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

41: ZADE

I blinked, trying to clear the haze from my head. The world slowly came back into focus—dark, damp, and way too creepy for my taste. The first thing I noticed was the smell. A mix of rotting meat and something else I didn't want to identify. It felt like we were underground, but when I glanced around, I realized exactly where we were.

Salihid Shrine.

Of all the places they could have taken us, it had to be here. The Salihid Shrine was notorious in Nueva Bonifacio for its eerie atmosphere. It was an old, weathered structure tucked in the woods on the outskirts of town, long abandoned by the locals.

The stone walls were crumbling, worn with time and covered in creeping vines. Dim light filtered in through the cracks in the ceiling, casting long, eerie shadows across the stone floor. There were carvings of old saints on the walls, their features worn smooth by the years, looking more like specters than holy figures now.

It was one of those places everyone knew about, but no one talked about. Because, in Barotac Nuevo, if something was bad enough to earn a reputation like that, it was better to stay away.

"Well, this just keeps getting better," I muttered to myself.

I glanced to my right. Jasper and Frankie were still groggy but slowly coming around. We were all tied up—classic villain move—but my hands felt less secure than they probably should've been. Amateur hour.

"Good morning, sunshine," I whispered, nudging Jasper with my shoulder. "Nice place they've got here, huh? Real cozy. The vibe's definitely inviting."

Jasper groaned, shaking his head. "Where are we?"

"The Salihid Shrine," I replied, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Famous for its charm and excellent customer service. I'll have to leave them a glowing review."

Frankie's eyes fluttered open, and he took in the situation. "This is bad, isn't it?"

"Nah," I quipped. "We're just tied up and surrounded by flesh-eating monsters. Totally normal Tuesday."

Before Frankie could respond, a low, rumbling laugh echoed through the shrine, and I didn't need to turn to know who it was.

"Ah, the middle brother finally wakes," Enrique's voice oozed out from the shadows as he stepped into view. He was dressed sharp, as usual, like he'd just strolled out of a high-end tailor. And yet, somehow, he still managed to look like a demon in disguise. Maybe it was the eyes—or the whole trying-to-bring-about-the-apocalypse thing.

"Enrique," I greeted him with a smile as fake as I could muster. "Thanks for the hospitality. You always this accommodating to your guests?"

Enrique's lip curled in amusement. "You've got quite the mouth on you, Zade. Always with the jokes, even in the face of death."

"Hey, someone's got to keep things light around here. It's a little grim, don't you think?" I shot back, gesturing to the shrine's crumbling walls and faded carvings.

Jasper shot me a warning look, but I wasn't about to stop. If they were going to kill us, I was going out in style.

Enrique crossed his arms, studying me like a lion sizing up its prey. "Despite being the middle child, you act the most childish. Why is that, Zade? Are you trying to make up for something? Seeking attention, perhaps?"

"Wow, a demon lord who moonlights as a therapist," I said, pretending to be impressed. "What's next? You going to offer me a self-help book?"

Enrique's amusement faded into something colder, more dangerous. He stepped closer, leaning down so we were eye to eye. "You know, your jokes won't save you. But they might amuse me long enough to let you live a little longer."