The Blood Maiden

Chapter 10 | Ocean

Elaire's POV

"The pirates are going to attack Asure later at night." I told the chief the morning after, when he met me outside the inn. "Alam nilang nakabalik ka na mula sa Lumien pero wala kang dala kaya aatake sila."

"Huh." Nanliit ang kanyang mga mata. "Gano'n ba..."

Bago niya ako panghinalaan, sinabi ko sa kanya kung paano ko ito nalaman. "I used a divination spell."

Earlier, I cut my finger and drew a line of blood on the mirror. I wanted to be ready if something happens to me at King Oceanus' castle but the reflection showed me the pirates' attack instead.

"Mabuti nalang talaga at nandito ka, Elle," nagagalak niyang sabi. "Isa kang tunay na anghel ng kadiliman na hinulog sa amin."

"And I think I can find my way to the castle ruins, chief," I said. "You don't have to accompany me."

The chief and I soon separated ways— he went to prepare his men while I went to the castle ruins.

The path I decided to take wasn't easy. The trail that I followed was worn and uneven but I was surrounded by beautiful greenery. Bawing-bawi ng mapayapang kalikasan ang hirap ng landas na tinahak ko. At pagkaraan ng halos isang oras ng paglalakad, bumukas ang landas upang ibunyag sa'kin ang mga labi ng dating isang malaking palasyo.

The castle has already broken down— wala na itong kisame at pader. At ang natirang bakas nalang ng palasyo ay ang mga batong haligi nito na pinalibutan ng mga baging at halaman.

It was still morning when I arrived at the ruins and the sun shone over it in a way that I could see its story.

I could almost feel how beautiful the castle was before time ruined it. And clearly, King Oceanus knew what he was doing when he chose this spot for his castle.

Aside from the breathtaking view of the town and the ocean, the breeze here was gentle and refreshing. And around me, there was the enchanting scent of saltwater blending with the fragrance of wildflowers.

Dumaan ang simoy ng hangin at sa hindi malamang dahilan, nakaramdam ako ng kaunting kirot sa aking dibdib kaya napahawak ako rito.

Sa kabutihang palad, mabilis itong nawala at sinimulan ko na ang pag-ikot sa lugar.

From what I heard, there should be an entryway to the underground tunnels that other vampires have prepared— malakas akong napasinghap nang biglang gumalaw ang lupang inapakan ko at nahulog ako rito.

You've got to be kidding me. I groaned after my back hit cement. Ano bang gamit ng entryway kung kaya ko naman palang gumawa ng sarili kong entry.

Maingat kong inangat ang aking likod at natagpuan ang aking sarili na nakaupo sa gitna ng madilim na lagusan. Dahan-dahan akong tumayo. Pinagpag ko ang aking damit at saka tumingala sa butas sa kisame ng tunnel. Ilang segundo ko itong sinuri bago ibaba ang aking ulo paharap sa dilim.

Everyone has heard about the hidden tunnels under the ruins. Other vampires have already explored most of them. But not all. May ilang tunnels kasi na isinara ng mga taga-Asure sa takot na bumigay 'yong pundasyon at gumuho ang mga ito.

Umikot-ikot ako at nalamang madilim ang magkabilang dulo ng lagusan.

Judging by how dark it is, I must be in one of the restricted tunnels.

Hinintay kong magparinig 'yong mga bulong pero dumaan ang ilang minuto at pinalibutan lang ako ng nakakabinging katahimikan. With all my senses enhanced, I decided to start walking. Umalingawngaw ang yabag ng aking mga paa sa lagusan, na parang higit pa sa isang bampira ang naglalakad.