Flame 28 - Demascus' Death

Dahan-dahang naglakad sa madilim na hallway sina Krauser Vaughaun at Katherine Lovell papunta sa west wing balcony. Agad silang lumabas at hinanap sa mga naglalakihang puno si Opium Scatterella.

"Opium! Hurry up!" Katherine whispered as she scans the trees. She saw two glowing red eyes in one of the trees and saw Opium landing towards them.

He landed perfectly, without making even the slightest sound. "I thought I was going to wait there until morning!" he complained and scratched his head.

"Nagreklamo ka pa eh, bilisan mo na nga lang before Dad wakes up or something!" Krauser rolled his eyes and showed Opium the way to a guest room.

Obviously, Opium Scatterella will be staying at the Vaughaun mansion secretly after all. Astrid convinced Krauser that the vampire should stay in his custody for now since his life is in danger, being a pursuit of his own family and clan. Also, they need to draw the perfect plan and lure both the seeker and the mysterious crowman. Not to mention the Immortal Oracle, which is also in danger but hasn't been found yet.

Binuksan ni Krauser ang kwarto at agad napangisi si Opium ng makita niya iyon. A grand guest suite, he's not that disappointed at all. The Vaughaun and Scatterella's lifestyle are not that far from each other so it wasn't a surprise.

"Perfect! After a long day!" agad humiga sa malambot na kama ang bampira.

Krauser stepped in and looked at him. "Staying here doesn't mean you can do what you're used to do in the Scar Mansion. Certain rules are implemented here, especially for you because my Dad has no idea of you being here. First thing's first, no one should see you not even the maids, do not use your glamour ability to any maids inside the mansion. Second, you will not go out of this room until my Dad leaves. And the third rule is, do not do anything stupid."

Nang humarap si Krauser kay Opium ay humihilik na ito at mahimbing na ang tulog. He rolled his eyes and turned around.

"Krauser..." Katherine called as soon as they both went out of Opium's room.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for helping Opium..." she said and then smiled.

"I'm doing this because of Astrid's request," he pats her head and smiled. "Go to sleep, it's already late."

Katherine nodded and they both walked the other way. The Vaughaun Mansion became quiet and dark after that.

The next morning at the Scar Mansion, Olivia noticed the five guild leaders waiting in the front door. They all bowed their heads for respect.

"Good morning my Lady," Franco Baltimore greeted.

"Good morning, what are you guys doing here?" she asked.

"We are training today, Lady Olivia," Azerus Grimace replied.

The five Vampire Guild Leaders are the elite trainees of the Scatterella Coven. They are trained to protect and serve the coven at all times. After the Coven war, the only one that survived among the guild leaders was Zirco Hudges. The four new members are Franco Baltimore, Stan Berkley, Azerus Grimace and Yohan Malchizeko. They are also one of the finest men in the whole city and they have been dedicated to the Coven Lord since then.

"Wow, is Dad really that serious about killing Opium?" she asked and rolled her eyes.

"I know right! I could never kill Master Opi—" Zirco punched Yohan lightly to stop him. Yohan is pretty much the happiest and carefree among the five. The rest are just plain serious all the time. And Yohan was pretty close to Opium as well.

"Yes. Opium is already announced as a threat to the Coven, we aim to protect the coven at all cause, even from him." Zirco said and smiled.

Olivia sighed and shrugged. She made her way to the dining hall when someone grabbed her arms. For a second, she was hoping it was Opium— until she noticed Zirco smiling and gently letting go of her arms.

"What's the matter, Zirco?" she asked and obviously surprised.

He shyly smiled and scratched his head. "Olivia, I can't help but notice, are you worried about him?"

She blinked a couple of times and was speechless for a moment and as soon as she realized, she shook her head and disagreed. "No way! I am never worried about that creep! Good for him!"

Zirco chuckled. "Well, I thought you were. This is your chance to prove to the Coven Lord that you are worthy of the throne... now that Opium is gone."

She remained still and sighed. "I guess so..." her shoulders dropped and you can see the sadness from her face. "...I mean... I wanted the throne— I wanted it so bad for a long time and now that I actually have it... it's useless because Opium left. No matter how hard I try I'm just an option, a replacement."

