Lumina Academy: Light and Shadow (Realm Series #1)

Chapter 32: Her Fear

Chapter 32: Her Fear
 
I woke up when I felt like someone was combing my hair gently but I did not pay attention to it even it felt good na tila hinihila ako ulit sa pagtulog. Tulad ng nakasanayan ko ay hinanap ng kamay ko ang unan ko at ng may makapa ako ay hinila ko ito palalapit sa akin.
 
Pero nagtaka ako dahil parang gumalaw ang kinahihigaan ko. Inaantok pa ako kaya hindi ko na lang pinansin pa ‘yon at mas lalong sumiksik sa kinauunanan ko. But then, I frowned when I sniffed the masculine scent and it invaded my nostrils. Nagtaka ako lalo dahil parang naamoy ko na ito at gustong-gusto ko ang klase ng pabango nito, kaya naman ginawa ko ang sa tingin ko ay magpaliligaya sa akin.
 
I buried my face on my pillow and sniffed it happily. Hindi ko lang maintindihan kung bakit parang ang init nito at parang… humihinga? But then, I love the scent that’s why I did not pay attention to it and just keep sniffing my pillow and I enjoyed doing it.
 
Hmmm… smells so good!
 
This is one of my habits in the morning—yayakapin ang unan ko, hahaplusin at aamoy-amuyin ‘yon hanggang sa magising ako ng tuluyan. I love doing that in the morning, but I noticed that it is not my scent. Hindi ang pabango ko ang naaamoy ko dahil tulad nga ng napansin ko kanina ay pang-lalaki ito. But what can I do? I love my pillow scent kaya naman mas lalo ko pang binaon ang mukha ko dito.
 
But it was hard!
 
Then I trailed the tip of my nose and made a circular motion on my pillow—using the tip of my nose at parang naramdaman ko na lamang na parang may mabigat na paghinga bukod sa akin. But because I’m too sleepy and too lazy to open my eyes, I just keep on sniffing and doing a circular motion on my pillow. I just got addicted to this scent and can’t get enough of it. I inhaled deeply and a small smile crept on my lips.
 
“Hmmm…” I am getting addicted to this smell… smell’s like the prince of fire. Then I remembered his well-built body—his hard chest and his abs that I haven’t seen yet and I even can’t help but imagine that my pillow was him—his warm body—naughty, Lara! Naughty!
 
I’m satisfied when I did that that’s why I did my second habit, inilakbay ko ang kamay ko sa unan ko habang humahaplos ito pababa hanaggang sa makapa kong parang… ang tigas naman yata ng unan ko? Nangunot ang nuo ko lalo ng parang may narinig akong parang… may lumunok? Luh, ano ‘yon?
 
Pero bahala na. Ibininaba ko pa lalo ang kamay ko hanggang sa may makapa akong—teka, bakit… bakit parang ang tigas rin nito? At saka, bakit parang may anim itong bukol? Luma na ba ang ang unan ko? Hmm… magpabibili na lang ako ulit kay Mimi ng unan, yung malambot at malaki naman at dapat ganito kabango!
 
Pinisil ko naman ang isa sa mga bukol pero hindi, eh. Matigas talaga! Tumaas naman ang kamay ko ulit pero bakit parang may nakapa na naman akong maliit na parang hugis bilog? Huh? Parang hindi naman bilog, eh! Ano naman kayang nangyari sa unan ko? Kaya hindi ko na napigilan pa ang sarili ko at dala rin ng kuryosidad ay pinisil ko rin ito.
 
Hmm… in fairness, malambot ito kumpara sa baba kanina—matigas—mahirap pisilin.
 
Bumuntong-hininga ako at dahil nag-enjoy ako sa ginawa ko ay pinisil kong muli ito. Pero ng gawin ko ‘yon ay may narinig ako bigla na daing na ipinagtaka ko na naman bu I enjoyed it kaya ilang beses ko ‘yong ginawa. I even nuzzled my face on my pillow and sniff it while there’s smile on my lips. My hand went down again but I just pouted when I felt how hard it was down here. Ang tigas talaga—anim na bukol kaya binalik ko na lang ulit ang kamay ko sa itaas at ng pipisilin ko na naman sana ang pinipisil ko kanina ay do’n naman may bigla pumigil sa kamay ko.
 
