Taming the Darkness (Series 3)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

NANLALAKI ang mga mata ni Zenaia bago mabilis na ibinalik ang tingin sa baba. Pero wala na ang bata roon.

She already lied about her not being able to ask the kid's name even though she doesn't have a reason to do that. And now, she learned that he is not from around here?

"He's not from around here? Pero paano naman siya makakapasok dito kung gano'n?"

Billius grabbed her left arm and dragged her inside, almost unceremoniously before closing the sliding door of the balcony and shutting the curtains. He turned to look at her, his face looking furious, and it doesn't help that his eyes have turned back to their piercing gold.

Napaatras siya sa pagkabigla. Naalala niya ang sama ng loob dito dahil sa ginawa nito kanina. Agad naman nitong napansin ang reaksiyon niya at pilit na kumalma. Ipinikit nito ang mga mata bago muli iyong iminulat. His eyes have changed back to gray, and his features is a little calmer than before.

Ang galing, parang nag-switch on and off lang.

"Yes, he's not. He had trespassed the boundary. No ordinary werewolf or any nonhuman can go here in the castle just like that."

"He seems harmless."

"We can never be sure."

Hinawakan siya nito sa magkabilang balikat at pinaupo sa gilid ng higaan.

"Zenaia. Listen carefully," sabi nito sa napakaseryosong tinig. Hindi niya mapigilang mapatitig sa mukha nito na sobrang lapit, lalo na sa mga mata nito. Gusto niya itong itulak dahil masama pa rin ang loob niya rito pero hindi niya magawa. There is something on the way he stared at her that makes her want to forget that she's still mad at him. "You can't trust anyone that easily especially here."

"But we're in the castle."

"That's the main point," sagot nito. "It may look as secure as it is but we cannot be sure all the time. Katulad ngayon. I've never seen that kid before. At sabi mo nga ay inakyat lang niya ang papunta rito sa balcony ng kuwarto, considering the height as well. And we're on the sixteenth floor."

"You mean, no werewolf can do that? Like climb up here?" taka niyang tanong.

"We can. But no werewolf, not even a strong one would do that if they are in their right mind, Zenaia. No individual is allowed to go here as if they are just walking in the park unless the king have given his permission. Kahit na pa marunong silang lumipad hindi sila basta-basta pwedeng pumunta rito."

Tumango siya. "Naiintindihan ko, pero hindi ko naman kasi alam. I'm very new here."

Billius suddenly smiled gently. Medyo na-shock si Zenaia. There is something about his gentle smile that causes a soft fluttering inside her stomach. Tuluyan nang naglaho ang sama ng loob niya rito.

He suddenly patted her on the head again as if she is a kid.

"I know. Ipinapaliwanag ko lang sa iyo." He put his hand down on his lap.

"But, how would I know kung mapagkakatiwalaan ang mga makakaharap ko rito?"

Nakita niya itong may kinuha sa bulsa ng itim na pantalon. It is a black handkerchief with a golden crest made of a wolf's head embroidered on a corner. Iyon 'yong simbolo na katulad ng nakita niya sa mga bahay kanina.

"Every person in this kingdom has this symbol. Sa damit man o sa mga kagamitan, minsan naka-tattoo sa kanila. Kahit saan makikita mo ito. Ito ang tanda na kabilang sila rito sa kaharian." Ibinigay nito sa kaniya ang panyo. She took and gaze at it, even touching the embroidered symbol. "You can also observe their behavior."