✔ How To Tame A Succubus

[26] Merlin

It's terrifying how differently we see someone depending on the truths we know about them. 

Nian was my girlfriend, albeit for a short period of time. Noong unang mga taon ko sa Nightspell, she was one of the first witches who paid attention to me. Well, yes it did start with her stalking me everyday and clinging on to me everywhere, but I did learn to appreciate her. Naging kahinaan ko na lang siguro na sinubukan kong pumasok sa isang relasyon kahit na alam kong hindi pa ako handa noon.

"Nian, will you be my--?"

"Yes, Merlin! Yes, a million times!"

It was Valentines Day. A bewitched color-changing rose in my hand. A confession on the tip of my tongue. Hindi ko inaasahan ang naging sagot niya, pero agad ding naibsan ang kaba ko noong kinuha niya ang rosas. The flower glowed a brilliant shade of red. Nian smiled sweetly and let me wrap my arms around her.

Because seeing a witch and a wizard in love is only natural in Nightspell.

Admittedly, at that time, I thought I was ready to try and live a normal life after my brother's death.

I was nineteen at that time.

Hindi nagtagal, mabilis kong napagtantong one-sided lang ang anumang namamagitan sa'min ni Nian... na hindi ko kayang ibigay ang anumang natira sa puso ko hangga't hindi ko nahahanap ang mga taong sangkot sa pagkamatay ng kapatid ko. I felt stupid and guilty and a complete asshole for leading her on without fully understanding how I felt for her first.

"Merlin, love? Bakit parang ang lalim ng iniisip mo?"

So after two months of dating, I apologized to Nian and explained myself (I didn't tell her about my revenge plan, of course). I even offered she punch me in the face or hex me with a spell.

In the end, I broke up with her.

And let's just say that things spiraled down from there....

"HAHAHAHAHAHA! Good one, Merlin. Hindi ka naman siguro seryoso, 'di ba? See you tomorrow!"

She kissed me on the cheek, leaving me even more confused.

"What? Nian, seryoso ako. We're done."

"No, we're in a relationship. Don't be silly," she smiled. "Date tayo bukas, sunduin na lang kita sa apartment ninyo. Bye, love you!"

Noong naikwento ko kay Johannes ang reaksyon ni Nian, my ever supportive bastard of a friend fell on the floor laughing.

"HAHAHAHAHA! Damn, bro. That witch really has the hots for you! Ano bang pinakain mo sa kanya, pahingi naman nang magka-girlfriend na rin ako?"

"Gago. Ano nang gagawin ko ngayon?"

"Ang tamang tanong yata ay: ano pang magagawa mo ngayon? I've known Geniana since elementary, dude. What she wants, she literally takes."

"And I'm her new object of obsession right now?"

"Kinda? Basta ang alam ko lang malas ka. HAHAHAHAHA!"

I sighed, knowing that I can't do anything about it anymore. Kaya mula noon, nasanay na lang ako sa mga ikinikilos ni Nian. Hinahayaan ko na lang siyang gawin ang mga gusto niya hangga't hindi nao-overstep ang personal boundaries ko. I kept a low profile in school and avoided her in the hallways. I was too focused on my revenge to even notice her obsession quickly escalating day by day.

Up until now.

"Merlin! Oh, thank goodness! Akala ko hindi na kita maki---?!"

Before Nian could even finish her sentence, I pulled out the Elvian wand from my sleeve and casted a spell on her. She yelped in surprised, paralyzed on the spot. Napatayo nang wala sa oras si Johannes nang makita ang ginawa ko, halatang hindi inaasahang ganito ang magiging aksyon ko. Even Vela looked concerned with how swiftly I managed to mobilize the witch.

Nian and I had a brief history together, and even though we aren't close, I can still feel the betrayal sting.

Sa mga sandaling ito, iisa lang ang pakay ko.

"A decade ago, anong ginagawa mo sa bahay namin noong gabing pinatay ang kapatid ko?"

Nian's eyes widened. "Are you crazy?! I don't know what you're talking about. Ni hindi ko nga alam na may kapatid ka! And, a decade ago? Ilang taon pa lang ako noon...?"

"That's not what the ritual showed me."

"N-Nababaliw ka na!"

"You're a witch," I pointed out. Huminga ako nang malalim, pero tuluyan nang kumawala ang mga salita. "From one of the oldest bloodlines in Nightspell, if I recall correctly? Hindi imposibleng gumamit ka ng mahika para mapanatili ang kabataan mo. But by now, I'll make it clear that I care less about how you managed to stay young and more about your involvement in my brother's murder!"

"I told you already, I don't know what you're talking about..."

"STOP ACTING INNOCENT!"

Nian stared at me, hurt evident in her eyes. It suddenly reminded me of the time I tried to break up with her.

Ilang sandali pa, ipinatong ni Johannes ang kanyang kamay sa balikat ko.

"I think that's enough, Merlin."

Ibinalik ako nito sa kasalukuyan, at ang tanging nakikita ko lang ay ang isang paralisadong witch sa harapan ko, isang succubus na hindi makatingin sa'kin, at ang bestfriend kong may seryosong ekspresyon.

"Calm the fuck down. Kailan pa naging maikli ang pasensya mo? The Merlin I know wouldn't yell like that at a girl...nor sell his life span to fuel his revenge." Johannes eyes trailed down to my wrist. "Or have you really stooped that low?"

Only then did I realize my skin was already pricking with pain. Namumula ang marka sa'kin ng Supplier, at tuluyan nang kumulubot ang balat ko sa buong braso.

No.

I stumbled back, Vela steadying me before I lost my balance. She didn't say anything, and I was left to deal with the demon they call realization.

What am I doing to myself?

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