At kasunod no’n ay ang malalim na boses na parang kilala ko. “Stop right there, baby. If you keep doing that, I might ravish you right here… right now,” said the voice that it looks like controlling himself—deep, sexy, voice. Is this someone controlling himself? “There’s a right time and a place for that thing and I won’t stop you anymore when that time comes,” he continued at dahil diyan, unti-unti kong iminulat ang aking mga mata.
 
Sa tulong ng mumunting liwanag na nagmumula sa kung saan ay naaninag ko kung sino ‘yon at gano’n na lang ang panlalaki ng aking mga mata ng makilala ko ito. Oh my goodness! Oh ma-ma-my! Katapusan mo na, Hope Lorelei Lara Sapphire Watson! Isang kahihiyan lang naman ang ginawa mo! Gulat akong nakatingin sa kaniya at parang bigla akong nagising ng tuluyan at lahat ng antok ko sa katawan ay lumayas.
 
Nakaka-hiyaaaaa! Oh, my geeee! Hindi ko na alam pa ang gagawin koooo!
 
Paano ba naman kasi, bukod sa kahihiyang ginawa ko kanina ay nakakandong pala ako sa kaniya habang nakasuporta ang kanan niyang kamay sa likod ko. Ang kaliwa naman niyang kamay ay nakahawak sa kanan kong kamay na kanina lang ay—OH, MY GEEEE!
 
Napaiwas na lang ako ng tingin ng makita ko ang pagkakangisi niya habang nakatingin sa akin na para bang nasisiyahan siya sa kaniyang nakikita. Weeeh? Parang kanina lang, ah, may nararamdaman akong malalim na paghinga at nakarinig pa ako ng daing na nagmumula pala sa kaniya! Nakakahiya talagaaaa! Hindi ko na alam pa ang gagawin koooo!
 
Nakakahiyaaaa! Bakit ba kasi may habit akong ganooooon?! Pero kasalanan din naman niya, eh! Huhu! Ano na lang ang sasabihin ko?! Oh my gee talagaaaa! Kung ano-ano pa ang naiisip ko kanina tapos malalaman kong kandong-kandong pala ako ng prinsepe na ‘to?! Nakakahiyaaaa!
 
“I-I… I…” Hindi ko matuloy-tuloy ang sasabihin ko dahil sa kahihiyan na nangyari sa akin na ako lang din naman ang may gawa. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko at ramdam ko ang pamumula ng pisngi ko.
 
I avoided his eyes when I saw how his smirk turned into grin. Lalo akong nahiya kaya naman mabilis akong tumayo at napatigil naman ako ng may mahulog na kung ano sa biglaang pagtayo ko. At ng tignan ko naman ito ay laking gulat ko na lamang ng makita kong coat ‘yon and when I looked at Aiden, I saw that he is only wearing his white polo and his necktie is not in proper arrangement.
 
Oh, deities! I am being naughty again while seeing him like this!
 
Naramdaman ko ring parang ang lamig kaya pinulot ko ulit ang coat niyang nalaglag at isinuot ‘yon sa akin. I was aching to come near him ngunit dahil sa kahihiyang ginagawa ko, parang gusto ko na lamang tumakbo palayo sa kaniya. I wanted to scold myself because of what I did—heck! Did I just—did I just caress his body affectionately and then pinch his nip—the heeeeell! No! No! Tell me that I am just dreaming!
 
But… was that his abs?! his abs that I have been dreaming—the hell, Lara?!
 
Tumayo na rin siya and he slid his both hands on his pockets and his face is in poker face again—acting like nothing happened na tila ikinapa-salamat ko naman. Inilibot ko naman ang paningin ko sa paligid at napansing parang na sa isang cave kami at napakalamig dito but since I am with the prince of fire, coldness can not affect me. Like what I have said, I am maybe a fire and ice wielder but coldness still affects me since I am hiding its presence.
 
“W-Where are we?” I managed to ask while still roaming my eyes on the dark cave—still feeling my cheeks are burning because of what I had just done.
 
