Nakakatitig ako sa kanya. Nakatitig siya sa 'kin. We are both falling pero unti-unti itong bumabagal hanggang sa naramdaman ko na ang paa ko sa lapag. Doon na lamang bumalik ang ulirat ko.

"Thanks. But you don't have to do that." sabi ko without any eye contact habang inaayos ang damit ko.

"You're about to lose your familiar once he kissed you." malamig niyang sabi.

"I know and I already lost him."

Biglang lumapag si Drew—este Flynn sa harapan naming dalawa na parang walang nangyari. He's swift like a fox.

"Tsk. Sayang." Ngumisi siya. Ang sarap punitin ng mukha niya.

I sighed in frustration at umalis sa kinalalagyan nila. Walang kwenta lang pala lahat ang pagbalik ko dito sa Academy. All of them are worse than a demon.

Malayo-layo na ang narating ko nang may naramdaman akong nakasunod sa 'kin.

"Follow me and dwell in hell. I'm dead serious." I said without bothering to look at him at diretso ulit naglakad.

But he is still following me at doon ako tuluyang nagalit. I'm totally not in the mood right now and I don't really care if I kill someone today. Especially if he deserves it.

My eyes turned blue at bigla ko siyang nilingon. I just used the death glare where I can kill anyone just by looking at my target.

"Too slow." walang emosyon niyang sabi as he is encircled himself by a holy barrier making my attack useless.

Napairap nalang ako habang bumalik sa dati ang kulay ng mga mata ko.

"Not in the mood Kiyan." yes, he's the one who's following me.

"You’re always like that. What’s new?" he replied.

"What do you want?"

"Your answer."

Kumunot ang noo ko, "Haven't I told you that I won't?"

"I don't accept a 'no'."

"Then don't bother asking."

Bakit ba ang kulit niya? Why is he so eager to get me into the Alpha with those bunch of polymers? They're planning to kill me and their first step is to get closer to me. Umalis na ako without giving him a look. Si Paxton lang ang sadya ko dito at wala na akong pakialam sa kanila.

"You don't have much time." he said that made me stop.

"Ano?"

"If you don't act now, your familiar will be gone. Forever."

Tuluyan na akong humarap sa kanya. I stared into his eyes. Ngayon ko lang napansin na asul pala ang kulay nito. It’s deep, dark, and blue that it appears almost black. The wind blows as the branches and leaves rattles. Gentle winds caressed our face at naramdaman ko na naman ang enerhiya na naramdaman ko when I first met him.

It's like there is a strong force binding us.

"What do you mean that he'll be gone forever?"

Tumalikod sya sa 'kin at nagsimulang maglakad. I followed him at doon kami papunta sa likod ng building namin kung saan may mga benches. He sat on one of the benches and signaled me to sit beside him.

Even though I don't like his attitude, umupo nalang ako sa tabi niya pero malayo ang distansya. Biglang sumikip ang dibdib ko.

I sighed.

"You feel it too?" malamig niyang tanong.

Tiningnan ko siya at sa taas lang siya nakatingin. I looked up at bumungad ang napakaraming bituin na parang nasa ibang mundo ako.

"Yeah." sagot ko.

It's aching.

"Everytime you're near, I can't breathe." sabi niya sa walang emosyon niyang boses.

Hindi ko alam pero biglang bumilis ang pagtibok ng puso ko. This is the same feeling when Paxton is around. Ano bang nangyayari?

"Maybe we are really destined to kill each other."

Napatingin ako sa kanya and he's already looking at me.

Those eyes...

Parang malulunod ako sa mga titig niya. Is this one of the best traits of a King?

"One of us must survive para wala na tayong maramdamang sakit." I said.

Naalala ko ang sinabi ng Goddess habang sa Underworld ako, "Everytime that you and your opposite gets closer, your forces collide that causes you to feel the same pain. That pain, can cause the both of you your death even you two are immortals. And when the both of you die, the world as it is will die too."

"But light and dark must be balanced. If I die alone, then who will represent darkness?"

"Before the day of your battle, both of you are required to choose a disciple that will inherit your throne. So when one of you dies, your chosen descendant will be the one to replace you as a Master or Mistress."

"Why do we have to fight? When our only intention is to bring balance to the world?"

"Light and dark, creation and destruction, good and bad. All of them are destined to fight because that is what the world made of."
   
    
    
"Shea are you listening to me?"

Nabalik ako sa ulirat nang marinig ko ang malamig niyang boses. Muli ko siyang tiningnan at kunot-noo siyang nakatingin sa 'kin.

"You're not." siya na ang sumagot sa kanyang tanong.

