Things to know about vampires...
Mediocre
· Their eyes turned green when they lust and drink blood
· Their eyes turned red when they use their power
Deprived
· Their eyes turned red when they're hungry and when they feed
> Cursed elite will fully posses the power of pure elite once the third fullmoon of the year arrived. She will only have the power but not the nature of an elite, the nature of being immortal and vampire. And so she will age and at the age of 25, she will turn into a deprived vampire.
Contrary to his look, kalmadong naglakad si Dylan palapit sa kama ni Maica. Dr. Serafim moved a little para bigyan ito ng espasyo malapit kay Maica. Si Liza naman ay tumayo din.Alam nyang nagbago na ang kulay ng mata nya ng makita si Dylan at lalo na ng lumapit ito sa kanya. His rigid face softens when he got to her. He cupped her cheek and smiled. A genuine smile that always take her breath away. Nang mapadako ang paningin nya sa mata nito, napakunot ang noo nya. His eyes looked troubled, "How are you?"
Her eyes turned pale pink with few spot of fuschia as she looked at him, "O-Ok na ako. Bakit parang ikaw ang hindi ok?"
"I'm fine. Nag-alala lang ako."
Liza cleared her throat to make her presence known.
"Ah, Dylan, si Liza, bestfriend ko. Liza, si Dylan—"
"boyfriend mo?" Kinikilig na iniabot nito ang kamay ni Dylan, "Hi, Dylan."
He shook her hand but he's still looking at Maica, "Nice to meet you."
Si Maica din naman ay hindi naaalis ang tingin dito, "Hindi ko sya boyfriend, Liza."
"I am her future boyfriend."
"Ah..pwede kung kakausapin nyo ako, tingnan nyo naman ako? Baka kasi matunaw nyo na ang isa't-isa."
He finally looked at Liza, "I'm sorry for being rude, Liza."
"I understand. Sige, mauuna na ako—"
"Would you like to come with us?"
Nabigla ang dalawang babae sa tanong ni Dylan, "Saan?"
He again looked at Maica, "Gusto kitang i-date."
"Date?!"
"How cute. If I'm not intruding, join na join ako dyan."
Maica mumbled on her own, "Wow, ako ang ide-date, bestfriend ko pa ang unang inimbitahan."
Dylan then glared at Jayden, "Thank you for taking care of Cassandra, Dr. Serafim. Pwede na ba syang lumabas?"
"Of course. Kaya mo na namang tumayo, Maica?"
Maica just nod.
"buti na lang uwian na."
"I'll expect you anytime na vacant ka, Maica."
"Pwede po ba tuwing hapon ng uwian?"
Jayden's smile widened, "Sure. I still needed you that time."
The way he said it, parang biglang kinabahan si Maica though at least, hindi yung tipong nakakatakot na kaba. Hinawakan na sya sa kamay ni Dylan at inalalayan patayo. Si Liza naman ay nakasunod sa kanila.
"Saan mo gustong kumaen?" Dylan asked.
"Oo nga, Maica, saan?"
"Mcdo."
"Mcdo??" ulit ni Liza.
"Bakit?"
"Duh. Date po toh noh."
"Duh, kung date toh, bakit kasama ka?"
Liza's eyes glint playfully, "Ee...sama mo na ako."
"Gusto mo tayong dalawa lang?" tanong naman ni Dylan.
NAmumulang umiling lang sya, "N-no. Gusto ko ngang kasama si Liza."
She caught a glimpse of what Liza is thinking and she almost smiled. Masyado nang malayo ang nararating ng imagination nito sa kanilang dalawa ni Dylan and she's very happy for her though she's a little bit, as in like a bit of rice,jealous. Not with Dylan, but she can see the longing in Liza's eyes, hoping for a man like him. Ikinawit na lang nya ang kamay sa braso nito. Inisang tawid lang nila ang Mcdo and she noticed Dylan walking behind them like a body guard or he is just being gentleman.
She don't know with him kung ano ang totoong ugali nito. Hindi naman nya kailangang kilalanin ito dahil sigurado siyang mapapagod din ito sa kahihintay. Wala din syang planong patagalin pa ang paghihintay nito. They can be good friends pero hindi na pwedeng humigit pa don. Wala pa syang planong ma-inlove ganitong halos mabaliw na sya sa mga nangyayari sa kanya.
Bigla syang kinilabutan ng maalala ang bawat salitang binitawan niya, ang ginawa niya at ang takot sa mata ni Liza. What if ito na ang masaktan niya without even her being aware of what was happening. Her stomach turned with that thought. She can't hurt her bestfriend and she shouldn't hurt anyone.
