Blood Secrets

The Faction Leaders

Sebastian was never the one to take chances. Lalong-lalo na kung buhay niya at ng pamilya niya ang nakasalalay. Sa kanilang tatlo, siya ang pinakamaingat. Lorcan may be who the other vampires fear most but they don't realize Sebastian is way more dangerous. Sebastian just happened to master the art of control. Kaya naman sa kanilang tatlo, he was the one tasked to be the vampire faction's head. Hell, he couldn't trust the position to either of his siblings. Not when they're starting to establish themselves in the city.

Lorcan is too reckless. He does whatever just to get what he needs. Eleanor, on the other hand, may be a little bit laid back but still reckless. She's stubborn and gets worked up quickly. If one of them lead the vampire faction, this city could end in a bloodbath. It was Sebastian who cleans up after their messes. For over a millennia, it has been what he was doing. It's a surprise he's still not exhausted. Ngunit para kay Sebastian, uunahin niya ang kanyang pamilya bago ang ibang bagay. Nothing comes between him and his family.

"Mr. Sylvaine," said a man behind him. He took one last look at the city view from the mayor's office before he faced the mayor.

Kitang-kita niyang pinagpapawisan ito. Perhaps he was coming from somewhere and was rushing to come back as soon as he could. Or perhaps it could be because he was nervous. When he saw how the mayor swallowed hard, he gathered it was the latter.

Kaya naman nagpakawala siya ng ngiti sa lalaki para naman gumaan ang pakiramdam nito.

"You might have heard about my siblings and what they can do," he said. Nakita niyang tila mas dumoble ang nerbiyos ng lalaki sa harapan niya. "I can assure you that I am not like them."

He made his voice sound as assured as possible. Because when you're not just an ordinary vampire but a vampire with a dark history, people would assume the worst. The mayor and him have never talked alone. The only times they saw each other was when there were council meetings and all faction leaders as asked to gather. Kaya naiintindihan niya ang kaba ng lalaki.

Nang hindi sumagot ang lalaki naglakad siya papunta sa upuan naroon. "I assume you have also heard about the commotion that's been going on among the vampire faction," he said. Nakita naman niyang tumigas ang ekspresyon sa mukha ng mayor.

"What is happening?" tanong nito. He knows the mayor is concerned. He's just wise enough not to meddle much. Alam nilang lahat na sa pagitan ng tao at bampira, tao ang magiging biktima.

"There are a certain group of vampires led by a man named Julian Cestmont. They're planning to kill Lorcan. Something I don't want to happen."

The mayor finally got the courage to walk towards his table and sat there. Ngayon ay magkaharap na silang dalawa. Tiningnan siya nito na para bang hinihintay kung ano ang susunod niyang sasabihin.

"I came here to ask for your help. See, my brother is someone who would stop at nothing just so he could punish these vampires who had the audacity to go against him. He has made a lot of enemies. At kung malalaman ng ibang mga bampira na maaaring mapatay ang isang Lorcan Sylvaine, vampires from all corners of the world will come running to this city and try it. Kaya kailangan naming idispatya ang namumuno sa mga rebeldeng ito."

"And which part do you need my help?" the mayor asked. There was little confidence in his voice now but he could see he was still wary.

"Among our group, we have two humans. Kaiden Valder and Nadia Melendez. Both of them are members of a blood slayer group. See, to go against several vampires, we would need every help we could get. But having the two blood slayers among us won't be enough to convince this blood slayer organization to help us. And, of course, seeing that their main goal is to slay my kind, I don't think I would be convincing enough to ask them for help."

Nakita naman niyang namang naningkit ang mga mata ng mayor. "So you want me to talk to the organization because they might agree if it's a human asking for help."

"I believe so," Sebastian answered.

"But what if they won't agree? They will surely know they'd be helping you. I don't think they would still be keen on that, either."

Sumeryoso naman ang mukha niya. "Then it would mean the death of many innocent tourists who were compelled to go to Julian's mansion for tonight's party."

The mayor's eyes widened in surprise. "Tourists?"

"Your streets are swarming with them as of the moment. And the party happens tonight."

Napasapo naman sa noo ang mayor. Sometimes, he would wonder what kind of guts this man have to run for mayor even with the knowledge of what lives among them. Witches, wolves, and vampires--supernatural beings who could easily take human lives. But surprisingly, the city has thrived. Perhaps it was because all of them could benefit from it. It was a pretty good establishment among the factions.