But instead of answering me, I just suddenly felt that he leaned closer to my right ear which made me still. “So… you like my scent, huh?” Parang nang-aasar nitong tanong na ikinalunok ko na lamang. “Did you perhaps enjoy wandering around my… body?” He asked seductively and I can’t help but bite my lips as I can feel my cheeks burn even more.
 
Hindi ako makagalaw dahil ang lapit na naman niya sa akin and yes, to be honest, I really like his scent… simula pa lang no’ng una naming pagkikita. I wanted to bury my face in his neck and sniff his smell for the rest of my life ngunit hindi naman kami gano’n ka-close. Tsaka na lang kapag naging close kami. Mwehe. But what he said next makes me wanted to run away from him. Nakahihiya na nga ang nangyari tapos aasarin niya pa ako! Hmp!
 
Haharap na sana ako sa kaniya pero may napansin na lang akong anino sa hindi kalayuan sa amin. I manage to see the shadow because of the small fire that floating on the air and I think he noticed that too. Hanggang sa naramdaman ko na lang na hinila niya ako at itinago sa kaniyang likuran. May heart raced fast even more because of what he did at naramdaman ko na namang muli ang kuryenteng dumaloy sa katawan ko ng magtama ang aming balat.
 
“Stay behind me and don’t let your guards down,” kung kanina lang ay parang nang-aasar siya, ngayon naman ay nakapaseryoso niya na.
 
Nawala na rin ang nararamdaman kong kahihiyan—isinantabi ko ‘yon dahil hindi na maganda ang kutob ko sa lugar na ‘to and I just remembered what happened and why we are here—wherever we are. He’s holding my left wrist until it reached my hand and hold it tightly. Naramdaman ko ang init ng kaniyang palad and it was calming me down and securing me safely.
 
Huminga ako ng malalim at hinawakan ang dress ko ng mag-umpisa na kaming maglakad at mukhang papalabas ito ng cave. Dahan-dahan lamang ang aming paglalakad habang alerto sa aming paligid. Pinakiramdaman ko rin ang paligid at naramdaman ang nakakikilabot nitong atmospera at pamilyar sa akin ang pakiramdam na ito.
 
No… not again.
 
Napahawak ako ng mahigpit sa kamay ni Aiden kaya naman napalingon siya sa akin. Dahil nakasunod pa rin ang apoy ay nakita ko ang nakakunot niyang nuo at ng makita niya ang takot sa mga mata ko ay biglang lumambot ang kaniyang ekspresyon and he is worried to me too. Pinisil niya rin ang kamay ko like he was telling me that he won’t leave me behind bago kami nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Kinalma ko ang aking sarili at pilit na nilabanan ang takot.
 
Nang na sa bunganga na kami ng kweba ay gano’n na lang ang gulat ko ng makita ang pulang buwan mula sa kalangitan at dahil dito ay tuluyan ng nanlamig ang aking mga kamay dahil sa nakita. Nanginginig na rin ang aking mga kamay habang nakatitig sa pulang buwan at bigla na lamang bumalik ang mga ala-alang ayaw ko ng maalala pa.
 
“Shit!” Rinig kong mura ni Aiden pero hindi ako makatingin sa kaniya dahil nakatingala lamang ako sa madilim na kalangitan—sa pulang buwan.
 
Until I felt him hold my cheeks and made me look into his eyes… his eyes that were full of worries while looking at my golden-brown eyes. Napakurap-kurap naman ako at napatitig sa kaniyang mga mata. He looks worried while looking into my eyes and it made my heart race fast again.
 
“Listen, Hope…” malambing nitong saad habang nakatingin pa rin sa aking mga mata na puno ng pag-aalala. Did he just called me, ‘Hope’? “We need to run because they are coming. Just trust me… okay?” He said again kaya wala na akong nagawa pa at sinunod ko na lamang siya.
 
Pero bago pa kami mag-umpisang tumakbo ay bigla siyang yumuko na ikinagulat ko, pero mas lalo akong nagulat dahil bigla na lamang niyang pinunit ang laylayan ng dress ko kaya hanggang tuhod ko na lamang ito. Then he looked into my eyes hopefully kaya nawala ng kaunti ang takot na nararamdaman ko. Hindi ito ang tamang oras para matakot ako. Kailangan naming makaalis dito sa lugar na ‘to—ngunit, paano?
 