Kung nandito si Paxton at nakikita niya kaming magkasama ni Kiyan, I'm pretty sure that he'll grab me away without saying anything at dadalhin sa dorm niya. And then he'll fill me with his sermons.

"What is it that you're saying?"

"If you don't act now, his soul will totally vanish and it’ll be impossible to bring him back. I hope you're aware that the soul of a demon only lasts up to six months."

"What?!" I exclaimed. I'm not aware of that.

"Then why didn't you bring him back in the first place?!" tumaas na ang boses ko at hindi ko na kayang kumalma. This will be my last chance to bring Paxton back.

"During your life with humans, did the Bible said that God created demons? That God is the source of darkness?"

"Of course not." diretsa kong sagot.

"Then same applies to me. We can't let darkness spreads. That’s who we are."

"But Paxton—”

"Yes he's a demon. I can bring him back to life but it's forbidden. Once the god knows about this, I'll suffer the consequences. That's why you must keep this a secret."

I'm staring at him as he talks, "You've been talkative lately." hindi ko alam pero kusa nalang itong lumabas sa bibig ko.

Bigla siyang tumahimik at napatingin sa malayo. I didn't mean to say it. Bakit iyon pa ang nasabi ko? The cold breeze whispers pero hindi ako naapektuhan ng lamig. Palaging malamig ang klima sa Underworld kaya sanay na ako.

"I'm only like this when you're around." biglaan niyang sabi.

Napahinga ako ng malalim. What he said gives me a different interpretation. I really wish Paxton is here.

"Why are you helping me?" tanong ko.

"Because that's what I am."

"What you are? Then who are you?" I emphasized the word 'who'.

Tumingin siya sa 'kin. His cold, dry eyes describe how mysterious he is and what made him to become like that. Parang ganyan din ako noon. But it changed after that event where I let go of everything.

Sino ka ba talaga Kiyan? Who are you before you became the disciple?

He didn't answer me instead he just stared at me. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang tumatakbo sa isipan niya. Nakatitig lang siya sa 'kin dahilan para ma conscious ako.

Muli ko na naman naramdaman ang pagbilis ng tibok ng puso ko. Why? Why do we have to kill each other?

"You don't need to know. I'm just a King. Your opposite."

"Why do you have to?"

Nagulat ako sa sinabi ko. What the hell? Am I out of my mind?

His brows furrowed at bigla siyang umusod papalapit sa 'kin. I don't know if he just smiled or was it just my imagination?

"What do you mean?" tanong niya.

"I-I mean why do you want me to be part of the Alpha?" palusot ko. Nababaliw na yata ako.

His brows relaxed at muli na naman siyang tumingin sa malayo.

"So you'll have an easy access to kill me with your squad?"

"Of course not." nabigla ako sa mabilis niyang pagsagot. Mukhang nabigla rin siya sa tanong ko.

"Killing you isn't my plan. It's forbidden to kill my opposite kapag hindi pa oras ng nakatakda."

"Then why do want me to join you?"

"I just want to get close to you."

I was out of words for a moment and it took me some time to process what I heard.

"So what's your decision Mistress? Time's running." sabi niya nang hindi ako nakasagot.

I really hate you Kiyan. And I also hate Paxton for giving me a problem like this. But I can't imagine living my life as a Mistress without my familiar. Napalapit na siya sa 'kin, and I don't want to lose another person twice. I hate to say this but I miss him so much.

Only 3 days left before the month ends. Ayokong mawala siya ng tuluyan sa 'kin. I can't afford to see myself with another familiar other than him.

"I'll think about it. We’ll talk tomorrow."
  
  
♚♚♚
  
  
The sun's rays struck my face as it passes between the curtains of my room. It's already morning. Another day and will be a big one. Ngayon ko na ibibigay ang sagot ko kay Kiyan. If both of our Masters find out about this, tiyak dalawa kami ni Kiyan ang paparusahan. It's against the law to revive a demon.

Bumangon na ako sa higaan ko at dumiretso sa banyo at naghanda upang pumasok. Even though I'm the Mistress, I'm still a student of Myrrh academy. Kailangan ko parin mag-aral.

Pumwesto ako sa tapat ng mirror cabinet kung saan ko inaayos noon ang mga disguise ko. I look at the set of cosmetics displayed along the table. Napatingin ako sa salamin at sinuri ang itsura ko.

I put some powder and let my hair down. I put on some light make up to look even better. I'm going to make sure that their eyes will be on me filled with admiration and of course, envy.

Matapos kong mag-ayos ay umalis na ako.

