IN ANOTHER LIFE
I took a deep breath for the tenth time now. I never thought joining a group of royal-blooded vampires on a supper would be this stressful. What's more weird is that they just came from the bed and instead of taking their breakfast, they're taking dinner in lieu. Napailing nalang ako sa naisip. Vampire's life is weird. I examine my figure in the mirror once again. Should I bring my dagger? Are they going to attack me? Napailing nalang ako tsaka ko ibinaba ang dagger na hawak ko. I am skilled and well trained to hunt and kill vampires but who knows what those royal-blooded vampires can do. I witness how Sebastian burn those rogue vampires into ashes before. Napabuntong hininga nalang ako.
"If one of your relatives attacks me, I won't hesitate to pierce my dagger on their neck Sebastian. You should know that." I glance at him.
"Calm down. No one has the right to taste your blood, Salvatore." The side of his lip curled up, revealing a small cocky smirk. "Just me." Sigunda niya pa na mas lalong ikinalawak ng ngising nakapaskil sa mukha niya. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin ng bumaba ang paningin niya sa leeg ko.
"My mark looks good on you." I nonchalantly throw my dagger in his direction. Madali lang naman niya iyong naiwasan.Napairap nalang ako. Siya na mismo ang kumuha ng dagger ko na tumama sa kama niya tsaka siya tumayo at naglakad papalapit sa'kin. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay ng maalala ko kung anong ginawa niya saakin no'ng nakaraan.
"Just stay with me. You'll be okay." Napaisimid ako sa sinabi niya. I cross my arms on my chest as I darted him an accusing glare. "The last time you say that you dance with another woman." Bahagya namang sumeryuso ang mukha niya. Akala niya ba nakalimutan ko na ang ginawa niyang 'yon? Tsk.
"About that--" Bumuntong hininga siya tsaka siya marahang napailing. Inabot niya saakin ang dagger ko. "You don't have to know anything, Salvatore." Ilang minuto muna kaming nagsukatan ng tingin bago kami nakarinig ng marahang pagkatok sa pintuan ng kwarto niya.
"Let's go?"
Habang naglalakad kami ay hindi ko mapigilang hindi mapansin ang nakakabinging katahimikan na bumabalot sa paligid. Akmang baba na sana kami sa malaking hagdan nitong mansyon ngunit napahinto ako ng mahagip ng paningin ko ang malalaking larawan na nakasabit sa isang sulok ng masyon. Bahagya akong natigilan ng mapatingin ako sa larawan ng isang babae at lalake na sa tingin ko ay mga magulang niya. Mas pumukaw sa atensyon ko ang babaeng nasa larawan. She has the same eyes with Sebastian.
"That woman--
"She's my mother. Beside her is my father." Ibinaling ko ulit ang paningin ko sa larawang nakasabit sa pader. His father has the same eyes as Zatrius but I can say that Sebastian got almost all of the features of their father. Itinuon ko ulit ang paningin ko sa mama niya. That woman, she's the same woman who once appeared in my dream. Ilang minuto muna akong natulala sa larawan ng mga magulang niya at nabalik lang ako sa ulirat ko ng maramdaman ko ang pag pisil ni Sebastian sa kamay ko. "Let's go." Tumango nalang ako.
Napatingin ako sa malaking pintuan na nasa harapan namin ngayon. This must be the dining hall. The whole mansion is painted with the same three colors. The white, gold, and black making it looks more like a royal-classic mansion. Napatingin ako kay Sebastian ng abutin niya ang kamay ko. He's now back to his usual blank and serious face. He's wearing a black tuxedo which suits perfectly on him. It makes him look more intimidating than the usual. His aura radiates in every corner of the mansion. Napangiti nalang ako. He's not showing his other side to others. I grip on his hand and I watch as a small smile formed on his lips. Natawa nalang ako ng mahina.
My face turns blank when the door in front of us opens, revealing a large dining hall occupied by a group of vampires who are now transfixing us with a prying gaze. So, this is the Kleinhaus clan.
