Vampire's Pathos

Blood 13

"What happened to Kate?"

I saw his eyes widen for a moment, before he revealed an amused smile.

Wala namang mali sa tinanong ko di ba?

Of course, I want a clear explanation for what happened that day.

"That's a good question, hindi man naging tugma sa sinabi ko.. But I suppose that you have the right to know." Is what he said, at naisip ko nalang yung sinabi niya kanina.

Oh, he said anything about vampires..

Not their affairs.

I could see him contemplate for a moment para mahanap yung tamang mga salita para sagutin yung tanong ko, then words finally came out of his mouth.

"She's dead."

He only said two words, pero nagulat pa rin ako. Napangiti siya sa akin at napapikit naman ako dahil sa sinabi niya.

It felt like a needle was stuck in my throat.

What am I even surprised about? At least she's gone for good..

I slowly calmed myself down, hanggang sa napatingin nalang ako ulit sa harap ko.

I saw the guy leaning back on his chair as he gradually rests his arms on his side.

"I'm still willing to entertain your questions, sige lang. Magtanong ka pa."

He said once more, with a smile on his face, at hindi ko na kinailangang mag isip pa. I'm not going to waste this once in a lifetime chance.

Not now, or ever.

"Explain the difference between your colored eyes." Napatango tango naman siya sa akin bago napasagot.

"Now we're talking." He said out of joy, at dinugtungan niya kaagad yung mga sinabi niya.

"Well, of course, nakita mo na yung mata ni Kate." He started, at nagsimula nalang akong makinig.

"Those red eyed people are classified as an infected."

"People?"

Ulit ko sa mga sinabi niya kasi magtataka talaga ako.

People? Not vampires?

"Yes, they were formerly humans." Naramdaman kong bumigat yung pakiramdam ko nung narinig ko 'yon.

Former humans..

I thought that Kate was born as a vampire.. pero para lang malaman ko na dati lang rin pala siyang tao..

Did she lose her humanity? Just like that?

Ganon nalang niya kung patayin yung mga studyante sa paligid niya?

Naaalala ko pa kung paano niya minaliit yung mga tao, and that only meant one thing..

She wasn't satisfied in being just a human.

"Then, paano nagiging infected ang isang tao?" Tanong ko sa kanya, and he didn't even need to think about it this time.

"When a pure blood bites them."

Bite.. So, tama nga ako.

Kapag nakagat ka nila.. Then, I'm not one of them.

Gaya ng sabi ko noon, I don't have any bite marks. I don't have it, pero bakit wala ng sugat yung braso ko?

"Are there.. any other ways to turn someone..?" Medyo nag aalinlangan akong nagtanong, at nagulat nalang ako kung nasaan napadpad yung tingin niya.

He looked at my bandaged arm, before finally turning his head towards me.

"Hindi pa pala nasasabi ni Kian sa'yo." He held his head with his hand before sighing, and he sits properly as he puts his arms on table.

"You're not a vampire, don't worry." Medyo nakahinga ako ng maluwag doon sa sinabi niya, at naguluhan ako sa sunod niyang sinabi.

"You're a rare kind."

I'm a what?

"Paano ko ba sasabihin 'to?" He exhales and leans back to his chair once again, bago kamutin yung ulo niya at nagsalita.

"A rare kind is what we call a human who has the power to control a vampire's blood, and also having the blood to increase a vampire's power. For a period of time."

So.. I'm a human, but a bit special than a normal one?

That's basically it, right?

"That's why wala ka ng sugat sa braso mo, because Kian made you drink his blood."

A strange feeling struck upon my chest nung narinig ko 'yon.

I drank.. Kian's blood?

"You only had drops of it, since a lot could be lethal. But yeah, that's the reason why your wound healed that way." Huli niyang pagpapaliwanag at napaisip ako.

He made me drink his blood.. So, he was probably helping me..? But then paano mo ipapaliwanag yung nangyari doon sa mansyon nila? He wanted to kill me that day.

Ano 'yon? As soon as he found me useful he's keeping me?

Ganon?

"Ayan din ang rason kung bakit gusto ka niya." My eyes darted to that guy, at napangiti na naman siya. But this time, it sent chills down my spine. Para kasing nabasa niya yung naiisip ko.

I must be a little wrong in head to even think about their world.