" Baka tama si Trishia, baka nga may lahi kaming mangkukulam. Pero bakit walang sinasabi sakin sina mama? At bakit nakakagawa ako ng mga bagay na parang hindi naman normal? It's really not I think of reality."
And speaking of reality, bigla siyang napabalik sa realidad ng tapikin ni Liza. She is looking at her worriedly."Maica, are you ok? Bigla ka na lang natulala and your eyes change with different colors."
"I-I'm ok."
" Sigurado ka? I can take you home kung hindi maganda ang pakiramdam mo."
"Oo."
"Cassandra—"
She closed her eyes and tried to calm her self,"Ok lang ako. Ok lang ako. Ok lang ako."
"See? You can't even convince yourself."
"Dylan."
Dylan grinned like the devil na ikinainit ng mukha nya, "I like it when you say my name to get my attention. I like the sound of my name kapag sayo nanggagaling."
"Eh ako.. Dylan. Dylan. Dylan. Dylan," Liza tried.
"It sounded nice but I like it more hearing from Cassandra," Dylan said smiling at Liza.
"Pinagtitripan nyo na akong dalawa ah."
"Gusto lang naming gumaan ang pakiramdam mo."
"Let's just eat."
Pagkatapos kumaen ni liza, nag-ring na ang phone nito. Siguradong papa na nito ang tumatawag at pinapauwi na ito. Liza looked at her with disappointment but she just nodded at her friend. Nagpaalam na ito sa kanila ni Dylan at naiwan na naman syang mag-isa kasama ang lalakeng toh.
Tapos nang kumaen si Dylan samantalang wala pa sya sa kalahati ng spaghetti nya. Bigla syang nakaisip ng magandang ideya para umayaw na ito sa kanya.
After 30 minutes, natapos na nya ang spaghetti nya and she's now eating her burger. Napapangiti na sya dahil sa sobrang tagal niya kumaen at siguradong pikon na si Dylan. She glanced at him while he's drinking his softdrink. And she's surprised to see him looking at her at the side of his eyes. Napabalik tuloy bigla ang tingin nya sa burger.
"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"
"Yung ano??" she asked, trying to act innocent.
"You're eating so slowly."
"G-Ganito lang talaga ako kumaen ah."
"Gusto mo akong galitin?"
"Galit ka na??"
Dylan just smiled devilishly, "No. Do I look like angry?"
Napabuntong hininga na lang sya.
"Just accept me. Hindi naman yon ganon kahirap gawin diba?"
Then an idea made her smile at him playfully, "Liza's beautiful. Maganda sya diba?Diba?"
"So? What are you pointing at?"
"Maganda si Liza diba?? Napansin mo naman siguro?"
"Yeah. I noticed. Maganda nga sya."
"Mas maganda sya sakin. Mas mabait. Mas responsible at mas nor—"
"I can see and I appreciate her beauty but I don't care, Cassandra. Wag mo akong ibugaw sa iba," he snapped, unti-unti nang nauubos ang pasensya nito, she can see it.
"Eh bakit ba kasi ganyan ka? Ang hirap mo basahin. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gusto mo sakin. Kung bakit ako pa?"
"Why can't you believe that you have something amazing inside you na nakita ko? Na malas ng ibang lalake dahil hindi nila sinubukang makita kung sino ka talaga."
Ramdam nya na kung unti-unti ng gumuguho ang pader na itinayo nya sa puso nya sa bawat salitang binibitawan nito, "Tama na."
"I will stop kung paniniwalaan mong sincere ako. At least kahit yon lang ang paniwalaan mo sakin."
"You're so cold. Paano ako maniniwalang sincere ka?"
"I'm sorry but I'm trained to be a cold bastard like my father."
"Kung masyado ka palang busy sa pagtulad sa papa mo, then just leave me alone."
"Let's just change the topic," Dylan said looking away.
"Kung gusto mong maniwala ako sayo, sasagutin mo ang lahat ng tanong ko."
He frowned, "Why can't you just trust me without questions?"
"I can't."
Dylan sighed at sa wakas ay bumigay na din, "then ask." He crossed his arms against his chest and looked lazily at her.
"Name?"
"Name? Pati pangalan ko hindi mo pinaniniwalaa—"
"Let's start with simple questions, Dylan."
"Fine. I'm Dylan Caleb Razvan III."
" Age?"
"22."
"Address?"
"I'm currently living with my co-workers. In a boarding house, an hour away from here."
"walang exact address?"
" dadalawin mo ako?"
"Fine. You're father and mother's name?"
"Dylan Caleb Razvan Jr. or he prefer the II and Adriana Razvan."
"Oh sa papa mo pala galing ang pangalan mo."