"Nice to meet you again, Hyrreti." My gaze landed on Zatrius. He gave me a wink. Marahan akong napailing. Kapatid nga pala ni Sebatsian ang isang 'to. I reverted my eyes on the other Kleinhaus.
"Welcome, Ms. Salvatore. Make yourself comfortable. We don't bite." Saad ng isang lalaking tsaka siya ngumisi saakin. For a vampire like them, I don't think so. "Well, sometimes." Dugtong niya pa sa sinabi niya tsaka siya tumawa ng malakas.
"Hush your mouth, Dave." Nabalot ng katahimikan ang buong silid dahil sa seryusong nilalang na 'to na nakatayo ngayon sa tabi ko. "Hey, It's fine." Bulong ko dahilan para medyo kumalma ang mukha niya. Minsan talaga nakakatakot din ang isang 'to.
Nagsimula na kaming maglakad papalapit sa mahabang lamesa kung saan nakaupo ang pamilya niya. Bawat galaw ko ay pinagmamasdan nila. I can't blame them tho. They spent their whole life hiding in this place. Now I'm here, intruding their safe zone.
"Feel free to eat everything. We've prepared this food for you." Saad ng isang medyo may edad na babae tsaka siya ngumiti saakin. Tinitigan ko ang mga pagkain na nakahanda ngayon sa lamesa. They also eat human food huh. Akala ko puro nalang dugo ang iniinum nila eh.
"Thank you." Tipid na tugon ko sa kaniya. Nagsimula na silang kumain.
"You're eyes—they're pretty." Napahinto ako sa pag nguya ng pagkain ko ng marinig ko ang kumento na iyon ng isang babaeng nakaupo ngayon sa harapan ko. She smiled at me then she continued munching her food. She looks friendly. At least someone gave me a warm welcome.
"A mere human, weak, and innocent. Why did you choose a pet to be your substitute mate, Fierro?" I hold my breath for a second, trying to calm myself from ruining the face of this guy who just dared to call me a pet. I can feel the tension rising in the whole place, keeping everyone in great silence.
My face went blank when his gaze landed on me, giving me a mocking smile. "Run, human. Before I drink your blood." I gasp when he flashes his two sharp fangs. Some of the Kleinhaus laugh with my reaction and some just shook their head.
"So you're scared huh? Where did you pick her up, Fierro? There is nothing special about her, just the fact that she does really look like--
"Keep your mouth shut." Sebastian intervenes not letting the guy finish his words. I look at him confused. Look like who? His once deep blue with a fleck of gold eyes are now flashing red. This is exactly the reason why every student in Night Blood University tends to look down whenever he's talking to them.
"Why? Does she still affect you? If that so, why bring this human here then? She's not your mate Ferro. Luna is long dead, and if she's still alive. I will do everything to hunt and kill her." My brain is trying to process all the pieces of information that this vampire is giving right now. I don't understand it, I--look like Sebastian's mate? And we even have the same name. I am sure I'm not that woman but I will going to curse the destiny if this is just something like a coincidence. Does Zapero Organization have something to do with this?
"Enough Trevor." The girl who compliments me a while ago tried to broke up the tension but none of them give in. I never thought having dinner with a group of vampires can lead to something insane like this.
"What? I'm just saying that if he's just using this beautiful human out here, why not just give her to me as a gift? I'm pretty sure I will love the taste of her bloo--" he didn't manage to finish his sentence when he disappeared from my sight and in just a snap, he's already leaning on the wall-with Sebastian holding his neck and choking him to death.
"I don't mind burning you to ashes, Trevor. I never permit every single one of you to disrespect my woman. Not when I'm around." He spits with a menacing tone. No one dares to stop them. Napailing nalang ako. Ang gulo pala ng pamilya na 'to.
"SHOW SOME RESPECT YOUNG MEN!" A stern voice echoed in the room. Kaagad na nabaling ang atensyon ko sa isang matandang lalaki na nakatayo ngayon sa tapat ng malaking pintuan nitong Dining Hall. Isang tingin mo palang sa kaniya ay halatang hindi siya 'yong tipo na pwedi mong banggain. I gulp when his gaze landed on me. Goodness, I should know from the very first that spending a night with the Kleinhaus isn't a good idea.
