Blood Secrets

Up Against

Hindi niya naabutan si Kai sa tinutuluyan nilang inn. Hindi rin ito sumasagot sa mga tawag niya. Galit ito dahil hindi niya sinabi ang katotohanan tungkol sa kanyang pagkatao. Naiintindihan naman niya kung bakit galit ito. She would be offended too.

Kai is her boyfriend. He has always been there for her. Perhaps she got scared of what he will think once she tells him that she has wolf blood. Napasapo siya sa kanyang noo habang nakaupo sa kama ng kanilang inn. Wala na doon ang sasakyan ng lalaki.

Right before they were about to go and leave St. Angeli, they went back to the inn and found that maybe Kai has already left. Thinking about it makes her heart ache. Fishing the phone out of her pocket, she stared at his digits on her screen. Ilang beses na niya itong tinatawagan ngunit hindi pa rin sumasagot ang lalaki. Did he leave her in this city? She doesn't want to think about it.

There was a lingering thought in her head that he might be needing some space as of the moment. Naiintindihan niya naman ngunit pakiramdaman niya ay mababaliw siya kakaisip kung nasaan ang lalaki.

Muntikan naman siyang napatalon sa kanyang kinauupuan nang biglang nagring ang kanyang cellphone. Thinking it was finally Kai, she picked up the phone. Ngunit imbes na boses ni Kai ay boses ng babae ang nadatnan niya.

"Hera?" she called. Tiningnan niya ulit ang caller ID at si Hera nga ang tumawag sa kanya. She sighed.

"You sound like you were expecting someone else," saad nito. Base sa tono ng boses ng babae ay tila may alam ito sa sitwasyon nilang dalawa ni Kai.

"Is Kai with you?" tnaong niya sa babae.

Narinig niyang nagpakawala ng malalim na hininga si Hera sa kabilang linya. "Someone told me he's drinking alone in a pub. While I don't see any problem with that, this certain pub is full of vampires and I don't think Kai is going to be able to hold himself against a lot of vampires," saad nito sa kanya.

"He's not stupid, Hera. He will never go there and risk himself--" She cut herself off when she started to realize something. His things including his car are gone. Which means he's carrying all the weapons they have. Nagpakawala siya ng malutong na mura.

"Nadia, what'w wrong?" tanong ni Hera.

"He might be picking a fight with the vampires tonight, Hera." She ran a hand through her hair. "Listen, I need your nearest reinforcements."

"Noted," Hera said ngunit bago pa man nito ibaba ang tawag ay tinawag niya ulit ang pangalan nito.

"I know we're not in the right place right now but can we talk after this, please?"

Hera was silent on the other side and she was silently praying Hera would agree to talk. Kailangan niya ring makausap ang babae tungkol sa kanyang pagkatao at kung bakit nagawa niyang tumulong sa mga Sylvaines.

"Yes, sure," sagot ni Hera. Hera understood. Kai would understand. These people would have understood when she told them the truth. She underestimated their ability to understand and this is what it cost her. Minura niya ang kanyang sarili bago dali-daling lumabas ng kwarto at tumakbo sa nag-iisang pub ng St. Angeli na puno ng mga bampira.

Malayo-layo ito mula sa kanilang inn at kung maghihintay pa siya ng taxi ay walang darating. Wala siyang ibang choice kundi ang takbuhin ang daan papunta sa pub na tinutukoy ni Hera. Mag-gagabi na rin kasi at mas lalo naman siyang kinabahan. Kai doesn't do anything reckless kaya naman hindi niya maintindihan kung anong balak nitong gawin ngayon. Does he have a plan? Does he plan on picking up a fight with several vampires?

"Kaiden, please," she muttered as she crossed the street and ran for several blocks. Medyo kabisado na niya ang mga daan at eskinita sa St. Angeli kaya naman hindi na siya naligaw nang mapagpasyahan niyang dumaan sa isang eskinita. She stopped running and she looked ahead. The pub is indeed crowded. She could see the people from where she was standing. It's only several blocks away at hindi na siya nag-aksaya pa ng panahon at agad na tumakbo papunta rito. If Kai was there, he's in danger. If all of the people in the pub are vampires except him, he'd be dead.

"No, no, no. Kai, what are you doing?" she mumbled to herself. She doesn't have any weapons and if she goes inside the pub, she would become another target. It would be worse if these vampires know that they're blood slayers. They wouldn't be just bitten. She could name several ways of how a vampire can make them suffer but she doesn't want to think about it.

She was only one block away from the pub when someone from the shadows pulled her. Naramdaman niya ang malamig na semento sa kanyang likuran at kamay nito sa kanyang bibig. Nagpumiglas siya ngunit naaninag ng ilaw mula sa isang streetlight ang mukha ng dumukot sa kanya at kumalma naman siya nang makitang si Kaiden iyon. Nakakunot ang noo nitong nakatingin sa kanya.

Inalis nito ang kamay sa kanyang bibig at naramdaman niyang naluluha siya habang nakikita ang lalaki.

"What are you doing here? Why are you running straight to that pub?" tanong ng lalaki sa kanya. Hearing his voice makes her want to sob but she stopped herself. Without any words, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a hug. She sobbed as she buried her face in his shoulders.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled.

Maya-maya pa ay naramdaman niya ang kamay ng lalaki na pumulupot sa kanyang bewang and he, too, buried his face on her neck.

"Kai, I'm so sorry. I should have told you. I should have told you first--"

Kumalas ang lalaki sa yakap kaya napatigil siya. When she looked up, Kai was smiling at him.