He grumbled, "Obviously."
"Hobby?"
NApadaretso nan g upo nya si Dylan at kunot-noong nakatingin sa kanya, "Hobby?? Is this some kind of slambook na dapat ako na lang ang magsagot?"
"Pwede ba, wag ka na magreklamo? Ang simple na nga ng tanong ko eh."
"I like...sleeping and running. Zodiac sign?Aris. Favor—"
"Stop being sarcastic.," she snapped.
"Next."
"Bakit ang haba ng buhok mo?"
He remained silent, not looking at her.
"Dylan," she called.
"I...like it long. Hindi ba bagay sakin?"
"Bagay naman. Gaano mo na katagal pinapahaba yan?"
"3 years."
"May balak kang paikliin yan?"
"Not anytime soon. Bakit ba buhok ko naman ang pinaginteresan mo?"
"Wala. Pwedeng hawakan?"
"Hawakan??"
"ok lang kung ayaw mo."
He narrowed his eyes at her and sighed in defeat, "Kung hindi ako pumayag, magagalit ka. I can see it."
"Hindi ah. Madi-disappoint pero hindi ako magagalit. I'm not that childish."
"Go ahead, touch it."
" Later na lang," she then looked around at napansin ang mga matang nakatingin sa kanila, "Madami na kasing nakatingin satin."
"Let them look. Stop bothering yourself with them, Cassandra."
"Tara na nga. Gusto ko ng umuwi. Gabi na."
"Wala ka ng tanong?"
"Pag-iisipan ko pa."
Nang makasakay na sila sa kotse, napansin ni Dylan ang pagtitig ni Cassandra sa kanya.
"What??"
Maica smiled like a child curious at something, "Buhok mo."
"oh."
Tinanggal nya ang pony at inilugay ang buhok. Cassandra carefully touches his hair and he heard her gasp.
"Ang ganda ng buhok mo. Nagpapa-salon ka?"
"No."
"Eh anong ginagawa mo dito?"
"Shampoo."
"Shampoo lang??Anong shampoo?"
"Do you really have to ask?"
Maica nods.
"Ugh. Clear for men."
"Maganda sa buhok yon? Sige, ita-try ko din—"
"I like your hair just like that."
"Kulot?? Hindi kasi ikaw ang nahihirapan mag-manage nito."
He just smiled at her at pinaandar na ang kotse. After a few secondsna pananahimik niya.
"Anong pinaka-ayaw mo?"
"Huh?"
"Ano yung nakakapagpagalit sayo ng sobra?"
"Hm..let me think about that," then after a few seconds ngumiti ito ng nakakaloko at nilingon sya, "Kapag may ibang lalakeng lumalapit sayo and you entertain them. And when I'm angry, Cassandra, I have the tendency of being possessive kahit hindi pa kita girlfriend. So try not to anger me that way, ok?"
Napasimangot na lang si Maica at ang lakas naman ng tawa ni Dylan.. again.. that sexy smile of a man.
Maica just sat quietly beside him at nag-isip ng ibang strategy para tumigil na ito but she can't think of anything lalo na kapag sarili niya ang ayaw nang magpa-alis dito. Dylan turned on the radio. Bring me to life. It's as if that song is calling to her. Matagal na nyang narinig ang kantang yon but today, she felt something for the song. She felt anxious hearing the song.
Tumingin sya kay Dylan, then she realized, hindi nya rin nababasa ang nasa isip nito. She frowned, talagang off-limits sa gwapo ang kakayahan nya? After a few seconds of staring at him...she dozed of.
"Maica!!!"
"P-Papa?"
And there she saw her parents tied up, bathing with their own blood. They are badly wounded and her mother kept on weeping for her father's limp body is not moving anymore. She tried to get near them but she can't. There's a glass wall and all she can do is watch them in torment. She cried. She asked for those men to stop hitting them pero walang nakakarinig sa kanya. She's helpless. They are helpless. She screamed so hard at pinilit basagin ang salamin.
"Tama na!!!Tama na!!!"
The man hitting them turned to her, he saw her, he smirked. She can't see his face in the dark but she knew him smiling like the devil. She backed off...
"Cassandra!!"
She heard Dylan's voice and opened her eyes, "D-Dylan."
"I almost lost you. Damn it!!! Why can't you wake up!??"
"Dylan...sina papa..n-nasa panganib sila. I have to find them."
"What? Anong nakita mo?"
"I saw them.."she cried, "duguan sila, and almost dying. Papatayin sila ng lalakeng yon. Oh my God, nakita nya ako."
"It's just a nightmare. Calm down."
"it's not!!!! Mamatay sina mama!! And I can't do anything!!!! Oh my God. Kasalanan ko lahat toh."