Zirco grabbed both of her arms and smiled. "Hey, don't think like that, okay? You deserve this. You will prove Lord Gifford wrong."

She smiled back and nodded. "I will, thanks Zirco."

"The pleasure is always mine, my Lady. Smile. Mas gumaganda ka kung nakangiti ka."

Matagal nang nakaalis si Olivia pero naiwang nakangiti doon si Zirco Hudges. Lumapit ang iba pang guild leaders sa kanya at inakbayan siya ni Azerus at Franco.

"One point for Hudges!" Azerus mocked.

"That was smooth!" Franco added.

"Mga gago!" pabirong tinulak ni Zirco ang mga ito habang natatawa. "Tara na, Lord Gifford is waiting for us."

"Buti nalang wala si Master Opium dito kundi, babaliin niya na talaga iyang kamay mo kakahawak kay Lady Olivia," Yohan said while following the four leaders. Nakahalukipkip ito at nakanguso.

"Oh shut up, Yohan. And don't call him Master. Remember, hindi na siya Royal. He's now a homeless vampire," Stan said and they all laughed.

Yohan rolled his eyes. "Yes, as if that will change the fact that he almost choked you to death and send off Mr. Loverboy Hudges flying!" he taunted.

Natigil sa paglalakad ang apat at galit na humarap kay Yohan. "Hey! Kanino ka ba kampi? Are you actually expressing loyalty to a traitor?" inis na tanong ni Stan.

Yohan shrugged. "Hindi naman, all I'm saying is that, you know Opium... Opium SCATTERELLA. He maybe is homeless, a traitor to its coven or maybe something close to a fugitive but he's still stronger than anyone of you. Scatterella blood runs in his veins, he just lost his status and family... but his power is endless."

Iniwan ni Yohan ang apat at naglakad na papunta sa front door. Hindi maitago ni Zirco Hudges ang inis nito sa kasama.

"Don't let that weakling get into you, Zirco," Azerus said.

"I know that, Azerus. I know he likes to kiss Opium's ass all the time. I just can't take his guts."

Sa Larkworth, busy sa pagbabasa ng newspaper ang binatang Scatterella at napansin niya ang isa sa mga headlines. Tungkol iyon sa nalasong bartender sa isa sa mga kilalang bar sa New Wellington. Babasahin na sana niya ito pero nakuha ang atensyon niya ng mga paparating.

He heard girls laughing until he saw Olivia with her friends walking along the hallway. Hindi maiwasan ni Opium ang mahirapang huminga. He hasn't seen her the whole day yesterday because they were out looking for books on how to identify an Oracle.

"Hi Opium!" bati sa kanya ng isa sa mga kaibigan ni Olivia.

Hindi siya pinansin ni Opium at nakatingin lang sa kapatid niya. Napangiti nalang siya at tsaka lumagpas sa kanila. He can hear her friends gushed and squealed.

"Ah gosh! Ang gwapo ng kapatid mo! Kainis!" they all said in unison. Olivia just rolled her eyes and look at Opium who was walking away.

Opium had to clench both his hand and his jaw to stop himself from going over to Olivia and hugging her again. He missed everything about her, her nagging comments, the way she rolled her eyes, when she grits her teeth out of complete annoyance... he missed it so bad.

Napatigil lang siya ng makita si Zirco Hudges at Stan Berkley na nasa harapan niya at nakatingin ng masama. Nilagpasan niya ito at hindi pinansin ang masasamang mga tingin ng dalawa.

Nakahanda si Opium kahit anong oras kung sakali man na bumawi ang dalawa dahil sa ginawa niya pero mukhang walang balak ang mga iyon. Opium laughed to himself because he knows they would never win against him.

Nang natapos ang araw, naiwang abala sila Katherine Lovell at Krauser Vaughaun. Bumalik na sila ulit sa dating routine na pagtulong sa mga kaso ng NWPD. Sa ngayon, tatlong kaso ang kanilang nilulutas.

"This one is a were execution no doubt," turo ni Krauser sa isang folder matapos nitong tawagan si Earl Thompson.

"So we have two left, which is some sort of witch craft magic crime and the other one..." Katherine opened the folder of the second case. "Why is this case even here? This is not a supernatural case to me."

Kinuha ni Krauser ang folder at binasa iyon. This appeared in the headline early this morning, about the bartender that got poisoned.

