✔ How To Tame A Succubus

[35] Vela

For as long as I can remember, I am a side character.

When I'm not busying myself in someone's bed, I use my spare time watching the stories unfold in Eastwood. Hindi ko alam kung may nakapansin na ba pero nababalutan ng kababalaghan ang bayang iyon, at tila ba hindi ito matatapos anumang sandali mula ngayon.

Eastwood is a hotspot for paranormal events and its residents are all too oblivious of the madness going on behind the scenes. Just a few years back, I've witnessed imaginary killers damn themselves and a few unidentified creatures roaming the woods.

'But why do I care? I'm just here to observe other people's stories,' I thought to myself and enjoyed the life of a succubus.

Walang rason para magkaroon ako ng pakialam. Why not? I am the most powerful (and most popular) succubus in all of Tartarus! Pinaka-sexy at pinakamapang-akit. Pila-pila ang schedule ko at malapit nang malagas ang buhok ng mga naiinggit sa'kin. I'm Vela, after all! Kaya valid naman ang pagiging inggitera nila.

But one night, one dreadful and unexpected night, I was suddenly pulled out of bed...

...and into the summoning circle of a young wizard in training---ah, no. From the looks of it, he's barely even gifted enough to be called a magic user!

"I'm Meric."

"And I don't care," I replied. Why on earth did this weakling summon me? Panira ng gabi, hindi naman kagwapuhan.

Meric sighed and held an old book in his arms. Iyon siguro ang ginamit niya para i-summon ako. Dapat ba akong maging offended? Hindi man lang maganda ang libro.

"Look," Meric started. "I know your name is Vela and I know you're a powerful demoness. Nagpunta ako sa Tartarus para tanungin ka at alamin ang simbolo mo. You earned quite a reputation after being spotted during the imaginary killer cases in Eastwood. Naroon ka rin noong plants versus zombies war sa Asphodel, tama?"

I frowned. Well, truth be told, I was there when those stupid stories unfolded.

To give context to newbies, I was the succubus who tried to seduce Sebastian, a killer born from a young girl's imagination in Eastwood, and Mordecai, a zombie freshmeat from Asphodel School of Zombies and Other Dead Things with only one strand of hair on his head. Sabihin na lang natin na pabago-bago ang taste ko, but if I were to be honest: I just love messing around and gaining exclusive frontrow seats to witness the chaos. What's wrong with a girl having a little fun and mischief?

"And why did you go through the trouble of seeking me out," I asked Meric. Ramdam kong may mas malalim pang dahilan ang pagpapatawag niya sa akin. "May kwento ka bang dapat kong subaybayan?"

Meric sighed. "Actually, it's not my story. It's my brother's... at narito ako para sa isang kontrata."

Kontrata?

Akala ba ng mahinang ito na may interes akong makipagkasundo sa mga katulad niya? If there's anything I hate more than zombies and killers and men who are selfish in bed, it's wizards.

Pero mukhang seryoso si Meric.

"Please... hindi ko alam kung hanggang kailan ko mapo-protektahan ang kapatid ko. Whatever happens to me, I just want Merlin to have someone by his side, someone who can protect him from himself."

"Me? A succubus?" I laughed. "Hindi yata ako qualified para maging babysitter ng kapatid mo, hon. I am nothing but trouble."

"I know," Meric replied, eyes not leaving mine. "The most unlikely creature to care for my brother. But that's what makes it perfect... hindi nila mahuhulaang nakipagkasundo ako sa isang succubus, sa kaaway ng mga wizards at witches. I am not here to act like a master or to tame you, Vela. I am here for a request that will only be triggered by one event."

"And that event is?"

"If someone murders me."

*

As if predicting his own death, Meric died four days after our contract.

That night, I walked towards Meric's body and crouched down, inspecting if the bastard's really dead.

Aaminin kong nadismaya ako sa mga nangyari, pero mas nananaig sa akin ang awa para sa kanya. The fact that he entrusted his brother's safety to a mere succubus is both pathetic and admirable. Only a few have the guts to seek me out.

'Rest in peace, Meric.'

Nang marinig ko ang boses ng kanyang nakababatang kapatid, agad akong umalis ng crime scene.

I can still feel the faint power cursing through me as Meric's contract initiated. At kasabay ng paglaho ko pabalik ng Tartarus ay ang unti-unting pagkabura ng mga alaala ko tungkol sa nangyaring trahedya. Because Meric's death triggered the start of my contract with him.

To forget his death and to reappear in Merlin's life when the right time comes.

"Kapag namatay ako, siguradong maaapektuhan si Merlin. I have no doubt that he'll seek revenge and get into Nightspell, but along with that, he will be the new target of those who are trying to retrieve the Grimoire of Forbidden Spells. Even though my brother is so much more talented than I am," Meric laughed in a good nature. Even when distress is evident in his eyes. "Kailangan niya ng proteksyon. When the time comes, whether you remember this contract or not, look after him. I already annotated the book with your symbol since I figured he'll someday summon a demon to assist him with revenge. If worse comes to worst, your memories will resurface... I want you to tell him everything. I want you to tell him that he shouldn't waste his life on avenging my death. Hindi niya dapat tinatapon ang buhay niya sa paghihiganti. Tell him I love him. Be my memory keeper, Vela."

"And what's in it for me? How do I benefit from this mess?"

Meric laughed and smiled genuinely. "You'll have your own story."

At noong mga sandaling iyon, tinanggap ko ang pakikipagkasundo kay Meric.

It was never in my nature to be directly involved in anything. Palagi lang akong tahimik na nanonood sa isang tabi. I was always a side character to someone else's story, so maybe the thrill of being able to have a role made me agree to this.

Maybe it was fate, maybe it was an unlucky deal.

Nevertheless, those are the events that led me to Merlin.

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