The Devil's Bride

BLOOD 12: Sealed It

"WHERE ARE YOU?...WHERE ARE YOU?..." A lone and faint voice kept on ringing into Shana's head. Her head also kept on throbbing and her left eye continued to move rapidly; and a small tear came from it. Napapahawak si Shana sa kanyang dibdib dahil nakakaramdam siya ng mabigat.

She heavily breath. She don't know where it came from but it never left her mind that time. pakiramdam niya ay alam niya ang boses na 'yon. Pakiramdam niya ay alam niya ang lungkot sa tinig na 'yon.

Kung maalala niya, ganito ang naging pakiramdam niya no'ng nagbabad siya sa jacuzzi and now it is happening again.

And then she couldn't hear anymore voices of questioning but a weeping forlorn sound took place. Crying in pain and lost. Namalayan na lang niya na umiiyak na ang kaliwa niyang mata. It also stopped from its hasty movements. Pero hindi naman ito tumigil sa pag-agos ng luha.

She saw how Brix was shouting at her to come into the field but she didn't heard it clearly since she was filled with what was happening in her eyes.

A buzzing sound appeared. Galloping of horses get into the scene too. Iyon na lamang ang tanging natandaan ni Shana sa mga oras na iyon.

She closed her eyes and open it again. She looked at her reflection at the mirror. She ignored what kind of transformation she had and instead pay an attention to her left eye. She covered it with her palm and tried to feel something pero walang nangyari. Hindi naman niya alam kung bakit at kelan na naman niya ito mararamdaman.

She was transported back from the time she heard a creaking sound of door and swiftly put away her hand. Lumingon siya and there she saw Jett was coming over her. Napatayo siya bigla dahil naalala niya ang ginawa niya kay Jett no'ng nagtapat ito sa kanya.

The man was in formal black suit and finely brushed his hair. Iba na din ang tindig ng lalaki tila ba mas lumakas ang masculine appearance at aura nito.

On the other hand, Jett slowly walked inside of Shana's room. He gazed the woman with adoration. And he can't deny how striking and charming was the beloved woman in his eyes.

The woman wore a long-sleeve ruffled black and red wedding dress and her neck was adorned with a ruffle collar too. Her crimson hair was curled in ample that suits her smokey eyes and blood-red lips.

Indeed, his much-loved and treasured woman will become someone's dear. Tanggap na niya ang katotohanang ito but nevertheless, he still want to pursue his feelings for Shana. His forehead curled as he looked at Shana's dejected expression.

Nagmadali siyang maglakad papunta sa dalaga.

"Shana...are you okay?"

"Jett..."

"You just came from loss of senses yesterday so, are you alright? You sure you're fine now? I mean not to interrupt with your wedding today but I'm just worried about you. I came here to check you."

"Jett..." Hindi pa man natapos ang sasabihin ng dalaga ay agad na siyang niyakap ng lalaki.

"Sorry. Just forget about it. I was really planning to burried this feeling but I was just too weak to resist it Shana," Jett explained as he knew what was the woman bothered with.

Mas ibinaon pa ni Shana ang mukha niya sa dibdib ni Jett at hindi na niya inisip ang make-up niya. "No it's okay Jett. At least nasabi mo na at aware na ako. And I should be the one to apologize. Sorry. I just don't know how and what should I react to you."

Nagulat na lang si Jett na mas lalong humigpit ang yakap ng babae at tanging nagawa niya ay ngumiti ng tipid at halikan ang buhok nito.

"Jett sorry talaga. Alam mo namang mahalaga ka sa 'kin but you know..."

"I know but let me just have this feeling Shana. And...congratulations." Kinalas niya ang pagkakayakap ni Shana sa kanya and hold her shoulders with his both hands. Malungkot namang nakatitig ang dalaga.

"You don't have to be sad for me. At kahit na alam mo na, I will still be your co-writer and friend whom you always calling Otis." Napangiti naman ang dalaga ng kunti.

And the next thing Jett did was, he leaned towards Shana's face. He gently touched the woman's cheek near at her lips and drawn his eyes to it.

"You're still beautiful even you had a little smudging of make-up." At bago pa man makapag-react si Shana ay naramdaman na niya ang pagdampi ng labi ni Jett sa gilid ng labi niya.

She was stunned while still looking at Jett. "It's a little goodbye kiss." And before Shana could say something ay bigla na lang humangin sa paligid and there, Myrtice instantly appeared out of nowhere and was standing behind Jett's back.

She was wearing a tea length black corset dress and had a perm hair style.

