Soulbound

Soul 29: Avery Devon

"Are you ready for what lies ahead on this journey?"

AVERY

Aivee's sapphire blue eyes were glowing beautifully but dangerously. It was kind of mesmerizing. But it was glowing because of her lust for death. She wanted to taste Zirrius' blood on her lips. She's that desperate to silence him.

Naramdaman ko ang pagtaas ng balahibo ni Zirrius sa kanyang katawan. Alam kong nararamdaman niya ang pagnanais ni Aivee na patayin siya. Natulos siya sa kinatatayuan at hindi makagalaw. Ganu'n katindi ang epekto ng titig ni Aivee sa kanya. Pero hindi ko siya masisisi dahil hindi basta-basta ang kaharap niya. I sensed something different from her. There's something elegant and deadly about her.

"How did you know? Shall I praise you for noticing?" nakataas ang kilay na saad ni Aivee. Her voice was still beautiful even when she's already angry.

Nanunuyo ang lalamunan ni Zirrius. He could feel how intense her gaze was. She already started to seek answers even when he's not speaking. She was trying to read his very soul for explanations.

Pinilit ni Zirrius na pakalmahin ang sarili at alisin ang kabang namumuo sa kanyang dibdib. Huminga siya ng malalim upang humugot ng lakas kung mayroon pang natitira sa kanya. "Hindi ako nagpunta rito upang kalabanin ka. I just need your help. Gusto ko lang malaman kung paano makakapunta sa Elfania. I won't reveal your secret if you help me," lakas-loob na saad ni Zirrius.

Kumunot-noo si Aivee dahil sa sinabi ni Zirrius. And then she laughed with disbelief. "What?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya. "Sa tingin mo ba, hahayaan kitang ipagkalat sa iba ang sikreto ko?"

Sumeryoso siya. "Hindi ka na makakalabas dito nang buhay," she said with a dangerous tone. "At kung tutulungan naman kita ngayon, hindi ka rin naman makakarating sa Elfania nang buhay. It will be better if I end your life here," makahulugang dagdag pa niya.

"Bakit? How do you know that I will not survive the journey?" naguguluhang tanong ni Zirrius. I had an idea why, though. But of course, I would not let him die.

"First of all, you're human. Kung may alam ka man sa mahika, hindi sapat 'yon upang kalabanin ang mga elves. At hindi lang basta-bastang elves ang makakalaban mo. Mga Asterian," seryosong sagot niya. She sighed heavily. "There's no point on explaining this to you. I doubt if you even know them. Ano ba ang totoong pakay mo sa Elfania?" seryosong tanong niya. Napansin ko ang mapanuring mga mata ni Aivee.

Natahimik si Zirrius. Hindi niya alam kung sasabihin ba niya na kailangan niya akong ibalik sa katawan ko. "I need to see someone on Elfania. I need to meet her so she will no longer bother me," seryosong sagot ni Zirrius. I laughed inside his head.

Kumunot ang noo ni Aivee, Bahagyang nawala ang pagnanais niya na patayin si Zirrius. All that was left now was curiosity and interest. "Who?" she asked. Pero kitang-kita ko rin na isang maling sagot lang ni Zirrius ay hindi magdadalawang-isip na kumilos si Aivee upang kitilin ang buhay niya.

Napalunok si Zirrius. "Shall I tell her?" tanong niya sa 'kin. Saglit akong natahimik.