"It's something about the truth!" pasigaw na saad ni Gin. "I will tell you on your birthday so shut the fuck up. Go down and eat," usal ulit nito na mukhang naiirita.

Napansin niya ang kakaibang ekspresyon sa mukha ni Miyuki ng marinig siya nitong magmura. Even him, he was shocked on his actions. He was annoyed how persistent Miyuki was and annoyed to himself too knowing that the book is his darkest secret to her.

Pagkatapos lumabas ni Gin ay agad siyang nagtungo sa balkonahe at tinawag si Chiron.

"Yow, I'm here master."

Chiron just immedietly popped out of nowhere leaning on the balcony with hands on his pocket. The moon shines behind his back

"Stop jumping on the balcony. She might see you," usal ni Gin habang papalapit rito't bahagyang tinanggal ang salamin para punasan ito. "Where's Cessair?"

"Still setting up the equipments on the storage room."

Tumango siya bago pagkatitigan ng mabuti si Chiron. "Alam kong kinuha mo ang libro."

Napapitlag si Chiron, ang akala niya ay hindi siya mahuhuli pagka't ilang sandali lang naman niya ito hiniram kay Gin. He was reading about something. Something related to his young lady Miyuki.

"Anong nalaman mo?" bahagyang sumandal sa pintuan ng balcony si Gin. Malalim ang kanyang iniisip. Hindi basta-basta kukunin ni Chiron ang librong napakahalaga sa kanya. Ang librong naglalaman ng katauhan nila.

"I just find it weird master." Naging seryoso ang mukha ni Chiron habang iniisip ang kanyang nadiskubre. "Zepar is a noble vampire."

Zepar. Kilalang kilala ni Gin ang pangalang ito. Kapatid ito ng isang babaeng kilala niya.

"Zepar is Naamah's brother but..." Chiron paused for a while bago siya tinitigan ng mabuti. "He didn't seem to notice anything."

Lussuria's are known for being a noble vampire for so long. Kaya hindi niya maintindihan ang ibig sabihin ni Chiron.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin?" His brows furrowed.

"Ang gamot ni Miyuki, it's supposed to lessen her human smell when bleeding right? But there's this one flaw." Chiron paused like he was thinking the right words to say.

Gin widened his eyes when he instantly know what was the flaw at ang koneksyon nito kay Zepar.

"At short distances, nobles could instantly distinguish if they were facing a vampire or not even without bleeding," usal ulit ni Chiron. "Sa tingin ko hindi niya alam na normal na tao si Miyuki. He must be thinking she was a vampire waiting to be blossomed."

Napakunot noo siya sa sinabi ni Chiron. Ang akala niya nabuko na siya ni Zepar. Kaya nga sila nagmamadaling puntahan ito sa lokasyon na sinend ni Cessair nang sinabi nitong isang Lussuria ang kasama ni Miyuki. Kung sana sinabi nito agad ay sana mas maaga niyang nakuha palayo kay Zepar si Miyuki.

"Maaring hindi totoong Lussuria si Zepar," bulong ni Gin sa sarili habang malalim ang kanyang iniisip. Chiron was just casually waiting to his response.

"Master. Si Naamah?"

"No. She's the real deal. A real Lussuria," seryosong sagot niya. Nakita na niya ang peklat na halos mag hugis puso sa likod ni Naamah at muntik na siyang mabuko nito nang makita siyang magkasama sila ni Miyuki so he's sure Naamah's a real deal.

"I need to talk to Cessair."

Agad siyang lumabas ng kanyang silid at dumiretyo sa storage room na hindi kalayuan sa kanyang silid. Pagbukas niya ng pinto ay agad siyang mapakunot noo nang makita na tanging mga naka hanay lamang na shelves na may mga bote ng iba't ibang likido ang nandoon. Tanging silaw ng buwan na dumungaw sa maliliit lamang ang nagpapailaw sa lugar. Where's the equipments?