I remove my heels and hold it on my right hand. Ako na rin ang humawak sa kaniyang kamay at hinila siya papaalis sa lugar na ‘to. We run as fast as we can because we can now feel of their presence—of the vampires. Gabi na ngayon at sigurado akong naaamoy na nila ang dugo namin, lalo na’t mas gusto nila ang dugo namin.
 
Malakas at mabilis din sila ngayon dahil full moon. I know that they are the nightwalkers who do not belong to any clans here—the vampires who almost killed the three of us and gave nightmares to me and until now, I can feel myself trembling because of the idea that vampires are coming after us. After what happened to me, Gen, and Odette, I have been scared of the vampires but I can not let my fear eat me. I don’t want to burden Aiden.
 
Tumatakbo kami ng mabilis habang magkahawak-kamay pero napatigil rin ng bigla na lang kaming makaramdam ng mabilis at malakas na hangin—lalo na ng pagtingin namin sa harap ay nakita na lang namin ang limang lalaking mapupula ang mga mata at mapuputla ang balat. Mga naglalaway rin sila at halatang wala sa sarili. Mukha din silang gutom na gutom and anytime soon, they will attack us.
 
I trembled even more because of the sight and I can not believe that I will be able to see one of the vampires again in my life. I was trying hard to conquer my fear but I could feel my heart beating so fast. My nightmare with them are coming back in an instant but I can not let it drown me. I can not burden Aiden… kung pwede ko lang i-summon ang lahat ng guardians ko ngayon ay ginawa ko na!
 
“Fuck!” I heard Aiden uttered under his breath. Napakagat na lang ako ng aking pang-ibabang labi dahil sa takot at kabang nararamdaman na pilit kong nilalabanan. May naramdaman rin kaming presenya sa aming likod at nakitang meron na namang mga bagong dating na mga bampira at pare-pareho rin silang naglalaway at gutom na gutom. They are too many… “Hold me tight,” bulong ni Aiden kaya sinunod ko siya.
 
Hindi kami maaaring magpadalos-dalos na lamang dahil hindi namin kilala ang lugar na ‘to. We can assume that this realm is nighwalker’s realm but we still need to make sure. Bigla namang humangin at nakita ko pang sabay-sabay silang tumingala at inamoy ang hangin na lalo nilang ikina-baliw. Alam kong gustong-gusto na nila kaming sugudin pero parang may hinihintay pa sila.
 
“Hmmm… elementalists,” rinig kong saad ng isa sa kanila at ngumisi sa amin ng nakakikilabot.
 
Conquer your fear. Conquer your fear, Lara!
 
Napakapit na lang ako kay Aiden sa braso niya habang siya naman ay itinago ako sa kaniyang likod. Alam kong alam niyang takot ako dahil kitang-kita ito sa mga mata ko at panginginig at panlalamig ng aking kamay na hawak niya ngayon. I’m sure that he is confused why I’m so scared—gusto niyang malaman ngunit hindi ito ang tamang oras para sa bagay na ‘yon.
 
Maya-maya pa ay bigla silang humawi at lumabas ang isang lalaki na hanggang balikat ang buhok at black lahat ang suot nito. His eyes are red and just by looking at him, I know that he is the leader of the rogues vampires. At kilala ko siya… pamilyar sa akin ang mukha niya! Nakita kong muli ang ngisi sa labi nito na nagbigay sa akin ng bangungot na hanggang ngayon ay hina-hunting pa rin ako.
 
“You…” it looks like I’m not the only one who knows him because I felt how mad Aiden was when he saw this man in front of us.
 
Mas lalo itong ngumisi ng huminto siya at hinarap kami at magsasalita na sana ito ng mapansin niya ako and familiarity was written on his eyes that made him grin. “Young lady…” nag-uuyam nitong wika ng makilala niya ako. Lumingon naman sa akin si Aiden ngunit walang emosyon sa kaniyang mga mata. “I can still remember that night…” napalunok ako ng marinig ko ‘yon at bumalik din ang ala-alang hindi ko gustong balikan pa.
 
Napatingin naman ako bigla kay Aiden ng maramdaman kong pinisil siya ang kamay kong hawak niya and he is the reason why I wasn’t still conquered by my fear. He is the reason why I am fighting against my fear and Aiden’s presence was helping me with it. Lalo na at pinararamdam niya sa aking hindi niya ako pababayan ano mang mangyari.
 
