Blood Secrets

Vampire's Power

Malakas ang kabog ng dibib niya lalo pa't alam niyang kaya siyang patayin ni Julian kung gugustuhin man nito. Julian used her to threaten Lorcan and she must say it was an impeccably bad decision dahil wala namang pakialam si Lorcan sa kanya. If anything, it would be convenient for Lorcan. That would mean one less vampire slayer in the world. Kaya alam niyang walang plano si Lorcan na iligtas siya.

Nanatili itong nakahawak sa babaeng bumali sa kanyang boto kanina. Kitang-kita niya ang takot sa mga mata nito. Her arm felt like it was going to tear off from its socket. Pakiramdam niya ay mahihimatay na rin siya sa sakit na nararamdaman.

"Always making bad choices, Julian. It's always been like that," saad ni Lorcan habang nakahawak pa rin sa leeg ng babaeng witch.

"I am going to drain this woman of her blood," pagbabanta naman ni Julian. Ngunit ngumisi lang si Lorcan sa gawi nila. Nagpatuloy naman si Julian. "We've known each other for several years. I know you, Lorcan."

"Oh, is that the reason why you did not know I was a hybrid and made you a vampire?"

Humigpit naman ang hawak ni Julian sa kanya. "I know you don't like torture. You don't really care if it's done to you. But I saw how it bothered you when you watched those vampires being tortured. What would you feel if it's a human?"

She flinched when Julian ran a finger down her cheek to her neck. "You might be better at me in all other aspects but I can read people. And when you made me a vampire, it helped me understand your species too." Ramdam niya ang ngiti ni Julian nang amoyin nito ang kanyang leeg. "This woman might be someone you don't consider part of your circle but I can tell she's grown a bit of something inside of you."

Nakita naman niyang nag-iba ang ekspresyon sa mukha ni Lorcan.

"Do you see her as something weak? Something you need to protect?"

Napatawa naman siya doon nang mahina. "It's everything but that. You must know that he tried to kill me once and gave me quite a number of threats. So if there's a list of things he wants to do, protecting me is not on that list--"

Hindi na niya natapos ang nais sabihin nang mas higpitan pa ni Julian ang pagkakahawak sa kanya.

"You see this woman as someone vulnerable. And it is quite contradicting with your nature, Lorcan. You're known to be the most ruthless vampire that ever lived. Who knew you had a soft side?"

She knew provoking Lorcan won't do anything good and doesn't plan on doing one at the moment. That's why she was not surprised anymore when he snapped the witch's neck and the latter fell to the ground.

Naramdaman naman niya si Julian na tila hindi makagalaw sa likuran niya. Ngumisi si Lorcan sa gawi nila. And then his eyes met hers.

"Again, Julian. Bad decisions," Lorcan said. Bigla naman siyang kinabahan dahil tila wala ngang plano si Lorcan na iligtas siya. "What are you waiting for? Do what you want with her."

"Lorcan--"

"Drain her blood for all I care. There is one thing you got wrong about me, Julian," he said. "I don't give a damn and I don't have any soft sides for that woman. So go on, bite her delectable neck."

Tiningnan lang niya ang lalaki, nagbabasakali na bawiin nito ang sinabi ngunit hindi iyon nangyari. Sa halip ay naramdaman niya ang kakaibang sakit sa kanyang leeg. Julian buried his fangs on her neck and she screamed at that.

Ngunit hindi iyon nagtagal dahil agad na lumayo ang lalaki sa kanya at sumuka ng sugo sa sahig. Itinulak siya nito dahilan para muntikan na siyang matumba. Mabuti na lang at nasalo siya ni Lorcan. She only had a glimpse of what Julian's state was before Lorcan took her out of the room.

Nakarating silang dalawa sa tahimik na hallway ngunit hindi iyon sapat kay Lorcan. Sinipa nito ang isang pinto at ipinasok siya doon.

"What happened back there--"

Hindi na niya natapos ang nais sabihin nang hawakan siya ni Lorcan sa magkabilang-balikat at paupuin sa isa sa mga silya doon. Next thing she heard was the sound of him biting his wrist and then she felt his hand on her mouth. He was forcing her to drink his blood. Agad naman siyang umiwas doon.

"Your wrist was broken and you have bite marks on your neck. Unless you want to be the main course for all the vampires down there, then, by all means, walk away."

Kahit pa madilim ang silid ay nakita niyang galit ito habang nakatingin sa kanya. Tiningnan naman niya ang kamay nitong may dugo. Dahan-dahan naman niya itong kinuha at ininom ang dugo mula sa lalaki.

The moment the blood entered her system, she felt like every ache in her body was cured. Hindi na rin niya nararamdaman ang sakit sa kanyang kamay at ramdam niya ang paghilom ng sugat na natamo niya kay Julian.

