Chapter 27: Long Night

I barely recognize myself while staring in the mirror. The elegant scarlet off-shoulder mermaid style gown fits perfectly to my body and highlighting my shape. It doesn't have any embroidery that makes it even more graceful in the eyes. My usual black hair is now highlighted with brown and in a messy bun form.

I gasped. I can't believe that I am gawking at myself right now. It doesn't look like me at all – or it does and I'm just exaggerating about my description.

"Stunning," Lady Merryl mumbled.

I spun around while feeling my gown. I don't know why I suddenly wish Brix could see right now. I wanted to know his opinion and how I look like in his eyes.

What would he say if ever? Would I impress him?

"Freaking hell—" Napalingon ako sa kararating lang na lalaki. Nakaawang ang mga labi ni Erikson habang nakatingin sa akin. "Jesus, Astra! Who gave you permission to slay tonight?"

I felt uncomfortable all of a sudden. Erikson was looking good in that black tuxedo. He was also wearing a pair of diamond earrings on both ears. I was about to compliment him too when Lady Merryl interrupted us with ahem.

"I'm sorry for interrupting your thirst look at my model, Mr. Erikson Nadija but..." Nakapamaywang na hinarap ni Lady Merryl si Erikson. "Who also gave you permission to come in here? Get out. Like now."

"I am assigned to look after her," Erikson responded, still gazing at me.

"You look good, too," I mouthed which made him smirk.

"Not in my dressing room." Hinawakan lang ni Lady Merryl ang dibdib ni Erikson ay tumalsik na agad ito palabas. "Goodbye, Hotty. See you around." Saka na niya sinarado ang pinto.

Humarap siya sa akin nang may malawak na ngiti. Inamoy niya ang kanyang kamay na pinanghawak sa dibdib ni Erikson. Suminghap ito at saglit na nagpula ang kanyang mga mata.

"Pwede mo bang ipaubaya sa akin ang lalaking 'yon mamaya, Astra?" Lumapit sa tukador si Lady Merryl at kinuha ang kulay pulang pabango na kanina niya pa pinapaligo sa katawan ko. "He's annoying as hell. Hindi ka mag-e-enjoy kung may nakabuntot sa 'yo."

Lumapit siya sa akin at winisikan ako uli ng kanyang pabango.

"Do your thing," I supposed.

He giggled as he pushed me back in front of the mirror. Muli kong nasilayan ang aking sarili. Mula sa pumipitik na reflection namin ay nakita ko ang pagngiti ni Lady Merryl.

"Astralla Martin," he called my name as he ran his hand through my back. "You sure will slay everyone tonight, leaving their lips slightly separated and craving to have a touch of you, no doubt to that. But... honey, I don't need to smell your blood tonight."

I sniffed, trying to swallow the intense feeling. Parang ngayon lang nag-sink in sa akin na makakasama ko ang iba't ibang klase ng bampira sa clan na ito.

"I know you smell fresh and tempting as hell but do us all a favor." He put his lips near my ear as though he really wanted me to remember whatever it is. "Your blood smells war and wrath, a curse to everyone. I want you to save us all by not spilling a drop. Let this night be a peaceful celebration."

That confirmed my thoughts.

"It's Brix who assigned you here," I muttered.

Natatawang humiwalay ito sa akin. Lumapit siya sa tukador at nilagyan ng panibagong kulay ang kanyang labi. Hindi ko mapagtanto ang sense of fashion nito, napakakulay at tila walang patutunguhan.

"Well..." he uttered.

"Is he will be around?" I asked.

Kinabahan ako agad. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero ang ideya na nakamasid si Brix ay hindi naging maganda sa pakiramdam. I wish he could see me earlier but I am taking it back now.

If I want this night to be simple and peaceful, having Brix around is such a risk.

"Unfortunately, no." Inumpisahan naman niyang ayusin ang kanyang mga mahabang pilik-mata. "Or should I say, fortunately no. But you think you are safe just because he's not around? No, Astra."

Nakahinga ako nang maluwag.

"You can't escape from Brixton Wenz Cardinal," he uttered with a glimpse of threat. "Anyway, I am just saying, huwag kang magpatikim ng dugo, girl. Ang daming dugo sa paligid, pakiusap lang huwag ka nang mag-donate pa."

"Pero paano si Lord Severo—"

"He knows that," he cut me out. Sandali siyang humarap sa akin. "He knows his limitation, Astra. He knows you are not allowed to spill blood tonight. Everyone here knows that."

"So... I am safe?"

"Not until you are stupid enough to hurt yourself." I could see him rolling his eyes. "Huwag kang mag-ala Sleeping Beauty na hahawak sa talim ng karayom at magugulat kapag nasaktan. I don't believe when Brix told me you are stupid but hell, Astra... prove me wrong. Prove him wrong."

I nodded. I get it.

"I get it, Lady Merryl. I can do anything tonight except leaking my blood. I can drink a lot, party until the music is done, punch anyone, flirt until I am naked."

Napatingin sa akin si Lady Merryl, nanlalaki ang kanyang mga mata.

