CHAPTER XXXI

"You brought company," the man said.

"She's my right hand. I trust her," Raguel said referring to Zanilla.

"I don't trust anyone. Not even you!" the man spat.

"I thought we talked about this?" Raguel said concerned the man might changed his mind.

"I don't deal with demons. You asked me a favor last time, I didn't agreed to it, yet,"

Raguel took a heavy sigh. It took all effort in the world to be patient with this man.

"All I ask is for you to—" he stopped when he felt Zanilla tapped his shoulders.

"Chief, I could feel a demon lingering around the perimeter," she said, quietly.

They're on a café where usual students go to. He thought it would be safe to blend in. He even agreed to meet this man out of the country because Lucifer wouldn't think suspicious.

"It's not safe to talk here," he said but the man shook his head.

"I warded this place before you arrived. Other demons may see us but they won't hear us," the man said. "Now, you're saying?"

"I want you to cloak my...the woman I've impregnated. The same thing you did to this café. You cloak her and our child so that Lucifer wouldn't find them." He said that made the man a little shocked.

"You told me to cloak a woman. You didn't tell me she's pregnant?!" the man said trying to suppress his yell.

"Lucifer will kill her the moment he learns she's carrying my child. I couldn't bear to lose her!"

"I didn't know a demon is capable of feeling love!" he said smirking.

"Can I count on you to that?" Raguel said patiently.

"I don't know. I don't really trust you,"

Frustrations was written on Raguel's face. If it wasn't for Araceli and their child, he could just snap this man into pieces. But right now, he has to be patient as possible. He's his only hope right now especially that the Nephilim Keira was talking about is so hard to find. He's even doubting if there's really a Nephilim alive in this lifetime.

"Fine, don't trust me. But trust the woman I love and our child. Help them. Cloak them before she give birth. Just...just until I found this Nephilim." He said in a low pleading voice. Probably tired.

"Let's say I cloak them. What would I get in return?" the man said.

"Anything you asks, I will do."

The man clasp his hands grinning, "Well, I don't know what to ask right now. But when I do, I'll call you."

"Does that mean you'll help me?" Raguel asked, full of hope.

"52 28 47.1 n 62 11 08.4 e. Meet me underground on the first Equinox and bring them." The man stood up on his seat as he handed him a three coins.

"Enochian coins?" Raguel asked and the man nodded.

"You cannot enter underground without this. One coin per enter." He said before walking away from them.

He watched him exit the café before turning to Zanilla. She was seating straightly beside him.

"I don't trust that Sorcerer," Zanilla said.

"And he don't trust us neither. But he's our only choice,"

"Chief, not to question your decisions but...we have a powerful witches on our side. Why do we have to plead to that Sorcerer? I really find him...arrogant!" she said with a hiss and Raguel couldn't help but grin.

"The witches' loyalty are on Lucifer. The Sorcerer, well, let's say that their group hates demon. They may double cross us, but not to Lucifer." He said and Zanilla nodded.

***

Magdamag na babad si Ara sa internet trying to have a result searching her name.

Araceli Felices doesn't exist on facebook, instagram, nor Linkedin. Pati email address niya ay para bang naglaho na lang sa database ng google. And when she stalked Jecca's account, it seems that she has a new friend named Sloane.

She tried to search for his brother's facebook account pero naka-private ito. But on his basic information it says single. She knew na kahit isang taon ng patay ang asawa nito ay hindi nito pinapalitan ang status nito.

"Everything changes," she murmured.

Lumabas ng silid si Ara at agad na pinuntahan si Sindred na nagbabasa ng libro sa living room. Agad itong nag-angat ng tingin nang maramdaman ang presensya niya.

"You're up early," tumingin ito sa wrist watch. "ala singko pa lang."

"I can't sleep," she said fidgeting. "Sindred, samahan mo ako,"

Napakunot-noo naman ito, "Where? Raguel told me not to let you go outside,"

"I wanted to see my family. Hindi ako makatulog kakaisip kung ano na ang nangyari sa kanila!"

"They're safe, Ara. You don't have to worry about them," pag-aalo nito pero umiling siya ng marahas.

"Hindi mo ako naiintindihan, eh. I was erased in their lives! Pamilya ko sila!" may nagbabadang luha na gustong tumakas sa mga mata niya pero agad niya itong pinalis.

