Mist and Moonlight

CHAPTER 61: The Vow

Jared's POV

I throw the phone to the nearest wall. Nagulat ang mga kasama ko. Speechless in what they see. Narinig nila ang hiyaw at iyak ni Artemis. Nagpupuyos sa galit ang kapatid nito kahit mukhang kalmado.

I made a vow to protect her pero hindi ko nagawa.

13 years ago I made a promise. I doubt she remembers it. She's 5 years old while I am a year older than her.

"Anak, Kuya Jacques will stay with us." she look so innocent with those big doe eyes she wears a blue dress. Hawak ng kuya niya ang kamay niya.

My parents were killed by rogues while were camping. I saw it with my own eyes.

"Tumakbo ka na!" I am shaking with fear watching them.

Dad's body laid in the pool of blood. His blood is in my mother's hand with her own from the wound on her arms.

Tumakbo ako pero hinarangan ako ng isang Lobo. It has big bloody teeth. I don't know whose blood it is.

Natumba ito bago ako mahagip ng malalaki nitong ngipin. A brown wolf tackled it to the ground. Black eyes glowing.

"You'll stay with us for a while." her mother comfort me with her words. Sumama ako kahit hindi sila kilala. It turns out kilala nila si Lolo.

Because of that tragic incident I lost another cause to live. I became an orphan at an early age of six.

My mom's last word is not I love you.
She made me run. To live for her, for the both of them.

"Eat up." inaasikaso nila ako. My grandfather is on a mission that time. Tracking the rogues.

Artemis keep watching me. Her multicolored eyes would stare and linger at me. Observing my actions. Iiwas lang ng tingin kapag binabalik ko ito sa kanya.

"Jacques..." her mother held my shoulders and look me in the eyes "Okay ka na ba?" her voice full of concern.

Tumango lang ako sa kanya. I didn't speak at all. Natrauma ako sa nakita ko. They were kind to me. Salem would play with two little girls habang ako nanonood lang sa kanila. Hinihintay ang Lolo ko.

One of them is Naia. Pero ang pinakatumatak sa akin ay si Artemis.
Naalala ko noong putikan ang magpinsang Salem at Naia. She stayed with her mother, offered me her doll and walk away. I kept that sa kwarto ko sa mansion on my study table.

"Say bye to Kuya Jacques." her father said holding her shoulders.

"Ba-bye Kuya." She waved close to crying. Lolo pick me up that day.

Almost two months din ako sa kanila.

I hugged her. Siya lang ang nakatiis sa katahimikan ko. Silently vowing to find and protect her when the time comes.

After that, I grew up in an empire  built to protect anyone who needs help. I become a reaper at the age 13 having my first kill before my 14th birthday.

I met Salem when I was 15. He entered the Society us as a low profile person hiding his true identity.

Then a mission came. To protect clients with high profile—Naia and Artemis.

I don't have to find her. Kusa siyang inilapit sa akin. When her profile came in my hands that's when I knew I hit the jackpot.

"Did you trace her?" I ask Justin. He mans the tracing device habang kausap siya kanina.

"Yes. Sa haba ng usapang narinig namin..." he didn't dare continue baka bumulagta na siya kung itutuloy niya.

"We need to plan." Salem cross his arms on his chest. Napunta siya sa pagiisip na malalim.

"The mansion is far from the commercial center." Lincoln added checking his laptop "Sa labas pa ng mga subdivision na nakapalibot dito."

"Check the vicinity" Salem commanded "Any floor plan of the mansion?" he ask.

"On it." he is a man of few words. Minsan lang magsalita ng mahaba if only needed.

"What is the plan?" Justin's question left us hanging. Hindi kami pwede basta kumilos, it is too dangerous.

With Naia on their side matutunugan agad ang pagdating namin. May third party din na involved sa mga nangyayari. We can't figure out who. Magaling ang ginawa niya he works clean leaving no trace.

"It's a private property." Lincoln looked up from his laptop "Hindi niyo gugustuhin kung sino ang may-ari."

"Who?" Salem ask curiously "Spill it."

"Damian Castilleano" the name rolled off his tongue. Parang nagslow motion ang paligid. The traitor. Nakakuyom ang kamay ni Salem sa ibabaw ng armrest.

"A thorough plan is needed" he reminded "we can't risk my sister's safety."

Nakikinig lang ako sa kanila. Kung ako ang masusunod susugod ako ng magisa but he is right her safety is on the line.

What I told Artemis is true. I choose death before but when I learned about our connection... I choose to live for her. Papanindigan ko ang pangako ko until my last breath.

"I need someone to distract them. Call their attention." he looks at me "That would be you. Saka ka sumunod kapag nagawan na nila ang fagawin nila."

"And us?" Lincoln ask. Pointing at themselves.

"One for the vehicle, the other for a look out." Salem appointed our positions and roles.

"CCTV's will be present at the masion. Lalo na sa hallways at gate." the probability of it is 80%. "Justin work behind the laptop. Check every corner cameras and communication device."

"Copy." Justin salutes at him.

"Lincoln vehicle stand by. Speed is all we need para makita pa siya ng buhay." he stated. "Are we clear?" his voice authorative and commanding.

"Clear!" we answered in unison.

I choose to risk my life before this mission starts. Now, I choose to protect an important person in my life. My moon in this blinding mist.