Myrtice cleared her throat to be more obvious. Napansin naman iyon ng lalaki at lumingon sa kanya.

"So, done with the dramatic scene?" She sarcastically said and gave a deadly look at Jett. Hindi naman iyon pinansin ng lalaki at humarap muli kay Shana.

"I'll be waiting you at the aisle, Shana. Don't be nervous. Kahit wala si Papa mo, andito naman ako. Hm?" Tumango-tango naman ang dalaga.

Tumalikod na si Jett para umalis at hindi pa rin siya tinitigilan ni Myrtice sa masamang tingin nito.

"Hey, Myrtice you got really a bad habit. Hindi ka niyan magkakaroon ng boyfriend," Jett mocked as he stopped to face Myrtice. Napa-arko naman ang kilay ni Myrtice sa narinig niya. Kilala na din kasi ni Jett ang mga kaibigan ni Vlad at nagkaroon na din sila ng kunting oras para magkakilala.

"Appearing out of nowhere really get into my nerves kung hindi lang kita kilala baka isipin ko multo ka eh and always staring someone with that burning gaze of yours. Why don't you try to smile a bit?" Ngumiti si Jett pagkatapos niyang iwanan ng mga salitang gano'n si Myrtice.

Pigil na pigil naman ang babae sa inis niya. Kung hindi nga lang siya pinagbawalan ni Vlad na gamitin ang kanyang ability malamang nabalian na niya ang lalaking ito.

Myrtice found out herself as a laughing stock to Shana. Tawang-tawa kasi ang babae sa pinapakita niyang ekspresyon kahit pa na wala na sa kwarto si Jett.

"Oh, don't try me today you---little-red-riding-hood," She stumbled saying those words.

"It's Shana. And tama naman 'yong sinabi ni Jett eh. Why don't you try to smile a bit?" Pigil-ngiti ni Shana.

"Don't you ever lecture me crimson bride. Ang ngiti ko ay para lang kay Vlady and anyways I'm here to tell you that I already accept it. Though we won the game, hindi pa rin mapipigilan ang ceremony. Congratulations." She offered her a shake hand but was looking away.

Napangiti naman si Shana at mabilis itong tinanggap na nakapagpangiti din kay Myrtice. The two became friends after the polo game match but Myrtice tsundere side still lingers. Alam naman iyon ni Shana kaya kahit papanu ay sanay na siya sa bagong kaibigan sa gano'ng ugali na nagsusungit kahit mabait naman.

"Pinahirapan mo ako ng todo bago ka pumayag ah." Shana scorned fakely.

"That's how I treated Vlady's bride besides babantayan ko pa rin naman ang mga galaw mo. And... I guess you're different from that ex-bride whom Vlady had almost lost his sanity to."

"Sinong ex-bride? Madaming naging bride si oreo-monster Bah, hindi ba?"

"Someone that I think resembles you...hindi lang napapansin ni Vlady because he's stupid asshole! Ugh! Bakit kailangan pa niya ng bride? When he could just shut his mouth with animal's blood?!"

"Resemble? Saka hindi ka din ba nagkakaroon ng katulad kay Vlad? Ay anu pala tawag sa lalaki na second familiar? Groom?" Napatawa siya sa sariling sinabi.

"Stupid idea little-red-riding-hood. Didn't Vlady told you? Only Royal Vampires could have that. In our case, we don't belong to Royal Vampires. We are belong to the first familiars and bond to serve them. And the bride term is for both gender of human race but they prefer only women because they have a sweet blood than men."

Napalunok si Shana sa narinig niya. Ngayon naisip niya na para lang siyang regalo na ibabalot ng maganda at iaabot sa isang bampira that is preparing her to be bite. Pero mas napaisip siya sa sa unang sinabi ni Myrtice. Resemble? The word kept on repeating inside her head.

"I just hope you made the right choice at sana lang nothing will happen."

Napakunot ang noo ni Shana and was puzzled again. Naisip din niya ang nangyari sa kanya kahapon. Anu ba ang mga misteryong ito? What does it mean? And what connection it had to do with her?

And in the midst of her jumbling thougths and confusion, a wind passed by and the two man, Brix and Paris, came in and was walking near them.

"Yo! Chum," Brix started nang makalapit na sila ni Paris sa harapan ng dalawang babae.

"Mon ange..." Paris took off of his top hat and held Shana's hand and kissed the back of it. "Oh, your smell is getting much saccharine." Tinitigan lang ng dalaga si Paris na tila nangingilabot siya sa lalaki. Ewan niya ba at parang na weweirduhan siya sa bampirang ito.