When she was done, all her wounds and her physical pain were gone. It felt like she had just a very good sleep. Pakiramdam niya ay nasa tamang kondisyon ang kanyang katawan. Napatingin siya kay Lorcan na naglabas ng panyo at ibinigay iyon sa kanya. Kinuha naman niya iyon at pinahid sa kanyang leeg kung saan siya kinagat ni Julian. Thinking about the feeling of his fangs piercing her skin made her shiver. Iyon ang unang pagkakataon na nakagat siya ng isang bampira. Kaya naman nalilito siya sa kung bakit ganoon ang nangyari kay Julian.

"What happened to him?" tanong niya kay Lorcan. Nakita naman niyang pinupunasan din nito ang dugo na nasa kamay nito.

"I have no idea. Now that you're clean, let's go. Leave that towel," utos nito at sinunod naman niya ang lalaki.

Agad silang nakarating sa ibaba at doon na nila nakita si Sebastian, Eleanor, at si Kai. Agad naman siyang tumakbo sa gawi ni Kai at niyakap ito. Naramdaman niyang hinalikan ng lalaki ang tuktok ng kanyang ulo bago nito pauli-ulit na sinasabing maayos silang dalawa.

Nang tingnan niya ang gawi nina Lorcan at nag-uusap ang mga ito. She always knew they were up to something tonight. Hindi lang niya alam kung ano. Suddenly, Sebastian walked towards the stairs kung saan madali siyang makita. Hindi niya alam kung anong balak nitong gawin. Napatingin siya sa paligid at nakita niyang wala pa si Julian. Kung ano man ang nangyari sa lalaki kanina, hindi pa ito nakarecover.

The other vampires recognized Sebastian Sylvaine but without Julian, none of them dared to make a single move. Napatitig siya sa lalaki at hindi tumakas sa mga mata niya ang maliit na mantsa ng dugo sa cuff ng suit nito. Nagtataka siya kung saan iyon galing ngunit nakuha naman niya agad kung anong ibig sabihin noon nang makita niyabg walang kahit sinuman sa mga alagad ni Julian ang lumabas para pigilan si Sebastian.

Lorcan had killed two witches. Sebastian probably killed Julian's cronies.

"Pleasant evening to everyone," Sebastian started. "Our friend, Julian, has invited has over and it is truly delightful that even with our differences, we have come here together to have fun."

Nakakunot ang noo niya habang nakatingin sa lalaki. Hindi niya pa rin mabasa kung anong balak nitong gawin.

"I am the eldest of the Sylvaine siblings and the head of the vampire faction in St. Angeli." He looked around before he continued. "Look at me."

All of a sudden, some people inside stiffened and looked only at Sebastian. Hindi gumalaw ang mga ito. Sebastian had just compelled the tourist—no. He didn't know which ones are the tourists and which ones are not. The easiest way to determine it is to compel them and then see which ones are affected. Ngunit hindi siya sigurado kung para saan iyon.

Napansin naman niya ang ibang bampira na nagtataka na sa nangyayari.

Nakita niyang tumango si Lorcan sa gawi ni Esme and the latter suddenly looked around.

Saka naman niya napansin ang paglabas ng ibang mga taong hindi niya nakita kanina. Another reason why they were noticeable was that they were not dressed for the occasion. The moment they raised their arms, she knew they were witches. And she also realized they were with Esme. The witches chanted some spells and suddenly, the vampires were holding their heads na para bang binibiyak ito.

Nang tumingin siya sa ikalawang palapag, nakita niya ang ibang witches na kasamahan ni Julian. They were about to counter what Esme's witches were doing when half of Esme's witches focused on the enemy witches and with a few chants, they made them unconscious.

The other witches continued to make the vampires suffer. Some of them were already down on the floor, screaming because of the pain the witches had inflicted.

Tumingin siya sa gawi ni Sebastian nang magsalita ulit ito.

"No one move." The people followed what he said. They're not under the influence of fleurel.

Napatingin naman siya sa gawi ni Kai at nakita niyang hindi nasurpresa ang lalaki sa nakita. Her and Kai cant be compelled anymore dahil kani-kanina lang ay binigyan sila ni Eleanor ng wine na may bahid ng fleurel.

Magtatanong na sana siya kung anong nangyayari nang bigla na lang siyang hinagkan ng lalaki at bigla silang umupo sa sahig. Saka naman niya narinig ang pagkabasag ng mga bintanang gawa sa salamin.

Kai covered her from the shards but when she looked around, she could see the Sylvaines remained standing. At nang tingnan niya ang paligid ay nakita niyang nakahandusay na sa sahig ang mga bampira habang ang mga tao naman ay nanatiling nakatayo at nakatingin sa gawi ni Sebastian gaya ng sinabi ng mga ito sa kanya. Nagtataka siya sa kung anong nangyayari at hindi rin siya binigyan ng pagkakataon na makapagsalita dahil agad din siyang inakay ni Kai patayo.