I grab my things and went out of my room. Di pa nga ako nakalabas ng dorm ay nagtitinginan na agad ang mga dorm mates ko sa 'kin.

"New dorm mate?"

"Gaga! Si Shea 'yan."

"Ang ganda niya."

"Yan ang totoong mukha niya di ‘ba?"

"Malakas siya?"

"Sus. Mahina pa rin 'yan."

"But you can't change the fact that boys will go crazy on her."

Hindi ko pinansin ang bulong-bulungan nila at dire-diretso akong naglakad palabas.

Isang pamilyar na lalaki ang bumungad sa 'kin pagkalabas ko ng premises ng dorm. Nakasuot siya ng puting polo which is our uniform but without a vest. Nakasabit ang isang strap ng kanyang bag sa likuran at panay ang tingin sa loob ng lady’s dormitory. Mukhang may hinihintay. Panay rin ang greet sa kanya ng mga estudyanteng dumadaan and he happily greeted them back. Hindi ko siya pinansin at diretso akong naglakad.

"Uhmm... Miss?" he called when I passed him.

Lumingon ako sa kanya at halatang natulala siya habang nakatingin sa 'kin. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

"A-ah, may kilala ka bang Shea Valdemore na nakatira sa dorm na 'yan?"

Napakunot ang noo ko trying to remember him. Deep eyes, thin lips and those thick brows. He looks mature than his age.

"Anong kailangan mo sa kanya?" I asked.

"I just want to ask if she's in there."

Looks like I remember. He's that guy who confessed to me after our duel 6 months ago. Was it Christine? Or Christopher I think. Nah, whatever.

"I'm Shea." pagpakilala ko.

Nanlaki ang mata niyang tumingin sa 'kin, "I'm sorry?" mukhang di siya naniniwala.

May mga estudyanteng nagbubulungan habang nakatingin sa 'kin.

"Tol, di ‘ba si Shea 'yan?"

"Oo. Ang ganda niya pre, parang perpekto."

"Lul wag mong tingnan baka syota niya si pres."

"Tinitingnan lang eh."

"Gusto mo mabugbog?"

Tinuon ko muli ang atensyon ko sa kanya at nakatulala na naman siya sa 'kin. There is a crest on his left chest with the logo of the student council. He must be the president that they're talking about.

"So the rumors were true..." mahina niyang saad.

"About what?"

"That you're beautiful. And that you have returned."

So kalat na pala sa buong school na bumalik na ako after 6 months. I wonder who won the pageant.

"Anong kailangan mo?" tanong ko.

He gave me a warm smile that could melt every girl’s heart. Pero di ito tumatalab sa 'kin, "I miss you at gusto na kitang makita. Here, I brought some flowers to brighten up your day."
He handed me a bouquet of flowers and a bar of chocolate. Where did he get these? Oo nga pala, he wants to be my 'lover' just like he said after our fight.

Tinanggap ko ito at mas lalong lumapad ang ngiti niya. But few seconds later, the flower starts to wilt and the petals fell. Namatay ang bulaklak. Pati ang chocolate natunaw.

"Looks like I'm too hot to handle." sabi ko and handed him back the dead flowers and melted chocolate.

Pumasok na ako sa senior building at kasalukuyang naglalakad sa hallway. Ever since I left the dorm, di na ako tinigilan ng mga mata nila. Lahat ng dinaanan ko ay tumatahimik at napupuno ng bulungan. Most of them wants to take a picture of me. Kasama ko si Christian na naglalakad dahil gusto niya raw ako ihatid. Cein and Eloiny are not around dahil maaga pa silang umalis dahil may training sila.

"Sabay tayo mag lunch mamaya?" aya niya sa 'kin ng marating na namin ang tapat ng aking room.

"May gagawin ako." maiksi kong sagot.

"Sasamahan kita." he smiled.

"No. I can do it alone."

Kung nandito lang sana si Paxton, kinaladkad na niya siguro ang lalaking 'to. Why do I keep thinking about him?

He bid goodbye at pumasok na rin ako. As I enter, ang kaninang maingay ng classroom ay biglang tumahimik. A heavy atmosphere surrounded the room at lahat sila nakatingin sa 'kin.

Hindi ko sila pinansin at dumiretso sa dati kong pwesto which is sa tapat ng teacher's table katabi ni Alzena. Pero kumunot ang noo ko nang may bag na nakalagay doon. May sitting arrrangement na ba sila dito?

"Ako ang nakaupo dyan." a pair of black shoes ang huminto sa tapat ko. I know that voice and I don't want to see him. Sumasakit ang dibdib ko kapag nakikita ko siya.

