Glistening Lantern (Gazellian Series #7)

Chapter 27

Dedicated to: Jho Na Fe Tumbali

Chapter 27: Ruined Plan

When they looked at me in unison, with their eyes expecting a brilliant way to enter the ruins, I knew right at that moment that my ability as an Attero would make our entrance safer and more possible.

Tavion, Caleb, and Iris might have powerful abilities but a way to get in with my Attenian skills would make it less catastrophic.

That's why when I devised this plan, I told myself that it should definitely work. Hindi lang para sa akin kundi pati na rin sa mga nilalang na kasama ko. This isn't all about my journey with Caleb, but also Iris and Tavion. At isa lang ang naisip kong paraan upang hindi agad malaman ng mga Attero ang siyang totoong sitwasyon.

They should think than one of their allies is in a brink of death, captured, helpless by an unknown creature. Hindi nila dapat isipin na nasa iisang panig kami ng nilalang na ngayo'y tila kinikitil ako.

They shouldn't think that we're a decoy for them to lower their guard. Hindi nila dapat isipin na ang intensyon namin ay ilayo sila sa kanilang totoong misyon. They should think that their only situation is to save a fellow Attero in the hands of the unknown monster.

Since Caleb Lancelot Gazellian mastered the art of pretention and acts, it was easy for him to show his scripted unexpected interruption. The guardian of the ruins was currently full of hesitation and even stepped backward when Caleb growled with his bared fangs, eyes red as fire, and spilled blood from his mouth to my neck, down to my clothes.

My breathing started to get rapid, not just because of the tension brought by the guardians around us, but also the sound of Caleb's beating heart behind me. Hindi ko akalain na sa kabila ng ganitong sitwasyon ay higit ko pa rin napapakiramdaman kahit ang pinakamaliit na detalye ng parte ng katawan ni Caleb. This is one of the effects of having one with him, offering my blood, and sharing each other's mind. Our senses are both active every time that we'd touch.

Pinipilit ko na lang labanan ang epekto ko kay Caleb at huwag ipikit ang aking mga mata at higit na humilig sa kanya. I should look like a victim, and not a lover enjoying his burning skin behind me.

I knew right at this moment that it wasn't just me who was currently experiencing this worst torture.

"Of course, babe. I'd be happier if I'll pull you away from this act and devour you somewhere with your moans and cries of my name."

"Shut up and do your job."

Hindi na sumagot sa isipan ko si Caleb, humigpit ang braso niyang tila nakasakal sa leeg ko habang unti-unti siyang humahakbang paatras na tila isang halimaw na aaagawan ng pagkain.

I squealed like I was somewhat in pain. Lalong naalerto ang mga tagabantay. Hindi nila magawang umatake dahil sa sitwasyon ko.

"D-Don't move. H-He will kill me," nanghihina kong inangat ang kamay ko para pigilan sila.

"A-Anong klaseng nilalang iyan?" rinig kong tanong ng isang tagabantay.

Of course, who would have any idea about the vampires? Kung may magkakaroon man ng ideya tungkol sa mga katulad ni Caleb ay galing lang iyon sa matataas na posisyon katulad ni Howl o kaya'y katulad ko na wala nang ibang ginawa kundi magbasa ng iba't ibang klase ng libro, pati na rin ang mga ipinagbabawal.

Ngayon ay hinawakan ko ang brasong nakayakap sa leeg ko na tila nasasakal ako. Patuloy pa rin kami sa paghakbang ni Caleb papalayo sa lugar kung saan higit nilang mararamdaman ang presensiya nina Iris at Tavion.

"What if he's a monster inside the ruins? Paano siya nakalabas? Bakit hindi natin siya naramdaman? Maybe his ability is beyond—" hindi na natapos ng batang tagabantay ang sasabihin niya nang lumingon siyang muli sa direksyon namin ni Caleb.