NIGHT BLOOD UNIVERSITY

xliii

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.