Curse Of The Aswangs (The Vasquez Brothers #1)[COMPLETED]

7:ASH

I spent the next hour wrestling over my anxiety for the interview and brief assessment. I could finally be able to start here. I was at the coffee shop just a minute away from the publishing company.

The sky enveloped in gray and white, obscuring the sun. And they glow like an ethereal light. The football field of the Plaza was filled with elementary students who partake in the football practice.

I was so transfixed with the beauty of the Plaza outside that I didn't notice someone stood under the acacia tree.
He stood there, wearing a black t shirt and a hat that covered his eyes.
The fear of demons and aswangs that I've read from the Grimoire made my skin crawl. What if they were real? I thought a lot of what Zade said but they were not real and there was no proof that these mythical beings live among us.

It was nearly nine in the morning, I packed my things up and when I looked outside. The man was still there, staring at me.

****

"Thanks for coming back."
"Thank you for calling." Ash said politely. "Though I didn't expect to come back here so soon."

Upon entering, there was a huge statue of a woman at the center, heads up as if she was staring at the sky. Her hand on her chest and the other holding the book.

I looked back and there was a huge marbled stands. The walls were painted in creamy white.
The shelves includes glass walls and soft lighting to protect the works from direct light. Facing the west, huge two windows was there.

"Oh, perfect timing."Sir Tiago and I stopped in front of a woman who looked like a rat, like an actual rat from an animated movie Her curls were dancing around her head. She was in her mid 30's.

"Hi, I'm Ash Vasquez." I extended a hand over her.

She cautiously reached out to shake it. "Hannah"

Hannah gave me a closed-lip smile. She wasn't welcoming me at all.

"But first, I have to test your expertise. How many hours can you finish a book?" Sir Tiago resumed.
"Depends on the pages but I can finished it in a day." Ash said.
They stopped at the pine table where there were several classic books.

"Please tell us what edition is this of Lord of the Rings." Sir Tiago said.

I examined the detail of the white covered book. "This is the first edition. Published in 1954. Actually, J.R.R Tolkein's publisher was worried that his high fantasy work would not sell. So, they insisted to be printed into three volumes to minimize the costs."

Sir Tiago took another book from the table. The book was quite old due to its cover. But it had a title of Edgar Allan Poe's poems. "Those are his oldest editions. Well, his poems best known for his tales of mystery and horror. Highly influential in shaping the literary world."

"What's his writing style?" Hannah questioned. But there was a hit of harsh challenge in her voice.
"Poe's style is intense and emotionally powerful, lasting his influence on literature—"

"Watch out!" Sir Tiago shouted. Books fell over from the second floor. I stepped aside and raised both of his hands.

I shut my eyes closed. But the book didn't exactly hit my head. Or was I stuck in time?

"Are you okay?" Sir Tiago asked, hand on his forearm.
I nodded. "Yeah, I'm okay."
I opened my eyes to see Hannah was rubbing her head. The books scattered under her like she was on a ritual sacrifice. She gave me a look of embarrassment and helplessness.
But I was relieved that no one got hurt.

Sir Tiago took a deep breath incredulously. "I don't know what to say. Well, you're hired."

"Are you serious?"

"Can you start tomorrow?" Sir Tiago couldn't hide his excitement too.

My eyes lit up. "Absolutely!"

"That's good. Um, we can sort out the details when you come in."Sir Tiago shook my hand. "Welcome aboard, Mr. Vasquez."

****

I wondered if going out of the publishing house was a good idea. My heart was pounding, I wasn't sure why.
I was halfway to my car when a deep voice said behind me. "Hello, Ash."

The key almost slipped through my fingers and I jumped out of my shoes. Jesus! The nerve of this man. Standing at the entrance of the bank office was Jose. Papa's best friend. If I didn't know him, he would be mistaken as an old guy with creepy vibes.

The realization struck me. He was the man earlier.

"Tito Jose." I blurted out.

"Ash, we need to talk. I don't want them to come after you." Jose said.

"What are you talking about?" I started to ask."You know what, save your breath. We don't need you anymore in our family."

"I promised to your papa that I will look out after you. There's a lot of people that needs help in this town."

"I'm not good at people." And this socializing thing is brutal.

Jose's eyes softened. "I wanted to tell you so badly about your family's secret but your papa told me that he wanted to give you a normal life. You have no idea how much danger you are in."

So, officially me and my brothers were marked for assassination.

I wouldn't want to believe that we're truly in danger. I would give my life to protect Zade and Jasper no matter what. They were the only ones that left that I care about. I wouldn't want to lose them. I would lose my mind if I lose them too.

"I'm fine. We're fine." I snapped. "I've been taking care of my brothers so well."

"You are but your human days are over." The warning in Tito Jose's tone gave me chills. "You've activated your powers last night. Every creature in this town felt it."

"You could your breath for something like talking nonsense to an asshole." I spun around to open my car.
"I know about the Grimoire."
That stopped me. "What?"

"I know what you saw the night you first came here in this town.." Tito Jose said. "I know they still reside here, making a false living. They will send creatures of the night. Let me help you or you won't survive."

"Survive from what? And who are they?"

It's funny because I have a new job and a target behind my back. I got cornered by a lunatic and was surprised by a revelation that obviously wasn't true. What's next? Being kissed by a hot vampire? (Hope they don't sparkle)

My phone buzzed and I saw Dylan's message. Ash, you need to get to our house. ASAP.

I didn't hear what Jose said next but I immediately jumped into my car and drove off.