Blood Secrets

Unlikely Alliance

At first, she thought the plan was stupid, idiotic--a suicide mission. And as much as she wants to feel confident that Eleanor is on their side and Sebastian is surprisingly someone who was willing to listen, she knows she shouldn't let her guard down. The Sylvaines are a family and they may fight like dogs and turn their backs on each other, she knows that at the end of the day, they will kill for each other. Kaya naman hindi niya magawang makampante sa set up nila ngayon.

Nakatingin siya kay Elijah na nakaupo sa couch. They are currently inside the Sylvaine mansion, sitting together, setting aside temporarily the fact that they are wired to kill each other. Sinabi na niya kay Sebastian ang sinabi sa kanya ni Hera and surprisingly, he took it well.

"About time they do something against Lorcan," he said. Maski ito ay hindi sang-ayon sa mga ginagawa ni Lorcan. She has heard all the terrible things that Lorcan had done living for a thousand years kaya naman hindi na nakakapagtaka kung marami itong kaaway. Some of them are now conspiring against him.

"They're planning on making a creature that's stronger than a hybrid, Sebastian," Eleanor. "They are not only coming for Lorcan but for us as well. Why should we be included in this?"

Sebastian sat in silence. Unlike Lorcan, Sebastian is more like the calm type. However, she has a feeling she wouldn't want to get on his bad side. When he was still not saying anything, Eleanor let out an exasperated gasp and stood.

"Sebastian, for once, stop taking Lorcan's side and consider what they have said. A stronger creature will appear that could possibly kill us all!"

"I heard you the first time, Eleanor."

"Then why are you not saying anything? Lorcan might be unconscious now but we could tell you're still taking his side--"

"I am thinking about what should we do against them so we would stop whatever plan these rogues are doing, Eleanor. That is why I am not saying anything." Sebastian then looked at them, particularly at her. "You're telling this to us even though it would work in your favor if these rogues survive and kill our bloodline," he said as he folded his hands on top of his crossed legs.

"I'm choosing the lesser evil and besides, I am not doing this for free. I need some information from you or from Lorcan," she answered. Sebastian stared at her for a longer time as though thinking about what she had just said. As if trying to figure out if there is any truth in her words at all. And then he nodded.

"Very well," he said before he looked behind them where Lorcan was tied. "Perhaps you could tell him yourself."

Napatingin naman siya sa silya kung saan nakaupo si Lorcan. He was tied with a rope soaked with azalea. Nakita niyang napadaing ito sa sakit at nagpumiglas nang mapagtantong nakatali siya sa silya.

"Calm down, brother." Sebastian stood and walked toward his brother. He stood in front of him as Lorcan gave him sharp looks that would have sent a normal vampire running in another direction.

"What's the meaning of this?" Lorcan asked, roaming his eyes around. At nang magtama ang mga mata nila ay tila hindi siya makagalaw sa kanyang kinatatayuan. She would be lying if she's day she doesn't feel any hint of fear looking at Lorcan. Kahit nakagapos ito sa silya ay hindi niya pa rin maiwasang matakot. Years working as a blood slayer is something she would never get used to.

Then she saw Lorcan let out a smirk. "Oh, of course. It's very Sebastian-like to invite guests over. Please, take a seat," he said. Napalunok naman siya ng laway sa sinabi ng lalaki. Habang si Lorcan naman ay tumingin kay Sebastian at nakangiti. It was almost like he was challenging his brother but Sebastian, being the more reasonable between them, merely straightened the lapel on his coat.

Then he said, "I need you to listen carefully to what she has to say, Lorcan."

Lorcan scoffed. "Well, if you get me out of these ropes then perhaps I will." He looked at her. "After I drain her of her blood."

Magsasalita na sana siya nang makita niyang lumipad ang kamao ni Sebastian sa mukha ni Lorcan. Lorcan's head whipped to the other side while Sebastian took a handkerchief from the pockets of his coat and flicked it before he used it to wipe his hand smeared with Lorcan's blood.

Lorcan's head bobbed as he looked at his brother in front of him. He smiled at his brother, mouth bloody. "Perhaps you don't know who they are, Sebastian. Blood slayers--the kind to slay our kind. I would not be surprised if they would shoot you with one of those bullets they used on me earlier to shoot you down too."

"First of all, I was the one who shot you with those bullets." Eleanor crossed his arms and Lorcan rolled his eyes as though he wasn't surprised by what Eleanor had done.

Then he looked at her. "Alright, I will listen. But if I don't find it remotely interesting then I am out of this ropes and I get to bite that pretty little neck of yours." He smirked and the next thing he knew was Kai pointing his gun on Lorcan. Agad naman niya itong napigilan ngunit naiputok na ni Kai ang baril. Napatingin siya sa gawi ni Sebastian nang mapigilan nito ang bala.