By unknowingly meddling in their affairs, I basically dug my own grave.

Nakakunot noo ko nalang siyang tinignan, and his expression softens at natawa siya ng mahina.

"I don't read minds little girl, we don't have the powers to do that. Your expression is already enough to tell me everything." Hindi ko alam kung anong mararamdaman ko sa sinabi niya.

Pero parang nakakapagtaka naman 'yon, especially when it did look like he was reading my mind just now. But when I looked at him once more, it was becoming clear to me that he wasn't lying.

So they really don't read minds?

That was a bit weird of course, since iba ang pagkakasabi ng mga folk tales tungkol sa kanila. Well, other than the things na sinabi ni Kate about them having no weaknesses at all, they are still powerful..

I think?

Napailing iling nalang ako dahil sa mga iniisip ko, and I returned to the topic at hand.

"You said something like pure bloods. What are those?" Iniba ko na kaagad yung usapan at sinagot niya na naman yung tanong ko.

"The other eye color I showed earlier, was bright green, wasn't it?" Ang sunod niyang sinabi at napatango nalang ako.

Then he continued.

"Those with green eyes like mine are called pure bloods. We were born as vampires, and will stay like that for the rest of our lives."

That was the last thing that he said, kaya naman napatingin nalang kami sa isa't isa.

After a few seconds, naghintayan lang kami. Hanggang sa napansin kong nag aabang nalang yung lalaki sa magiging tanong ko.

Wait, that's it?

Dalawang kulay lang?

"What about those with golden eyes?" Nakita kong manlaki yung mata niya sa gulat dahil sa sinabi ko.

Unlike the way he was surprised earlier, this time, parang hindi niya talaga inaakalang itatanong ko 'yon.

Well, he has to answer right?

He did tell me that it was Kian's order to tell me anything I want about them.

Napahawak siya sa ulo niya na akala mo ba'y sumakit 'yon, at saka siya nagsalita.

"So, in other words.." He painfully sighs, kaya nagtaka na talaga ako.

"You saw his eyes."

Hindi ko nagawang gumalaw sa kinauupuan ko nung nag iba yung ekspresyon ng mukha niya.

The playful look in his eyes disappeared in just a second, and he looked displeased.

Parang unti unti na akong nagsisisi kung bakit ko pa tinanong 'yon, and I already knew that I was shrinking back in fear.

His intimidation was nothing like his brother.

It was a lot more threatening since it contradicts his somewhat cheerful personality earlier.

Nanatili lang akong nakatingin sa kanya, not even looking away for a second since he might suddenly change his mind and kill me.

But then he just sighed.

"He's giving me no chances to turn you away huh?" He loses his glare in an instant at napatayo siya sa kinauupuan niya.

What did he mean by turn me away?

He shoves the swivel chair aside, at naglakad siya paikot sa table niya para makapunta sa harap.

He was walking towards me.

Sinundan ko nalang siya ng tingin until he was finally near me, hanggang sa napaupo siya sa upuan na nasa may bandang harap ko lang.

"Okay, now, Ms. Eara Laire Arella." Nalunok ko nalang yung laway ko nung seryoso siyang nagsalita, and I waited for him to say the next words.

"As of now, you are a property of Kian Pierce Aerovan."

"Wha—"

I had no time to react, kasi bigla nalang niyang pinutol yung sasabihin ko.

"Mas madali sana 'to kung tungkol sa amin lang yung alam mo, but knowing that you've seen Kian's eyes.. That only means there's no turning back."

"Could you please—"

Hindi na naman ako nagkapagsalita dahil patuloy pa rin siya sa mga sinasabi niyang hindi ko maintindihan.

I'm a private property of who!?

Sinong maniniwala doon di ba?

I'm not hearing things yet, am I?

"In this situation, you only have two choices left. To be killed or to live in accordance to how Kian wants it. But I'm sure you'll be willing enough to choose the latter, wouldn't you? Ms. Arella?"

I started to feel goosebumps in my body as I felt the room was growing colder than it already was.

Air-conditioned as it already is, to me it already felt like a few degrees below zero.

Like I was inside a freezer.

So after all that.. I'm being forced to choose huh? It's not like I have any other choice. If given, then I would most likely choose to live.

That was it.

"You're not even explaining." I stated, and I looked at him exactly in the eye.

