CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Vladimir is seething with rage. The moment he received the message from Cain he immediately left the country and came back to the Philippines. Kung maaari lang niyang iwanan ang lahat ng kanyang responsibilidad, gagawin niya iyon ngunit alam niyang imposible ang kanyang iniisip. Gusto niyang itakas si Caitlin sa malayong lugar at itago mula sa lahat ngunit siguradong hahanapin sila ng konseho hanggang sa dulo ng walang hanggan. His existence alone poses a great danger to Caitlin's survival but he just couldn't completely separate himself from her. That's why he broke the covenant and decided to stay with her while she's growing up. Ngunit alam niyang hindi magtatagal ang pag-papanggap na iyon. One way or another, he had to go back leaving her behind again. At that moment, that's the only thing he could do. Because she's the only one that could tame the growing hunger that slowly kills his sanity.

Madiing naikuyom ni Vladimir ang kanyang palad. Hanggang ngayon ay nananatili sa kanyang pakiramdam ang init na hatid ng katawan ng dalaga. He wanted to completey succumb to her warmth but he was left cold and desolate when she rejected him. Hindi mabura sa kanyang isipin ang sakit na gumuhit sa mukha nito ng mapagtanto nito ang kasinungalingan niya. Hindi alam ni Vladimir kung mapapatawad pa siya ni Caitlin.

Nagsimula ng tumutugtog ang orchestra, pahiwatig na magsisimula na ang pagdiriwang at hudyat ng pagdating ni Cain. Hindi pa siya maaaring pumunta sa lugar ng pagdiriwang dahil may kinakailangan pa siyang tapusin. Eksaktong namang dumating si Romulus, ang nagsisilbing tagapag-bantay ni Caitlin habang wala siya sa bansa. Bago pa man niya mapigilan ang sarili, dumapo ang kanyang kanang kamay sa pisngi nito. Nanatili namang tahimik at mahinahon si Romulus sa kabila ng hiwa sa pisngi nito. Mas lalong tumuwid ang tayo nito at diretsong tumitig sa kanya.

"Do you know what you've done?" mahina ngunit mariin na tanong ni Vladimir kay Romulus. Nanatili namang blangko ang ekspresyon ng binata.

"I apologize but I don't have any idea what you're talking about" marahas niya itong itinulak at sa lakas niyon ay nag-iwan ng marka ang katawan nito sa pader na bato ng kastilyo.

"Cain contacted me that's why I'm here! He knows about Caitlin" nagpupuyos sa galit na singhal niya dito. "What the hell have you been doing all this time?!"

Sa isang iglap tumaas ang temperatura ng paligid na animo'y tumutugon sa galit na nararamdaman ni Romulus ng mga sandaling iyon. Ang kaninang blangkong ekspresyon ng mukha nito ay napalitan ng nagbabagang galit. However, as if realizing what he's done he immediately masked his emotions. Vladimir decided to overlook his sudden outburst

"Find her"

"Don't tell me—but I don't feel her presence here!"

"Find her before Cain knows she's here. She's wearing a talisman that helps masks her presence. Alam mo kung anong araw ngayon hindi ba? It's dangerous for her to stay in this place. I will handle Cain"

Romulus bowed deeply. "I will make sure to keep her safe"

"Just do your job properly" Vladimir enunciated heavily. Romulus didn't reply and in an instant disappeared in front of him. He distractedly fix his cufflinks while heading towards the banquet hall. He just wished that this banquet won't turn into a bloodbath. However, considering Cain's temperament, it's like wishing for the sun to appear at night. This invitation clearly means trouble for him.

Sa sandaling pagtungtong ni Vladimir sa loob ng bulwagan na pinagdadausan ng piging biglang tumahimik ang buong paligid. Daan-daang pares ng mga mata ang tumutok sa kanyang direksiyon at sa kanyang bawat hakbang ay sabay-sabay na yumuko ang mga bisita bilang respeto. Sa kabila niyon ang tanging malinaw na rumehistro lamang sa paningin ni Vladimir ay ang nakangising mukha ni Cain habang naka-upo ito sa trono nito. Huminto si Vladimir ilang dipa ang layo mula kay Cain.

