Echoes of the Abyss (Delaney Series #2)

Chapter 7: Fear

Fear

Adelaide's POV

"Let's go, it's dark already," narinig kong sabi ni Leon.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit nasa likod ko lamang siya ngunit ramdam ko ang titig niya sa akin kanina pa.

Tumayo na agad ako ay naglakad palapit sa kanya. It was dark and I felt uneasy. But somehow, being with him made me feel calm. Kahit na takot ako sa maaring mangyari habang nasa dilim ako.

"Come on," he offered me his hand and I smiled before accepting it.

Nauna siyang naglakad sa madilim na daanan habang hawak ang kamay ko. Nasa likod niya lang ako at maingat na naglalakad.

I'm still curious about the Prince's ability. Ang alam ko lang na si Empress Eira ay may kapangyarihan ng mga nyebe, ngunit hanggang doon lamang ang alam ko.

Nang makarating kami sa mansyon ay nabigla pa ang mga katulong na nag bukas ng pintuan sa amin.

"Mahal na Prinsipe!" Gulat na bati ni Flora. She looked at me like she was asking why the Prince was with me.

"Maaari mo bang ipaghanda ng silid ang prinsipe? Dito muna siya tutuloy sa mansyon."
Agad na tumango si Flora at tinapunan pa ng tingin si Leon, hindi makapaniwala na dito tutuloy ito.

"May kailangan ka pa, Leon?" Baling ko sa kanya. Nakita ko pa ang gulat sa mukha niya nang tanungin ko siya. "Ayos ka lang?"

He cleared his throat. "I'm fine," maliit na sagot niya.

"Okay..." humakbang na ako palayo sa kanya para tumuloy sa aking silid ngunit bago pa man ako nakaalis ay tinawag niya ako.

"Adelaide."

"Hmm?"

He smiled a little. "I hope you're okay," aniya.

"Salamat," sagot ko ng may ngiti sa labi.

Leon's POV

I was in the room that was given to me by the woman, Flora? I guess that was her name. It was late at night but I can't seem to sleep. Maybe because it is unusual for me not to be at the palace.

Then I remembered that tonight was supposed to be the gathering in the palace but the empresses decided to just postpone it.

My room was next to Adelaide's and I should be sleeping peacefully, knowing that she's just close to me but I can't.

I decided to go out to their garden but when I walked by Adelaide's room, I could feel something with the darkness in once corner.

Going inside without her permission is not right so I was hesitant. What I did was lean on the wall, staring at her door in case she needed me.

"Sumama ka sa akin, Adelaide," agad akong umayos ng pagkakatayo mula sa pagsandal ko.

"Shut up..." I heard her soft voice. "Shut up! Shut up!"

She kept repeating those words.

There were vines going inside her room, and I followed it. I found my way inside her room and saw her sitting on the floor, holding her ears.

"Adelaide," I called her and she looked at me with sad eyes. "What's happening?"

I went to her and kneeled to embrace her.

"Leon..."

I could feel a presence in the dark corner of her room. I stood in front of Adelaide, protecting her from harm. "Come out," I ordered whoever was in there. "Come out before I let the darkness eat you."