Glistening Lantern (Gazellian Series #7)

Chapter 37

Those reasons. . . iyon ba talaga ang higit na dahilan kung bakit kami narito at nagsama-sama? Or was it just a disguise?

Hindi na nagsasalita si Caleb, ngunit pansin ko na higit nang tumagal ang titig niya kay Howl. Hindi ko man basahin ang iniisip niya, nasisiguro kong iisa na ang aming ideya.

Caleb might have information from his world and the other vampires involved, but we're all aware about who's the most knowledge about this journey.

"Maybe this is the right time that you'll tell us your real part, Howl," si Tavion na ang siyang nagsalita.

"This isn't just about ruining your image and sacrificing your title because of your lost love. I am a Prince, Howl. I have a title, image, and big responsibility. Kings or even princes in my world might have lost their love, but they will never abandon their responsibility, title or even identity. You're bargaining your whole life for this journey. I don't think this is just out of your whim decision or even boredom," mahabang sabi ni Caleb.

"What is this ruin all about? You're aware of King Thaddeus, King Raheem, and Queen Raeliana," Iris said in a statement.

Kumunot na ang noo ko sa usapan nila. Akala ko ay ganoon din ang magiging reaksyon ni Tavion, ngunit pansin ko na bahagya pa siyang nakakasunod sa usapan.

"Who are they?" tanong ko.

"Anna, remember when I told you that I've encountered Atteros before? When I asked you about a cave? That we could possibly find a cave and return my world? King Raheem and Queen Raeliana was there. Together with the shapeshifter Atteros, they were guarding the cave. Buong akala ko ay iyong kuwebang iyon lang ang tanging lagusan patungo sa mundong ito. But sutil and the evil book sent me here—" biglang tinigil ni Caleb ang anumang sasabihin niya. Pansin ko ang saglit na panlalaki ng mga mata niya at iritado niyang ginulo ang kanyang buhok.

"What I mean was I was transported in this world because I sacrificed myself—" ilang beses siyang umiling at muli niyang ibinalik ang atensyon kay Howl.

"You'll tell us your part before we further proceed with this journey," mas madiing sabi ni Caleb.

Kapwa rin tumangos sina Iris at Tavion.

"What will I tell you? I told you, I am just trying to discover things inside this ruin," magkikibit balikat pa sana si Howl nang bigla na siyang lapitan ni Caleb.

He grabbed Howl's collar and lifted him, angrily. "I am not up to your game anymore, De Voss. The family involved here is important to me— I mean to my brother, Dastan."

"I am willing to cooperate," humakbang na rin papalapit si Tavion na nagniningas na rin ang mga mata at nakalabas na ang pangil.

Itinaas na ni Howl sa ere ang dalawa niyang mga kamay. "Calm down, we're all comrades here, right?" natatawang sabi ni Howl.

Hindi na kami makapagsalita ni Iris habang ang kawawang duwende ay nakatulala na sa aming lima.

"Yes, I am familiar with those names, but I was not really involved. I was just an apprentice back then. I don't have the complete details of what happened," nang sabihin na iyon ni Howl ay ibinaba na siya ni Caleb.

Howl elegantly brushed the crumpled part of his clothes before he answered Caleb's gaze head held high. Kung sina Tavion at Caleb ay parang sasabog na, kabaliktaran naman nila si Howl na parang nang-aasar pa.

"At sa tingin mo ba ay maniniwala pa kami sa mga sinasabi mo?" tanong sa kanya ni Tavion.

"You were asking me. It's your problem if you're going to believe it or not."