✔ How To Tame A Succubus

[17] Merlin

Only a number of mortals know Tartarus exists directly below Eastwood.

Ping.

The elevator finally stopped. We were the only ones inside. I can feel Vela shifting uncomfortably beside me, something quite odd for a succubus who grew up in these planes. Pagkabukas ng mga pinto, bumungad sa'min ang tanawin ng magulong pamilihan. The skies bled darker, an ominous atmosphere fueled by the paranormal energies from its residents. Kahit na ilang beses na akong dumadayo rito hindi ko pa rin maiwasang mamangha sa ganda at kabahan sa takot na hatid ng lugar na ito.

'Don't let your guard down. Sa oras na malingat ka, sasamantalahin ka ng mga nilalang dito.'

I had to remind myself for the nth time before fixing the hood over my head and stepping out of the elevator that led us straight to hell, quite literally.

Kumalansing ang kadena sa pagitan namin ni Vela, isang maingay na paalala na hindi kami pwedeng lumayo sa isa't isa.

I plan to keep her bound until I successfully achieve my goal. Selfish? Maybe.

But this world is full of selfish people and I'm not immune to sin.

"So, gaano katagal ka nang namamalengke sa Tartarus? I still can't imagine wizards like you strolling around hell with a grocery list."

"Wizard in training," I corrected and rounded a corner. Mabilis kong iniwasan ang ilang gargoyles na nagfo-fortune telling sa isang kanto.

"Whatever," Vela huffed and followed me. "Hindi ko pa rin maintindihan kung anong meron sa Tartarus na wala sa mundo ninyo. I thought magic wielders take pride in their crafts?"

"True, but there are goodies here that even Nightspell can't provide. Ang Tartarus ang huling lugar na paghihinalaan nilang pinagkukuhanan ko ng supplies."

She raised an eyebrow. "And by 'goodies', you mean illegal magic stuff?"

"...maybe."

"Wow, darling. Quite rebellious of you! Sinong mag-aakalang ang perpektong iskolar ng Nightspell ay may baho ring itinatago?"

Nagpantig ang tainga ko sa sinabi ni Vela, but I chose to ignore it anyway.

Sa kabila ng katotohanang hindi na bago ang makakita ng mga demonyo sa marketplace na ito, it still didn't prevent several eyes following her sensual movements. Specifically, the way Vela's hips swayed with every step she took. Napasimangot ako nang may pumito pang ogre nang dumaan kami sa tapat ng Boo-tique. With a flick of my Elvian wand, the glass windows broke and started piercing his fat ogre ass.

He howled in pain and jumped away, a satisfied smile on my lips.

Fucking perverts.

"Anong meron, ba't ka nakangiti?"

Instead of answering her, I shrugged off my cloak and magically transferred it to her. Kumunot ang noo ng succubus, pero bago pa man siya makapagreklamo agad kong hinila sa ulo niya ang hood at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad.

*

The Supplier is the same person (or creature?) who gave me the invisibility paint. His shop is located at the far end of Willowcrest Street, beside the old mapmaker's shop who went bankrupt a few centuries ago.

This is the catch: I've never seen the Supplier before.

Nang masigurado kong walang ibang nilalang sa paligid at walang mga tsismosong pixies na naging sideline na ang pagkakalat ng balita ever since they've been hired as reporters for Tartarus' official scandal sheet, kumatok na ako sa bintanang mukhang ilang siglo na ring hindi nakakakita ng pamunas.

"Three quick knocks," I repeated from memory.

One.

Two.

Three.

Maya-maya pa, bumukas na ang bintana. It slid upward, revealing a part of lanky hands that looked more like a spider's mutated body. Wala akong makita sa loob dahil patay ang mga ilaw, concealing the creature in total darkness.

Fingers stretched out to me.

"That's ugly," Vela commented while still studying her red fingernails. I gave her a warning look. She pouted. "What? Totoo naman, eh."

Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako at nagpatuloy na lang sa transaction namin. I noticed the Supplier was already becoming impatient from the way he was thrumming his fingers on the wooden panel.

"Anong kailangan mo, Merlin?"

A gruff voice. Hanggang ngayon hindi ko malaman kung anong klaseng nilalang ang Supplier, but that's the least of my concerns. I get what I need, I pay and get out. Ganoon lang ang ginagawa ko sa nakalipas na dalawang taon mula noong natutunan kong bumyahe papuntang Tartarus via elevator at mag-outsource ng mga materyales sa Supplier.

"Hey, Supplier. By any chance, do you still have those appearance-changing pills on hand?"

Nawala ang kamay ng Supplier. Ilang sandali pa, may inilapag itong blue pill sa pagitan namin. I took that one and studied it closely.

"Make it two. Gagamitin din ng kasama ko."

Nawala ulit.

Another pill.

Vela sighed and took it, gulping it down in one go.

"Done. Okay na? I'm getting bored here."

I was surprised she swallowed that pill easily. Lalo't hindi normal ang laki ng mga pills ng Supplier. Nang mapansin ni Vela ang gulat sa mukha ko, malakas siyang natawa at kumindat sa'kin.

"I'm at expert at 'swallowing', my wizard. Years of experience," she purred. "I can give you a demo tonight if you want me to prove it."

I frowned, not wanting to imagine what she's implying.

Someone coughed, stealing away our attention.

Bumaling ako sa Supplier. That is never a good sign.

"Anong problema?"

"Wrong pill," he casually said and took out another blue pill. "I accidentally gave your succubus the wrong pill."

Napanganga ako sa sinabi niya. Sa gilid ko, tumalim ang mga mata ni Vela sa mga kamay ng Supplier. She glared as if her eyes can magically shoot out lasers and burn the Supplier's hands into ashes.

"ACCIDENTALLY?!"

Oh, damn.

"SINADYA MO 'YON, ADMIT IT! ANONG PINAINOM MO SA'KIN, YOU DAMN BAS---!"

Soon her words vanished in thin air. Nagulat si Vela at nagtatakang hinawakan ang kanyang leeg. She tried speaking but no sound came out of her mouth. When she realized what happened, she glared accusingly at the Supplier who laughed at her state.

Realization teased my memory.

Di ko alam kung maaawa ako o matatawa sa katotohanang hindi ko maririnig ang boses ni Vela for the next 48 hours, as a result of the silencing pill she just took.

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