"Fine, see them. But it won't change anything. They won't remember you," sabi nito. Her heart sunken as she took a heavy sigh.

"Alam ko. Pero gusto ko lang sila makita," mahina niyang sabi.

"It's very dangerous for you to be outside. Angels, I can handle them. Demons, piece of cake. But what if Lucifer finds you? You should know that Raguel has been sacrificing everything he has just to keep you safe. Please don't throw it away."

"Ang sabi ni Thorn ay hindi alam ni Lucifer ang totoo kong kalagayan. Please, Sindred. Promise ito na ang huling beses na makikita ko ang pamilya."

Sindred stared at her for a moment. Lihim siyang nagdadasal na sana ay pumayag ito. Then she heard his sigh of defeat. She grins as she felt her victory.

"Fine. But you'll only see them from afar. You won't talk to them."

"Sige," she said beaming.

***

Sindred and Ara choose to drive the car parked on the garage than use the mirror effect. He said demons could track them easily if they're on demon's realm.

Ara swore that their visit will be quick at hindi dapat malaman ni Thorn na lumabas sila. Iniwan nila sina Keira, Thamuz at ilang bantay sa manor. He used one of his powers to make the car undetected.

Hindi maiwasang maihambing ni Ara si Sin kay Thorn. Kagaya ng huli ay mabilis din itong magmaneho. Panay din ang overtake nito sa ibang sasakyan kaya mabilis silang naka-rating sa Daraga, Albay.

Sa poblacion ay kasabay nila ang rush hour ng mga estudyante at papasok sa trabaho. Dumaan sila sa Abyss at sinabihan niya si Sin na bagalan ang pagmaneho. She was staring at the main door. Karamihan ay papasok sa building. Napatingin siya sa parking lot kung saan siya dati niyang pinaparada ang kotse niya.

"Si Thorn pa rin ba may-ari ng Abyss?" she asks.

"Of course. Abyss has always been the Incubus' territory." Answered Sindred.

Nakita niyang may pumaradang sasakyan sa dati niyang parking space. A petite cute lady get off the car. Sunod na bumaba ay pamilyar sa paningin niya.

"Jecca," bulong niya. "That must be Sloane," mapait niyang wika. Filled with jealousy and pain. Iba na ang bestfriend ng bestfriend niya.

Rinig na rinig niya ang malakas na tawa ni Jecca. She misses her kaartehan or even her kalandian kapag nagke-kuwento ito ng mga crushes niya. And geez, pati ang pag-irap nito kapag naiirita ay nami-miss niya.

"I could befriend her again," wala sa sariling sabi niya.

"Let's go to the Felices' mansion," rinig niyang sabi ni Sindred at mabilis nitong pinaharuruot ang sasakyan.

She sulked on her seat. Sobrang bigat ng dibdib niya. She wanted to scream. Pakiramdam niya ay inagawan siya ng kendi. At kagaya ng mga naagawan ng kendi, gusto niya itong bawiin.

Hindi nagtagal ay nakarating sila sa mansion ng mga Felices. Naka-bukas ang main gate nito at may papalabas na truck. Sa passenger seat ay nakita niya pahinanteng madalas utusan ng Papa niya. Marahil ay magde-deliver ito ng bigas sa NCR.

Tinanaw naman niya ang bintana ng dati niyang silid. Bukas ito at hinahangin ang kurtina.

"They must be inside," she said to Sindred.

"No, no, no. I know what you're thinking. Ara, you promised not to talk to them—"

"Pero paano ko sila makikita kung dito lang ako sa sasakyan? Papasok lang ako,"

"And then what? What will you say to them?" may panghahamon nitong sabi at hindi naman siya nakaimik.

"I just want to know if they're happy...without me." nakayuko niyang sabi.

"Ara, this could be a trap you know. For all we know, an Angel is inside your mansion and they're just waiting for you!"

"Kaya nga sasamahan mo ako—"

"Oh, no! Are you kidding me? You know what? We should go back. We're sitting ducks here. We could be attacked here anytime!"

Ara glanced at him, bored.

"Don't be coward," she deadpanned and Sindred laugh dryly.