“Just look at me…” he whispered but enough for me to hear it. I just nodded—I was calming down myself and sniffing his scent helps me a lot. Dahil na sa likod lamang niya ako at lagpas ang ilong ko sa balikat niya ay ipinatong ko ang ilong ko dito at inamoy-amoy siya habang pinanonuod niya ako.
 
And yes... It’s helping me—not until I heard that voice again.
 
“That night when I tasted you and your friends’ blood,” wika nitong muli na ikinapikit ko na lamang ng mariin.
 
No… he didn’t…
 
Dahil sa sinabi nito ay bigla ko na lang naramdaman ang galit na galit na aura ni Aiden at kasunod nito ay ang paghampas ng kidlat mula sa kalangitan na alam kong nakabulabog sa nakararami. Napamulat na lang ako ng mata ng maramdaman kong mabilis na inalis ni Aiden ang pagkakahawak ko sa kaniya at bigla na lamang umatake sa lalaki na ikinalaki ng mga mata ko.
 
“Aiden!” Nang-hihitakutang sigaw ko dahil sa pag-aalala.
 
Hindi ko masundan ang galaw nila—masyadong mabilis ang paglalaban nila and I can’t help but feel worried about that prince. Susugod na rin sana ang ibang mga bampira pero hindi ko sila hinayaan—kahit na natatakot ako sa kanila ay matapang ko silang hinarap. I won’t make Aslan disappointed at me… I have to conquer my fear! I stamp my feet on the ground and an ice suddenly appeared and it was crawling fast where the vampires are—stopping them from attacking Aiden.
 
Huminga ako ng malalim at hinarap ang limang bampira na nasa likod ko na nakalabas na ang mga matutulis na pangil kaya mas lalo akong nanginig at nanlamig sa takot. I closed my eyes but then, the memories that I do not want to remember anymore suddenly appeared on my mind. Yung gabing iyak kami ng iyak ni Gen dahil sa mga bampira’ng pinalilibutan kami at handa ng ubusin ang aming dugo.
 
Yung gabing nagbigay ng bangungot sa amin na ayaw na naming maalala pang muli—lalo na ako na pinaka-naapektuhan sa pangyayaring ‘yon. But, I can not stay like this… I can not stay being scared to the likes of them. Hindi ko naman namalayan na bigla na lamang akong tumama sa isa sa mga puno and because of the impact, namilipit na lamang ako sa sakit.
 
Namalayan ko na lang rin na umiiyak na ako sa pinaghalong takot at sakit dahil sa pagsipa sa akin ng kung sino man. Napadapa na lamang ako sa lupa habang pilit na itinatayo ang sarili. Hindi ako maaaring maging pabigat kay Aiden lalo na sa ganitong sitwasyon. Ikamamatay naming pareho ito kapag nagpatuloy ako sa ginagawa ko.
 
Nang makaupo ako ay tumingin ako sa mga bambira’ng handa na akong patayin pero hindi ko sila hahayaan. Kung dati ay nasaktan nila ako—kami, ngayon ay hinding-hindi na ako papayag pa. I can fight for myself now unlike before. Kailangan ko pang tulungan si Aiden dahil alam ko kung gaano kalakas ang kalaban niya. Yes, Aiden is powerful, but to make sure that we will win to this battle, we should be fighting together.
 
I released ice spikes, and ice daggers when I noticed that they are going to attack me again and for the first time, I used my golden fire for them to be killed. I don’t want to kill anyone but if I let my kindness win, I will be the one who will get killed. Huminga ako ng malalim at kumuha ng suporta sa puno na nasa likod ko upang makatayo. I watched the vampires on how they screamed in pain because they were not able to avoid my attacks. Naglakad ako ng kaunti papalayo sa puno at naghandang umatakeng muli.
 
And when I was about to attack again when I suddenly felt Zephyr’s power that invading me. Kaya naman nagkaroon na lang bigla ng kidlat sa kanan kong kamay at alam ko na ang gusto niyang mangyari. He’s sharing his power to me. At kapag ganito siya, ang ibig sabihin lamang no’n ay galit na siya but I’m not summoning them. Huminga ako ng malalim at tinignan ang mga bampira na nasa harapan ko at walang pag-aalinlangang sinugod sila gamit ang kapangyarihan ni Zephyr.
 
