Depression Plutus (Curse #4)

CHAPTER 35 Library

OTTILIE VIRSES POV 
 
 
Kahit inis ako kay Plutus, napilitan akong kausapin siya para hatiin ang task naming dalawa. Siya ang incharge sa journal ni Lysandra, habang ako naman sa symbols. Kasalukuyang nasa library kami pareho, iniwan ko na si Plutus sa pwesto namin para maghanap ng librong may kinalaman sa ritual symbols. Mabuti na lang talaga at sagana sa mga libro ang institution na 'to, mas lalo tuloy napapadali ang research namin. 
 
While browsing the dusty shelves, I found myself in a dim, quiet corner of the library. I stretched up to reach a book on a high shelf, my fingers just brushing the spine when a deep voice rumbled behind me.
 
"Looking for trouble, evil witch?"
 
I whirled around, only to gasp as Plutus closed the space between us in an instant. Before I could fully process what was happening, he had lifted me effortlessly, my legs instinctively wrapping around his waist as his hands held me securely. I gasped as my back met the bookshelf, while his intense gaze pinned on me.
 
"Ano ba! Ibaba mo nga ako!" I struggled against him, trying to free myself, but his grip only tightened. 
 
"Stop moving, or I’ll kiss you right here," he said in a low growl.
 
Automatic na napahinto ako sa pagpupumigas. I noticed his sapphire eyes burned with irritation and his jaw was clenched tightly as he looked up at me. The air felt thick with his deep breaths mingling with mine.
 
"Ano bang problema mo?!" Singhal ko sa kan'ya. 
 
"You tell me, young lady," he grumbled. "Why the fuck you're ignoring me?" he demanded roughly. "It’s frustrating as hell, Ottilie. This attitude of yours is driving me insane."
 
I opened my mouth to speak but hesitated, unsure of what to say. Parang ngayon ko lang narealize ang katangahan ko, bakit nga ba ako naiinis kay Plutus? Miski sarili ko, hindi ko na maintindihan. 
 
"I… I don’t know," I stammered, feeling heat creep up my face.
 
He narrowed his gaze, his grip tightened. "Come on, tell me what’s going on in that head of yours."
 
I hesitated, but the look on his face told me he wouldn’t let this go. "Hindi ko din alam... Seeing you so… friendly with her." My cheeks flushed, and I looked away, embarrassed by my admission. "It irritated me, okay? I remembered you hugging me last night, and then this morning-"
 
He tightened his grip on my waist as he leaned closer, "Look at me, Ottilie." His voice was soft but firm.
 
I swallowed hard, meeting his eyes again. His lips curved slightly, like he was holding back a smile. Pinagtatawanan ba ako ng asungot na 'to?
 
"So, you felt annoyed seeing me with her?" he murmured, teasing me. 
 
"Oo! Paulit-ulit?" I mumbled, feeling ridiculous.
 
Plutus tilted his head, and to my surprise, he rested his head gently against my chest. I felt my heart race, each beat pounding against him, clear as day.
 
"Plutus! Ano ba-"
 
"Shh," he muttered. "I’ve decided something."
 
Bawat salitang binibitawan niya ay nagpapalakas sa tibok ng puso ko. Bakit ba ako nagkakaganito kay Plutus? Nahuhulog na ba ako sa mayabang na prinsipe na 'to? 
 
"I won’t talk to anyone," he whispered, "Unless you give me permission."
 
I couldn’t help but feel my heart pound faster, and I knew he could feel it too. "Ano? Nahihibang kana ba? Bakit mo gagawin 'yon?"
 
A soft chuckle escaped him, and the warmth of it sent my pulse into overdrive. He lifted his head, his gaze settling back on mine. "Because, Ottilie, I don’t like being ignored by my witch. It’s… bothersome."
 
I rolled my eyes, though his words sent an odd warmth spreading through me. "Napakayabang mo talaga," I muttered, though I couldn’t hide the slight smile tugging at my lips.
 
Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako at hindi na nakipagtalo pa. Saglit akong napatitig sa kawalan bago ibinalik kay Plutus ang tingin. Mariin pa din ito na nakatitig sa'kin, tila pinag-aaralan ang bawat parte ng mukha ko.
 
"I'm sorry for ignoring you," I murmured, feeling a strange calm settle over me.
 
There was a pause. 
 
Clearly, amusement was written all over his beautiful face as he said, "You can’t resist me, can you?"
 
I bit my lower lip and gave him a hard pinch on both of his cheeks.

"Nakakainis ka kamo!" 
 
"Ow," he grumbled, though his smirk didn’t fade.
 
