✔ How To Tame A Succubus

[27] Merlin

I couldn't allow myself to sleep. 

Matapos ang nangyari, hindi ko maiwasang kwestiyunin ang mga imaheng ipinakita sa'kin ng Grimoire of Forbidden Spells. And although it was painful for me and my pride to admit this, Johannes has a point. Maybe that spell book really is messing with my head?

The shadows didn't even have faces, and yet I quickly jumped to the assumption that I saw Nian in that reenactment ritual.

Hindi ko na alam kung anong totoo.

Ang alam ko lang, limitado na lang ang oras ko sa mundo.

"Merlin?"

Hindi ako lumingon sa katabi ko sa kama. I kept my back facing her, careful not to give away that I couldn't even rest even if I wanted to. Matapos ang insidente sa opisina ni Johannes, agad akong lumabas ng gusali at nirentahan ang pinakamalapit na hotel room para mapag-isa. But of course, if you're literally chained to a succubus, it's impossible to actually be alone. Not when Vela kept giving me soft looks earlier, as if she knew how vulnerable I am at the moment.

'Ignore her, Merlin.'

"I can hear your thoughts from here, you know. Are you gonna tell me what's bothering you or should I just seduce it out from you?"

Vela scooted closer, a bold move that I was too tired to resist. But then again, maybe I don't want to resist anymore.

"Lambkin, have you ever felt like you have absolutely no idea what you live for anymore?"

"Yes, on a daily basis."

"Then how do you deal with it?"

"I don't. I just remember who I am."

"That's the problem. Parang habang tumatagal, hindi ko na rin kilala ang sarili ko."

Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon, hinayaan ko siyang makalapit sa'kin nang ganito. Natigilan siya nang marinig ang sinabi ko, but I gently covered her hand in mine and snaked it over my torso. Vela took the signal and snuggled closer, hugging me from behind.

Her forehead rested on my back.

She felt good.

In hushed words, she told me, "You're Merlin, a wizard in training. You live to avenge your brother's death. Hindi ba't 'yon ang palagi mo sinasabi? Doon umikot ang buhay mo. Unlike me, you actually have a purpose in life, darling."

I really don't know why opening up to her. Weeks ago, I wouldn't even let her touch me...

"Paano kung ako na lang pala ang nabubuhay sa nakaraan? I... I have to admit, I honestly don't have any plans after I get my revenge."

"What?" Vela sound shocked.

I felt her release me from the embrace and forcefully flipped me so that I was facing her. A scowl on her crimson lips and a piercing glare awaited me.

"Palagi kang may plano. Palagi kang handa sa anumang sitwasyon. You always find ways to deflect the advances of the sexiest demon in Eastwood, and yet you can't think of a life beyond revenge? I'm insulted!"

Nakaupo na sa kama ang succubus, hindi na nag-abala pang ayusin ang kanyang pulang night gown, even if the straps were literally hanging off her shoulders. Under the warm light of the hotel's night lamp, she looked ethereal. Only the chain linked between us looked out of place.

Mahina akong natawa.

Napatitig sa'kin si Vela na tila ba nababaliw na talaga ako.

And maybe I am going crazy, or else I wouldn't be pulling Vela by the waist towards me.

"Lambkin..."

Soon she was on top of me, inches away from my face. Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Vela sa posisyon namin, and I find it quite amusing how shy she suddenly looked.

"I've already spent the better years of my past and sold the worse years of my future just for that one goal. Pero tao pa rin ako. Hindi ako palaging sigurado sa mga ginawa, ginagawa, o gagawin ko pa sa mga susunod na araw. Noong nagdesisyon akong ialay ang buhay ko para maghiganti, alam kong kaluluwa ko ang kabayaran nito... and it looks like the price it getting even more expensive." Sabay na dumako ang mga mata namin ni Vela sa braso ko. The wrinkles were still there, and now the veins are slowly eating away the color.

"Which only begs the question: will I be able to get my revenge before I die or will death be an asshole and catch up with me before I even achieve that goal?"

Now, it's all looking like a dead end.

Vela remained silent, but I know her well enough to figure out the emotions dancing in her eyes.

Pity? Passion? Fear?

"Don't talk like that," she growled. "Kung mamamatay ka... paano na lang yung kadena natin?! Baka nakakalimutan mong nakaangkla pa ang buhay ko sa'yo. We had a contract, wizard. Don't you dare leave me sexually starved like this! Kahit pogi ka, hindi kita papatawarin!"

At that, I could only smile at her.

'Typical, Vela. Always hot-headed.'

Prompting myself up using my elbows, I slowly angled my head lower. Vela held her breath as I took the strap of her night gown between my teeth, lifting it up to her shoulder. A sigh escaped her lips. I skimmed her neck with my lips before settling on the shell of her ear. Her body pressed against mine, tensed and needy.

"You said you're starving. Then, would you like me to feed you, lambkin?"

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