Hidden Bite (Book 3 of Bite Trilogy)

Chapter 16

Dedicated to Heavenly Olmedo

Chapter 16: Under the Tree

ZEN LANCELOT GAZELLIAN

"What should I do? I think someone's after my daughter. It's all my fault." I pressed my shaking palms on my forehead, thinking about the possibilities of that irrational decision.

Katahimikan ang nabalot sa silid na iyon, ngunit ramdam ko ang titig ng tatlong bampirang tinawag ko mula sa iba't ibang kaharian. Alam kong nang sandaling nakatanggap sila ng liham mula sa akin ay nagkaroon na sila nang hinalang may malaki akong problema.

Unlike Dastan who invites Tobias just for a drink and casual talks, I never asked Rosh, Seth, or even Blair for a leisurely meeting. But right now, I am in desperate need to ask them.

"What happened? Paano mo nasabi ang bagay na iyan?" tanong ni Rosh.

I frustratingly brushed my hair up with both of my hands as if that would make a difference and calm my nerves. I stayed looking down, with both of my arms pressed on shaking thighs.

"I. . . for me to properly return in this world, I agreed to that witch to have my firstborn. I sold my own daughter for my own happiness," I said shakily.

I heard how Rosh broke the glass of wine, how Blair gasped, and Seth leaned on his chair for his support.

"A-Alam ni Claret?" tanong ni Seth.

"No."

"She will kill you." Blair quickly added.

"W-Who else knows this?" Rosh asked nervously.

Unti-unti na akong nag-angat ng tingin sa kanila. They looked awfully afraid of my next answer. "Just the three of you."

Sabay-sabay silang napatayong tatlo. Ilang beses umiiling si Blair, pilit humihinga nang malalim si Seth habang si Rosh pinapaypayan na ang kanyang sarili gamit ang sariling kamay.

"Y-You just made us your accomplice! Bakit sa amin mo unang sinabi hindi kay Claret? You can even asked Dastan!" sigaw ni Rosh.

"If we're all aware now, and if this thing became an issue. . ." itinuro ako ni Blair at magkasunod niyang itinuro sina Seth at Rosh. "Everyone will think that we're trying to cover him up?"

"Oh, my god. . . my beautiful image," bulong ni Rosh.

Halos sabunutan na ni Seth ang kanyang sarili. Nahampas na niya ang lamesa at mas inilapit niya ang mukha niya sa akin. "You. Tell. Them. Now. Zen." Madiin ang bigkas ni Seth na tila binabantaan ako.

"I can't. . ."

"WHY!" sabay-sabay na silang humampas sa lamesa.

"I can't just tell my wife that I sold our daughter! I can't just tell this family who's trying to have a peaceful life that I made a terrible mistake again."

Suminghap si Rosh. "But fine with us?"

"Y-You were there, right? You were there when you summoned me back in this world."

Halos hindi na maipinta ang mukha nilang tatlo sa isinagot ko. I know that I didn't even imagine myself confiding with these idiots, but I couldn't think of a better way right now but to share this with them.

"That's not the point!" Seth and Rosh said in unison.

"Is this another journey? But at least, we have to experience it with him," Blair said flatly.

Seth crossed his arms, and he's starting tapping one of his feet on the floor impatiently. "We can't just tell his family or Claret. That fool should do it, but he's trying to get us involved!"