Biglang gumalaw ang shelve na nasa dulo ng silid. Sa likod nito ay ang pagbukas ng isang pintong metal na ngayon niya pa lamang nakita. Maraming ilaw sa loob masyadong maliwanag kaysa sa mga ilaw ng mansyon.

"Oh. You're here," usal ni Cessair habang naghihikab habang may mga laboratory flasks na hawak. "Where should I put these?"

"There was a hidden door?" he asked confused disregarding Cessair's question. Hindi niya alam na may nakatagong silid pala sa storage room. Hindi rin naman niya iyon inalam. He was living in the mansion all of his life pero aminado siyang hindi niya pa talaga kabisado ang kabuonan nito.

"Hindi mo alam?" Bakas ang gulat sa boses ni Cessair. It was Chiron who sent him there. Ang akala niya alam ito ni Gin. It was Gin's mansyon after all.

"Magtatanong ba ako kung hindi." Gin's sarcastic voice answered Cessair shock questionong. "Anyway, put it back inside and don't just arrive unnattended. I will surely break your legs next time. Bet me." Pangbabanta niya rito.

Mabuti na lamang talaga ay hindi lumabas si Miyuki kaninang umaga kaya madaling naipasok nila Cessair ang mga kagamitan sa loob. Cessair brought a few of his comrades that transports the equipments. All are vampires in their transformed form– .

"I didn't see your girl where is she?"

Biglang naalala ni Gin ang paninigaw niya kay Miyuki at ang mukha nito. Her scared face made him hate his self. Wala na ba siyang magagawang tama kay Miyuki?

"Nah, wag mo ng tanungin Cessair. Kung ayaw mong ngayon pa lang mabalian ka na."

It was answered by Chiron who came out of nowhere. Nasa gilid siya ni Gin habang nakapamulsa ang mga kamay nito. Bumaling ang tingin nito kay Gin na masama ang tingin sa kanya. "Okay, I'll shut up."

"Ikaw rin naman kasi Cessair." Bumaling ang tingin ni Chiron kay Cessair. "Nagdala ka pa ng mga panget mong kasama. Hindi ba sila makakapagbuhat pag hindi nakapag transform ha? Weaklings." Bakas sa boses nito ang pagmamayabang.

"They're just common vampires after all," sagot naman ni Cessair habang naghihikab na pumasok ulit sa pintong kanyang nilabasan. "Next time what about a duel?"

"Sure thi— "

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Chiron bago tuluyang dumiretyo sa pintuang pinasukan ni Cessair at may pinindot sa gilid na siyang dahilan kung bakit gumalaw ulit ang shelves kaya sumirado ito.

"Anong meron?"

Rinig ni Gin mula sa labas ang boses ni Cessair na tila tinatamad. Alam ni Gin kung bakit nagmamadaling pumasok sa loob ng secret room si Chiron. Kung kaya't pasimple siyang lumapit siya sa maliit na bintana kung saan tanaw ang maliwanag na buwan. Naghihintay.

"Gago ka ba? Hindi mo narinig papanhik na rito si Miyu— I mean lady Miyuki. Hindi niya dapat makita ang sekretodng silid na ito. Yung totoo? Maharlika ka ba?" Bakas ang gigil sa boses ni Chiron.

"Stop with that noble thing inaantok lang ako kaya hindi ko napansin." Sagot naman ni Cessair bago tuluyang nawala ang ingay sa loob.

Eksaktong pagkawala ng ingay ay ang mahinang pagkatok sa bukas na pinto. Pagpapahiwatag na may sadya ang kung sino man ang dumating.

"Ahh, Gin?" bakas sa boses ni Miyuki ang takot at pagkahiya nang makita si Gin na nakapamulsang nakadungaw sa bintana't nakatalikod sa direksyon niya.

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry."

Gin went silent. His conscience eating him. Alam niya walang kasalanan si Miyuki. It was all his god damn fault— cussing, shouting and being to strict at her. It's was all his fault. Ang kinatatakutan niyang mangyari ay nangyayari na. Miyuki's curiousity was his terror— lying to her to be exact.

