Chapter 22: Training
"No. He's not my son."
Of course, he couldn't be her son. As far as I knew, you couldn't bear a vampire's child without turning yourself into one. Even if you had the power of a witch. The process would have killed her.
Brienne noticed the confusion etched on my face and let out a heavy sigh. "Fine. Let's not discuss it here," she whispered.
She then led me to her kitchen, a cozy, soft-light place filled with the delightful aroma of herbs. Her herbal plants were everywhere. Mayroon sa counter top, nakatubo sa pot, may mga nasa hanging basket, at ang iba naman ay nasa malinaw na lalagyan at nakababad sa tubig.
"Are you experimenting with nature?" I asked.
"We are borrowing its power. Have a seat. Gagawan kita ng inumin," aniya.
I settled into the seat beside the rustic round wooden table. And as I watched her pluck some leaves of her herbal plans, hindi ko maiwasang mamangha. A cool night breeze gently wafted from the open window into the room, bringing an extra touch of surrealism to the atmosphere.
"You are really a witch," I whispered in awe.
"Did you just realize it now?" she chuckled.
"Not really." Hahawakan ko sana ang isang bote nung naunahan na ako ni Brienne. Nagpatak siya ng tubig sa isang baso. "I just tend to forget that you are one. Hindi ako sanay na may manggagamot sa paligid."
"Masanay ka na," tipid niya akong nginitian.
I leaned on my chair and watched her prepare our drinks. Pagkatapos ng tubig ay hinaluhan naman niya 'yon ng kulay pulang likido. I found it entertaining how the clear water turned into blood.
"I still find it bizzare you are helping these vampires. Sa pagkakaalam ko ay may clan din kayo, hindi ba?"
"It's called a coven. And no. I don't belong to any coven anymore."
"Why?"
Hindi niya na ako sinagot pa.
My mother was also a half witch. Pero ni minsan ay hindi niya pa kami pinagtimpla ng ganito. Hindi ko pa nga nakitang ginamit niya ang kakayahan niya. Except that night. Well, it wasn't like she had been on our side our whole lives. Si Papa lang ang naging kasama ko noon pa.
"Do you need these herbals for you to use your power?" tanong ko.
"As I said, we are borrowing our strength and power from the nature. We can't exist without it which means... yes. Hindi namin magagamit ang kakayahan namin kapag hindi namin kasundo ang kalikasan."
"Cool..." I mumbled.
Finally, Brienne placed my drink on the table before me, its enticing aroma wafting up and pulling my senses. I was supposed to have only a sip, but I ended up with an empty glass. I knew it would taste good, but I didn't know it would taste this good.
"Tatanungin pa lang sana kita kung nagustuhan mo," natatawang sabi ni Brienne. "Here. You can have mine if you want."
"Nope. I'm good," I lied. I wanted more.
She settled on the chair across mine. Mahinhin na uminom siya sa kanyang baso. I must say Brienne was doing great concealing her human nature. Hindi ko maamoy na isa siyang karaniwang na tao.
"Can you tell me more?" I asked.
"Hindi ganoon kalawak ang kaalaman ko tungkol kay Lord Caezar," aniya saka muling uminom. "I have no idea who his mother is nor where he came from. Ang alam ko lang ay inatasan akong alagaan siya ni Lord Wenson."