Nakita naman niyang kinuha ng lalaki ang telepono sa gilid at nakipag-usap sa sekretarya nito. Nang matapos ay saka naman tumingin ang lalaki sa kanya.

"I give you my word that the blood slayers will come," said the mayor.

Tumango si Sebastian at tumayo. He straightened his coat before saying, "Tell them to strike at midnight tonight. The address to the mansion is on your table. Tell them to shoot all the vampires with their strongest fleurel bullets. I'm sure they're trained enough to determine vampires amongst a crowd of humans."

The mayor looked at the table and found the piece of paper neatly folded. Kinuha iyon ng mayor at tumingin sa kung saan nakatayo si Sebastian kanina ngunit wala na ang lalaki doon. The mayor's telephone rung again and his secretary redirected her to a line.

Then he said, "I am Mayor Heinz Lock of St. Angeli. I am in need of assistance with some vampire problems. Would you be able to help?"

***

Esme's mission was impossibly hard to do. Being the coven leader, it's what comes with the job. Ngunit sa loob ng ilang taong pamumuno niya, ito ang unang pagkakataon na nagsisisi siya sa kanyang tungkulin.

She is well aware of the situation and what she needs to do is difficult but necessary. The rogue vampires have rogue witches on their side. Normally, their ancestors would interfere ngunit ngayon, tahimik lang ang ninuno nila. Their silence could only mean one thing: their witch ancestors agree to what the rogues are planning to do to the vampires. Particularly the Sylvaines.

Inaamin niyang hindi kailanman naging maganda ang relasyon ng dalawa. Vampires and witches loath each other. Maski siya ay masisiyahan kung mawawala na ang mga bampira sa balat ng lupa ngunit kung kapalit naman noon ay ang kaligtasan ng mga lobo at ang buhay ng ibang witches at mga tao, tutulungan niya ang mga Sylvaine para pigilan ang mga nagrebeldeng mga bampira.

Witches are the ones who balances nature. Her ancestors think that without the vampires, the world would be more balanced. Ngunit hindi siya sang-ayon doon. One witch was the reason why there are vampires, in the first place. Kaya ngayon, kailangan niyang gawin ang dapat niyang gawin.

"Are you sure about this?" tanong ni Leila sa kanya. "The ancestors have been quiet. They're unbelievably unfair."

Sinamaan niya ng tingin si Leila. Their ancestors might be silent but they certainly listen. And living on the other side has made them quite hot-tempered.

Nakita niyang umirap sa hangin si Leila. "Come on. We can't be worried about their wrath now. It's clear that our ancestors are siding with the rogue witches. Which means, that anything that goes against what they believe is right is going to earn their wrath. You already earned it, might as well make the most of it."

"I know, Leila. And yet our ancestors still haven't done something against us, either."

Napaisip naman si Leila doon bago ito nagtatakang tumingin sa kanya. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that some of our ancestors might be siding with the rogues but some are also siding with us. Kaya wala silang ginagawa sa atin kahit pa nakipagtulungan na tayo sa mga Sylvaine."

Tumango naman si Leila sa sinabi niya. "So basically they're doing nothing and is just waiting for what's going to be the outcome."

Esme sighed. Mukhang ganoon na nga ang mangyayari. Besides, the ancestors are can't do anything unless she connects with them or go to their altar to pay respects. Kung magtatagumpay man siya sa gagawin niya ngayon, their ancestors would surely be furious.

There is one rule amongst witches: that is not to kill each other. A coven does not murder each other. But that's exactly what she's going to resort to doing if everything goes south.

The young wolves of the Bloodbrook pack are under a curse. A curse done by a rogue witch. In their coven, there are a few witches that are quite strong but there is one that is strong enough to lead a group of witches to curse several wolves. The only way to undo the curse is to talk to the witch who cast it to remove it or to kill the witch directly.

Si Isabela ang witch sumumpa sa mga lobo. She had known Isabela noong bata pa ito. She had always been an exceptional student. Kaya naman gagawin niya ang lahat ng makakaya niya para kausapin ang babae na tanggalin ang sumpa o mapipilitan siyang gawin ang bagay na hindi niya gustong gawin.

"You might be strong but what if they're going to bring vampires with them--"

"We're not cowards, Leila," said a voice behind them. They whirled to see Isabela together with two other rogue witches.

"Isabela," Leila said. There was enough contempt in her voice and Isabela noticed it.