"Relax. We'll find them but first, calm down."
Maica calmed down and she gasped ng makita ang nagawa nya sa bintana ng kotse ni Dylan. Napatingin sya sa mukha ni Dylan and there she saw nothing but sincere concern. At para ngang wala itong pakialam sa nabasag nyang salamin. It's not really broken but it cracked.
Maica covered her face with her hands and sobbed, "I'm sorry. Nabasag ko ang bintana mo. I-I'll pay—"
"Wag mo ng isipin yon. Let me see your hands."
"B-Bakit?"
Dylan smiled, "I just want to check if you're hurt. For you to be able to crack my window, you're very strong. Bulletproof kasi yan."
"Oh my God. Sorry."
"Ok lang."
Kinuha ni Dylan ang kamay ni Maica and he frowned ng walang makitang kahit anong sugat. She healed faster now. Unti-unti na ang pagkalat ng dugong bampira nito at lumalakas na din ang kapangyarihan nito. Nakakaya na rin nitong makita ang mga pangyayari and he believed her ng sinabi nitong nasa panganib ang magulang nito. Dalawa lang ang pwedeng kumuha sa mga ito na may kinalaman kay Maica, it's either the Hunters or the Vampires. He'll ask his father about them. Hindi tamang mandamay ito ng mga ordinaryong tao.
When they reached Maica's house, nagmamadali itong bumaba at patakbong pumasok sa bahay. He followed her. Kinuha agad nito ang phone at tinawagan ang kung sino...
"Hello?? Lola?"
....
"Nandyan po ba sina mama?"
....
"Nakarating na sila dyan?"
....
"Pauwi na. Pero dapat po kung nung isang araw pa sila pauwi, dapat nandito na sila."
...
"I-I hope so, lola. P-Pasensya na po sa abala."
Maica sigh. She want to hold on what her lola Victoria said. Na baka nagstop over lang ang mga ito sa kung anong bansa para saglit na magbakasyon. Kahit papaano ay gumaan ang pakiramdam nya. She's not really close to her grandmother. Masyado kasi itong masungit at laging sinisita ang bawat maling kilos nya.Kaya nga hangga't maaari ay ayaw niya itong makausap.
Nagulat sya ng makita si Dylan sa sofa, his arms crossed against his chest at hinihintay syang matapos makipag-usap.
"Akala ko umuwi ka na."
"Nag-aalala ako sayo."
"O-Ok na ako. Baka daw nagbakasyon lang sina mama."
"That's good."
Tumayo na si Dylan at naglakad patungo sa pinto when she stopped him.
Maica awkwardly looked at her feet, "B-Bakit hindi ka nabibigla sa mga nangyayari sakin?"
"Trust me, I've seen worst than you when I'm in camp.Though not the physical transformation."
"P-Pero ordinaryong babae lang ako—"
"You're no ordinary, Cassandra."
Nang masigurado nan i Dylan na ok na sya. Umuwi na din ito. Nagtataka naman ang mga katulong na nakasilip lang sa kusina.
"Aba'y ka-gwapo naman ng kasintahan mo, iha?"
"Hindi ko po sya kasintahan. He..He's just a friend."
"Eee...showbiz naman nyan senyorita."
Maica blushed, "Pwede ko naman syang sagutin kung totoo ang intensyon nya, but for now, his intentions are quite suspicious."
"Iha, kung ganyan kagwapo ang makikilala nitong anak ko, tutulungan ko pa syang mamikot."
"Nay naman. Hindi mo na ako kailangan tulungan. Kaya ko na yon."
Maica laughed at her maids, "Kayo talaga. Sige na ho, magpapahinga na ako. Matulog na din kayo ng maaga ha."
Pagpasok nya sa kwarto, she inhaled and exhaled deeply. Sa wakas ay nawala na din ang amoy ng dugo sa buong paligid. It's hard for her to ignore the smell pero she's getting used to it lalo na kung nalalaman mo kung kanino dugo ang kanino.
She closed her eyes and...
"Gabriel, don't leave me. I'll call the elders. I'll beg them to give the antidote. Oh please, Gabriel, hold on."
"I-I have to leave, Corazon. I-I love you, forever and till our next life."
" No. Wait for me. I'll— Gabriel!!!!!"
She opened her eyes, tears falling down her face. Hindi sya makapaniwala sa nakita. It's her begging for someone to live. Hindi nya makita ang itsura ng lalake but it's definitely her, her new face. Ilang minuto syang nakatulala sa dingding hanggang sa mag-sink in ang lahat ng nakita.
"Corazon??Gabriel?? Sino ba talaga ako?Ano ba ako?A witch?A reincarnate?"