"Welcome back, Cain. It's good to see your doing well" malamig ang tono ng boses na saad niya dito. Sa isang iglap ay nawalang parang bula ang ngiting nakapaskil sa mukha nito. Sa halip, nagbabagang tingin ang iginawad nito sa kanya.

All Vladimir can see is the contempt and sinister aura he never bothered to hide. For someone who had live for hundred of years, he never learned to hide his true feelings. That's what makes him troublesome to deal with. Cain's warm amber-coloured suddenly glows red and a sudden palpable tension suffocates the air. Patunay na lamang ang naging reaksiyon ng mga bisita ni Cain. It may not affect a second-generation vampire like him but it's a different story to those of lower class. Agad namang tumalima si Minerva at malakas na tinapik ang balikat nito. Kapansin-pansin ang pagtagis ng bagang ni Cain ngunit hindi nito pinansin ang ginawa ni Minerva bagkus ay itininutok ang atensiyon sa kanya.

"I'm glad that you took the time to come to my party. We have a lot of catching up to do"

"I don't think there's any reason for us to catch up. I'm just here to give my greetings since it will be rude to ignore your invitation"

"Are you sure with that?"matalim ang tinig na tanong nito. "Or do you want me to talk about Caitlin where everyone can hear us? Cain added talking inside his head.

Nagtagis ang kanyang bagang. Vladimir can almost feel his fangs lengthening. "Why don't we grab a drink in private" Vladimir enunciated heavily.

Cain's smile is back in it's full glory, mocking him. "Minerva, we will have small chat in the parlor. Make sure no one comes in"

Minerva bowed deeply. "Yes, I understand. Please be mindful of your behavior" she stated almost threateningly.

"Don't worry. Hindi ko sisirain ang piging na pinaghirapan mong asikasuhin" Cain answered nonchalantly. Vladimir's eyebrows almost knitted together because of Cain's response. For someone who always gets his way, he is actually listening to others beside himself. It might beneficial to have Minerva looking after him.

Sa sandaling pagpa-pasok nila sa loob ng kwarto walang paligoy-ligoy na binomba agad siya ng tanong ni Cain. He really doesn't have any patience. "Let's cut to the chase, where is Caitlin? I know you have her"

"I have no obligation to answer your question" walang emosyon na sagot niya dito.

"Are you under the impression that I have no idea what you've done these past years? I can smell your scent in her! You broke the covenant!" sumabog na sa galit na singhal nito. Bahagyang yumanig ang paligid. Isa-isang nagsilaglagan ang mga plorera sa loob ng kwarto at kasunod niyon ay nagkaroon ng maliit na basag ang salamin sa loob. Ramdam ni Vladimir ang matinding tensiyon at galit na nanggagaling kay Cain. Though it's not enough to make him cower. He is still stronger than him.

Mahinahon na umupo si Vladimir sa sofa at matiim na tinitigan si Cain "And so did you. If I'm not mistaken you're supposed to be locked up longer"

"Do you think that you could keep this farce? Are you planning to keep her all to yourself?!"

Nagpanting ang tainga ni Vladimir sa tinuran ni Cain. "Caitlin is not an object that I could own just because I want to. And that's what you also need to understand"

"Then, are you going to let him take her away from you all over again? Are you just keeping an eye on her because he told you to do so?"

"You don't know what you're talking about!"

"What I know is your just an obedient dog in front of your master. You will never be able to defy him" sa isang pitik ng kanyang daliri ay marahas na lumipad ang katawan ni Cain sa kabilang parte ng silid. Bago pa man makahuma si Cain sa epekto ng ginawa ni Vladimir, biglang lumitaw ito sa kanyang harapan. Marahas na hinawakan ni Vladimir ang leeg ni Cain at binayo ito sa pader.

