✔The Knight's Madness

QUADRAGINTA QUINQUE

"Bakit ka ba gustong patayin ng magkakapatid na 'yon?"

Kleo's voice sounded much more accusing than she intended to. She didn't know whether it was because sitting in a limousine made her uncomfortable or personally talking to her biological father drove her over the edge. Sa lahat ng "favors" na pinapagawa nito sa kanya kapalit ng pagsustento nito sa kaniyang pag-aaral, ito na siguro ang pinaka-"kakaiba".

'What grudge could those three possibly have against him?'

Muli siyang sumulyap sa lalaking nakaupo sa kanyang tapat, his heterochromatic eyes were a bitter reminder of their relation. Ever since she found out about this, sinubukan niyang itago ang kanyang mga mata sa pamamagitan ng bangs. Kleo always got bullied for it as a kid, anyway.

The man in front of him smiled, almost a fatherly smile.

"Isang Neverwood lang ang problema natin sa ngayon, anak. In fact, this little 'inconvenience' has been trying to catch me and stop our business for months. Gawin mo lang ang pinapagawa ko sa'yo," sunod nitong kinuha ang isang paranormal magazine at inabot kay Kleo. "I know his kind might interest you, Kleopatra. Mahilig ka sa paranormal creatures, hindi ba? Well, this playboy is a crow-shifter and a healer, too."

Kleo wasn't a healer, that much she was aware of since her father granted her gift. Sa kabila nito, humigpit ang hawak niya sa magazine. She ignored the warning her instincts were trying to tell her. A part of her was even curious. Matagal na niyang gustong makakilala ng mga katulad niyang...hindi normal. Would it make her feel better if she befriended them? Maybe.

Maybe she wouldn't feel so alone, anymore.

But her father clearly had other plans in mind. He always had other plans. Para sa kanya, isang kagamitan lang ang kanyang anak. 'Hangga't buhay ako, patuloy niyang pakikinabangan ang abilidad ko.' Wala sa sarili niyang niyakap si Roberta, ang natatanging regalong binigay sa kanya noon ng lalaking ito.

"Pero paano kung madiskubre niya ang lahat?"

When he saw her hesitation, he quickly added, "Then you better start praying he doesn't... Kung hindi, alam mo na ang mangyayari sa tiyahin mo. Nagkakaintindihan ba tayo, Kleopatra?"

Kleo shut her eyes, her chest felt hollow with his threat. Hindi niya alam kung anong gagawin niya sa sandaling madamay ang kanyang Tita Elvie. Huminga nang malalim ang dalaga at nanghihinang tumango.