"Me? Coward?" tumawa uli ito. "I just wanted to protect you. If Angels attacked us, fine, I could battle them. If demons attacked us, I could easily vanquish them. But what if it's Lucifer, huh? My powers won't work on him because of our oath. Didn't Raguel tell you that?" naiirita nitong sabi tila ba unti-unting nauupos ang pasensya.

"Fine, sorry." She said almost pouting. Sulking and pouting. Para siyang batang gustong mag-maktol. Naiinis siya sa sarili niya kasi wala siyang kakayanan para gawin ang gusto.

"Oh, what the hell!" she heard Sindred hissed. He unlocked the door and she gaped at him.

"Sindred?" nabuhayan niyang sabi.

"Get out before I change my mind," nakakunot-noo nitong sabi.

Mabilis siyang umibis ng sasakyan at halos patakbong tinungo ang gate ng mga Felices. Nakahinga siya ng maluwang nang makapasok siya hanggang sa terrace. Nakabukas ang pintuan and she was tempted to go inside. Pero alam niyang trespassing siya. This mansion is no longer her home.

"Sino ka?"

Napalingon siya sa nag-salita. Agad siyang napangiti nang makita si Mason. Gusto niya itong sugurin ng mahigpit na yakap. Sobra niya itong na-miss.

"Miss? Ano ang ginagawa mo rito?" seryoso nitong tanong.

"Uhm, kasi..." wala siyang alibi. Wala siyang maisip. She couldn't lie na galing siyang census kasi wala naman siyang dalang survey sheet.

"Naliligaw ka ba?"

"Hindi!" agap niya. Her eyes wandered around and she saw piles of sacks on their old kubo. "Bigas," mahina niyang sabi.

"Ha?"

"Bigas. Pabili ng bigas!" mabilis niyang sabi at biglang tumawa ang kapatid niya.

"Sorry, Miss, pero hindi kami retail store. Supplier kami sa mga malalaking mall," naiiling nitong sabi.

"Kahit isang sako lang?" sabi niya pa at muling umiling si Mason.

"Sa kanto may bigasan do'n," sabi pa nito. No, hindi pa siya puwedeng umalis. Gusto niyang makita ang Mama niya. Lalo na ang lola Soledad niya.

"Si lola Soledad?" tanong niya at kumunot ang noo ng lalaki.

"Bakit mo hinahanap ang lola ko? At bakit mo siya kilala?"

"Kaibigan kasi siya ng lola ko. Eh, sabi ni lola kausapin ko raw si lola Soledad kasi papayag 'yon na pabilhin ako ng bigas,"

Nagdududang tiningnan siya ni Mason. Alam niyang hindi ito naniniwala sa kaniya. Pero wala na siyang maisip na palusot para makapasok sa loob ng mansion.

"Miss, alam kong mas mura ang bigas namin kumpara sa bigas sa bayan pero hindi talaga puwede. Na-inbintaryo na ang lahat ng bigas namin para i-deliver sa mga mall."

"Kahit isang kilo?"

"Bakit ba ang kulit mo?"

"Bigas lang pinagdadamot mo, eh!"

"Hindi ko pinagdadamot ang bigas! Sadyang hindi siya puwedeng ibenta ng—"

"Mason? Sino 'yang kaaway mo?"

Pareho silang natameme. It was her mother. She was dressed elegantly na animo'y pupunta sa pagdiriwang.

"Ma, aalis ka na?" tanong ng kapatid niya.

"Sino itong maganda mong kaibigan?" nakangiting sabi ng Mama niya.

"Ma, hindi ko 'yan kaibigan—"

"Araceli po!" mabilis niyang sabi. She smelled her mother's favorite perfume. Gustong-gusto niya itong yakapin at umiyak sa bisig nito.

"Wow, kapangalan mo ang grandmother ko," malambing nitong sabi. "I'm Priscilla. May kailangan ka ba sa amin?"

"Uhm..."

"Gusto niya ng bigas natin, Ma!" singit ni Mason at gusto niya itong irapan. Hindi pa rin ito nagbabago.

"Are you...homeless?" her mother asked, concerned.

"Hindi po," natatawa niyang sagot.

Her mother stared at her for a second. Nakita niyang nag-iba ang ekspresyon ng mga mata nito na para bang kinikilala siya nito.