Her mind's whirling...kung totoo bang nangyari ang nakita nya at kung totoo iyon, maaring totoo din ang nakita nya sa mga magulang. And with that thought, tumayo sya at mas naging desperadong makuha ang librong pinapahanap ng papa nya.
Pero bago pa makalabas ng pinto, another scene caught her...
Cries...painful cries and screams were everywhere. Nasusunog ang lahat pati ang mga tao? No, they are not humans.. Some tried to fight the powerful persons with their fangs??Fangs?Vampires? The powerful men stab each vampire, children, women or old ones. They are ruthless and she can't do anything but watch, frozen in her place. Vampires beg but they are just ignored and killed. Some powerful vampires tried to help but they can't do anything because they are outnumbered and they are becoming weak. An older vampire, having a higher rank..one called him King Thadeus, bark orders for the weaks to hide and get into a carriage while he is fighting to protect his men. She admired his strength, his love for his men and for his determination while he's turning weak for some unknown reason. He died fighting and he smiled before he lost his last breath because the carriage successfully took off for his men has escaped the wiped out.
" My people, my kingdom, someday...someone will rule you again, a powerful elite will rise and you will again live in peace. "
Napaluhod sya sa narinig. He is their king, their father. Then her eyes widened ng daretso itong tumingin sa kanya. He smiled weakly then...
"Corazon, you're back."
She blinked then she's back in reality. Nakaluhod sya sa sahig habang nanginginig ang mga braso. She swallowed hard.
"Vampires...totoo sila?? Oh my God, ang librong pinapahanap sakin ni papa... T-The Chronicles of V-Vampire Race.."
Gumapang sya pabalik sa kama. This time her whole body is shivering. Her mind's aching with denial.
"No. B-Baka fantasy story lang yon. Vampires can't be real. Maniniwala pa ako sa aswang at mangkukulam b-but not vampires. Oh God, not vampires. I-I can't be a v-vampire."
She fell asleep denying herself.
Kinabukasan, wala sa mood makipag-usap si Maica. Her eyes stayed violet that day. She doesn't want to think so much pero pilit na pumapasok sa isip nya ang mga nakita nya at ang mga nagyayari sa kanya. The signs...she buried her face on her desk.
"Maica..ok ka lang ba?" Liza asked at tumango lang sya.
"Pero—"
Maica whispered against her desk, "Liza... what if I'm a monster.?"
"monster??? Mukha ka namang tao ah—"
"Tsk. What if nga lang eh. What if aswang pala ako?? Will you still be my friend? Will you stay by my side?"
"OMG!! Aswang ka ba?Kaya ka nagkakaganyan?"
"Liza. Just answer my question."
"W-Well..."
"Well?"
'If she's a monster..hindi sya ang kaibigan ko..hindi ko sya pwede—'
Maica smiled bitterly, "That's enough."
"Pero Maica..."
Nagbell na at kinuha na ni Maica ang bag nya. Wala din sya sa mood makita si Dylan kaya dumaretso sya sa clinic. Maybe..just maybe, gumaan ang pakiramdam nya kapag nakita si Dr. Serafim, ang maaliwalas nitong mukha at ang masaya nitong ngiti.
She knocked then his head snapped up and his smile widened ng makita sya.
"Maica."
"Sir. Ano pong gagawin ko?"
"I told you to call me jayden."
"Ok, Jayden."
"Good. Can you please write this down— are you ok?" he asked, his look boring inside her soul.
"O-Oo."
"You're eyes..it's violet. Nakita din kita kaninang pagpasok ko, violet din yan. Hindi pa ba nagbabago yan mula kanina?"
Maica shook her head.
Jayden smiled mysteriously, "Gusto mo gawin nating black yan? Yung hindi na magbabago ng kulay yan unless you feel something extreme."
"Alam mo kung paano?? Shocks, alam mo kung pano talaga?"
"I will try. May nabasa na kasi akong tulad ng kalagayan mo. Of course, yung nagbabago yung kulay ng mata."
"S-Sige."
"Calm yourself and close your eyes."
His voice...becomes dark and hunting. Unti-unting nagsara ang mata nya and she found herself in the dark.
" Now..wrap yourself with darkness. Don't let darkness dictates your fear. Instead order darkness to fear you. In darkness, you are the queen.. Fell in love with it, Maica. Love the darkness..."
And there, with Jayden's voice, she found herself fascinated with dark. The absence of light made the dark more powerful. She smiled, she liked it, staying in the darkness makes her feel strong yet safe but suddenly...
"Cassandra."