Lumipad naman ang tingin niya nang magsalita si Brix. "Chum, hey..." Kumamot muna ito ng ulo na parang nahihiya. "Sorry pala at natalo tayo sa polo game but hey that was totally fun, right? And since you'll be Vlad's bride, mag-laro ulit tayo no'n next time okay?"

"A-Ah ha-ha o-okay," May pag-aalangan na sabat ni Shana. Ang totoo kasi ayaw na niyang mag-laro no'n.

Mayamaya narinig na lang niya na sumisigaw si Brix sa pamimilitpit ni Myrtice sa tainga nito.

"Where is your manner you knitted head! Bigla-bigla ka na lang dito papasok and I still don't forget that you made your artisans to clean your greeting mess! 'Di ba sabi ko 'kaw ang maglilinis at mag-aayos no'n?! And where the heck is your artisans? Bakit hindi mo pa sila pinapakilala kay red-riding-hood?!"

"Aray naman Myrtice! Yeah...I get it-Ouch! Sorry na. Heto na tatawagin ko na sila."

Binitawan naman ni Myrtice si Brix at sinundan lang ito ng babae ng nakakamatay na tingin habang kinamot-kamot muna ni Brix ang tainga niya.

"Sadista talaga tch. MINERVA, LANCELOT! VENIRE AD VITAM!" Nanlaki lang ang mga mata ni Shana nang may lumitaw na dalawang malaking kumikislap na ilaw sa harapan ni Brix and abruptly the light became a two human form.

The other was a suntan woman who was wearing a bronze armor and half of her face from nose to lower parts were covered with a thin fabric thus only her azure eyes could be seen. And the other one was a man on a silver armor and a red cape.

Sobrang pag-hanga ang naramdaman ni Shana at nakita na lang niya na lumuluhod na ang dalawang nilalang na tinawag ni Brix.

"Chum Shana, these are my artisans specifically my exculibers. Minerva and Lancelot. They will also going to be part of your life."

"Let me also present to you Mon ange my beloved Freya." Nalipat ang mga mata ni Shana kay Paris nang biglang may dumadaloy na makapal na usok sa kaliwang braso nito. It was curling out of Paris's arms and without warning the smoke take shape into a beautiful woman

but staying as fume in the air.

Ang Psychometry ability ni Paris ay galing sa isang nilalang na gawa sa usok na naninirahan sa kanyang katawan at naipapakita niya ito kahit kelan niya gusto.

Lumipad-lipad ito sa palibot ni Shana at huminto sa harap niya. Lumapit ito sa mukha niya at tinitigan lang siya pagkatapos ay bumalik ito sa tabi ni Paris.

"Remember red-riding-hood, kung anu ang pagsisilbi namin kay Vlady gano'n din ang matatangap mo sa 'min and this is why we are showing these to you. Anyways, chop-chop! show is over at kailangan na natin pumunta sa ceremony," Myrtice said.

"S-Salamat sa inyo," nahihiyang sagot naman ni Shana at tanging nakuha niyang sagot pabalik ay mga ngiti ng bago niyang kaibigan but her eyes hit upon Paris's living entity. It was looking at her with an unwavering attention and that made her to wonder.

VEIL,

VISITORS,

ROSE PETALS,

AND OF DARKEST COLOR.

SHANA was standing at the aisle of the room and was crossing her arms at Jett's. Everything was gothic and only Vlad's friends were the invited visitors. Hal was the conductor of the ceremony. Moreover, Vlad was already standing at the side of Hal, waiting for her to come.

"Don't be nervous, Shana," anya ni Jett sa kaibigan habang bumabaling ng ngiti.

"Y-Yeah. Thanks Jett." Ngumiti din si Shana at mahigpit na hinawakan ang kanyang boquet of black and red roses.

The melody of piano begin and it was a signal for the bride to walk in. Shana started to march slowly like it was a true wedding for her. Kahit kapareho ang ceremony ng tao at sa bampira para sa isang kontrata, nakakaba pa rin para sa kanya.

"Shana, I hope the best in you. Saka tatandaan mo na this will be the one of the stages ng tao na madami ang pagsubok. Your relationship will be tested even more at kahit anong mangyari...just hold on okay? If you two made a fight, just tell me or let me hear it. 'Wag mong itatago ha?"

