Anathema (Cabal Series 2)

Six: To never fall or change

'This will be a reminder for you, boy. Disobeying the law won't hurt you, but the consequences... will surely make you fall.'

~~~~~

*KARNAM DALE MARQUIS*

"Open your eyes, boy. We're here." The gushing wind passed by my skin.

Iminulat ko ang aking mga mata at nakita ang aming pinuntahan.

"Where are we?" tanong ko at pinagmasdan ang kapaligiran. Isang malaki at malagintong mansyon ang aming nasa harapan. Maraming matatayog na puno na tila tumatakip sa mansyon.

I am a bit nervous about this drift.

Hindi ko rin kasi alam kung ano ang gusto kong makita sa nakaraan eventhough tita said, na nasa sa 'min na rin kung saan kami mapupunta.

"This was your home. A hundred and ten years ago," tita Isabelle answered.

So this is the first home of the Marquis clan?

Naglakad kami papasok at iginiya niya ako papunta sa isang malaking bulwagan.

Maraming tao este bampira ang nasa loob kaya't nagsisiksik na lang kami doon.

"Ano pong meron?" tanong ko pa pero napalingon agad ako nang makarining ng tunog ng isang trumpeta.

"The Count has arrived."

"Lolo Aleister." It was my grandfather entering the double door. I saw him wearing a black tux and a cape attached on his back. Matapos no'n ay tumunog muli ang trumpeta at pumasok naman ang isang magandang babae na nakasuot ng puting gown.

It's lola Rebecca.

"Is this a wedding ceremony?"

"Yes. It's Count Aleister and Young Mistress Rebecca's wedding."

Ilang saglit lang ay nagsimula na ang seremonya kaya't naupo na kami.

"Alam mo ba ang tungkol sa marriage pact na nagaganap sa lahat ng angkan ninyo?" mahinang tanong ni tita habang diretsong nakatingin sa harap.

"Yes, of course."

It is a law for us, vampires to marry someone whose rank is the same as yours. Meaning, a pureblood vampire is ought to marry a pureblood also. And a low-leveled vampire is for his same kind.

"And are you aware that Count Aleister was not in love with your grandmother?"

"Po?"

"Count Aleister was in love with a low-leveled vampire."

"What?!" mahinang saad ko at napalingon sa kanya.

"But he chose to obey your law, and married a pureblood like him."

"Purebloods are the highest of all your ranks, and your father is the only heir of the Marquis Clan that time."

"And in your own history i've seen. Halfbloods are considered as curse, and are to be castoff or killed by the Elders."

"I-i know," I answered.

"So if I may asked you. Are you willing to defy your laws?"

"Po?" tanong ko pero nginitian lang niya ako at hinatak na palabas ng bulwagan.

"Let's go. May susunod pa tayong pupuntahan."

Nang makalabas kami ng bulwagan, isang madilim na gabi naman ang aming nadatnan.

"Now, where are we?"

"Year 1942. Ring a bell?" tanong niya kaya't napalingon ako.

"The villager attacks?"