He sighed deeply before walking towards Miyuki who has her head down and her hair covering her face. Hindi maaninag ang mukha nito dahil medyo madilim rin ang silid na tanging sinag ng buwan lamang ang nagpapaliwanag.

"It's alright. Ako ang dapat na magsorry." He reach his hand on her head and stroke her hair gently. "I'm sorry Miyuki. Sadyang mainit lang talaga ang ulo ko ngayon." He uttered in his soft and calm voice na minsan niya lamang ginagamit.

Agad na niyakap ni Miyuki si Gin at napahagulgol sa dibdib nito. She thought Gin's mad at her. Akala niya ayaw na nito sa kanya.

"Teka? Why are you crying? Did I say something wrong?" Bakas ang pagtataka at pag aalala sa boses ni Gin habang nakayakap siya rito at bahagya pa ring hinahaplos ang buhok nito. Wala naman siyang ginawa. Did he make her cry again?

"No," usal ni Miyuki habang nakahilig pa rin ang ulo sa dibdib nito. It was cold dahil malapit na rin maghating gabi but she felt familiar warm on Gin's embrace.

"Akala ko ayaw mo na sakin. I thought you hate me that's why your cursing and such. So you will abandon me. Maiiiwan na naman akong mag-isa. Ayaw ko yun mangyari Gin. You're the only one that's left for me. Dito lang ako sa tabi mo ano man ang mangyari. Ayokong lumayo sayo." Miyuki confessed between her sobs.

Gin felt his heart soften. Hindi niya alam na ganun na pala ang tingin sa kanya ni Miyuki. He know he was important to her pero hindi niya alam na ganito ka lalim. Nakaramdam siya ng konsensya. Ayaw niya rin lumayo rito pero hindi niya hawak ang panahon.

"Don't worry." His soft gently voice felt echoing on Miyuki's ear. He lifted her chin while his other hand's supporting her back. "I'll be here." He kissed her forehead. "Always."

Huli na ng mapansin ni Gin ang kanyang ginawa and now they were staring at each other. Reading each other's emotions. Staring directly to their heart and souls. What did he just do? Why Miyuki didn't react at all?

He slightly lean his head away from Miyuki and attempt to wipe Miyuki's dried tears but then she suddenly whispered something. He heard it all, making him almost flustered.

"Pumunta ka muna sa kwarto mo susunod lang ako."

"Thank you for being a kuya for me Gin. Although ayaw mong tinatawag kitang kuya."

Miyuki smiled at agad na lumabas ng silid. Napabuntong hininga naman si Gin nang makitang papasok na ito sa kanyang silid.

What did he just told her? Her room? After she thought about it hindi man lamang ito nag alinlangan sa kanya? What kind of specie is she?

"Why does it felt like the same kiss, the same warmth from that dream?" Cessair mimicked curiously. "Don't tell me they alre—"

Chiron glared at Cessair. Threatening him.

Tiyaka pa lamang bumalik sa sarili si Gin nang bumukas ulit ang pinto sa likuran ng shelves at inuluwal nitong muli sina Cessair at Chiron.

"Did you two heard it?" Gin asked noncholantly facing them with a blank expression. He felt embarassed but he shouldn't be lalong lalo na't sina Chiron at Cessair ang kausap niya. Kung sinapian ng katapangan ang dalawa ay talagang pang aasar ang maaabutan niya.

"Sort of. This secret room could block our voices from the inside but we could still hear what's going on outside," Cessair explained lazily. He's really sleepy. "Pwede na ba akong umuwi? I'm damn tired."

"I need you to investigate someone."

Cessair's face went serious. Chiron stood beside Gin properly. Alam nilang seryosong usapan na pag may pinaiimbestigahan na si Gin. It often happened. Too often dahil pangalawang beses pa lamang ito. The first one was quite dangerous.

"Who?"

"Lussuria Siblings. Specifically Zepar." Lumingon si Gin kay Chiron. "Tell him the details. Bukas ko na titignan ang bagong laboratory."

Chiron nodded before Gin left to Miyuki's room.

