Chapter 44: Bite

Mas dumalas na ang pagdalaw sa akin ng mga babaylan upang gamutin ako. During the first few days, I tried to resist their procedures. Tinatabig ko ang mga kamay nila, umaalis ako sa posisyon ko at sinisigawan ko sila.

I felt like a patient with no cure at all.

Nagtataka ako kung bakit hindi pa sila napapagod at tumitigil. Nakikita ba nila na may pagbabago ako? Kahit noong panahon na maayos pa ang relasyon namin ni Tobias at inakala ko na susundin niya ang ipinangako niya sa aking dalawang buwan ay walang nangyari.

I thought I could consistently resist their procedures, but when Tobias visited me again, I received the treatment while sitting on his lap. Hindi ako nakapalag habang kalong niya at ang nakayakap ang mariin niyang braso sa akin.

"We can do this forever, Kezalli. Stop resisting. You'll just tire yourself," he whispered as I struggled against him.

That's why when the priestesses were inside my room, Tobias was seated on the nearest chair, casually flipping pages on his book with crossed legs.

"W-wait! Ang init na!" tinabig ko ang isang kamay ng babae na malapit sa noo ko.

I heard how he closed his book. "Do you need assistance?"

Nanliit ang mga mata ko at sinalubong ko ang sa kanya. "Stay right there!"

"I am asking them. Not you."

Agad umiling nang sunod-sunod ang mga babaylan nang makita nila ang naniningkit kong mga mata sa kanila.

Tobias nodded, leaned his back on his winged chair again, and opened his book. When the priestesses finished with their procedure, they would ask me some questions, and I'd answer the same.

At iisa lang lagi ang ekspresyon nila kay Tobias pagkatapos niyon. Bubuntonghininga si Tobias, isasarado ang kanyang aklat at mabagal na magtutungo sa akin.

The priestesses would leave us alone, I'd not move on my bed while glaring at him.

"I'll go now."

He bent and he was about to give me a kiss when I moved away, but in the end, I felt his lips on my right temple.

Tinalikuran niya na ako at naglalakad na siya patungo sa pinto nang habulin ko siya ng tingin. "I want to go outside."

Nakahawak na ang isa niyang kamay sa pinto bago siya lumingon sa akin.

"And then you'll run."

"You're literally treating me like a prisoner."

"You're a patient, Kezalli. You're fragile."

"S-siguro sa mundong ito, pero sa mundo ko? I am not suited here."a

"I don't want to start this conversation again. I'll visit you later."

"Tobias—"

Hindi na niya hinintay pa na matapos ang sasabihin ko dahil iniwan na niya ako.

Unlike before, Rosh had time to visit me, but now I heard from the servants that he was busy with his mission outside Deltora. Kaya hindi na nakapagtataka na sina Marah at Pryor ang dumadalaw sa akin.

I knew that Tobias was not aware of their visit. It wasn't new to him that his siblings were not happy with my existence inside the palace. But I noticed that they were less aggressive. Before I could feel that any moment one of them might kill me, maybe they could see my situation as more helpless than getting killed.

Katulad ngayon, si Pryor ang kausap ko.

He was trying to convince me that he could help me escape.

He was sitting on Tobias's favorite winged chair. I had this urge to push him away because that seat was meant for that stoned-faced king.

"Are you sure? No matter how asshole you are. I know that you can't disobey your brother's order. I know Tobias's authority in this palace." I waved in dismissal.

Ayoko rin na nagawa ko ngang tumakas, naging dahilan naman ako ng pagpapatayan nila ni Tobias.

In my short span of stay in this place. I knew how Tobias and Rosh valued their siblings, kahit ganoon sina Pryor at Marah na kaiba sa paniniwala nila. I might hate Pryor and his sharp tongue, but I hate to admit that I am starting to get used to his hostility.

Maybe I don't have a choice? Sino na lang ba ang nakakausap ko rito habang wala si Rosh? Kundi sina Marah at Pryor.

He smirked. "What do you think of me? That I am obedient?"

"You're scared of him."

"No way."

