No Time to Die

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Always

The twin's party is rowdy. Kulang na lang maging club itong rooftop ng Empire. There are lots of hard liquors, the disco and neon lights are dancing and the booming trance music topped it all of. Mayroong makeshift dance floor sa gitna na puno ng mga taong nagsasayawan.

I am thankful we're at the far corner, malayo sa sentro ng party.

"Who are those people?" I asked.

Hindi pamilyar sa akin dahil bukod sa mga kasamahan sa Empire ay wala na akong ibang kilala sa paaralang 'to. Origen is huge and packed. I can't meet and memorize everyone.

"Most of them are from Harpa. Some are from Helix," ani Colton. He's pertaining to the two largest buildings next to Empire. Expensive, too.

"See that girl over there?" si Aiden at may itinuro 'di kalayuan. Agad ko namang nakita ang tinutukoy niya. Riku's with her. Probably flirting.

"Yeah, what about her?"

"That's the daughter of a prime minister. "

My forehead creased.

"Bakit nandito?"

Isn't she supposed to be in a better school? I mean, a proper school in a different country. Hindi tulad ng Origen na para sa mga taong may kaugnayan sa lahat ng ilegal na bagay. Black market and all that.

"She lives a highly publicized life so very likely to receive threats."

"Sent here for protection, tama ba?"

Tumango si Aiden. Pati na rin si Lucas at Colton.

"She better leave. Origen's not safe anymore. May namatay na nga, e..."

Leandro's death was ruled as suicide. As expected, pinagtakpan ng administration ang issue na iyon. They just released a memo that some parts of the school are now off limits. Kasabay na roon ang east wall. Walang alam ang students tungkol sa breach kaya wala lang para sa kanila iyon. For me, though, it's a big thing. Hindi na ako makalapit doon dahil may mga nilagay silang matataas na barricade. All of which are equipped with harmful technology.

"Don't you find it weird, Nyssa? Ever since you came here, Origen is suddenly not safe anymore," si Lucas na tinapunan ako ng mariing tingin.

"What do you mean? Bad luck ba ako?" I laughed.

"No... Be honest, though. Who are you, really? I have a guess but it's better if I hear it from you."

I was taken aback. Hindi ko inaasahan iyon. Akari said that Lucas is a snob, just minding his own business. Kaya naman, ngayon na nagtatanong siya ng ganito ay hindi ako agad makapaniwala.

His serious eyes never left me. Natahimik din ang magkapatid na Cortell at naghihintay lang ng isasagot ko.

"I'm Nyssa Brooks. Ano ba'ng gusto mong malaman?" I tried to sound light.

Lucas held my arm and inspected it. Para bang may hinahanap siya. It was too late when I realized that he was checking out the mole I have on my forearm. It's actually a tiny tattoo, specifically made for the purpose of looking like a mole.

"I knew you were familiar. I'd say you look so much better with black hair than blonde. Moshchnost'."

My jaw fell. Pinakita niya rin sa akin ang tattoo niya sa forearm. Lucas is a brother? He has the tattoo and he knows the word.

"Moshchnost'," I replied. "This is crazy. Have we met before?"

"Formally, no. But the day you fought Dimitri, I was there."