Like he didn't scare the wits out of me earlier.

"Oh, right, I suppose that I have to." It was like he was complaining, then he sits up straight just as he props his leg to the other.

"Kian.. is our destined king."

I caught myself blinking for a few times, and silent for a few seconds before the information came sinking into me just like how Titanic sank.

Kian is their king?

So, that's why..

Ayon ang dahilan kung bakit iba yung kulay ng mata niya, and that also explains why even though he was vampire, he felt different than all of them.

Those golden eyes represented all of it.

He was their king.

"Unless needed, he is never allowed to show his eyes to anyone. Let alone humans. And yet, here you are.. You really had to go and fit both of the descriptions.. That's why your only choice now is to sink or swim."

Well, that's it.

I was given a choice to live, so why not?

I did want to find something worthwhile.. pero sino ba namang mag aakalang ito yung makukuha ko?

Then the only choice now is..

To move forward.

"I'll be in your care then?" I said with a sigh visibly escaping my lips, and a smile returned to his face.

I wanted to ask why his eyes could never be showed to anyone, but seeing that he looked like he was ready to kill me when I asked about his brother's eyes..

Aalamin ko nalang siguro ng mag isa.

"Kian's care, if I were to say it otherwise."

Naramdaman kong nagtaasan yung mga balahibo nung narinig ko yung mga sinabi niya.

Hearing him say that I'm under Kian's care isn't exactly pleasant to hear.

I might be alive right now, but what if he changes his mind? Hindi ko nga alam kung paano tumatakbo yung utak ng bampirang 'yon.

It's like they're making me walk on a tight rope.

Even if I did well in balancing what he wants me to do, if he wants it, he can easily cut the rope and kill me.

I guess.. aayusin ko nalang yung pamumuhay ko habang hindi niya pa nagpadedesisyunan na patayin ako.

That was the option I chose.

So, as this guy says it..

There's no turning back.

"Well, now that we've finally reached an understanding.. I'm here to inform you that you'll be living with us."

Nakakunot noo ko na namang tinanggap yung sinabi niya at nagpapaliwanag na naman siya.

"Since you are now his.. servant.. of some sort. You are now a part of the clan, whether you like it or not."

"But can you just—"

I was cut off once again, at nainis ako.

I'm really beginning to think that this conversation is getting a bit one sided.

"You have no right to refuse—"

"I won't refuse."

Putol ko sa mga sinasabi niya, at sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

Is it that bad to just hear me out?

Napatingin nalang din siya sa akin, and he smiles at me as if he was amused because of what I did.

"Can't you just give me some time? Susunod naman ako, but I still have something to do inside the dorms." This time, siya naman yung nagtaka sa mga sinabi ko at nakita ko siyang napaisip.

"If this is about the matter that you discussed with Ada, magiging ayos lang din naman kung sa mansyon ka mag aalaga di ba?" I found myself surprised once more, and I thought about it.

If it was fine for them.. then.. there's no use in prolonging it anymore.

Dahan dahan nalang ako napatango, at nagsalita na naman siya.

"Oh, muntik ko nang makalimutan." Makalimutan?

Nagtaka nalang ako sa sinabi niya, and he suddenly grabbed something in the vacant space beside him. At bigla nalang akong nakakita ng espada sa kamay niya.

What the hell?!

Gusto kong sumigaw para malaman kung saang lupalop nanggaling yung espada na 'yon.

But I think I'd rather keep my mouth shut.

Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya, at naramdaman kong napaatras ako sa dulo ng upuan nung tinutok niya sa akin yung matalim na dulo ng espada.

"Ah, wag kang matakot. I'm just going to cast a glamour." He calmly assures me, pero kinakabahan pa rin ako.

What is a glamour anyway?

Napapikit nalang ako at hinihintay ko na may mangyari sa akin, at nagsalita nalang ulit yung lalaki.

"There, it's done." Naimulat ko nalang yung mata ko, at napatingin ako sa katawan ko.

Nothing.. happened?

Dahan dahan kong inayos yung upo ko, and I continued to observe what changes I had in my body.

What did he do to me?

I looked back at him, at nakita kong wala na yung espada sa kamay niya.

What? Is it some kind of magic..?

"It's just an illusion, Ms. Arella. Everyone will see you with bandages without even wearing one. Pwede mo nang tanggalin 'yan." He pointed at my bandages, at napatingin din ako doon.