"Gusto ba kaming sabayan mag-agahan?" she offered kindly pero agad niyang narinig ang pag-angal ni Mason.

"Ma! Ni hindi nga natin siya kilala, eh!"

"Don't be rude, Mason," baling nito sa kapatid niya. Nagulat na lang siya nang kuhanin nito ang kanang kamay niya at marahang hinila siya papasok. "Nag-luto ang Mamà ng Adobo Fried Rice. Paborito kasi 'yon ng bunso namin. Tara pasok ka,"

"B-bunso po?" bigla niyang sabi.

"Yes. She's too young to eat Adobo nga, eh,"

"May kapatid si Mason! It should be me!" sigaw ng isip niya.

The mansion is far more different than what she could remember. There's a huge portrait of her family hanging on the wall. Her lola, parents, Mason and a little girl.

Wala rin ang malaking altar sa bukana ng pinto. Maaliwalas ding tingnan ang living room.

Pumasok sila sa komidor at nakita niyang may batang babae na naka-upo sa paborito niyang silya. She's probably three years old and very messy while eating.

They didn't erase her, they've replaced her!

"Addison, eat with your spoon," she heard a familiar voice of a man.

Pumasok sa dining area ang kaniyang ama. Kagaya ng kaniyang Ina ay nakagayak din ito. She misses him so much kahit na nga ba ang huli nilang pag-uusap ay hindi maganda.

"Aro, we have a guest," biglang sabi ng kaniyang Ina kaya napatingin rito ang kaniyang ama, sunod sa kaniya.

"Gusto niyang bumili ng bigas," singit ni Mason na tinawanan lang ng kaniyang Ina.

"Is she your friend, Mason?" tanong ng kaniyang Ama at rinig niya ang mabilis na pag-kontra ng kapatid.

"Wala akong kaibigang baliw!" panunuya nito sa kaniya.

"Hindi ko gusto ang pananalita mo, Mason," biglang sabi ng isang matandang may dalang baso ng gatas.

Ara immediately smiled at her. She misses her lola Soledad so much. Kung ayaw niya nga lang patunayan ang komento sa kaniya ni Mason na baliw siya, marahil ay kanina niya pa isa-isang niyakap ang pamilya.

"S-si Tita Belen? Saan po siya?" tanong niya at napatingin sa kaniya ang kaniyang lola.

"Bakit mo kilala si Belen, hija?" mapanuring tanong nito.

"Told ya, she's weird...and crazy!" muling singit ng kapatid niya.

"Uhm,.." hindi niya alam ang sasabihin. She shouldn't have ask about her.

"Dati ka bang estudyante ni Belen?" tanong ng kaniyang Ina.

Teacher si Tita Belen? Tanong niya sa sarili.

"My sister is in America with her own family," sagot ng kaniyang Ama 'saka ito bumaling sa kaniyang Ina. "Dear, late na tayo sa convention,"

"Oh, yeah. Kunin ko lang bag ko sa kuwarto," nakangiting sabi ng kaniyang Ina bago ito lumabas ng komidor.

Sa kaniya napunta ang attensyon ng kaniyang Ama. She's hoping that at least he would remember a feeling that she was once his daughter. But the Angels replaced her. Wala itong mararamdamang pangungulila sa kaniya dahil may pumalit sa puwesto niya.

"You're kind of familiar," he said to her.

Agad siyang napaatras sa kinatatayuan. Maybe it was enough. Nakita na niya ang kaniyang pamilya. Dapat na siyang umalis.

"Uhm, pasensya na po sa abala. A-aalis na po ako," alangamin siyang ngumiti. Nang akma siyang tatalikod ay bigla siyang hinawakan a braso ng kaniyang ama.

"May kahawig ka..." sabi nito at mas lalong lumapit sa kaniya.

"H-hindi...hindi ko po alam...sinasabi niyo," kinakabahan niyang sabi.

"Your eyes..." he murmured enough for her to hear. Nakita niya itong tumingin kay Mason pati kay Addison. "You got the Felices' eyes."

Mas lalong lumalakas ang kabog ng dibdib niya. She should've listened to Sindred. Hindi magandang ideya na makita ang pamilya. Dahil alam niya...kahit binura siya sa mundo, hindi maikakaila na minsan ay naging anak siya ni Aro Felices.

