Figli della Notte #1: Codename Havoc

Prologue

Feeling a sense of fulfillment after watching the man in his hit list tumble over, itinago ni Havoc ang baril pabalik sa holster na nasa kanyang likuran. Akmang aalis na siya ng may marinig siyang kalabog. Napabaling siya sa pinanggalingan ng ingay ngunit nakita niya lamang ang shelf ng mga libro.

Kung normal siya na tao, iisipin niyang wala lang yun. Hindi rin siya mag-iisip na may kakaiba sa shelf na iyon. But years of being in the family honed his instinct and it's telling him to check this one out.

Habang unti-unting lumalapit sa shelf, binunot niyang muli ang baril at hinanda ang sarili. Nang malapit na siya, saka niya napansin na nakaawang ng kaunti ang shelf. Seems like the shelf was a secret door leading to something.

With all precautions he knew as an assassin, he pulled the shelf open and pointed a gun inside while securing his body's vital points. Looking inside, he saw that it was a spacious yet disorderly room. Makakahinga na sana siya ng maluwag, thinking that it's safe, when his eyes moved downwards. He was met with a beautiful pair of deep obsidian eyes. Napatanga siya sandali as something inside him clicked. Staring at those eyes, it was as if he was looking at the galaxy and the stars.

The woman has cropped short hair. Havoc can see that she's beautiful - maputi, matangos ang ilong, prominent cheeks, at mapupulang labi. She's wearing a white lace dress with three-fourths sleeves. And she's probably younger than him by a full Chinese zodiac cycle.

Bumilis ang pintig ng puso niya. Adrenaline coursed through his body.

'Who's this woman?!', pilit niyang pinapakalma ang sarili. 'Wala to sa report!'

Naka-upo sa sahig ang babae at nakatingin lamang ito sa kanya. Sa tabi nito ay ang isang wheelchair. Mukhang nahulog ito mula roon.

He would have shot the woman with the tranq bullet but he noticed something silvery on her ankles. Nakaposas ito sa wheelchair!

Havoc did a quick scan around the wide room to make sure na walang ibang tao ron. Ang nakita lamang niya ay isang kama, mga mesa na may mga flasks at graduated cylinders, nagkalat na papel, at white board.

Dahan-dahan niyang ibinaba ang baril at lumuhod sa harap ng babae.

"Bihag ka ba rito?", mahinang tanong ni Havoc.

Mataman lamang siyang tinitigan ng babae pero maya-maya pa'y tumango rin ito ng marahan.

"I don't have much time so I hope you answer me quickly.", sabi ni Havoc. "Do you want me to take you out of here?"

It was only then that Havoc saw something flashed in her eyes. Was it hope? Happiness? Hindi na niya alam dahil madali iyong napalitan ng blankong ekspresyon. Ganoon pa man, tinanguan siya ng dalaga.

Si-net niya ang baril from tranq bullet to flame bullet. This flame bullet can melt metals quickly kaya naman ito ang ipinutok niya sa chain ng posas.

"You can't walk, right?", pagkumpirma niya na ikinatango uli ng babae. "Excuse me for this then."

Binuhat ni Havoc ang babae, bridal style. May kaliitan ito at napakagaan rin kaya naging madali para sa kanya ang buhatin ito. Napatigil pa nga siya saglit because it felt as if this woman fits perfectly in his arms!

Hindi siya nahirapan na maka-alis sa mansion kahit na ba may buhat-buhat siyang babae. A few seconds na makalabas sila mula roon, pinindot ni Havoc ang trigger device sa kamay niya. Maya-maya pa'y narinig na niyang nagkakagulo ang mga tao sa mansion.

He walked straight to the getaway car he parked at the safest zone within the premises. Ipinasok niya sa passenger's seat ang babae at siya pa mismo ang nag-kabit sa seatbealt nito bago siya umupo sa driver's seat at pina-andar ang sasakyan.

Mission accomplished... or is it?