"Nice to meet you young maiden." He flash a smile, a one deadly smile. Hindi na ako nagulat pa ng bigla nalang siyang mawala sa paningin ko at a isang iglap ay nakalapit na kaagad siya saakin. "I want to apologize for the foolishness of these two." Napatingin ako sa direksyon ni Sebastian. He's now staring at me. This jerk is giving me a headache for putting me in this situation. Napailing nalang ako tsaka ko ulit binalingan ng tingin ang matandang lalake na nakatayo ngayon sa harapan ko.
"It's fine. I'm used to violence anyway." I retort nonchalantly. I can't help but let out a small chuckle when I saw the displeasure in Kleinhaus's faces. I can die right now because of my discourtesy but who cares, at least I die with an attitude. That's what really matters.
"I like your attitude but I can't accept a human to be part of our family." He stated which I just responded with a nod. "Grandfather--
Zatrius try to interfere but I cut him off. "Neither do I. Unfortunately, I can't stay away from your grandson Sir. That is something that I can't control." Sa halip na magalit ay ngumisi lang siya. He took one step closer to me then he gently tap my shoulder. As I stare into his eyes, my hand starts to tremble not in fear but in rage. Damn. I need to take my sedatives now but I don't bring one. That's when I felt a grip on my wrist.
"Don't touch her." Sebastian growl. I sigh. This dinner turned out into something I least expected. Hindi na ako nakaangal pa ng sa isang iglap ay nagbago nalang bigla ang paligid ko. Nandito na kami ngayon sa isang tahimik na harden kung saan maraming nakatanim na kulay itim na mga rosas. Napatingin ako sa kamay ko ng magsimula na naman iyong manginig. I close my eyes to calm myself down.
"Fvck." I hear him cuss. I opened my eyes when he enveloped me and tuck me in under his arms. He gently stroke the strand of my hair and that's when my hand starts to cease from trembling.
"I'll call Throndsen, he'll drive you back to Night Blood." Hindi ko siya pinansin at tahimik ko lang na isinandal ang ulo ko sa dibdib niya tsaka ko pinagmasdan ang mga maliliit na alitaptap na nagliliparan ngayon sa paligid.
"Your mate, what does she look like?" I felt his body stiffened. Ilang minuto din siyang naging tahimik kaya naman naisipan kong dugtongan ang tanong ko.
"They say I look like her—
"You're not her, you'll never be." I nodded. Right, I'm not her, and I don't want to be her either. Kumawala ako sa pagkakayakap niya tsaka ako bahagyang lumayo sa kaniya.
"Where is she?" I know he doesn't want to talk about his mate. Faolan once warned me about this also but I just can't help it. My curiosity is killing me and I need to know the truth.
Ilang minuto muna kaming nag sukatan ng tingin bago siya nagsalita. "On her grave." There is a hint of resentment in his voice but his face tells it all, she still has an effect on him.
"I killed her." I was left astounded by his word for a long suspended time. Just by simply looking into his face, I can tell that he's lying. I watch him as he runs his fingers onto his hair in frustration.
"I'm a monster. That is what I am, Salvatore." His jaw clenched. Nanatili akong tahimik na nakatingin lang sa kaniya. If he really kills his mate because she murders his parents, then, I'm pretty sure that he will going to curse me to death when he finds out that I'm just here to watch his people suffer and to end their race. Napailing nalang ako dahil sa takbo ng kwento namin. It's either I will kill him, or I'll let him slaughter my life instead. That's the only option we had.
"You need to go back to Night Blood University. You're no longer safe here." And here he is, still protecting me. He doesn't have any idea how will this story end. Ibinaling ko nalang din sa mga nakatanim na rosas ang paningin ko. Ilang minuto rin kaming binalot ng katahimikan. Itinuon ko ang paningin ko sa buwan na siyang nagsisilbing liwanag sa lugar kung saan kami nakatayo ngayon. If this is our faith in this lifetime, I couldn't do anything to change that. I just wish that in another life, our paths will cross once again.