"A-aalis na po ako," marahas niyang binawi ang braso at patakbong lumabas ng mansion.

Nang makalabas siyang gate ay agad siyang sumakay sa sasakyan kung saan naghihintay si Sindred. Nagulat pa itong makita siyang hinihingal.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Drive!" she said panting. Nakita niya sa side mirror na lumabas si Mason sa gate kaya mas lalo siyang kinabahan. "Sindred, drive!" she said almost panicking.

Mabilis na pinaharurot ni Sindred ang sasakyan. Sobrang bigat sa dibdib na umalis. Kung puwede nga lang na manatili siya ro'n.

"What happened inside?" Sindred asked when they were stucked in traffic.

Huminga siya ng malalim bago nag-salita.

"They've replace me. May anak silang babae. Addison ang pangalan. Bata pa."

"Ara..."

"Okay lang. Pinili ko ito, eh. Parusa ko ito,"

Pakiramdam niya ay pinatay siya. She's a dead person na hindi matahimik at dinalaw ang pamilya pero hindi naman siya makilala.

Mas lalong binilisan ni Sindred ang pagmamaneho nang makalabas sila sa traffic. She suddenly felt dizzy and nauseous.

"Sindred, nahihilo ako," sabi niya at binuksan ang bintana.

"Motion sickness?" he asked when he lowered his speed.

"Ihinto mo muna, please."

Nang tumigil ang sasakyan sa gilid ng kalsada ay agad siyang bumaba para sumuka. Dala marahil ito ng kaniyang pagbubuntis. Pakiramdam niya ay hinahalukay ang tiyan niya. Sobrang nanghihina ang buo niyang katawan. Gusto na lamang niyang mahiga sa lupa.

"Are you okay?" she heard him asked pero umiling lamang siya.

"W-water..." anas niya. Narinig niyang pumasok sa sasakyan si Sindred at nakita niya ang bitbit nitong isang litro ng tubig.

Sinamaan niya ito ng tingin, "Tubig 'yan para sa radiator ng sasakyan!" singhal niya.

"That's our only water. We're at the middle of the road to manor. You know this place is isolated," sabi nito at pakiramdam niya ay mas lalo siyang nanghina.

"Oh, god! I'm dying!"

Tumayo siya at humawak sa balikat ni Sindred para humingi ng suporta. Her chest are panting so hard as if she was running the whole time.

"Ara, we need to go back to the manor. I could feel a group of demon lingering around the vicinity." Sabi nito na tinanguan naman niya.

"Y-you're right..." mahina niyang sabi.

Muli silang sumakay sa kotse pero binagalan ni Sindred ang pagmaneho para hindi siya muling mahilo. Habang paakyat sila sa matarik na daan ay napapansin ni Ara na unti-unting dumidilim ang kalangitan. Ang kaninang natatanaw niyang mga puno sa baba ng bangin ay unti-unting nilalamon ng dilim.

"Oh, fvck!" she heard Sindred cuss.

"Bakit?" kinakabahan niyang tanong.

Sinundan niya ang tingin ni Sindred at nakita niyang may tatlong lalaki na naghihintay sa kanila sa unahan.

"They're demons," bulong ni Sindred bago pinatay ang makina ng sasakyan.

"S-Sindred..." kinakabahan niyang sabi.

"Stay inside the car. I'll talk to them," tumango siya bago ito lumabas ng sasakyan.

Wala sa sariling napahawak si Ara sa tiyan niya. She could feel a little bump on her belly. Hindi pa masyadong halata dahil sa damit niya pero mararamdaman kapag hinawakan.

Hindi man niya marinig ang pinag-uusapan ay alam niyang hindi maganda ang usapan sa labas.

"Ara, I want you to drive past us and go inside the manor. I'll take care of these demons..." she heard Sindred's thought inside her head.

"Huh? Sindred!" kinakabahan niyang sabi. Agad siyang lumapit sa driver's seat.

"Go!" she heard him again.

Nang buhayin niya ang makina ng sasakyan ay umilaw ang front lights towards them. She shifted to drive and step on the acceleration. Nilagpasan niya ang apat at kusa itong umiwas sa kaniya. Hindi pa siya nakalalayo nang biglang may narinig siyang pag-sabog.