"Well, Tobias is literally someone you shouldn't try to piss. Mas madaling suyuin si Rosh kaysa sa kanya." Sabat ni Marah na bigla na lang pumasok nang buksan niya ang pinto.

I wonder how that damned door could recognize the palm of these siblings. Dahil sa tuwing ako ang magbubukas ay hindi talaga iyon gumagalaw.

Tumayo na si Pryor at ipinaghila niya pa ng upuan ang kapatid niya at inalalayan iyong umupo. Nanatili pa rin akong nasa kama habang nakaharap sa kanila.

Maybe the servants would think that everyone inside this castle was really chaotic. They witnessed how Tobias and I were overly sweet, now we were always in an argument. Ngayon naman ay mahinahon na kaming nag-uusap nina Pryor at Marah na tila hindi namin kinaiinisan ang isa't isa.

Marah rang the beg and asked for tea to be served. It took just a few minutes before two maids arrived and started to serve. Pryor casually lifted his cup as if he was trying to invite me.

Hindi kaya lalasunin na ako ng magkapatid na ito? Should I just drink it and end this?

Pansin ko ang kaba ng mga tagasunod sa loob ng silid na iyon bago sila sabay yumuko ang magpaalam.

"Tell me, why are you here? Hindi naman kayo mag-aaksaya ng oras sa bawat dalaw ninyo sa akin. What is your game?"

"I told you. We will help you escape," ulit ni Pryor.

"Do you think Tobias will allow that to happen? Sa tingin ninyo ba ay hindi niya alam na dinadalaw ninyo ako?"

"So, you're telling him?" tanong ni Marah.

I rolled my eyes. "He's always aware. And I don't think it's a good idea to seek him from both of you."

"Why not?" tanong muli ni Marah.

"We have the same goal. We want to get rid of you and you want to escape. Aren't we on the same page?" sagot ni Pryor.

Hindi ko agad sila sinagot. Lumapit ako sa malapit na lamesa sa kama ko, hinila ko ang drawer doon at kinuha ko iyong barahan na ipinadala ko mula sa tagasunod. Naglakad na ako patungo sa magkapatid.

"Do you play cards?"

Tumango sila. Itinabi na nila iyong mga tasa ng tsaa, humila na ako ng upuan at binalasa ko na ang barahan habang nanunuod lang sila.

"Tell me about this plan."

While Marah and Pryor were trying to explain their plan for me to escape, we played cards. Hindi naman ako nagulat na marunong mandaya ang magkapatid pero hindi nila alam na higit akong magaling sa kanila.

Nakangisi at laging nakataas ang kilay sa magkapatid sa tuwing nananalo ako. Iritableng inihahampas ni Pryor ang baraha sa lamesa habang napapamura na lang si Marah.

"I'll think about it," sabi ko.

It was lame, considering that Tobias would learn about this plan sooner or later. Hanggang ngayon ay iniisip ko pa kung paano niya iyon nagagawa.

"And maybe while she's passing through the mirror, she'll meet the other woman," dagdag ni Marah.

"You mean Astrid?" sabi ni Pryor.

"Yes. Maaari niya nang isama ang babaeng iyon. We'll just break the mirror from each end. Sa mundong ito at sa mundo ng mga tao. Malaya na kayo ng babaeng iyon gawin ang gusto ninyo sa sarili ninyong mundo."

Kumunot ang noo ko.

"I thought we have separate mirrors. I can meet her inside?" nagtatakang tanong ko.

"Ikaw ang itinakdang babae. Pati ba ang mismong pagtawid mo ay hindi mo matandaan?" tanong ni Marah.

Marahan akong umiling. Ang tanging natatandaan ko lang ay ang saglit na imahe ko na hinihila ng tubig mula sa salamin.

Bigla kong naalala iyong sinabi ng babaeng manghuhula sa tindahan. She told me that I could escape if Tobias was not around or inside the castle. Siguradong narito lang sa loob ng palasyo ang salamin.

If Marah and Pryor could really send him away or try to make him a little bit weaker so him to not feel my presence that was about to fade, maybe I could really escape.

"But how can you send him away? Ang dinig ko ay hindi na umaalis ng kaharian si Tobias at puro si Rosh ang humaharap sa pagpupulong sa labas."

