✔ How To Tame A Succubus

[34] Merlin

"What can I do for you, mistress?"

I couldn't keep my eyes away from her. Just what in the name of magic potions is she doing? Hinding-hindi maaatim ni Vela ang tawaging "mistress" si Nian, much less kneel before the witch herself! But then again, pure-blooded spellcasters do have a long history with demons.

Naaalala ko ang diniscuss sa'min noong history class. How demons are used as pawns by witches and wizards, binding them to do their bidding. Iyon ang rason kung bakit malaki ang galit ng mga demonyo sa sinumang nag-aaral ng mahika. The hatred has been embedded in their very genes, passed down from generation to generation.

And until today, I feel disgusted with myself knowing I did the same to Vela.

Nian's smile widened at how submissive the succubus is.

"Well, good to see you finally being useful, succubus. Don't think I never noticed your presence before," the witch pulled at Vela's hair and grinned like a mad woman. "Amoy na amoy ko ang baho ng kaluluwa ninyong mga succubi kahit na balutan ka pa ng invisibility paint. I knew you've been anchored to Merlin since day one, but you've never  been suspicious because I played with your jealousy."

So, Nian knew all along that I was chained to Vela before. That thought alone made me recoil at the memory.

Hindi ko na kayang baguhin ang nakaraan.

"I've summoned you, so you obey me. Understood?"

Marahang tumango si Vela, tuluyang naging blangko ang kanyang mga mata. It was as if Nian put her in a trance. This is not good...

"Now, take this whip," Nian conjured up a whip from thin air. Agad niya itong inabot kay Vela na wala pa ring reaksyon sa mga nagaganap. Kontrolado pa rin siya sa kung anumang spell ng summoning circle. "And 'greet' our dear Merlin there. Alam kong na-miss ninyo ang isa't isa, hindi ba?"

The witch's laughter rang in my ears as Vela started taking steps closer towards me.

Heels clicked against the stone floor, her silhouette magnified by the glowing torch nearby.

"Ano pang hinihintay mo? Torture him!"

Vela stared at me without any remorse, the whip held firmly in her hand.

I couldn't take my eyes off her, remembering the very first night we've met. The night I summoned her. Indeed, she's beautiful. But Vela's beauty is more than just her looks and appeal.

She's beautiful, the kind of tragic beauty any man would happily die for.

I'm just happy to see her one last time.

"I'm sorry I left you, lambkin..."

'...and I'm sorry I couldn't keep you away from my messy life,' I thought before the first strike of pain came.

*

Hindi ko alam kung kailan ako nawalan ng boses. Namalayan ko na lang na wala nang lumalabas sa bibig ko kung hindi dugo at malalalim na paghinga.

Nang masiyahan si Nian sa pagpapahirap sa'kin ni Vela, pang-asar na pumalakpak ang mangkukulam at binalingan ito.

"Well done, succubus! Mukhang mapapakinabangan pa kita. Pwede ka nang maging kapalit ni Hamilton. At least now I know you are truly under my control," she grinned like deranged witch. "Now, tell me one thing: where is the Grimoire of Forbidden Spells?"

Vela nonchalantly answered, "It is not in my possession as of the moment."

Nian's eyes widened in shock. "What the hell?! Hindi ba't iniwan ni Merlin sa'yo? Pinagloloko mo ba ako?!"

Vela blinked. "It's in Eastwood. Itinago ko sa ilalim ng kama ng hotel na tinuluyan namin dahil wala akong dahilan para kunin ang librong 'yon."

With this, Nian sighed in frustration.

"Seriously?! Ugh, fine! You're coming with me," she ordered Vela around like her own personal pet. "Buhatin mo ang isang 'yan. I might have use for him later."

In my weak state, Vela uncuffed me from the chains and supported my weight. Walang kahirap-hirap niya akong inalalayan kahit na halos hindi na ako makalakad. It's evident that she's recharged her powers since we separated. That thought alone made me even more uncomfortable, knowing what succubi do to "gain energy" in their terms.

Soon, Nian asked the coordinates of the hotel room.

Vela answered... strangely. Teka, tama ba ako ng dinig?

'No, it's probably just my head going dizzy.'

Maya-maya pa, bumukas ang isang portal na gawa ni Nian. Wala na kaming nagawa kung hindi sumunod sa kanya. The white light almost blinded us and I almost fell down if not for Vela's support on my shoulders. Nang lingunin ko ang succubus, napansin kong... nakangiti siya?

Vela's eyes softened as whispered, "Hang in there, Merlin. You're not alone anymore."

And that's when the light of the portal faded, revealing our new surroundings.

But this is not a hotel room nor anywhere in Eastwood.

This is an office.

"About time you showed your true colors, Ms. Geniana. I hope you don't mind getting expelled from Nightspell."

Napalingon kaming lahat nang magsalita ang matandang nakaupo sa likod ng kanyang desk, na tila ba kanina pa kami hinihintay. In front of him, the Grimoire of Forbidden Spells laid motionlessly on top of his table, sealed with a protection barrier.

I smiled, not expecting to see him again.

"Master Zephir."

---