"There's something in this case that's been bugging me..." Krauser said and thought of something for a moment when all of a sudden, the balcony door opened and Opium went in.

"Hi! Wow, cool room!" he greeted and looked around.

"Hey! Diba sabi namin sa kwarto ka lang! What if—"

"Chill, Kath... Chief Vaughaun left, kaaalis lang niya."

Katherine sighed and looked at Krauser who was still busy thinking and did not even mind Opium. The vampire sat down on the study table beside Katherine and started reading some of the files.

"Oh okay. So tonight is solving crime night. Maybe I can help!" maingay na sabi ni Opium at pinilit na kuhanin ang folder na hawak ni Krauser.

Once he saw it, naging seryoso ang mukha niya. Nabasa niya kasi ito kanina sa newspaper. Hindi niya alam ang buong detalye pero dahil sa crime files ay mas naging malinaw na ang lahat.

"Holy—" he gasped.

"May problema ba?" Katherine asked worriedly.

"Pius... this is Pius," he was shaking and both Katherine and Krauser looked at each other.

They ended up going to the Bar which was said to be where the crime took place. Pius Demascus was a part-time bartender in the bar and had been poisoned last night.

"Sa totoo lang, wala naman kaming nababalitaang kaaway ni Pius. Mabait siya at tahimik lang," sabi ng isang bartender na nakausap nila habang nagpupunas ng mga baso.

"May nakausap ba siya bago mangyari iyon?" Katherine asked.

"Oo. May kausap siyang lalaki. Nung nakita ko ay parang nakikipagtalo si Pius doon sa customer. Nilapitan ko sila at inawat, sabi ko kay Pius na 'wag sigawan ang customer dahil baka mareklamo siya at masesante. He shoved me off at umalis. Inasikaso niya yung ibang customer."

"And then what? Nilason siya?" Krauser said.

The guy shook his head. "Ang totoo niyan, nalaman lang namin na nalason siya after lumabas ang medical results. Wala siyang iniinom maliban sa tubig. At ang tubig na yun ay nainom ng lahat ng nasa staff room ng gabing iyon."

Opium clenched his fist. Kilala niya si Pius, hindi ito umiinom kaya naman nagtataka siya kung bakit ang nakalagay sa medical results ng forensic lab ay nalason siya dahil sa toxic intake.

"No one had suffered the same effect, only to this person?" Krauser asked as he raises his eyebrow.

The guy nodded. "Natakot nga kami eh, akala namin malalason din kami pero wala. Siya lang ang nalason. At walang pagkakataon ang kahit na sino maglagay sa baso niya ng lason kasi disposable ang cups namin dito sa may bar area. I mean, we take water out of the huge water container, doon lang siya pwedeng maglagay ng lason."

Naiwang tulala doon sa kotse si Krauser Vaughaun habang nag-iisip. Opium was mad at what happened to Pius. Katherine had no idea what both of them are thinking, nasa likod siya ng sasakyan.

"Guys? Are you both okay?" Katherine asked.

"I think Dad killed Pius," Opium said. "Nalaman niya siguro na siya ang nagsabi sa akin ng tungkol sa immortal oracle. He wants to get even."

"Your Dad? Dapat madidistinguish siya agad. He is known in New Wellington," Krauser denied his speculation.

"Maybe he hired a witch! I don't know! My Dad can do anything and he's out there killing people to hide the truth. He's determined to hide his dirty secrets."

"Opium, hindi pa naman tayo sigurado okay." Katherine pats his back and sighed.

"You don't understand! He killed another innocent person! Pupwede din niya kayong patayin once he found out you're hiding me."

Krauser rolled his eyes and look at Opium. "Well it is my job to stop him from killing more people. You have to cooperate and collect yourself. This investigation is going far and bloody."

"Hindi," Opium backed off. "I will not let another life get in the line. Aalis na ako sa Vaughaun Mansion at kakausapin ko si Dad."

"Opium!" pinigilan ni Katherine ang bampira. "We will help you with this case okay. Just like how you helped me with the Cronus. We are going to be fine." She smiled and made him feel at ease.

"T-Thanks..." the vampire calmed down and said.