"But you can take it. Dito nalang ako sa likuran mo." he gets his bag and transferred to an empty seat on my back. Dyan nakapwesto si Paxton.

"May nakaupo dyan." malamig kong sabi without looking at him. At pano ba siya nakapasok dito sa Academy?

"Huh? This seat has been empty for almost 6 months."

"I don't care. Go sit at the back."

Lahat sila nakatingin sa amin ni Flynn. Oo classmate ko siya and I have no idea how he gets here.

"Yes ma'am." pilosopo niyang sagot.

"Nautusan niya si Flynn."

"Oo nga. Tapos hindi niya sinungitan si Shea."

"Pero grabe napasunod ng dating kulelat sa klase ang top 1 natin."

"Ganon talaga siguro pag maganda."

"Bagay sila."

"Che! Akin lang siya."

"Shh… wag ka nga maingay baka marinig ka nila."

Top 1? Si Flynn na ang top 1 sa klase? How about Paxton? Kelan ba siya pumasok dito?

Few minutes later ay pumasok na si sir Carlson at naramdaman din niya ang mabigat na atmosphere sa room. He greeted me bago niya simulan ang klase. Marami na nga talaga akong na-miss sa mga lectures niya pero di ko narin naman yun kailangan. Napatingin ako sa gilid ko at tahimik lang si Alzena na nakikinig. Mukhang hindi na siya nagsusungit.

Nasa kalagitnaan na si sir sa pagle-lecture nang may biglang kumatok mula sa labas. Lumapit si sir at kinausap yung kumatok. Maya-maya ay bumalik na siya sa harapan.

"Ms. Valdemore pinapatawag ka ng Alpha. You may go."

Napuno na naman ng bulong-bulungan ang room at mostly sa kanila ay naiinggit. Kinuha ko na ang gamit ko and excused myself to left the room.

The hallway was empty because everyone have their classes. May naramdaman akong nakasunod sa 'kin at alam ko na kung sino. Damn, he's so good at concealing his presence that I can't recognize him as a dark special when we first met.

"Show yourself or else I'll burn you."

"Haha okay. Chill." lumabas siya mula sa kanyang pinagtataguan wearing his irritating smile habang nakapamulsa. Bakit? Bakit magkamukha talaga sila ni Paxton?

"May klase ka. Bakit ka nandito?" I darted my gaze on him.

"Mali bang bantayan ang future Mistress ko?"

"If it will be you, it's better to have no familiar at all." pakiramdam ko lumamig ang paligid. I know he's not Paxton at magkaiba ang ugali nila, pero di ko parin maiwasang makikita si Paxton sa kanya.

"Why do you act as if you don't care about your brother?"

Biglang nabura ang kanyang ngiti at napalitan ng pagkaseryoso. Seryoso niya akong tinignan habang ang kanyang mga kamay ay nananatili pa rin sa kanyang bulsa. I think he’s pissed.

"What do you expect me to do? Cry? Demons aren't made that way."

Now he really looks like Paxton. Mula mukha hanggang sa facial expression nila. Ganito kasi si Paxton. Sana ngumiti nalang ulit si Flynn para hindi ko siya maalala. Sumasakit na naman ang dibdib ko.

"Demons cry too. You just can't feel it."

Tumalikod na ako at nagsimulang maglakad. For sure Kiyan is waiting for me. Hindi ko na siya naramdamang sumunod.
         
"So what's your decision?" bungad niya sa 'kin pagkarating ko sa library ng dorm nila. Dito ako hinatid ni Fire pagkarating ko. The rest of the Alpha have their own business.

"Kapag nalaman kong may gagawin kayo laban sa 'kin, I'm going to make sure na walang matitira sa inyo. Maliban sa 'yo." Once I've said it, totohanin ko talaga yun.

He sat like a royalty in his royal chair in a hall full of books. Prente siyang nakaupo sa harap ko with class and authority habang nakahalukipkip.

"It's a deal." sabi niya.

He extended his right hand for a handshake that will symbolize our deal.

Tinitingnan ko ito and thinking every bit of event that might happen once I accepted his hand. Kahit kailan talaga Paxton puro sakit ng ulo nalang ang binibigay mo sa 'kin. I heaved out a deep sigh and I slowly extended my hand para tanggapin ang kanyang offer.

As our hand touched, an electrifying sensation filled my system. It's like a completely opposite forces just collide.

For a moment, bigla siyang ngumiti. The smile of Kiyan Hayashi na ako lang nakakakita.

"Finally, welcome to the Alpha, Queen Shea."
   
   
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