And I know, all creatures here will feel the bone-chilling power within me.
 
***
 
Aiden Axel Smith
 
My sleep is not that long because I know that we are in the unknown. I sighed before looking at the lady who was sleeping peacefully in my arms. I stared at her and I can’t stop but smile. I have been dreaming this day to come—to watch her while sleeping like a baby and now, it finally happened.
 
She’s like a baby—but I suddenly remembered what she told me before Alphas and Betas’ battle way back in ranking—that her baby was waiting for her. Just what the fuck, right? Who the hell is that baby that looks very important to her?! Does she already have a fucking lover without me knowing?! Damn it!
 
But whoever that baby of hers, by hook or by crook, I will get her from him! She is mine after all! He shouldn’t show himself to me or else, he will taste my wrath! When I’m thinking about that, I just want to punch her baby’s face! She’s only mine even she doesn’t know about that! Damn it! It’s getting on my nerves again because I remember that again! Once I fucking found him, I will make him taste the real hell, I swear!
 
I’m fuming mad when I remember that I just realized that I am not combing her hair gently. I am thinking deeply that I just realized what am I doing now. I sighed and calm myself down and minutes had passed until I felt that her hand moved to push me towards her even more and I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. I just let her because I wanted the closeness we had right now.
 
She wants me close, huh? Should I hope now?
 
Until later on, I felt her sniffing my scent and I just stopped breathing. Oh, damn! I stilled when she did that. She keeps on sniffing my scent and fuck! I think she likes it! She likes my fucking scent as much as I like hers! Oh, darn, baby. You are awakening my little friend down there. When I thought that she will stop any second, I was wrong—so, damn wrong because I felt how she trailed the tip of her nose on my neck while still sniffing it.
 
Because of what she’s doing, I am starting to breathe heavily. Oh, fuck! What a fucking sweet torture! I should stop her! Not until I felt her hand start to roam around my body and my damn body was reacting to her every touch! Oh, fuck! She’s torturing me with her touch and I couldn’t even move to stop her because my fucking body was aching for her touch!
 
But then, her hand was going down and her touch was affectionately roaming around. Until it reached my abs and I just bit my lower lip while still breathing heavily—until her hand reached my chest but I was bewildered when she started to pinch my fucking nipple! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!
 
Self-control, Aiden. She’s sleeping. She doesn’t know what’s happening!
 
My mind was telling me to stop her because I am already having a hard-on but fuck it! I fucking like her touch! I even heard her soft hummed and I just snapped! I can’t take it anymore, damn it! She’s even smiling like she likes what she’s doing but I have to stop her now. I stopped her hand and I spoke that made her open her eyes.
 
Oh, well, baby, next time, I will not stop you anymore and I will let you do whatever you want from me.
 
I wanted to tease her but I could feel the danger now and we have to leave this place as soon as possible. We have no idea where realm we are right now but I just confirmed that we’re in nightwalker’s realm. But then I suddenly felt her trembling and saw how scared she was but she’s conquering her fear—she is fighting her fear and it makes me fall for her even more.
 
But when I am facing the person who killed my grandfather, I just realized that this man did something to my beloved before and I just lose control. My blood boiled because of anger and I wanted to kill him. Whatever he did to my beloved, it gave nightmares to her and I couldn’t stand seeing the fear in her eyes.
 
You’re fucking dead!
 
He’s more powerful than the last time we met but I can match his strength. I summoned my sword and attack him with full force but I can not focus on him because vampires are attacking me too but it didn’t stop me from attacking this motherfucker. The numbers of the vampires get doubled from time to time and I suddenly get worried about my beloved—about my Hope. I’m worried sick about her but I trust her. I should end this as soon as possible before we are the ones who will get ended by them.
 
I guess, this old man just reached his limit that’s why he can’t repeat what he did to me earlier and it was now my advantage and my chance to finally get the justice that I wanted.
 
My Hope… be careful…
 
Aakitin pa kita.
 
***
 
Author’s note:

DO VOTE! DO VOTE!