Shana looked at Jett astoundingly. Napakabait talaga ng kaibigan niya sa kabila ng pagiging inosente nito sa nangyayari. She never say anything to reply back. She continue to walk on the red carpet. Myrtice, Brix and Paris were smilingly looking at her and she smiled back. Natuon ang mga mata niya sa dinadaanan and she saw Vlad there.

The man was wearing a black sleeved with a ruffled tie and an aristocrat vest shrine completed with a another black coat. The left side of his charcoal hair was tucked behind his ear while others remained on his right side face that made a gorgeous bangs---sleeked and soft edges.

Parang nakaramdam siya ng hiya ng makita niyang tutok na tutok sa kanya si Vlad at do'n nahinto ang kanyang paglalakad dahil nasa harap na pala sila ng lalaki.

"We're here Shana," Jett pointed and looked at Vlad. "Take care of her Vlad. Don't you make her cry."

"I can't promise that dude because she'll surely cry on the day of our honeymoon." Vlad smirked as he was delivering something else to his words.

Para namang nahiya si Jett sa narinig at bigla nag seryuso at nagtiim ng bagang.

"Relaxed mah friend. I'll be GENTLE to her." Another mocked came from Vlad.

Nagkasalubong naman ang mga kilay ni Shana sa nangyayari kaya pinandilatan niya ng mata si Vlad at inapakan ang kabilang paa. Hindi na niya inintindi ang pagrereklamo ni Vlad and instead she turned her head to Jett and kissed him on his cheeks.

Nagulat naman ang binata. "Salamat sa lahat Jett," Shana stated with a smile on her lips. Napakamot naman ng batok si Jett pero agad naman siyang nakabalik sa sarili.

"Always count me in," Jett responded and it was cut out when Hal cleared his throat.

Nag senyales naman si Jett na aalis na siya and he saw how irritated Vlad was.

"We gather here to unite these two people, sealed and be bind to each other. Their decision has not been entered into lightly and today we will witness the declaring of their devotion."

Everyone focused their attention in front while Vlad and Shana were standing in the middle facing Hal.

"This ceremony is understood that both parties agreed. And so, do you both pledge to share your lives openly with one another and to speak the truth?"

"We do." Both agreed.

"Tu Louisiana Eva Crimson loco pignoris inferiorem partem sanguis clamantes ad dominum youll 'exsisto servientes ?"

"Yes."

"Et idem magister Vlad Alsh Harriet Lincoln, tu spondemus contumeliae et facere secundum legem ?"

"Yes."

"The questions for the two commiter has finally done and decided. Now, may you reminded about the vows you agreed. And to end and complete the ceremony, a kiss is required," Hal ended.

Napalunok naman si Shana dahil ito na ang sinasabi sa kanya ni Vlad. Contracts will be sealed with a kiss on the lips. Lumapit sa kanya si Vlad. The man held her waist and leaned towards her placing his insolent smile.

"At last this sealing thing has finally come. Hindi mo alam kung gaano ako nananabik sa kontratang ito, Red. And now you will be officially mine." Hinawakan ni Vlad ang pisngi ng dalaga and caress it gently.

"A-Ang d-dami mong sinasatsat diyan. Ha-Halikan mo na ako para matapos na 'to!" kinakabahang sagot ng dalaga.

Natawa naman si Vlad. "Are you too excited that much?"

"Hindi nuh! Naiinitan na ako sa suot ko kaya---!"

Shana was halted when Vlad swiftly brushed his lips unto the woman. He moved his body against Shana and held tight her waist. He knew that only a liitle kiss could do sealing contracts but his body won't satisfied in just that.

Napahawak na rin si Shana sa batok ng lalaki and drowned herself into the burning and hot sensation she never felt before. Hindi na niya alam ang ginagawa niya and was only guided by Vlad's kiss.

She loved it. She can't deny it. The kiss got deeper and longer. Stroking each lips again and again like they're not wanting to breath.

They were just close down when their friends interrupted.

"Bro, how much longer will you kiss Chum Shana? You almost had her 2 minutes and that's gross for a Primeval Lincoln like you," Brix butt in.

"Are you in some kind of kiss-meter challenge or what?" inis na tanong naman ni Myrtice.

Nahihiyang humarap naman si Shana sa mga kaibigan and then felt Vlad's arm weighing on her shoulder.

"Got problem with that?" Vlad answered.

And everyone just rolled their eyes.

***

*Do you Louisiana Eva Crimson pledge to share your blood to master you'll be serving?

*And master Vlad Alsh Harriet Lincoln, do you pledge to not abuse and act only according to the contract?