The Taste of Seduction

"What are you doing?" Atlas asked, he and Marcus already going to Meredith's aid to protect her.

She was too stunned to speak, unable to process what he just did. It's as if her gut feeling was indeed telling her not to tell anything to him, yet she did because he is their friend.

But what had happened just now… why did he attack her and steal the book from her?

It was too silent in the middle of the maze where they've gotten the stone. Austin couldn't help but laugh maniacally, the three's attention on him as they couldn't believe his sudden change in attitude.

It's as if he was not like him at all!

Well… if he suddenly attacked Meredith, was he always nice, or was it just a façade?

"You all are fools… you know that?" he began, Atlas and Marcus protected her as they went in front of her so she could be safe if he dares attack her again. "You two were fighting—you three were conflicted back when we were about to get the Book of Spells!"

"I guess I know where this is going," Marcus said, glaring at him. "You set me up… so they can question me and you can get what you want!"

"Oh!" Austin caressed the book he held as if it were a cat wrapped in his arms. "You're smart after all, Marcus. You have a brain; I'm glad that it's still there and you weren't all that stupid from love," he added in sarcasm, Atlas looking at him, then back at Austin.

"You… set him up?"

"Obviously," Austin replied, rolling his eyes at him as he stated the obvious. "Knowing that you two are both driven by love accompanying Meredith, I took advantage of it. I pretended to be the good guy so I can get your trust and get what I want." He then lifted up the book a bit, proud. "This."

Marcus' jaw tightened, his hands on the side turning into tight fists. He still remembered what had happened that day. He was carrying the guilt of accidentally triggering the trap and feeling bad that he was doubted by Atlas… when all along it was his doing!

"You conniving bastard. You told me that the traps were gone and so I rushed to check how they are… and triggered it. It was your intention."

Austin couldn't help but laugh at what Marcus had said. Arching a brow at him, he reminded him that he trusted him after comforting him.

"Foolish of you to trust me when I comforted you. Such a weak heart for a prince. Tsk, tsk…"

Atlas felt angry for Marcus. As he instantly felt bad that he questioned and blamed him for such a long time, he redirected his anger at him, wanting to make him pay.

"You're going to regret this, Austin."

"Oh? I'm scared…" He laughed, looking at Meredith. "My dear student… how does it feel to know that I taught you a lot… and now your teacher's going against you to steal what's rightfully yours?"

Meredith felt a pang of pain in her heart for being betrayed by the man whom she trusted. With her body trembling in anger and at the same time sadness, she shouted at him, demanding for an answer.

"How could you!?" she shouted, angry tears escaping her eyes. "I trusted you! We all trusted you," she added, power coursing through her body as she was holding herself back. She wanted to demand for answers before attacking him.

Austin's facial expression suddenly turned blank. He looked at her with condescending eyes, his voice soft but full of bitterness. He then made them remember of the words the mysterious voice said, wondering why he said it.

"The traitor is acting quickly; think now and reflect. A jealous heart is dangerous and not one to be trampled with."

The three looked at each other and then back at Austin. With the three feeling threatened as they know that the book is no longer with them, they had their guards up in order to protect themselves.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Atlas said, giving him a death stare. "That's not Marcus."

"Oh, I'm not saying that it's him," he replied, pointing a finger at himself as if revealing to them a secret that's too big to tell. "It is I… all along."

"What?" Meredith furrowed her brows, confused. "Why?"

Austin looked at him, anger looming from his body. As they felt his intense emotions, they had already pieced everything together when he further revealed everything to them.

"You have no idea… how hatred circled in my body being with you, Meredith," he started, a sarcastic smile tugging the corner of his lips. "You are your mother's daughter… but you are your father's, too."

No one spoke for a solid five seconds. As the smile from his face slowly disappeared, what he said next further revealed intentions.

"I love your mother, Meredith. I love Gwen. Seeing as to how you have sides to her soothed my heart… but remembering that you also have wretched Luscious' blood and courage irked me so!"

Now they understood why the mysterious voice kept warning them. It was never Marcus who betrayed them. It was the man whom they trusted all along.

Austin.

"You…" Meredith was shocked, hearing that confession from Austin. "love my mother?"

"I do, Meredith." His face became softer, talking about the love of his life. "I still do… until now."

"Then why?" Meredith looked at him as she tried her best to understand where this is all coming from. "Then why are you attacking us, stealing the book from us? My mother… she wouldn't want you to do this."

No words came out from Austin. As he looked at the book, a reminder of Gwen, the woman he loves, he looked at Meredith and shook his head, answering her question.

"None of that matters," he mumbled, still enough for the three to hear. "I'll get the crystals and rule the continents as revenge for her choosing another man. I want power to myself. I'll rule the world. I gave her a chance, and she lost it… and she will not be able to protect everyone any longer."