? Wala na akong pakialam kung hindi ko malaman kung bakit immune sa'kin si Merlin. I don't even give a shit if I die mortal and powerless."

"Tingnan natin kung masasabi mo pa 'yan sa oras na malaman mo ang totoo."

Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. Is he playing mind games with me? Maybe I didn't make myself clear...

"HINDI KO NANAKAWIN ANG GRIMOIRE!"

"I doubt that," the mysterious man replied. "Not when that book is more beneficial to you than it is to me. Pero malamang ay pati 'yon hindi mo na naaalala."

Ano?

Bago ko pa man tanungin ang tungkol sa sinabi niya, naramdaman ko na lang na inaalalayan na ako dalawang bisig. Suddenly, I was back in the kitchen and Merlin was steadying me on my feet. A worried look graced his expression, and it almost melted my own worries away. But I was too confused and breathless to even admire how sexy he looks while holding me like this.

"Lambkin, what happened to you? Bigla ka na lang nawalan ng balanse kanina, for a minute there I thought you were gonna faint.."

"H-Hindi ko rin alam," I honestly told him before regaining my balance. Pinilit ko na lang ngumiti. If I tell him the truth now, he'll hate me. "Just tired, I guess."

"How can I help?"

"Care to join me in bed?"

He frowned at what I suggested.

"Nice try, lambkin."

I laughed.

'And how I wish we can stay this way, darling. How I wish things were a lot less complicated between a succubus and a wizard in training.'

Maya-maya pa, binulabog kami ng boses ni Johannes mula sa kanyang opisina.

"HOY, KUNG TAPOS NA KAYONG MAGLANDIAN DIYAN, GISING NA SI NIAN!"

---