Bewitching the Tempter

Chapter 39: Mastermind

Tahimik kaming naghiwalay ni Alaric nang gabing iyon, ngunit hindi ako makatulog nang makahiga dahil sa mga bumabagabag sa isip ko.

We were in the middle of a battle at hindi ko na alam kung paano magwawakas ito. Nakakapagod at habang tumatagal ay mas dumadami ang nadadamay. But I need to do it, in order to give an end to the wickedness of those people.

Kailangan iyon, not just to spare my family but also other people.

Nang mag-umaga ay wala ako sa sariling bumangon at agad akong magpanic no'ng makitang wala na sa tabi ko ang mga anak. Agad akong lumabas ng kwarto at nagmamadaling pumunta ng kusina, only to see Dane and Astraea laughing with Alaric.

He was smiling so widely while talking to the two at sinusubuan pa talaga si Dane ng sandwich. But then, it's my first time seeing him smiling so bright like that ever since I came back.

I sighed and smiled before going near them, nginitian naman niya ako.

"Good morning," bati niya. "Let's eat breakfast."

Tumango ako't ngumiti bago tumabi na sa mga bata.

After eating, Alaric told me to follow him inside the study at ginawa ko nga iyon dahil mukhang may sasabihin siyang importante.

"I talked to Denver last night." Bungad niya nang makapasok ako.

Agad namang nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Nag-usap pala sila? Was that how he learned about what happened to me?

"He told me everything, including his mission."

Tumango ako. I'm already aware of that mission even though I only know pieces of it.

"He also told me what happened in Germany and how your father did everything in his power to protect you. Nang dahil sa mga nasabi niya sa akin, I was able to put some puzzle pieces together. We're finally close to knowing who's behind everything that happened to your family. Just one more step... and it will be over."

I furrowed my brow. "How? Paano nga ba 'to matatapos? I will do everything just to finally end everything."

"Ikaw... ikaw ang kailangan nila, Klio. But there's no way we'll let you meet them after everything they did. Masyadong delikado ang sitwasyon para sa iyo." Seryoso niyang sagot and that made me figure out that him and Denver already has a plan.

"Pero ako ang kailangan nila, 'diba? Just let me do it, Alaric. I'll do it right this time." Matapang kong saad na agad namang nakaani ng iling mula sa kanya.

"No way! Hindi ko na mapapatawad pa ang sarili ko kung may mangyari na naman sayo."

I smiled. "Well, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself too kung mas marami pang madamay sa gulo na 'to... especially the people dear to me. So please... just let me do it."

Mariin pa rin ang pag-iling niya sa akin. But no, I won't give up just because he don't want to include me.

Laban ko 'to e at ako rin ang dapat na tumapos.

"Look, Alaric. You and Denver will protect me, right?"

Tumango siya. "We'll protect you but we'll not put you to danger."

Umiling ako. "That would be difficult, kahit naman nasaan ako, sinusundan pa rin ako ng kapahamakan. So please, let's just end this. Nakakapagod na e."

Alaric sighed. Pareho naman kaming nabulabog nang marinig ang pagtunog ng telepono sa 'di kalayuan. Alaric immediately answered it.

"Hello."

"Yes, she want to do it."

"Hell, no!"

"Damn...what? I don't get fucking get it."