"Forgiven," he said, smiling. Then his eyes went to the pub behind them. "But you didn't answer my question. Why are you running towards the pub?"

Napapikit naman siya nang mariin dahil naalala niyang si Hera ang nagsabi sa kanya na naroon ang lalaki. She's always been someone who finds a way from them to make up kapag nag-aaway sila. She forgot Hera's like that. And it's exactly what Hera did to her earlier.

Sinabi niya kay Kai ang sinabi sa kanya ni Hera. Nang matapos siya ay narinig niyang napatawa nang mahina si Kai.

"You think I'd be drinking inside that pub full of vampires?"

Hinampas niya nang mahina ang lalaki sa balikat. Both of thrm are standing on the sidewalk and they couldnt care less about the people around them.

"I was worried and I wasnt thinking straight," sabi niya habang nakasimangot. "I thought you already left and I would have understood but it would still break me. And seeing you here...seeing you still here--"

Kai pulled her into another hug before he kissed the top of her head. "I'm here. I'll always be here, Nadia."

Nagbabadya na namang pumatak ang kanyang mga luha. And before they fell, she buried her face on his chest. His hand caressed her back softly and they stood there, not minding if there were other people, if there were vampires a few blocks away.

What had happened so far had been exhausting and she didn't realize it until that moment she was resting in Kai's arms. She had been running to and fro, chasing vampires, chasing the truth about her parents.

"My mom is dead," she said, her voice almost a whisper.

"I know, baby," he said in his most comforting voice.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about me being a wolf."

"Shh, it's okay." Patuloy pa rin ito sa paghaplos sa kanyang likuran.

"And I don't know where my father is."

"We're going to find him, don't worry."

His voice was so soothing and reassuring that she believed it's going to be easy finding her father.

Silence enveloped them both before she let out a sigh. "I love you," he mumbled.

Kai gave her another kiss on top of her head before he answered, "I love you."

Kumawala siya sa pagkakayakap at tiningnan ang lalaki. He was looking at her, as though reading what's going on in her mind. She wished he could read it at the moment. Because the only thing in her mind is how much she loves him.

But then her eyes caughht glimpse of familiar man walking towards them. Dread filled her as she recognized Lorcan Sylvaine walking straight towards them.

"You've got to be kidding me," she said. Agad namang tiningnan ni Kai kung saan siya nakatingin. Naramdaman niyang nanigas ito sa kinatatayuan.

Then all of a sudden, he was in front of them.

"Sorry to bother your lover's reunion," he said. "I understand Eleanor told you this is not your business but I believe certain events have changed your circumstances."

Kumunot ang noo niya habang nakatingin sa lalaki. Ngunit bago pa man siya makapagsalita ay hinila siya ni Kai papunta sa likuran nito. "What the heck are you trying to say?"

Lorcan's expression turned grave. "Give her to me, Kaiden."

"Lorcan, what is this all about?"

Tumingin si Lorcan sa kanya. "The witches have found themselves a formidable ally and are now forming a plan to imprison the vampires."

"Imprison?"

Lorcan coolly shoved his hands to his pockets. "Ah. They figured it's more tormenting to imprison us for the rest of eternity rather than kill us all. It's impressive that they're getting more and more creative about it."

"And what's her connection to all of this?" tanong ni Kai.

Lorcan's answering smile was enough to make her shiver. "Because the witches are planning to use her against us."

Nanlamig ang buong katawan niya. Hindi niya alam kung paano siya naging konektado sa plano ng mga witches. But her brain refused to think more about it, to comprehend it. But one thing is for sure, it's not going to end well for her.

"Lorcan—"

She said but her words were cut off when suddenly, Lorcan's hand went straight to Kai's chest.

Lorcan is a vampire. His speed is phenomenal. Walang laban amg isang taong kagaya ni Kai.

He heard Kai gasp and she was screaming as she saw the blood staining his shirt.

"This could be settled if you come with me, Nadia."

"Lorcan, please. Please let him go." Her cheeks were wet with tears now.

"Nadia—no—" Kai's words were cut again by another gasp as Lorcan probably squeezed Kai's heart.

"There are two ways we could go around this, Nadia. Either you run and your boyfriend dies. Or you come with me, I will give your boyfriend my bloif and he lives. I strongly recommend the latter."

Kai was already choking on his blood and that's when she knew she had to make the choice. She could see the sorrow and the warning in Kai's eyes. Alam niyang alam na ng lalaki kung ano ang magiging desisyon niya.

"Let him go, Lorcan," she said.

Maya-maya pa ay kinuha ni Lorcan ang kamay nito sa dibdib ni Kai. She was quick to catch Kai and they fell to the ground.

Kai wanted to say something but she stopped him. "Don't say anything, please."

Sa harapan niya ay umupo si Lorcan. He bit his wrist and made Kai drink his blood. When he's done, Lorcan stood and looked at her. She looked up and glared at him.

"You are despicable, Lorcan. You get what you want but not before hurting somebody else."

Hindi sumagot si Lorcan and his eyes ate inscrutable.

"At least let me have him rest properly."

Lorcan looked behind her and she looked too. Nakita niyang nakatayo na doon si Eleanor.

"I give you my word that I will take care of him," she said.

"Eleanor—"

"I will put him in that cheap apartment you rented. Just go with Lorcan."

She stood and looked at Kai one last time before he looked at Lorcan.

"This better be the last time, Lorcan."

"I can't give you my word."

Then suddenly, Lorcan was in front of her and she felt the pain on her neck before she lost her consciousness.