Bigla syang napamulat and there she saw Dylan, standing in front of her. Jayden's beside him smiling widely lalo na ng mapadako ang tingin nya dito.
"Nice. Mas bagay sayo ang itim."
Galit na binalingan nito si Jayden, "What did you do to her??"
"Tinulungan ko lang syang makontrol ang kulay ng mata nya."
"Who are you, Dr. Jayden Serafim?? Paano mo—"
"I am actually a doctor with special expertise in human eyes."
"ano ng kulay ng mata ko?"
"Black. Jet black actually." Dylan answered.
"talaga??"
"Here, look at the mirror."
Napangiti sya ng makita ang kulay ng mata. It's really black though not the normal black but still close to normal. She laughs...one burden down. Agad nyang hinarap ang doktor na tumulong sa kanya.
" Thank you talaga, Jayden. Grabe..ang galing mo."
"No problem."
"Magtatagal ka pa ba dito, Cassandra?"
"M-May gagawin pa ako—"
"you can go home, Maica. Bukas ka na lang bumalik," Jayden said.
"talaga? Salamat talaga."
The doctor just smiled at her and took a seat. Hinila naman sya ni Dylan palabas ng clinic. Biglang gumanda ang mood nya that she obliged Dylan to hold her hand.
"I agree with him."
"huh?"
"Mas bagay sayo ang itim ang mata."
She blushed, "salamat."
"Gusto mo na bang umuwi?"
"uhh.."
"Then let's talk for a while."
The word talk scared her. Baka napansin na din nito ang kakaiba sa kanya. Baka gusto na nitong itanong kung anong nangyayari sa kanya at baka pati ito ay biglang magdalawang isip sa pagsama sa kanya. Though bakit nga ba sya matatakot na lumayo ito sa kanya? Samantalang hindi pa naman sila ganon ka-close... or maybe she wanted to get close with him, more.
Meanwhile..Jayden let out a sigh. Masyado syang nanghina sa ginawa nya. To be able to control the eyes of half elite, naubos na agad ang lakas nya. He's still lucky dahil hindi sya nawalan ng malay at hindi nahuli ni Dylan ang pagpapalit nya ng kulay ng mata.
Nasa mall si Liza at naghahanap na mga props na gagamitin nila para sa concert sa Friday. She needed to buy balloons and crepe papers. Pumunta sya sa National Bookstore and look for the things she needed. Napahinto sya sa may Fantasy book corner ng makita ang libro na gustong-gusto nyang bilhin. May nagbabasa nito but her eyes were fixed with the book. Last item na ito and she feel disappointed ng makitang may interesado na dito. She can't buy the book because it's expensive at kailangan pa nyang pag-ipunan. She really liked that book. Kaya hindi nya namalayan ang sarili na nakalapit na sa libro at nakikibasa na sa kung sino man ang nagbabasa. The reader tried to flip the page but she stopped him.
"Wait lang."
Nico grinned, "Sure. Take your time."
Liza froze and slowly looks up at him, "A-Ah..Pasensya na."
"you also like this book?"
Liza blushed and nod.
"it's nice. Very intriguing, actually."
She nods,still staring at his face.
"bibilhin mo?"
She shook her head at parang naputol ang dilang hindi makasagot.
"Why? I thought you like this?"
" A-Ah..mauuna na ako. Pasensya na talaga sa abala. Sige. Basa ka na ulit."
Agad na syang tumalikod at iniwan si Nico. Kinapa nya ang puso na parang hinahabol ng kabayo kung tumibok. She sighed..at least dito naman pala mapupunta ang libro.
Sa bahay nina Maica, tahimik lang si Dylan at Maica habang naglalaro ng word puzzle. Napaangat ang tingin ni Maica sa kalaro. He's really serious about this. Bakit kasi pumayag pa sya sa pustahan na to. Kapag ito ang nanalo, he'll stay for one night pero kapag sya ang nanalo, he'll stop courting her. Agad itong pumayag, very confident that he'll win. She smiled. Kahit sinong babae ay mabo-bore kapag nakasama ito but not her. She's enjoying his company. Kahit hindi ito masyadong masalita, she still feel his presence. Komportable syang hindi ito nagsasalita madalas and hoping for vice versa. Lalong lumuwang ang pagkakangiti nya ng unti-unti na itong ngumiti at mag-angat ng tingin sa kanya.
Dylan grinned, "I won."
"Shocks..how can I win eh parang masyado mong kinarir ang paghahanap dyan."
"I'll stay the night."
"Hindi ka ba hahanapin sa inyo?"
"Alam nila."
"Alam nila??"
"yeah. Nagpaalam na ako."
"wow ha. Talagang sigurado kang dito ka matutulog."