"If you're going to give us a talk about rethinking where our loyalties lie, I am going to answer it now. Our loyalties lie to the coven because unlike you, Esmeralda, we think of our future."

"A future where some strong unknown creature is going to rule the vampires and would possibly wipe out other species including us? Nice thinking, Isabela." Leila crossed her arms.

"It is a new world, Leila. Something you won't understand because you're too busy making that dead vampire your world." Isabela placed a dramatic hand on her mouth as though she did not mean to bring up Leila's boyfriend. "Sorry, that was insensitive."

"Do you understand what this action is going to make?" she said. Tumingin naman si Isabela sa kanya.

"A world where we don't have to fear the vampires, Esmeralda."

"Isabela, you are a witch. You should not fear vampires. Placing a curse on the wolve will only place a target on your back."

Leila stepped in. "For someone who's scared of vampires, you sure are working well with some of them. Not to mention, you and your rogue team are planning to make a creature stronger than a hybrid."

"A witch made a vampire before. Who's to say we can't do it now? This time, it's going to be something stronger. The Sylvaines will have nothing against this creature. The best part is that he is not like the Sylvaines. He has a vision for a better future amongst the supernaturals."

Napapikit nalang siya nang mariin. "Isabela, please."

"Diyan ka nagkakamali, Isabela. You brag so much about this creature you're planning but how sure are you that it's going to be successful? At kung magiging matagumpay man kayo, paano kayo makakasiguro na hindi magiging mas masahol pa sa mga Sylvaine ang bampirang iyan?" Leila took another step forward. "You might not realize it now but the last thing you'd ever want to do is to go against the Sylvaines. They might be scared of witches but Lorcan Sylvaine will stop at nothing to kill those who are conspiring against him. And when that happens, Esmeralda won't be there to protect you. The coven won't be there to protect you. So I am asking you now, Isabela. What's it gonna be?"

Isabela gave them a hard look. Her lips were a thin line. And then she said, "I am no longer part of your coven." Saka naglaho ang mga ito.

***

Aedion wasn't sure if what he did was a good idea but if he were going to choose sides, he chose not to go against the Sylvaines' bad side. He doesn't fear for his life. But he knows how dirty the Sylvaines can get. Aedion has a lot to lose and the Sylvaines are going to make sure he loses them all. He's the alpha of the pack. He puts his pack first before himself.

Kaya naman nang makita niya si Joana na muntikan nang mapatay ni Lorcan ay hindi siya nagdalawang-isip na sabihin sa mga ito ang sitwasyon niya at kung sino ang namumuno sa mga rebelde. And because of it, the witches led by Esmeralda Calista placed a powerful barrier around the mountain to shove away intruders if there are any. He should be assured by it but looking at the young wolves who couldn't revert back to their human forms, he knows it's not over yet. To break the curse placed upon them, the witch who cast it should be persuaded to de-spell it or as Sebastian said, the witch should die to remove the spell.

Sinabi ni Esme sa kanila na susubukan muna nitong kausapin ang naglagay ng sumpa. But if it doesn't work, Esme will be forced to kill one of her witches. Naiintindihan niyang mahirap iyon para kay Esme. Like wolves, witches put their covens first before themselves. Esme swore to help him and for that, he is very thankful.

"They're going tonight," said Joana who was standing behind him. Nakatingin siya sa malawak na lawa hindi kalayuan sa kung saan sila nakatira. Hinarap niya si Joana. His eyes drifted down to where Lorcan's hand had pierced it. Hours ago, Joana was moments away from dying. If Lorcan had torn her heart out, there would be no turning back. Joana could have died.

He shook the memory away.

"Then we should prepare as well," he said and walked past her. Ngunit napatigil naman siya sa paglalakad nang maramdaman niya ang kamay ni Joana sa kanyang pulsohan.

"Whatever happened, it's not your fault. Huwag mong sisihin ang sarili mo, Aedion," saad ng babae. Nakatingin lang siya sa unahan, unable to form the words he wanted to say. And then he ended up not saying anything as he continued to walk away.

Julian Cestmont and his cronies are going to have a dinner party. The Sylvaines have constructed a plan and it involves him and some other wolves in his pack joining the party. But Sebastian told them to conceal themselves as they have other more important things to do other than socializing. When he knew it was all about trapping Julian Cesmont, he immediately agreed to the plan.

If their plan fail or succeed, the party will end in a bloodbath, either way.