Then I looked back at him, before he finally gestured that it was really okay to do it.

An illusion huh?

Dahan dahan ko nalang tinanggal yung mga nakabalot sa braso ko, and it felt relieving na natanggal ko na 'yon. Tinignan ko ulit ng maigi yung braso, at nakikita kong wala namang nakabalot doon.

I thought I'd still see bandages even if I removed the real ones, pero mukhang ako lang ang hindi nakakakita.

"You're the only one who would see your real self, the rest.. Makikita nila yung braso mo with bandages until eventually it turns into a scar. Without even knowing that's it's all an illusion." Paliwanag niya at napatango nalang ako. It's like he read my mind again, pero hinayaan ko nalang.

I folded the used bandages neatly, at hinawakan ko nalang 'yon, saka ako tumingin sa harapan ko.

There's only one question left to answer..

"Okay.. so, kailan ako lilipat?" Huli kong itinanong sa kanya, and he smiles sweetly before answering.

"Tonight."

After that short answer, he slowly stands up and walks towards the door. And for me, that only meant na tapos na yung usapan naming dalawa.

In the end, I didn't really get to ask much.

Sumunod nalang ako sa kanya hanggang nasa harap na ako ulit ng pinto. Dahan dahan niya namang binuksan 'yon para sa akin, at nagtungo nalang ako palabas.

Pero nung unang tapak ko palang sa labas kwarto, tinawag niya ako ulit.

"Ms. Arella, you can call me Kean." Napatingin naman ako kaagad sa kanya at nakita ko na naman siyang ngumiti.

"We're part of the same clan now after all." Dahan dahan nalang akong napatango, without even knowing what he really meant about it.

At napatingin ako kaagad sa harap ko nung may naramdaman akong humawak sa kamay ko, and I immediately saw a familiar face.

Kian..?

Why is he here?

Naghintay ba siya dito sa labas?

"We're going." A yelp escaped from my lips when he suddenly pulled my arm, at wala akong nagawa kung hindi sumunod sa kanya.

"Teka—" Bago ko pa mahawakan yung kamay niya, bigla na naman niya akong hinatak kaya napatigil ako sa gagawin ko.

Patuloy lang siyang naglakad ng lakad at pahigpit ng pahigpit yung hawak niya sa pala-pulsuhan ko.

"Teka lang, saglit—" Napatigil na naman ako kasi nawala ako sa balanse, pero hindi ako nadapa since Kian was still holding my wrist.

"Just wait—"

Agad akong napaaray nung tumama yung mukha ko sa likod niya. First he was dragging me, and now he's suddenly stopping out of nowhere.

Ano ba talagang gusto niyang mangyari?

"Did he do something?" Napatingin ako sa likod niya, while I was still busy rubbing my injured nose.

Something?

Oh right, yung sinabi niya kanina.

"Um, sabi ni Kean.. He casted a glamour around me." He instantly turned around after I said that, at pinanliitan niya ako ng mata. Natigil ko yung ginagawa ko, and I stayed firmly in my place.

He was carefully observing me as if he was looking for something.

At mukhang nakita niya naman yung hinahanap niya sa akin and his eyes returns back to normal, at nagtanong na naman siya.

"Anything else?"

Tahimik nalang akong napailing, and my eyes widened when he leveled his face to mine, at tinignan niya ako..

Mata sa mata.

"If I find out that you're lying.." He stops for a moment and he leans to my side until I felt his warm breath on my neck.

"You're as good as dead."

I heard him whisper exactly to my ear, and I just held my breath. Hanggang sa lumayo na siya and he looks down on me for a moment.

This person..

Just how similar is he to his brother?

I was wrong..

The older one didn't look more intimidating.

The two of them..

They we're both predators.. and they'll do what they can in order to close in to their prey.

At mukhang sa laro nilang dalawa..

I was the prey that they we're fighting for..

Basta basta nalang niya akong tinalikuran, at naglalakad na siya palayo pagkatapos. At saka ko lang tuluyang naramdaman yung panghihina ng binti ko.

I found myself kneeling on the floor and catching my breath after what happened.

"Until when..?"

I said to myself, as I looked at Kian's back at he walked away.

"Until when will they keep me alive?"