Dark Magic

25. A Sudden Gathering

The Trinity cover themselves with different hues of fumy energy. All three stand with intimidating power. Nakapalibot ang mga ito saamin ni Chase. 

"I'm about to sleep! Nakapag-tootbrush na nga ako; and here we are!" says the handsome guy in pajamas. Mabilis akong sinulyapan ng deep-set blue eyes nito saka ngumisi ng nakakaloko. Napailing-iling ito saka bumalik ang tingin sa mga kalaban. 

"Take her to my place, Chase. Kami na ang bahala dito," seryoso namang untag ng naka-leather jacket na kahawig ni Chase. Nakapukol ang tingin nito sa dalawang dark sorcerer na nasa harapan. 

Hindi umimik ang lalaking malapit sa dako ko. His silver-gray eyes just stare at us and his godlike face just slightly jerks to acknowledge my presence. 

I just can't believe that I am seeing them this close. The gods of Tribus are around us in this most inconvenient situation. The people responsible for why my family and I are in Tribus are here. 

That moment, gazing at the gods of Tribus, does not last long. I feel Chase's arms wrap around my waist.  He slightly bends down to carry me and the next thing I feel is his entire body cradling my mine. Buhat-buhat ako ng lalaki. 

My cheeks burn lalo na nang titigan ako ng mga mata nito. I have never seen him this close. Pakiramdam ko'y mauubusan ako ng hininga. 

"Wrap your arm around my neck," he utters calmly. "O—or you can just hug me. The travel will be very high and fast."

Napalunok ako. Binawi ko ang aking tingin at nagkunwaring nakapukol sa mga dibdib nitong dahilan ng lalong pag-init ng mga pisngi ko. Nanginginig ang mga kamay kong pumulupot sa kanyang leeg. 

He flinches a bit. Then right before I could react, his wings open and flap. It takes him a few flapping before I can feel that both of us are elevated. 

I close my eyes to keep myself from being giddy. I can only hear the gracious movement of his gold wings.  I am afraid of heights. 

I just know we're on a very high altitude as the air on my skin changes. It's colder. The mist is everywhere. But Chase's body keeps me warm. He even pulls me closer to him nang maramdaman niya ang bahagya kong panginginig dahil sa sobrang lamig. 

I don't know why Chase is doing this. We're not an item. We're not even friends. Hindi ko alam kung bakit kaya niyang magbuwis ng buhay para saakin. He could just let me be taken by the dark sorcerers and be okay with it. Could it be the strong connection we both have? 

Lumapag kami sa isang terasang simputi ng niyebe ang marmol na sahig. May mga containers na naglalaman ng malalaking ferns sa malawak na pintuang sa tingin ko'y papasok sa mas magarbo pang bahagi ng bahay. 

Ibinaba ako ni Chase. Nanatiling nakaalalay ang mga bisig nito hanggang sa mahanap ng aking mga binti ang lakas nito para makapaglakad. I catch him staring at me as I look at him. 

He clears his throat and utters, "This is one of Strenon Santi's property. You're safe here."

"W—what about my family?"

"Mikael can protect them. He's the best."

"You mean sir Mikael?" I ask. kahit papaano'y napanatag ang loob ko sa narinig. They are safe. Hindi sila pababayaan ni sir Mikael gaya ng pagprotekta ng Trinity sa akin. 

Tumango ito. Lumamlam ang mga mata niya nang muli akong tignan. My cheeks burn nonstop. It's been bentraying me since earlier. 

"Let's get you inside," he says with a sound so endearing. 

I feel his palm behind my shoulders. I walk slowly as my eyes are filled with wonder with the structure and design of every single part of the all-white mansion. Tanging ang mga nakatabing ferns and tropical plants na nasa golden containers lang ang hindi kulay puti. The interior, from the paintings, sofas, cabinets, curtains, ceiling, windows, and doors are all painted in snow. I wonder if all of sir Strenon's properties are white?