Nang makatayo na siya ay saka naman niya napansing wala na ang mga witch sa paligid. Ngunit mas nagulat siya sa sunod niyang nakita. Several people clad in all black came rushing into the windows. Mas nagulat naman siya sa pagdating ng mga ito.

"Kai, what are they doing here?" tanong niya sa lalaki habang hinihila siya nito papalayo sa komosyon. When they were safe in the corner, saka siya hinarap ni Kai. Ngunit hindi natanggal ang paningin niya sa mga bagong dating. Agad tumakbo ang mga ito at isa-isang tinali ang mga bampira gamit ang espesyal na lubid na ilang beses niya ring nahawakan kapag nasa isang misyon siya. Hindi niya makita ang mga mukha ng blood slayers na kararating lang ngunit alam niyang kakilala niya lahat iyon.

"The factions have made a plan," Kai said as though it would explain everything.

"And you failed to inform me about this plan?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya sa lalaki.

"I'm sorry, Nads," he said. "The headquarters won't give it their all to help the Sylvaines. You know them. There is no way that they would help a vampire. But Sebastian managed to have a talk with the mayor of the city."

"And the mayor talk to our headquarters?" she added and Kai nodded.

"They only helped because it was the mayor who asked for it."

Napatingin siya ulit sa komosyon at nakita niyang wala na ang mga Sylvaines doon. All the other vampires were tied with ropes and the people, being told not to move, did not move a muscle.

She looked around and realized Esme and Leila is gone too. Sila na lang ang natira doon. She was about to run towards where the blood slayers are when there was a sudden explosion on the second floor of the house. Yumanig ang buong lugar and she tried her best not to fall despite her heavy dress.

Naramdaman naman niyang may humawak sa kanyang pulsohan at nang lingunin niya ito ay nakita niya si Eleanor. Before she could even ask her what happened, naunahan na siya ng babae.

"Tell your friends to leave. Once they see us, they will not hesitate to shoot us. They already spared us earlier and if we show ourselves, they won't be too lax about it. Tell them to leave. They won't be able to save these people unless Sebastian uncompel them."

"What the hell is happening, Eleanor?" tanong niya. Tiningna n naman siya ng babae na para bang hindi ito makapaniwalang nagawa pa niyang magtanong.

"This house is about to collapse and these people will die if we don't hurry." Kung anog man ang ginawa ng mga ito sa itaas, she doesn't want to know.

Hearing that, Kai was quick to move towards the blood slayers. Sumunod naman siya rito. With the slayers' face covered, hindi madaling matukoy kung nasaan si Hera kaya naman tinawag niya ang pangalan nito. Maya-maya pa ay lumapit sa kanila ang isang blood slayer. Tinanggal nito ang maskarang suot at doon niya nakita ang mukha ni Hera. Only that Hera doesn't seem too happy to see them. Ngunit wala na siyang panahon para isipin kung anong problema. If they're going to save these tourists, they have to be quick.

"Please tell the others to leave this instant," she said. Naningkit naman ang mga mata ni Hera habang nakatingin sa kanya.

"Is that what your vampire friends told you?"

Natigilan naman siya sa sinabi nito. Ngunit kailangan niyang kumbinsihin ang babae.

"Hera, please—"

"These tourists are under compulsion. If you don't leave, Sebastian Sylvaine won't be able to uncompel them. Hindi mo sila maiaalis sa lugar nito. So if you care for these people, you're going to tell your troupe to move." Kai's voice was stern and she often forgets that Kai holds a higher position than Hera.

Nakita naman niyang nagpakawala ng buntong-hininga si Hera at tumingin sa kanya. "We're going to talk," saad nito bago humarap sa mga kasamahan nito at sinabihan na umalis.

Within a few seconds, the slayers were gone. The vampires were tied and unconscious on the floor. Saka naman lumabas sa Sebastian. He stood at the same spot where he stood earlier.

Then he said, "Leave and forget about what happened here. You were having fun in the city of St. Angeli and you will only tell your friends good things about it. You're going to leave first thing tomorrow."

And then she saw how the people blinked as if breaking from a trance before they walked slowly to the exit.

Napatingin siya sa kung nasaan si Sebastian at nakita niyang naroon na rin sina Lorcan at Eleanor. They were all looking at the vampires on the ground. She could really see the dominance they assert even amongst other species. The Sylvaines know it perfectly well and they are using it in their own favor. What happened to her earlier made her realize how vulnerable her life is against a vampire. She realized that without her weapons, she won't be able to kill a vampire. The reason why they haven't encountered strong vampires like the Sylvaines and Julian before is that they're too weak to find one.

She realized just how brave yet vulnerable her job has made her.

Tumingin sa gawi niya si Lorcan at ngumisi ito. She never felt jealous of a vampire's strength and power. But now, after being bitten and injured, for the first time ever, she wanted to have a vampire's power.