Anathema (Cabal Series 2)

Eleven: To crave for your weakness

'No enemy will wait for you to get ready. You'll be dead before you even know it.'

~~~~

KARNAM DALE MARQUIS

"How are you doing with the cabalist' children?" bahagya akong nag-angat ng tingin at hinarap si lolo.

"I've been learning a lot," sagot ko saka na nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

"So when do you plan to stay here and train for the inheritance?"

I sighed.

"I will do my duties, Lord Aleister. Just please spare me some time to finish my studies."

"Karnam's right, Father. Let him enjoy his youth. We still have enough time until he turns twenty," sagot ni papa sa kanya.

"Alright then." Lolo smiled and sipped his drink.

Being Lord Aleister's grandson is not really that hard. Hindi naman kasi siya ganoon ka strikto. But he likes to rush things sometimes; more like ensure everything perfectly. Parati niyang tinatanong kung handa na ba 'ko maging tagapagmana o kung handa na ba 'kong pamunuan ang buong angkan.

"I'm done. Thank you for the food." Tumayo na ako mula sa hapag.

"I'll be in my room," paalam ko at naglakad na paalis ng dining area.

It's semestral break, kaya't pinauwi ako ni papa dito sa Manor. And it's been a week since I got home.

Pero hindi ko alam, siguro ay nasanay na akong sa Northwoods nakatira. Hindi kasi ako gano'n ka-komportable dito gaya kapag naroon ako sa Northwoods.

I walked sraight to my room, locked the door and threw myself on the matress.

I stared at the ceiling, full of star cut-outs pasted on it.

I remember doing those star cut-outs with Harah and the gang when we were still kids. Bakasyon no'n at pinilit akong pauwiin ni papa at mama dito sa manor. Ayoko sanang sumama sa kanila no'n pero iyon ang gusto ni lolo. And I cried back then, syempre ayaw kong iwan ang mga kaibigan ko even just for a vacation. So they decided to make those stars para daw kahit malayo ako, parang kasama ko pa din sila. Yes, it was a bit gay for me. But it's fine. Bata pa naman ako no'n at sila na ang parati kong kasama.

I was born as a pureblood, so having or making friends is hard for me. Takot ang mga kapwa ko bata dahil anak ako ng isang pureblood and lolo is dreadful. Almost everyone feared my lolo kaya nahirapan akong makisalamuha sa mga batang kagaya ko noon.

I closed my eyes.

"D*mn, I'm craving for blood." And I want it from humans.

Umupo ako at bahagyang ginulo ang aking buhok.

I am a host born with a gift, but unlike my father who only drinks Oni blood, I still crave for human blood.

Papa said it was a good thing that I am still like my mother and the whole clan. But I guess, it's not always that good.

Tumayo na ako mula sa kama at lumabas ng kwarto. Marahan kong tinungo ang ibabang bahagi ng bahay at pinuntahan ang mga tagapagsilbi.

"Have some blood here?" tanong ko nang makarating ako sa panuluyan nila.

"Young Lord Dale." Agad na nagsiyuko ang mga tagapagsilbi nang makita ako.

"We have livestocks blood, young lord."

"Is there human blood?" tanong ko pa pero napatigil ako nang maamoy ang isang bagay.

The scent filled my whole system. It was alluring and was quite tempting for me to crave. Umalis na lang ako doon at sinundan ang kaakit-akit na bagay na naamoy ko.