Gusto niyang huminto at balikan si Sindred pero bigla na lamang itong sumulpot sa shotgun seat.

"That was easy," he said grinning pero umirap lamang siya.

"Ano'ng kailangan nila?"

"You."

Natahimik siya. Hindi na niya kailangan magtanong kung sino ang nag-utos sa tatlo. She's sure it was Lucifer.

"Alam na ba niyang buntis ako?" she asked.

"Not yet. That mad demon just want you back."

"Wow, obsessed siya, ha?" biro niya pero hindi naman natawa ang kasama.

"He wants to figure why Raguel has been very protective of you except for the fact that he loves you. He wants to know what's special about you."

"Why?"

"He's scared that Raguel might have find a way to kill the king of darkness."

"At akala niya ay ako 'yon?" hindi niya makapaniwalang sabi.

"Lucifer thought it's you. What he doesn't know, it's what's inside you. The cambion inside you could kill him."

Tumawa ng pagak si Ara. Hindi pa pinapanganak ang anak niya pero nasa panganib agad ito. And if ever she survives giving birth to her child, he or she will carry a cross. Her child is the poison of Lucifer. And she don't know if she'd like that.

Nang makarating silang manor ay nakita niyang balisang nag-hihintay sa beranda si Thorn. Nag-iigting ang panga nito sa galit. Pero imbes na sa kaniya ito magalit ay mabilis nitong sinugod si Sindred.

"I fucking told you to protect her!" he growled as he pinned him off the beam of the porch.

"She's fine! See?" Sindred said grinning as he point at her.

"Thorn, huwag mo siyang saktan. Kasalanan ko. Mapilit ako kay Sindred. Gusto kong umalis mag-isa kaya wala siyang nagawa kundi samahan ako," she explained and somehow made him calm.

Binitawan nito si Sindred 'saka bumaling sa kaniya.

"Don't ever do that again, Araceli. You know how dangerous it is for you outside," he said in a calm manner.

"I know. And I'm really sorry. Promise hindi na mauulit," she apologizes at tumango naman ito.

Giniya siya nito sa loob ng manor at nadatnan niya si Zanilla na naghihintay sa livingroom. Sa mahabang sofa naman ay pormal na nakaupo si Thamuz at nasa tabi nito si Keira, flirting him, but there's no reaction from him.

Nang makita siya ni Keira ay agad itong ngumiti ng nakakaloko. Lumapit ito sa kaniya at hinawakan ang tiyan niya.

"Baby bump," Keira said.

Thorn possesively grabbed her waist close to him na tinawakan naman ni Keira.

"I'm not really use to this, Chief," she said pero hindi ito pinansin ni Thorn.

"Thamuz, I want you to double the security outside..." he commanded and Thamuz immediately went outside. "Zanilla, find a way for us to be undetected when we go out with Araceli to that place." He said referring to the coordinates of the underground the Sorcerer gave him.

"And me? How about me?" presenta ni Keira.

"I want you to calculate the remaining days for the first Equinox and compare it to Araceli's days of pregnancy."

"Copy, Chief!"

"And me?" biglang sabi ni Sindred.

"You..." kumunot ang noo ni Thorn, "be a lamb and do nothing."

"What?!" hindi makapaniwalang bulalas nito. "Where's the fun in that?"

"Then go back to your Mirror trick," Thorn said mocking him pero umiling lamang ito.

"You must know...I can't very well go back to my domain...or anything that could be easily penetrated by Lucifer," kibit balikat nitong sabi.

"And why is that?"

"Well, Lucifer's demon attacked us on our way here. And I...well, Ara and I kind of hit off the road."

"What?! You were attacked and you didn't tell me?" tumingin ito sa kaniya at agad na simuri ang buo niyang katawan.

"I'm fine," bulong niya.

"But I vanquished the demon. And Ara here...deym is a fantastic driver!"

Nahilot ni Thorn ang kaniyang sintido. Alam niyang nagtitimpi lamang ito kay Sindred dahil kasama siya nito.

"Thorn, I'm hungry," sabi niya para maiba ang attensyon nito.

She heard him sigh as he nodded. They walk towards the kitchen habang nakahawak ito sa bewang niya. Nilingon naman niya si Sindred at nag thumbs up ito sa kaniya dahilan para mapangiti siya.