"No one from us can send him away. Sa 'yo lang makikinig si Tobias. You have to convince him to leave the castle for a while. I'll try to find the mirror for you," sabi ni Marah.

Hindi agada ko nakapagsalita. Paano ko iyon gagawin na hindi niya ako mahahalata? Kapag biglang nagbago ang ugali ko ay agad niya akong mababasa.

"I'll think about it."

Akala ko ay aalis na ang magkapatid sa silid ko, ngunit higit pa silang nagtagal at nakipaglaro ng baraha sa akin, ngunit hindi man lang sila nanalo kahit isang beses.

***

Hindi rin naman ako naghintay nang matagal dahil nagpakita na si Tobias sa akin. He might be in his usual emotionless face, but I noticed how he looked so tired. Sa halip na sa upuan niya siya magtungo ay ibinagsak niya ang kanyang sarili sa kama.

Nanatili akong hindi nagsasalita bago niya marahang inilingon ang ulo niya sa akin. Nakaupo lang ako at nakasandal sa heardboard ng kama. "How are you?"

"I spent my day inside this room alone. Ano ba ang bago?"

"Were you alone? I heard you were playing cards with Marah and Pryor."

I smirked. Dapat ba akong magulat? Tulad ng sabi ko kanina ay imposible na walang nalalaman sa akin si Tobias.

"They're boring to play with."

"Do you want to play with me? I am better than them."

"You never play fair."

"Are you?"

"Are you here to play with your words again, Tobias?"

He sighed. He looked at the ceiling with his hands across his stomach. He slowly closed his eyes. "No. I am here to feel your presence."

"And my presence is still good for you?"

Hindi siya sumagot sa akin.

"What if you deserve someone else who will reciprocate—" he cut me off.

"Can I sleep here?"

"Even if I said no, you'll never listen. Why did you even ask?"

"I was about to respect your decision, but I realized that I am already in the era where I can no longer play the image of being a good vampire from the prophecy. Yes. I am not asking. I will sleep here, love."

***

Hindi na ulit nakadalaw sa akin sina Pryor at Marah, siguro ay nalaman na rin ni Tobias ang plano namin tatlo dahil hindi na siya lumipat ng silid.

He was just sharing a room with me. I thought he'd insist more than that, but everything was the same. He'd tell me his stories about his day went like we were the usual couple. I'd receive treatment and if I resisted, he'd take me on his lap.

Dahil alam niyang hindi ang nagkukusang uminom ng dugo kung ang mga tagasunod ang may dala niyon, si Tobias na mismo ang siyang nagdadala ng tray sa silid. If I refused to drink, he'd always threatened me that he would drink it for me and force-feed me again.

I was sitting on the edge of my bed, the small table was ready in front of me while Tobias casually poured the blood on my cup, and when he handed it to me and I stared at it for a minute, he'd quickly moved it to his mouth.

"N-no! Ako na!"

Tumayo na ako at inaagaw ko na sa kanya ang baso para inumin iyon. "More."

"Ayoko na," I lied.

Hindi ako sinunod ni Tobias. Inagaw niya ang baso at nilagyan niya ulit iyon ng dugo bago niya iabot sa akin.

"Take it."

"Tobias—"

"Kezalli, you look pale. You need blood in your system."

"Kaninong dugo ito?"

"Mine."

Napasulyap ako sa leeg niya, agad nag-init ang pisngi ko, yumuko bago ko ininom muli ang dugo niya na nasa baso. Nang ibaba ko na iyon sa kandungan ko ay sinalubong ko muli ang mga mata niya.

"Kailan ako makalalabas ulit? Do you think I can escape you? You're more powerful than me. I am heavily guarded. Gusto ko man lang lumabas."

Tobias took the cup and placed it on the table. He sighed, with his hands on his waist. "Fine but on one condition."

Sabi na.

"Ano?"

"Let me bite you."

His blood didn't bring back my memories, does his bite would make a difference?

I gulped. "S-sure." I started to tilt my neck.

"Ah, no. You have to spread your legs. I want the inner thighs."