"Don't worry, mukha namang may guest room kayo."
She laughed, "My..so confident eh?"
Dylan raised his eyuebrow, "Wala ba? Fine then, sa kwarto mo ako matutulog."
"And you'll take advantage of me?? Di bale na noh."
"Oh no. I'll never take advantage of you. Though you may ask and beg for me to take advantage of you," wika nitong kumikinang pa ang mata sa kalokohan.
"Ask and beg??!! Yuck!! Gusto mo sa garden matulog?"
"Pwede din and then you'll be with me...asking for my embrace because it's cold."
"Shocks,tama na..kinikilabutan na ako sayo. Saan mo naman nakuha ang mga ideyang yan??"
"Books. May pinabasa sakin si Nico na pocket book. Actually, itinakas nya lang yon sa cook namin. Doon daw ako makakakuha ng sweet ideas though i doubt it. Kinikilabutan din ako habang binabasa ko yon. But tell me, kinikilig ka na ba?"
"So hindi ka pala talaga marunong manligaw and here you are being hard in courting me. Tsk," tumawa pa sya sa kainosentihan nito sa panliligaw.
"Bakit mukhang hindi ka kinikilig?"
"Bakit naman ako kikiligin?"
"Uh...because you like me?"
Inilapit nya ang mukha dito, "Gusto kita.. pero hindi yon sapat para sagutin kita. Tara na kumaen."
Maica stood at wala sa loob na hinawakan ang kamay ni Dylan para hilahin na sa kusina. Napatigil sya sa paglalakad ng biglang huminto si Dylan. She turned to look at him and to ask kung bakit ito biglang huminto...
"Bakit—"
Dylan's smiling thoughtfully while staring down at her hands...holding his.. Doon nya lang na-realize na hawak nya ang kamay nito. She loosened her hold but he tightened his. Sinubukan nya ring hilahin ang kamay nya but he just keep on holding her hand. At alam nyang sa oras ding yon, namumula na sya. Her heart beating crazily again with just his little innocent smile. Ito naman ang humila sa kanya papunta sa kusina.
Dylan felt something warm inside him ng hinawakan ni Maica ang kamay nya. It's a nice and wonderful feeling that he wanted it to stay. Ngayon nya lang naramdaman iyon even with Veronica, hindi nya naramdaman ang ganong pakiramdam. With Veronica, everything is simple..everything is normal. But with Cassandra..all turns complicated and exciting.
He's there para kunin ang librong pinapakuha ng papa nya. He remembered their conversation na muntik na namang maging pisikal.
"May kinalaman ka ba sa pagkawala ng mga magulang ni Cassandra?"
"Wala.," sagot ng kanyang ama na hindi man lang sya binalingan ng tingin.
"Really?"
"Wag mo akong pagbintangan ng ganyan, Dylan. Wala kang karapatan. Isa pa..kung nasa atin man sila, it's to our advantage para gamitin."
"You can't stoop down like that, sir. Hindi tayo ganon kahina para gumamit ng blackmail."
" With that elite, mahina tayo. We're too weak for her but smarter. And we need her to stay ignorant on what she really is. May nagbigay sakin ng impormasyong may libro ng tungkol sa lahat ng bampira sa bahay ng elite. Get that."
"but—"
"I order you to get that."
" yes, sir," napipilitang sagot nya.
And so he's here, inside Cassandra's house to get that stupid book. Pagkatapos nilang kumaen, hinatid na sya ni Cassandra sa guest room na tutulugan nya. Nakikita nya sa mata nito ang pagtataka at ang pag-iisip ng hindi maganda and all he can do is feel guilty. He's using her to kill her. Bigla syang napaupo sa kama. He's feeling guilty na hindi nya kailanman naramdaman sa pagpatay ng kahit sinong bampira. And the fact na hindi pa nya napapatay ang bampira ay nagi-guilty na sya made his head ache. He has to move fast and distance himself a little from her.
Maica can't sleep. Knowing Dylan is just a few meters away from her... hindi nya mapigilan ang sariling magtaka kung bakit gusto nitong matulog sa kanila. Gusto nyang isipin na nag-aalala lang ito sa nagyayari sa kanya that he don't want to stay away from her..or that he fell in love with her deeply. Napangiti sya.
"A stupid thought. He obviously don't have any plans on falling in love with me. Maybe he just likes me at gusto lang nya akong isama sa bilang ng mga naging girlfriends nya. Or maybe trip nya lang talaga ang mga weird na babae."