"Go!" Saka siya humalakhak nang malakas. "I like that idea! Pero ipaubaya mo sa akin si Mr. Nadija ha? Akin ang mailap na lalaking 'yon. Humanda siya."

"Sure, sure!" I giggled.

Our conversation got interrupted by the sound of the bell coming outside. Don't tell me that's the indication that the party is about to start because... that's so old.

"Let the fun begin," aya na sa akin ni Lady Merryl.

Huminga ako nang malalim bago humawak sa kanyang braso. Pagbukas namin ng pinto ay si Erikson ang agad na sumalubong sa amin. Ang nakangusong labi nito ay napalitan ng ngiti nang makita kami.

"Astra..." He gulped.

Hinila na ako ni Lady Merryl, hindi pinansin si Erikson pero ramdam kong nakasunod ito sa amin. Pababa na sana kami nang may tumikhim sa likod.

Mabilis na yumuko si Lady Merryl. Hindi pa sana ako yuyuko kung hindi niya lang ako hinila.

I cursed under my breathe. I'm too gorgeous to bow my head.

"Lord Severo..." Suddenly, Lady Merryl sounds different. Nawala ang matamis at nang-aakit na boses nito. "You look elegant as always."

Tumikhim ako at ginaya si Lady Merryl.

"Lord Severo..." banggit ko rin. "You look..." Napakapa ako ng sasabihin. "Okay."

I mentally laughed. What the hell?

"You may now join them, Lady Merryl," said Lord Severo in a monotone. "Ako na ang bahala kay Astra. It's a pleasure to see you again."

Binitiwan na ni Lady Merryl ang pagkakahawak sa akin. Nakayuko pa rin ito bago tumalikod at naglakad na palayo. Ako naman ay naiwan pa ring nakayuko... nangangawit na ako.

"Chin up now, Astra," ordered Lord Severo.

Thank God!

Umangat na ang tingin ko. Nakita ko nang masinsinan si Lord Severo. Bigla kong nakita sa kanya si Brix. Ang kanyang mga malalalim at madilim na mata at kung paano siya tumitig. It felt like I was staring at Brix. Even how he stood, it reminds me of him.

"Mr. Nadija?" banggit ni Lord Severo.

Napansin kong napangiwi si Erikson. Kahit na tila labag sa kanyang loob ay wala rin itong nagawa kung hindi ang mauna na at iwan ako.

Ngayon ay kaming dalawa na lang ni Lord Severo. Tumitig ito sa akin at nagawa ko 'yong sabayan. This is what I can flex about myself, it's all at first. I can now look at him straight into his eyes.

He cleared his throat.

"What can I say? You look stunning, Astra..." Saka ito ngumiti nang magiliw, isang eksenang sa tingin ko ay dapat makunan ng camera dahil sobrang dalang mangyari.

"You kinda look like Brix, Lord Severo." There, that was my compliment.

He chuckled.

"Maybe because I'm his father?" He shook his head, still on a smile. "I really like how feisty you are, Astra. The way you stand there and looking at me like I am just another random stranger. Fascinating."

Umawang ang bibig ko sa pagkabigla.

"I still look up to you, Lord Severo," I retorted. "I am just maybe... kind of feeling off with you? Imagine pushing your son away when a celebration like this is about to happen."

"He doesn't like this kind of events," bawi nito.

"Yeah. I forgot. But today could be his rest day?" I suggested. "You know? He has been through a lot of fights. A day of rest will regenerate his energy."

Hinawakan niya ang kanyang balbas at tila napaisip. Ilang sandali ay tumango ito at bumalik sa pagngiti.

"Noted that," he laughed. "Anyway... shall we?"

Ngumiti ako bago humawak sa kanyang braso. Habang naglalakad kami pababa sa engrandeng hagdan, nakita ko agad ang mga nakahilerang katulong sa ibaba, kasama ang iilang maskuladong lalaki at isang senior na nakalimutan ko ang pangalan.

Mas nilakihan ko ang ngiti sa labi.

"Lord Severo," the senior bowed his head.

Bakit nakalimutan ko pangalan nitong madaldal na senior? I tried to remember his name but I couldn't. Nasa dulo na ng dila ko pero hindi ko mabigkas. Right. Isa lang naman sa mga seniors ang hindi ko makakalimutan.

"Lord Wenson. Are you alone? Where's Lady Elly?" asked Lord Severo.

There, he's Lord Wenson.

Pansin ko ang pagtingin sa akin ni Lord Wenson.

"Unfortunately, she can't attend tonight. You know women, My Lord. They are sometimes hard to read." Inayos ni Lord Wenson ang butones ng kanyang tuxedo.

"I see. More fun then?"

Humalakhak silang dalawa habang ako ay naiwang nakatingin sa kawalan at sinusubukang alalahanin ang ibang pangalan ng mga senior. Ganito ba ang gagawin ko habang kasama si Lord Severo? Aalahanin ang mga pangalan ng lahat ng makakausap niya?

"You look gorgeous, Lady Astra." Finally, Lord Wenson greeted me. "I can clearly see now why Lord Severo wanted you to attend this party and be his date. What a brag."