Sa wakas, ibinaba din ako nito. Takot ko na lang may makakita sa'min, maissue pa kami. Inutusan ko na ito na bumalik na sa ginagawa niya.

He just gave a mock salute, murmuring, "Yes, ma’am," and joined me in scanning the shelves.
 

~~~

 
Mahigit isang oras na din kaming nakatambay ni Plutus dito sa library nang bigla na lang dumating si Dylan at Jenna. Parehas na nakangisi ang dalawa nang umupo ito sa bakanteng upuan na nasa harapan namin ni Plutus. 
 
"Guys, guess what we found out," nakangising turan ni Jenna bitbit ang isang puting envelope. 
 
"Ano?" Tanong ko sa kanila. 
 
"The black particles around her mouth are traces of 'Cor Sacrificium.' It’s a dark magic spell that’s ridiculously powerful," Jenna explained while grinning from ear to ear. 
 
"Cor Sacrificium?" Plutus raised an eyebrow, "That’s intense magic."
 
Dylan nodded, leaning forward. "It’s beyond intense. This spell is like a death trap if you don’t have the right protection spells. It can kill someone instantly if they’re not fully prepared."
 
"It’s basically dark magic’s version of ‘Don’t play with fire.’ Only, you know, on a whole other level," Jenna added, with a smirk on her face. 
 
Obviously, nag-eenjoy sila sa ginagawa namin ngayon. Samantalang ang iba naming classmates ay parang tumanda na ng sampung taon dahil sa sobrang stress.

Ibang klase.
 
Plutus leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair as he spoke up. "I found something too. The journal I read describes a ritual called the 'Soul Binding Convergence.' It’s used to bind a spirit’s soul, or worse, an otherworldly entity’s, to the summoner’s soul. But the consequences are severe if anything goes wrong. The spirit can turn hostile or attack if it isn’t restrained properly."
 
Ayan, napapatulala na naman ako kay Plutus. Buong-buo kasi ang boses nito pero may pagkaraspy, hindi na ako magtataka kung siya ang nakuhang vocalist nila Slate, paniguradong bagay na bagay ang boses nito sa isang banda.

Pero teka lang naman Ottilie, may case pa kayo na pinag-aaralan, focus na muna, abah. 
 
"So, Lysandra was trying to summon and bind a spirit? But why would she take such a huge risk?" Jenna asked, as she exchanged looks with me.
 
"That’s exactly it," Dylan agreed. "Whatever she was after, she must’ve thought it was worth dying for."
 
I frowned, thinking back to the symbols I had found around her body. "The symbols drawn around her were supposed to act as a protective barrier spell. But they were all burned, probably because the spell backfired on her."
 
"Tama!" Jenna nodded, connecting the dots. "If the spell failed, it would have left her completely exposed."
 
"Which explains why the black magic backfired," I added, glancing at Dylan. "With her defenses weakened and the symbols destroyed, it makes sense that the Cor Sacrificium would essentially eat away at her."
 
Dylan’s eyes widened as he leaned forward, pointing his pen at me. "Exactly! So, basically, she didn’t stand a chance. She underestimated the magic."
 
Plutus let out a low chuckle. "Dark magic always comes with a price. Too bad Lysandra didn’t calculate hers right."
 
Lahat kami sumang-ayon sa sinabi ni Plutus. Sa lahat ng nandito sa lamesa na 'to, ako ang mas higit na nakaka-alam kung gaano ka-risky ang gumamit ng dark magic. Lalo pa ngayon na gumagamit ng dark magic ang may pakana ng patayan sa school. 
 
Dylan called our attention, looking thoughtful. "So, what’s our theory then? Lysandra tried to bind a spirit, messed up, and paid the ultimate price?"
 
"Marahil ay gano'n na nga," I said, nodding. "She played with fire and got burned."
 
Jenna sighed dramatically. "Honestly, it’s like a horror story. ‘Dark magic is too dangerous; don’t mess with it,’ but here we are. Lysandra must have known, and still, she thought she’d beat the odds."
 
Plutus smirked, glancing around at each of us. "Makes you wonder if we’re missing anything else. People usually have a backup plan, especially if they know what they’re dealing with."
 
"Agreed," Dylan said, looking serious. "We should dig deeper into her notes, if we find any. This ritual sounds complex, and I doubt she went in without thinking of the risks."
 
Napangisi ako ng maramdaman ang thrill sa ginagawa namin. "Malapit na pala tayo sa exciting part."
 
Jenna laughed, patting the envelope. "Let’s hope it’s worth all these late nights, because this is way too juicy to drop now."
 
 
To be continued...