Shattered Souls

Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Welcome Back

I halted the horse in front of the gate being guarded by bulky men in a red uniform. I could tell that they were not guards from Nightfall Clan just by the colour of their clothes. They were probably guards from a different clan who made an alliance with Nightfalls.

"I know you, Miss," approached one of them. He crossed his arms on his chest as he stared at me scornfully. "Astralla Martin. The beast's chosen slave. What are you doing here?"

Bumaba ako at hinawakan renda ng kabayong sinasakyan.

"I am a Nightfall," I said, calmly.

Tumaas ang mga kilay nito. "Your master is no longer a Nightfall, Miss Martin. May I remind you that everyone who sees Brix as an ally is our enemy. Umalis ka na rito."

"I still chose to be a Nightfall," sagot ko na naman. "Binitiwan na ako ni Master Brix. I was once a Nightfall, I still am. Hindi ako kailanman tumiwalag sa clan na ito. I am sorry but I came here to stay."

"We don't need you—"

"Alam mo ba kung ano ang ginagawa mo?" Nagtaas ako ng kilay at hinigpitan ang pagkakahawak sa lubid ng kabayo. "You are forbidding a Nightfall to enter the Mansion? Baka nakakalimutan mo kung ano ang katayuan mo rito. I am an original Nightfall while you are here for a shelter only because you are scared to be outnumbered by Brixton's army."

Umigting ang mga pula niyang mata. His fangs were ready to touch my skin anytime. "We are one here, Miss Martin. Kailangan din ng Nightfall ang pwersa naming mga Hezueras."

I put a smile on my face. "So, we are allies then?"

Lumapit pa sa amin ang isa sa mga guard. "Let her in. She's right. Lord Oscar didn't revoke her membership yet."

Lord Oscar. Hearing his name suddenly sounded so strange to me.

Tinitigan ako ng guard nang ilang sandali pa bago pumayag na papasukin ako. Kinuha ko ang mga gamit ko sa kabayo dahil hindi na ito maaaring ipasok sa loob. Pinaubaya koi to sa isang guard. I was escorted by the guard who interfered my entrance. Bakas pa rin ang pagkayamot sa kanyang mukha.

I roamed my eyes around as we walked on the narrow pathway surrounded by bushes. Things don't really change that much in this world. It's been what? Almost a year since the last time I had been here.

If there's something I find odd, it's the guards in different uniforms hovering around. Masyadong mahigpit ang seguridad sa lugar na ito. Maraming mga mata ang nakatingin sa paligid.

"Ilang clan na ang sumapi sa Nightfall?" tinangka kong tanungin ang lalaking nauunang naglalakad sa akin.

I thought he wouldn't respond, "Seven major clans including Phoenix Clan."

Oh. Not surprising that Lady Grenda joined the force to protect his real son. The visual of the last time I saw her suddenly flashed back in my memories. But... seven major clans? That's huge. Hindi ko inakalang ganito na kalakas ang Nightfall Clan.

"Whoa!"

I stepped back when a man riding horse passed in front of me. Sinundan ko ng tingin ang lalaking nakasakay sa kabayo. Inikot niya ang kabayo at bumalik sa direksyon namin. Ang akala ko ay dadaan na naman ito pero huminto ito sa harapan ko.

"Sorry, first time." He grinned at me.

I just nodded.

"Sir Nigel." Lumapit ang guard na kasama ko sa lalaking nakasuot na kulay brown na leather jacket. "Pasensya na dahil nakakalat ang babaeng 'to sa daan. Nasaktan ka ba?"