"I suggest you put your weapons down and let's handle this peacefully." Sebastian crushed the syringe and the azalea burned his palm ngunit hindi man lang ito natinag. Kumuha ulit ito ng panibagong panyo at pinunasan ang azalea sa kamay nito. The burn marks the azalea had done on his palm healed instantly. Humarap ito sa kanya at bahagyang tumango bago ito tumayo sa gilid.

Lorcan looked at her, still wearing his wicked grin. She gathered herself and stood in front of him. "They abducted wolves and took some of their venoms. You may have already known that they are going to use it against you with the help of rogue witches but there's more."

She could see him getting interested in what she was trying to say. So she went on, "They're going to use those venom to make a potion. If someone drinks the potion, they would become someone stronger than a hybrid. They would be able to kill not just you but Sebastian and Eleanor too."

Saglit na natahimik si Lorcan ngunit maya-maya pa ay tumawa ito. Nagkatinginan sila ni Sebastian habang patuloy pa rin si Lorcan sa pagtawa. Eleanor stared in disbelief.

"No one is stronger than me, love. But I do believe that they'll be capable of killing Sebastian and Eleanor but me? Absolutely not."

Magsasalita na sana si Eleanor nang pigilan ito ni Sebastian. He held up his hand and then looked in Esmeralda's direction.

"Esme, would you be so kind as tell us how these rogues are planning to make this certain potion?"

Napatingin naman si Lorcan sa gawi ni Esme nang magsimula na itong magsalita. "Since Lorcan is a hybrid, they're also going to make someone a hybrid, only stronger and faster. They would mix the werewolf's venom with a hybrid's blood and with a powerful spell, it would create the potion."

"They got my blood," Lorcan said as realization hit him. "They got my blood earlier, did they?"

Sebastian's jaw clenched before he nodded. Nakita naman niyang nag-iba ang mukha ni Lorcan. When earlier he was all wicked grin and smug, this time, she could only see pure wrath on his face.

"Now that you heard it, you're starting to believe that this is entirely possible. That they could create a creature that would be stronger than you, Lorcan," she said.

"Stop denying it and stop wasting our time. You of all people should know how a witch's spell could change someone, Lorcan." Sebastian stared at his brother na natahimik na. Lorcan then looked at her.

"What's in this for you?"

"I will help you defeat these rogues. The blood slayers are willing to lend their help. In exchange, I want some information from you."

"That's it? Information?"

"I believe you have the means to find people--or vampires. I need to find a certain vampire and I know you're the right person to ask for help."

Saglit na nakatingin ang lalaki sa kanya bago ito tumingin sa ibang kasama nila doon. Then he sighed. "Very well. That's a deal. Now, untie me."

Nagkatinginan naman sila ni Sebastian bago siya tumango. She nodded to Esme's direction and with a wave of Esme's hand, the rope loosened and Lorcan was free. Ngunit nging mabilis ang susunod na pangyayari.

She grunted in pain when Lorcan shoved her to the wall as his fingers were wrapped tightly around her throat. Kai was instantly shooting Lorcan's back but Sebastian was quick to stand between them and catch the syringe bullet instead.

She gasped as air was starting to get scarce inside her lungs.

"Let her go!" Kai demanded.

"Lorcan, let her go or I will be the one to shoot you with these bullets." Sebastian looked at his brother.

Ngunit ngumisi si Lorcan sa gawi niya. Unknown fear crept into her system as he leaned closer to her. Lumapit ito nang husto hanggang sa naramdaman niya ang labi nitong marahang humahaplos sa kanyang pisngi.

"Shh. Hush now," he said as she was still gasping for air.

Esme was about to raise her hand when Eleanor was quick to throw a fork on Esme's hand dahilan para mapasigaw sa sakit ang babae. "You don't get to hurt my brothers."

"Sebastian, do something!" Kai screamed and her vision was slowly starting to go black.

"Lorcan," Sebastian called with a hint of a warning in his voice.

"Don't worry, brother," Lorcan said. "I merely wish to tell our important guest here about something."

His hand was still tightly wrapped around her neck and with a little more of it, she would lose her consciousness. Lorcan leaned to whisper in her ear. "If you and your blood slayer company so much as hurt me or my siblings, I will be your worst nightmare. I will hunt you all down until there would be nothing left in your little anti-vampire community. Do you understand?"

She wanted to speak but she couldn't. Ngunit tila alam naman nito ang nais niyang sabihin kaya naman ay binitawan nito ang kanyang leeg. She sat on the ground and coughed so hard. Agad namang tumakbo sa gawi niya si Kai at tinulungan siya.

"No wonder why there are a lot of vampires out there who are willing to risk their lives just to kill you." She heard Kai say. "Wait for a time when everyone will leave you. Not just the vampires you have sired but your family too."

She looked up to see Lorcan's reaction. His face was hard as he looked at Kai. Nang tingnan niya sina Eleanor at Sebastian, ay nag-iwas ito ng tingin. It gave her an idea that they have considered leaving at some point in their lives.

"We better make a plan fast before I channel all my rage to this man," Lorcan said and turned his back to walk away.