Halos umikot ang mga mata ko pero pinigilan ko.

"Thank you..." Iyon lang ang sagot ko kaya napaisip ako. Date ako ni Lord Severo, ibig bang sabihin no'n ay mas mataas ako sa mga seniors kasi leader ang kasama ko?

Or... nah. I'm still a slave here.

Tumikhim ako. "Gwapo rin naman kayo Lord Wenson," dugtong ko.

"Gusto mo bang makilala ang anak ko?" tanong niya pa sa akin.

"Hindi na po," pagtanggi ko.

Narinig ko na ang tugtog sa labas. Mukhang nagkakasiyahan na ang lahat pero andito pa rin ako sa pagitan ng dalawang matanda na tila ang plano ay mag kwentuhan buong magdamag.

Napasinghap ako nang biglang mabasag ang vase sa gilid. May dumaan na dalawang lalaki, tila naghahabulan. Narinig ko pa ang tawanan ng mga ito.

"Those twins..." naiiling na sambit ni Lord Wenson.

"Anyway, shall we join them now?" Lord Severo suggested.

Mas hinigpitan ko ang kapit sa braso ni Lord Severo habang naglalakad kami palabas. Naunang lumabas si Lord Wenson habang si Lord Severo naman ay hinarap muna ako.

"You good?" he asked.

I gulped. "I think so?"

Mahina itong tumawa. Hinawakan niya ang magkabila kong balikat at mahina 'yong hinaplos. Tila sinusubukan nitong patahanin ang naghuhuramentado kong dibdib.

"You are the most gorgeous around," he uttered straight into my eyes. "You have the charisma and presence of my daughter Nathalia Cardinal. You have nothing to worry about."

"Yeah..." I agreed

"You are with me anyway..." There, he sounds proud now. "Let's just have fun."

He held my hand as we walked into the light. We were welcomed by a loud clap from the vampires who were standing beside their tables and it felt like I was in some royal family gathering.

Bahagyang nangatog ang tuhod ko. I knew I was going to attend a formal celebration but I didn't expect it to this extent. Even I'm dressed up, I feel out of place.

I'm now facing the members of Nightfall Clan.

Dumiretso kami ni Lord Severo sa pinakaharap. Ginala ko ang tingin sa dami ng mga bampira dito. Masyadong elegante ang lahat sa kanilang mga mamamahaling kasuotan.

Sa isang lamesa ay nakita ko ang mga seniors na may mga kasamang babae, malawak ang ngiti habang nakatingin sa amin. Sumaludo ang mga ito na sinabayan ng kaunting pagyuko nang mapatingin sa kanila si Lord Severo.

Agad ko pa ring napansin si Lord Trojan at ang kanyang kulay abo na buhok. He was wearing a fitted navy blue polo shirt tucked in his black pants. Masyadong hapit sa kanyang katawan ang damit na bumabakas ang ganda ng katawan nito.

Lumipat sa ibang lamesa ang tingin ko. Nakita ko agad si Resty na nanlalaki ang mga mata habang nakatingin sa akin. Sa tabi niya ay si Randolf na nakita ko na rin sa Nightscape Club. I am familiar with some of them and the rest are still unknown.

With all that, I am aware that some of them are staring at me. Siguro ay nagtataka sila kung sino ako at kung bakit kasama ko si Lord Severo.

Bumitiw ako kay Lord Severo at bahagyang umatras pero agad niya rin akong nahawakan at pinantayan ang pagkakatayo ko. Pinaragasa niya sa bewang ko ang kanyang kamay at hinila ako palapit sa kanya.

"What an evening, Nightfall Clan," Lord Severo said as he eyed them all, making sure his sight would land on everyone. "Through the past centuries, no one stood a chance against us. Everyone tried but no one thrived. As long as there's a Cardinal in this clan, we are indomitable."

Yes. As long as you have Brixton.

Isang panibagong palakpakan ang umusbong sa paligid.

May isang lalaking lumapit kay Lord Severo at inabutan ito ng isang baso ng alak. Hinintay kong bigyan din ako pero bumalik ito agad sa kanyang pwesto.

Sinubukan kong hanapin sina Oscar at Celeste sa paligid pero bigo akong makita sila. Even Erikson is out of sight. Where the hell are they?

"My Lords and dear Nightfalls..." Lord Severo raised his glass. "Here's to the fallen comrades and loved ones throughout the history of blood and war. Let's celebrate the greatest clan to ever exist."

I don't know what Oscar meant when he said Brix is starting to take over the position. Maybe Brix has a plan for tonight. Maybe there's a reason why he let me join this celebration. Probably... this is his game and all of us are his pawns.

I want answers tonight and the answer is right beside me, drinking his wine while his arm wrapped around my waist.

Ngumiti ako bago mas dinikit ang sarili kay Lord Severo. Pinaragasa ko rin sa kanyang katawan ang isa kong braso habang nakatingin sa harapan.

"Long live, my Nightfalls!"

Everyone raised their glasses and the long night has finally begun.