Meanwhile at the other side of the city, the newly organized Guerilla Brotherhood held a luxurious meeting. The coven lord is sitting down at the end of the grand feast table, full of turkey and meat with wine and fresh blood in each glass.

The brotherhood's new headquarters seemed darker and more secluded. The Guerilla is insignia imprinted on the table cloth, in every chair and stone walls of the quarters.

"Thus, we go forth for our next mission. We have to find the oracle and kill it before it would even bring more troubles," Lord Gifford said.

"Are we sure that the death of Pius Demascus will not lead to us?" one of the elders spoke.

"Zirco had it all covered up, isn't that right, Zirco?" Gifford smiled at Zirco and raised his glass.

"Everything is planned out, my Lord. No traces and leads. I cleaned it up well." Zirco raised his glass too and both of them smiled.

The night was definitely going well for the vampires. The oracle might just be around the corner, and they have no idea of his identity.

Under the same moon, Opium went out for a stroll around the Vaughaun property. He found the tallest tree and climbed it until he can see a nice view of Downtown New Well. It was beautiful. He sat down at the branch of the tree and whipped out his phone. He dialed Olivia's number and waited for her to pick it up.

"Hello?" he heard her voice from the other line. He had to change his phone number after leaving the coven.

"Olivia..." he called out and he heard a gasp.

"O—"

"Don't say it. Just keep my number. Think of the gayest name you can tag in it just so no one in there can figure out that it's mine."

"But—"

"I miss you... I just missed you that's why I called."

He heard her sigh.

"Is that all you're going to say?" natatawa niyang tanong sa kanyang kapatid. He was expecting a different reaction, like she would burst out her anger.

"I must not affiliate myself to you anymore," she coldly said.

"I know, I'm sorry if I called."

"I will delete your number, and if you ever call me again, I will tell this to Dad."

"Yes. Sorry for bothering you, good night." He sadly puts down his phone and chuckled. He sits up in that tree and looked at the beaming city lights while fidgeting his new phone.

Olivia Scatterella looked at her phone that had an empty name slot for Opium's new number. Her eyes are puffy. She can't help but cry after hearing his voice.

"Ate..." she heard a soft knock on the door. She stood up and opened it. "Hello Ate, Deborah told me you did not eat dinner again tonight. May problema po ba?"

She walked back to her bed and sat down. Oraion followed her sister and climb to her bed as well. "I'm not hungry, Oraion. I'm fine," she tried to convince him.

"You don't look fine, Ate. I don't think you're fine."

She hugged Oraion and pats his head. "Wala na ba talaga akong maitatago saiyo? Huh, you old man!" sabi ni Olivia while pinching his cheeks. She calls him 'old man' because of the way he acts. He doesn't sound like a kid at all.

"Well I hope I can cheer you up," he said and looked at his sister.

Olivia smiled and showed her phone to him. "Okay then, help me with this. Think of a gayest name for me."

"Gayest name? Who's number is that?"

"Basta! Come on! I can't think of one eh."

Oraion placed his hands on his chin and thought hard. "Hmm~ how about Sissy?" he said.

Olivia burst out laughing when she heard it and immediately typed the name on her phone.

"You're too clever!" she said and pinched his nose.

"I'm sure Kuya Opium will hate me for giving that name to him," Oraion said and laughed.

"Yeah— wait—" napanganga nalang si Olivia nang marinig niya yung sinabi ni Oraion. "Y-You know—"

"You can't hide anything from me, Ate!" he said and grinned.

Olivia sighed and cuddled with her younger brother a bit more until he decides to leave.

"Are you leaving already?" Olivia said and puts on her sad face.

"Yes Ate. My RC chopper is probably done charging so I will play. And your sad face never works on me, Kuya Opium is the only one who can't resist that. Good night Ate!" he said then closed the door.

"That kid is unbelievable!" Olivia said as she rolled her eyes.

* * * *

Feeling ko kulang tong chapter na to. Pinilit ko lang atang tapusin ewan. Bawi ako. May WB talaga ako sa chapter na to di ko alam kung paano ko isusulat eh. K. The five guild leader's fictional characters will be announce on the next chapters, hindi pa ako makapagdecide kung sino ang sino. Okay? Missed you guys! ;u;

Comments juseyo! */\* para mainspire ako magsulat! (:

#SilverButler