However, Cain remain unfazed. He force out a choke laugh. "I am different. Why don't you let me protect her? The only promise that I can keep is to protect her at all cost. And I have already proven it more than you did"

It felt like he was punch in the gut. Vladimir let go of Cain's neck and he unconsciously took a step back. Cain had only said the truth. Time and again, he had proven to be the only one who consistently puts Caitlin's welfare more than anyone else. That includes his merciless slaughter to the guards appointed by the Council as well as the other occupants of the tower who kept her imprisoned. However, it doesn't change the fact that they remain powerless in front of Keirran, their king.

Cain must have caught the look in his eyes and regarded him seriously. "He doesn't care about her. Caitlin is just a tool that will help him preserve his power and influence. If he finds out about her existence there are only two choices she have left. To marry him against her will and produce a heir or be eaten. I suppose he prefers the latter. You know, how egotistical he is. He doesn't want any rivals even if it is his own blood"

Then, Vladimir will be left with nothing again. His body became even more col because of dread. He can only hope that Basil will uphold his bargain. "I appreciate the offer but you don't have to take on tha responsibility. Let Basil handle the rest"

"What the hell did you say?! I don't trust him!"

Vladimir completely understand the cause of his anger. After all, Basil was the one who hid her for many years. He was also the one who let her die before despite it being her wish.

"Don't worry, I believe he feel the same way towards you. Besides, Basil is not working with the council anymore. He wants to protect Caitlin for the sole purpose of fulfilling his duty as his guardian and close aide. He will do everything in his power to protect her"

Hindi makapag-salita si Cain. Alam nitong pawang katotohanan lamang ang kanyang mga sinasabi. At mas lalong alam nito na sa kanilang lahat si Basil lamang ang may kakayahang protektahan si Caitlin sa panganib. Basil is not under the jurisdiction of the council anymore. And just like Keirran, he is wise and powerful. He can definitely hold himself well against their king. "Just focus on cleaning up the mess that you've gotten yourself into. I also came here to deliver a message. In two weeks time, you are hereby ordered to present yourself to the council"

"Are you serious—" bigla natigilan si Cain sa gitna ng kanyang pangungusap at inamoy ang paligid. Nagtatakang pinagmasadan ni Vladimir ang kilos ni Cain ng biglang umihip ang malakas na hangin na nagpwersang bumukas sa nakasaradong bintana ng kwarto. Ang hangin na dumaloy sa loob ay nagdala ng isang malubhang matamis na amoy na awtomatikong nagpalabas sa kanyang mga pangil. Nanigas si Vladimir sa kanyang kinatatayuan. His throat burns in uncontrollable pain. Kilala niya ang amoy na iyon. And it seems Cain recognizes it too. His eyes glows red in ravenous hunger.

"Is she here? No—you don't have to answer that. She's definitely here. There's no doubt in my mind that I will always recognize her scent"

Biglang bumukas ang pinto at tumambad sa kanila ang hinihingal na si Minerva. "We have a problem! Everyone is getting out of control!"

Mariing pumikit si Vladimir habang pilit pinapakalma ang riot na nararamdaman. If needed, he will get rid of everyone inside this castle in order to keep their mouths shut. Not one word should be able to get out. Keirran definitely doesn't need to know Caitlin's whereabouts. He needs to protect her at all cost.

"Clean up this mess Cain or I will get rid of everyone here. That includes your witch. Mark my words, no one should know that she's been reborn" Vladimir proclaims harshly. Minerva stiffens and her eyes widens in fear. He couldn't stop the palpable anger that comes off from his body, suffocating his surroundings.

Cain's jaw twitch in barely controlled anger. "I will take care of my people. Go and save Caitlin. If something bad happens to her, I will chase you even to the depths of hell. So you better be prepared" Vladimir forces out a hollow laugh. He's relieve that they are on the same page.