Chapter 1 Chapter 1
NAIA, PHILIPPINES
Four foreign men stepped off the plane, drawing attention with their coats and gloves despite the midday heat. However, their attire didn't detract from their individual handsomeness.
"Whoa, man! How I missed this country. How about you guys?" one of them exclaimed, closing his eyes as he breathed in the air.
"Same here, what do you think, Fiel?" asked the blond-haired man.
Fiel's response was cut short as he collided with a woman.
"Ohh! Oh my! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to," the woman apologized, her eyes widening as she took in Fiel's blue eyes.
She gazed at the four men, each handsome in their own way, but her attention kept drifting back to Fiel. There was something about them that set them apart from the men she usually met.
"Aurora!" a familiar voice called out, breaking her trance. She felt a flush rise to her cheeks as she turned to leave.
"I have to go. I'm really sorry!" she said, bowing slightly before hurrying away. Fiel watched her go, his blond-haired friend smiling and waving in her direction.
"How have you been, my princess?" an old man's voice asked, as he enveloped Aurora in a warm hug.
"I've been good, Dad, especially now that I've seen you. I missed you so much," she replied, kissing his cheek.
The scene shifted as Aurora asked her father about his well-being and shared about her trip.
Meanwhile, the four men headed to Palawan, where the Forbidden Mansion stood.
"That woman's scent is intoxicating," Gray commented.
Gray Phantomhive was a Callicantzaroz-a new-hybrid type of vampire who couldn't walk in direct sunlight without risking his life. He was one of King Ezral's trusted warriors and guardians of the Callicantzaroz Tribe.
"I don't know," Leron and Thor replied in unison. Both were royal-blooded, descendants of Feral Vampires who didn't drink blood from human veins, but instead survived on animal blood. Thor Garnier and Leron Gauthier were Nosferatu, the lineage of Count Dracula.
"What about you, Fiel?" Gray asked, as Fiel remained silent. Fiel's mind was still occupied by the woman's face and scent.
"She's young and beautiful," he said. Fiel Lacroix, the only grandson of King Ezral, was a Vurdalak Vampire-a vigorous type. Like Leron and Thor, he was a daywalker. He was once an Asenir of Arko Agartha, a vampire council that aimed to maintain balance between mortals and vampires. Currently, he was a doctor specializing in medicine, a profession he pursued as a human.
Each of his friends had their own lives when they weren't together. "I agree with you, young and naive-with innocent souls," Leron added.
"By the way, will we really find what we're looking for here?" Gray changed the subject.
"We were sent here by Ezral, I'm sure he knows what he's doing," Fiel replied, still driving. They had a mission in the Philippines because Fiel's grandfather had tasked them with finding something. This wasn't their first time in the country, and they were fluent in the language. They'd likely stay for a while due to the mission.
The four of them had been together since the beginning, becoming close over time. They chose to live normal lives, unlike other vampires who craved blood from living mortals.
AT THE MONTEGRACIA RESIDENCE
Aurora was reading in the living room while waiting for her father to come down. Her body clock had adjusted to waking up early due to her schedule abroad. She was a famous model not only in the Philippines but also internationally. Aurora Montegracia, the only daughter of Don Rodrigo and the sole successor to his wealth.
She had everything a woman could dream of: beauty, brains, body, wealth, and fame. Despite being a famous supermodel, what was more admirable about her was her kindness. She always found time to help street children and their families.
"Good morning, hija, you're up early," her father greeted her as he came downstairs.
"Good morning, Dad. I woke up early so I could have breakfast with you," she replied, standing up to kiss his cheek. They headed to the dining area together.
"Dad, can I join you at the company, please?" she asked while eating. "I want to unwind after the pageant in America, and I'd love to spend time with you." She hadn't seen her father in months, so she wanted to be with him as much as possible, even at work. Luckily, her parents were supportive of her dreams and didn't pressure her to take over the family business.
"Are you sure? Don't you want to just rest at home?" her father asked.
"Yes, I'm sure," she replied.
"Alright, after we finish eating, we'll head out. You're already dressed," her father said, making her smile.
They spent the whole day at the company, and before heading home, they had dinner at their favorite steakhouse near their house.
Aurora was on the terrace of her room when she was suddenly awakened by noise coming from downstairs. She hadn't realized she had fallen asleep while gazing at the stars. She remembered her mother's words before she passed away: "Whenever you'll miss me, just look at the sky, I'll be staring at you from up above with God."
She snapped back to reality when she heard men's voices coming from downstairs. She felt a chill run down her spine as she realized there were intruders in their home.
"If you don't tell me where the money and jewelry are hidden, I'll kill all of you!" one of the men shouted, pointing a gun at her father. Aurora trembled with fear, not for herself, but for her father's safety and the others.
"Friend, I heard this old man has a daughter who's very beautiful," one of the intruders said, his blackened teeth visible when he smiled. Aurora felt a chill at the sight.
"Please, take all the jewelry and money you can find, just don't hurt us, especially my daughter," Aurora's father pleaded, kneeling with his hands bound.
"Didn't I tell you to only speak when asked?" one of the intruders angrily said, punching Aurora's father. Aurora saw him fall to the floor, and tears streamed down her face as she saw her father's bloody face.
She was about to retreat to get her phone to call her brother, a police officer, when she accidentally knocked over a nearby figurine. It was too late to hide as the intruders' attention was drawn to her. The leader of the group approached her, grabbed her arm, and smiled maliciously.
Aurora shuddered at his touch and struggled to break free. Her father tried to stand up, but the tattooed man kicked him. Aurora screamed in fear for their safety, unable to do anything but cry.
Her father tried to stand up again, but the man holding her pointed a gun at him. Aurora's vision darkened as she heard a gunshot. The last thing she felt was the wind on her skin and the arms that caught her.
Meanwhile, Fiel and his friends were heading back to Palawan when they heard a woman's scream coming from a house they passed. "I can smell blood," Leron said.
"I know they need help," Gray added, getting out of the car, followed by Leron and Thor. Fiel stayed in the car.
"Don't tell me you're not going to help?" Gray asked him.
"Let's not get involved in human problems. We're only-" Fiel's words were cut off as the three disappeared from his sight. He teleported into the house, seeing the old man about to be shot. They quickly turned off the main electricity switch, and Fiel grabbed the man holding a captive.
The woman lost consciousness as the man was about to shoot, and Fiel caught her in his arms. The scent and appearance of the woman were familiar – she was the woman from the airport! Fiel didn't know why his heart suddenly beat faster as he looked at the woman's face.