Pumasok na si Dylan sa library and started sorting out the books. He's busy looking for the book ng bigla nyang marinig ang sigaw ni Cassandra. It's a pained scream. Agad nyang iniwanan ang ginagawa at mabilis na pumunta sa kwarto nito. He didn't hide his power dahil pinatulog na nya ng mahimbing ang mga katulong. Nadatnan nya ito sa sahig, her tears or rather blood flowing out her eyes. Nakapikit ito but she's obviously in pain. Agad nya itong inalalayan pabalik sa kama. Ibinalot nya sa panyo ang nagdudugo nitong mata.
"Dylan..Dylan.." she called trying to comfort herself with his presence.
"I'm here."
"My eyes hurt..katulad ng unang beses.."
"What happened?"
"Bigla na lang naging malinaw ang paningin ko. I mean sobrang linaw that I can see even the smallest thing in the carpet. Everything's just so sharp my eyes hurt."
Dylan stilled.
"Dylan?? Nandyan ka pa ba?"
"Yes."
"Kailangan kong tawagan si Sir Jayden, sigurado—"
"no. Matulog ka na lang. Magiging maayos din ang lahat. You'll see."
Napangiti si Maica, "How can I see if I'm blind?"
"Good. You had your sense of humor back. A good sign. Now sleep. Dito lang ako sa kwarto mo."
Nang maramdaman ni Dylan na tulog na si Cassandra, he still can't move. She's a cursed elite. She's born to suffer and here he is plotting her death. Ngayon ay naiintindihan na nya ang sumpa dito. Bago ito maging elite ay maghihirap muna ito sa pagkakaroon ng malakas na kapangyarihan. At malamang na hindi na kailangan sya ang pumatay dito dahil marahil...ang kapangyarihan nito mismo ang papatay dito. He touched her cheek na may bakas pa ng dugo. Her body's to weak to accept the power and yet she can't refuse it. She don't even know what was happening. Nangangapa lang ito sa dilim at walang magawa kundi hayaan ang pagbabagong nangyayari sa kanya na diktahan ang buong pagkatao nya.
"What's next? Pagkatapos ng kapangyarihan nya? She'll lust for blood? She'll drink human blood na hindi makakayang sikmurain ng taong parte nya."
He looked out the window, and there the first full moon greeted him. The cold wind brushes his hair.
" Mama, tell me na tama ang ginagawa ko. Tell me na hindi dapat ako maawa sa babaeng toh. Tell me na wala dapat akong maramdaman para sa elite."
But the only answer he got is the silence of night. And he knew...that it's too late to ask her mother for he already know the answer..the impossible answer.
Napapailing na kumuha sya bimpo at ipinunas iyon sa mukha ni Cassandra para linisin ang dugo sa mukha nito.
Jayden's furious. Nakawala sa selda nya si Leandro and he don't know kung saan ito nagpunta or maybe he wanted to pretend na hindi nya alam kung saan ito pupunta. Siguradong magkakalat na naman ito. Nabali nya ang bakal na selda sa pagtitimping huwag ibaling kay Garrett, his bestfriend and the leader next to him, ang galit.
"I'm really sorry, Jayden. He used his charms para tulungan sya ng bago nating katulong na babae at tanging bangkay na lang ng babae ang natagpuan namin."
"Prepare the knights. Kung kailangan kong patayin ng paulit-ulit ang magaling kong kapatid, I'll do it. He can't mess up with our plans."
"Let's wait until tomorrow, Jayden. Sa university lang naman malaki ang tsansang bumalik ang kapatid mo dahil marami na syang kakilala doon na estudyante and he will use his looks to lure them."
"Fine. You're my adviser and strategist. Alam mo kung ano ang dapat gawin."
"But I will inform Felix about this," agad na bawi nito.
Napangisi lang si Jayden, "Well, Garrett Gavril..hindi ka din sigurado sa maaring gawin ni Leandro eh?"
"Hindi ako siguradong hindi nya sasaktan ang ating reyna. Kaya dapat handa ang grupo ni Felix para paslangin sya sa oras na kantiin nya ulit ang reyna."
"Go then. Ikaw na ang bahala. I still have something to do bago ako matulog."
Jayden frowned, nakatayo sya ngayon sa isang bubong and he's looking at their queen's window. He can see Dylan sa kwarto ng reyna nila. Mukhang masyadong malalim ang iniisip nito that he didn't felt his presence.
" Damn that hunter. He's too fast. I have to get my Queen away from him."
But his smile returned ng makita ang mata ng kanilang reyna..nakabalot ito sa panyo and there's the stain of blood. Saka lang sya napatingin sa buwan. It's full, the first full moon. On the second full moon, their queen will thirst for her destiny, for the blood of the man she deserved. At sisiguraduhin nyang sa panahong yon, hindi si Dylan ang nasa tabi nito.