Chapter 16

(Ingram)

MY WHOLE body trembled when I saw the photo that was sent to me using Erasmus’ number. Erasmus was in that photo. He was bleeding severely while lying on the ground. I’m not even sure if he was still alive.

Not long after, my phone vibrated again. I received another text message from his number with an address where I could find Erasmus. This was a trap, and they used my mentor as a bait. Whoever was holding his phone was clearly after me.

I sat on the bed. It was still dawn when Erasmus left saying that there was somewhere important he needed to go. Even if I was used to him leaving anytime he wanted to, I felt strange this time, so I tried to stop him. But he insisted on going. Kiara was constantly with Erasmus but that time, he left her in the mansion. If only I didn’t promise to meet Brianna’s mother this afternoon, I would have followed him.

I stared at the bathroom door. Brianna was currently taking a bath. I could tell just how much she was anticipating for this day so she could see her mother again. I took a deep breath before I stood up, pulled my jacket off the chair, and stepped out the master bedroom. I headed towards Kiara’s room.

I had to knock several times before she opened the door.

“I haven’t slept yet, Ingram. I copied what Erasmus did and chatted with someone, but nothing really happened. We talked about many things until we ended up discussing Vampires. He kept insisting that Vampires sparkle!” she said furiously. “So if there’s anything you need, just tell me later. I’m not in a good mood today.”

In another circumstance, I would have been amused. But I couldn’t even fake a smile now. “Erasmus is in danger.”

Her eyes went round.

“Hell, I don't know if he’s still alive. But I’ll go to him. Can you take care of Brianna on behalf of me? As much as possible, keep your eyes on her at all times. And don’t tell her about what happened to Erasmus. She’ll freak out. Make an excuse if you have to. I expect you to manage things here while I’m away.” I held her shoulders. “I trust you. Don’t fail me. If something happens, call me right away.”

I turned my back towards Kiara and headed for the front door. I was about to leave when she spoke.

“When will you come back? What if something happens to you, too? What if Sullivan’s the one behind this? What if it’s just a trap? Nothing is impossible with the Primus’ son. He must have located you and Brianna. If this is a trap, then you must not go. This could be the end of you.”

“The moment I received the text message, I already knew it’s Sullivan. He wants me to come out.” My jaw clenched. “We didn’t violate any law from the Black Veil that’s why there is no way that the Council Knights were behind this. But because Sullivan is the Primus’ son, he’s confident that he could break the rules. I will come back, Kiara. I’ll do whatever it takes to come back,” I said while remembering my girlfriend’s face. “I just couldn’t leave Erasmus by himself. You should know that, too. True friends will never let their friends down. I don’t care if it’s a trap. My friend there needs me—”

“I understand. But Brianna needs you, too.”

“I know.” When I turned to Kiara, I saw fear crossed her eyes. “Brianna is a good woman. I’ll leave not only because Erasmus is my friend but because I know that if ever she finds out about this, she would want me to do the same thing.” I added before finally heading out.

I went to my car and drove as fast as I could with Brianna’s love as my keepsake and as my strongest weapon, too.

“ERASMUS!” I screamed when I saw my mentor lying in the middle of the woods somewhere in Bulacan. I gritted my teeth. Whoever did this deliberately had him exposed under the sun to make his marks disappear. And they planned to do it to me as well.

Damn it! I ran towards Erasmus. I was only a few steps away from him when the ground shook and the Vampires suddenly appeared from beneath. I knew them. I was right. Sullivan really was the person behind this. These were the same Knights who blocked my way back in Calhoun.

“Where is Sullivan? Show him to me!” I said furiously. “If he’s man enough, then tell him to face me all by himself!” I felt someone stabbed me from behind. I recoiled in pain.

“He’s a Prince and the Primus’ son, fledgling. Show some respect!”

I laughed bitterly. “You call that pig a Prince? Then shame on you, buddy,” I said before turning towards the attacker. I pulled out my dagger and stabbed it in his neck. Because he didn’t expect me to retaliate so soon, he was hit. He fell on the ground. I picked up his sword and grimaced. My back hurts with every move I make. Now that I’m exposed to the sun, my wounds take longer time to heal. Still, I quickly used the sword to slash his chest. He was no longer breathing when I turned away from him.

Erasmus, Kiara, and I have never killed any Vampire for the past few centuries, except for the time that I was with Brianna and I needed to keep her safe. Even if we refused to join any Clan, we respected the Black Veil—the laws created by the Council that that Clan complied with. The biggest rule was that Vampires must not reveal themselves to human society. Because once humans find out about us, we’d be endangered.

The moment the humans found enough evidence that Vampires were real, they would hunt us. They already knew about our sun weakness from the rumors that started when a Vampire was executed by humans a long time ago.

The second rule was to value human lives. We can only feed a little from them. The third was that Vampires should remain loyal to each other at all times. The fourth rule was to avoid using weapons that could hurt Vampires. That was the reason why Erasmus, Kiara, and I didn’t have any weapon. But it didn’t mean we didn’t know how to fight. We trained the past years.

Vampires ought to have one goal. But just like what was happening in the human government, there were many corrupt Vampires who abused their position. And Sullivan was the best example. As much as possible, I didn’t want to hurt anyone. But I need to fight for myself, for Erasmus, for Kiara, and most of all, for Brianna.

More Vampires jumped off from the trees. I must really be one heck of a special being for Sullivan to order so many Knights just to kill me. I smirked to hide the fear and self-pity that I suddenly felt knowing that Kiara could be right. I might not be able to return anymore.

I gripped the sword in both hands with my elbows bent. My blade was turned sideways. I gave a powerful outward swing in a horizontal slashing move. It disemboweled the soft region of the abdomen of my opponent. I gave an overhead cut to the next attacker. I displaced their blows with counterstrikes and stifle their attacks. I matched their speed and thrust and cut at the same time. In just a few minutes, I was able to slay some of them.

And when I had the chance, I jumped and stepped on their heads. Some followed and we fought in the air. Each time I’d get to make a Vampire fall, my confidence would soar that I almost forgotten I was outnumbered until they caught me before I could attack again.

The next thing I knew, myriad of swords came flying towards me.