Chiron explained their doubts about the Lussuria's to Cessair. Lalong-lalo na kay Zepar.

"He didn't recognize Miyuki despite being a noble? That's really quite odd."

"Yep. So investigate it well. I'll be sleeping ciao." Chiron waved before leaving the storage room.

Kinabukasan bumalik si Gin sa storage room kasama si Chiron. It was noon at galing pa sila sa syudad upang ihatid si Miyuki sa dorm nito. Hindi na ito pumasok sa pang umagang klase dahil na late ito ng gising. Kung kaya't napagalitan na naman ito ni Gin sa byahe nila kanina.

May binuksang libro si Chiron na tila nakakabit sa shelves para mag comouflage . Sa loob ng libro ay tila isang maliit na lever. Kanya itong hinila at dahan-dahang gumalaw ang shelves at bumungad sa kanila ang metal na pinto.

Sa gilid ng handle nito ay isang combination code na mabilis lang na pinindot ni Chiron kung kaya't nabuksan ang pinto ng secret room.

Bumungad sa kanila ang nakakasilaw na ilaw mula sa loob malayo sa mga liwanag na nasa mansyon. Nang tignan ni Gin ang loob saka niya napagtantong malayong-malayo ito sa itsura ng mansyon.

Gigantic monitor attached to the wall first caught Gin's eyes but the marble table in the center of the room caught his attention more. Test tubes, crucibles, beakers, flasks, funnels and other chemical laboratory equipments are arranged in the counter table.

Each side of the room has laboratory and medical machines lined up mostly to be use for identifying bloods, cells and much more that would be helpful on Gin's future experiments.

The room was full of electricity used lights

"What the heck is the use of this monitor?" Gin blurted out in fron on the gigantic monitor, questioning its existence.

"Well, we divided this room into two and here's the other side." Cessair pressed a button below the monitor and the middle part of the other wall split into two replacing by a see through glass and a metal door

The other side of the wall has computer size monitors and some equipments that are accomplished by other researchers such as the masks that blocks their smell and sight of blood, suits to prevent themselves from transforming, gloves and handcuffs that prevent their claws from growing. The equipments were held place to a transparent glass cabinets.

"Nice!" Chiron commented and entered the station. Umupo ito sa harap ng monitor at in-on.

"Voice recognition on," a female robotic voice uttered. "Please register your voice." Kasabay nito ang paglabas ng kulay asul na sulat sa screen ni Chiron.

"Galing mo talaga Cessair!" Chiron cheered in amazement knowing what Cessair did in the secret room. Clearly from an empty old room resembling a void to a futuristic science laboratory. "Let's hit this baby on!"

Chiron read the words on the screen to register his voice.

"Voice recognition activated. Welcome Mr. Chiron." The robotic voice greeted.

"These computers are connected to almost all data around the world. From dark secrets of the web to data bases of every research institute to every certain someone," Cessair explained to them. Bumaling ang tingin nito kay Gin na kanina pa tahimik na nakamasid sa kanila. "You can easily find informations here."

"Even with the Lussuria's?"

"Even with the Lussuria's." Cessair answered with assurance. "Try it."

Gin gazed at Chiron through the glass wall. Chiron seriously nodded before speaking. "Informations about Zepar Lussuria."

Numerous links, articles and videos appeared simultaenously on the screen. Too much information for them to check all of it.

"Narrow it down to his identity Chiron." Gin seriously uttered while looking on the gigantic monitor.

Tumango si Chiron bago nagsalita ulit. "Zepar Lussuria's birth date."

Only a few articles and videos appeared. One video caught Gin's attention.

"Play that video."

A short clip taken 18 years ago. The mistress of Lussuria's was never pregnant. Isang 3 sec clip kung saan lumabas ang babae sa pinto ng isang mansyon upang kunin ang isang package. That same year a second Lussuria was announced born. It was Zepar.

"That's odd," Cessair commented. "No one goes in and out of that mansion. Whose child was it?"

All of them went silent but one thing's for sure. Zepar is not a noble.