Amara Rodriguez stormed the almost darkened hallway with determined strides. It was still five in the afternoon, and she knew most of the vampires were still sleeping in their coffins—uh confines of their rooms, she amended. She made her way towards the end of the hall where Philip's study was located in this mausoleum of a lair for vampires. For a rich prince, he couldn't even manage to invest in good lighting.

She briskly went inside the office without knocking or announcing herself and made herself comfortable in one of the settees in the room then took a biscuit from the plate on the coffee table. Philip, who was sitting behind his desk, lifted his head and eyed Amara. "Hello, Amara. Do sit down and make yourself comfortable. And do help yourself with the biscuits," Philip said.

"You don't even eat. Why do you even keep food here?"

"I had a premonition you would visit me today."

Amara struggled from rolling her eyes. "What, you're a vampire seer now?"

"I often practice to eat, so it'll be more comfortable for me to do so in front of humans." He leaned back on his chair. "So what brings Miss Amara here in a lair full of young vampires? Are you even sure you should be here?"

This time Amara rolled her eyes. "Oh please. I can handle your kids anytime."

"Because of your renowned slayer blood?"

"Because I'm a teacher; I deal with kids. Slayer blood only comes next."

"So what made you rush here instead of waiting for me at the faculty office?"

"I have received reports from the Division. The vampire rebels are becoming more reckless. They started attacking civilians openly," Amara replied.

"I have been informed by the Council about that. The Enforcers are already working on it. I have also dispatched my own men to secretly investigate on those occurrences."

Amara shook her head. "Not only that. They were able to get hold of a rebel; interrogated it before it burned itself to ashes. The vampire said they were enraged because the Vampire Council refused to give ration of blood supply to some smaller clans."

She observed any reaction from Philip; she noted there was none. "Is it true then? The Council has been greedy and hoarding blood?" she asked.

"I have heard of some illicit activities within the council, but I haven't gathered any evidences yet to produce a name."

"And what do you plan to do, Philip? Aren't you the leader of your clan? Shouldn't the Council be quavering at your feet for making these transgressions?"

"I am merely a proxy, Amara. A temporary leader until Magnus rises or Nicholas is ready. There are people in the council who does not agree with the visions I had for the future of all clans. They might be doing this to place the blame on me, to cause disruption under my leadership and give them reason to oust me out of the position and place Nicholas instead who they can easily manipulate. I know they plan to convince smaller clans to join their cause. Unfortunately for them, I still have powerful allies within the council, not to mention the Imperial blood within me makes me stronger than them."

"So what do you plan to do then?"

"I can't share it with you for now, Amara. Your mind is still an open book; you haven't even managed to learn how to block your mind whenever you're in front of a vampire. As we speak now, your mind is deciding whether to eat another biscuit or pour yourself some tea. That's not tea by the way. And it's not coffee, either."

Amara looked at the teapot disgustingly.

"We don't want the wrong vampire to be aware of our plans by reading your thoughts. I told you, Amara, to learn to block your mind when you started working for me."

"Hey! I'm working with you; not for you. There's a big difference," Amara said. "Some higher ups in the government have been busy these past few weeks. I heard the president is secretly funding a group—though I still don't know what that group is being paid for. It started when they were hauling documents in the archive; they were planning to get rid of them. We managed to hide most of the important documents from them. But they were able to get hold of a document written during the colonial years—something about "punishing the corrupted minds" and getting rid of the "evil works of men". The name "Lazarus" was even mentioned there. Who is Lazarus anyway?"

"Someone of great importance in our clan that remained dormant for these past millennia."

Amara regarded this piece of information before speaking further. "So that was why our spy reported a secret meeting was scheduled between the president and the Council. When will this meeting be?"

"The next weekend."

"They were equally disturbed to find out about the chosen ones: The Dayanghirang. Their arrogance will be their downfall, really. My great, great grandfathers had given them a warning about the rising of the Dayanghirang to thwart the root of evil: their greed. But did they listen? No. They just laughed at our faces." She slammed her fist on the armrest for emphasis.

Philip looked at her, his brows forming a scowl which made Amara asked, "Wait. Don't tell me you don't know about the Dayanghirang? The written chosen princesses? The blood promise and the covenant?"

When Philip maintained his scowl, Amara cheerfully said, "You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you? Imagine that. There is something I know that the great prince Philip Imperial doesn't know? Let me just enjoy this moment."

"Is there no end to your insolence, Amara?"

Amara smiled at him smugly. "The four Dayanghirang or the chosen princesses are those who led the uprising during the time the country was colonized. Heroes lead the revolution against the colonizers; the Dayanghirang lead the fight against the vampires who collaborated with the foreigners. But you already know about that for sure. What you and the rest might not know is that the Dayanghirang made a covenant to rise once more if the situation calls for it. The timing is right; the same exploitations and corruptions are happening. The government was uneasy about this—they think the Dayanghirang will punish them as well for their hand in this situation. They are right, they will be punished; great great grandfather warned them so long time ago.

"That's why they have been burning the remaining documents in the archive. They don't want the people to learn what had transpired years ago thinking it may inspire the people to revolt against them."

Philip sat in silence for a moment. Amara tried to decipher Philip's facial expression to know what the vampire might be thinking. But he was an expert in masking his emotions.

"Thank you for that information, Amara. I'll see you in the faculty office later." With that, she was brusquely dismissed.

She plumped her tight chignon before she made her way out of the office. She was half way out of the hall when two young vampires hissed at her and dared to bare their fangs at her. She raised a brow and drew her dagger halfway from its sheath threateningly. This made the vampires smiled smugly, assessed her from head to foot with an appreciative look on their faces before making a low bow. Boys. Whether vampires or humans, they were all the same.

***

The bright but chilly Saturday afternoon welcomed Lira and her friends as they made their way towards the stone benches in the park. Lira, Mari and Yumi were basking the afternoon sunshine and enjoying the relaxing view of the city's famous park. The smell of pine trees that dominated most of the trees in the park added a soothing ambience that made them momentarily forget school and upcoming exams. Although Lira excelled in most of the subjects, she had a hard time understanding Vampirism and Vampirology. Did she really need to learn about the physiology behind a vampire fang? Would learning about vampire venom's uses really help her land a job someday?

"The vampires are learning about us. Might as well learn a few things about them, you now, so they will not have the upper hand," Mari said. She had a point.

Lira sighed as she took a spoonful of her strawberry flavored taho. Strawberry, she decided, was her new favorite food. She could eat it all day and nothing else! They were in the flea market earlier to hoard some strawberries. The first time she ate a piece of strawberry during their lunch break in the mess hall, she immediately fell in love with the divine fruit. The climate in the south was not favorable to grow these heavenly fruits, so she made a mental note to bring some back home.

The flowers in the park were also blooming and bursting with wonderful colors and beauty. She stretched her hand towards a thorny bush of roses beside her and the roses swayed towards her outstretched palms as if wanting to shake hands with her. Before the sun had set, the girls went back to the Academy.

Lira recently noticed their vampire classmates have been making several appearances in the mess hall or in the great hall or in the recreation room, joining their human classmates in their conversations and whatever activities the later were doing. This made Lira groan with dread, for the Elite started hanging out in the rec room and even taking their meals in the mess hall since the night they heard the Imperials graced the students with their most august presence. So far, the Elites were well behaved.

But Lira was secretly enjoying the vampires' change of disposition. They were becoming less aloof, and—would she dare say it—acting more like humans. Evan Sevastian warmed towards her, or she liked to make herself believe. It was during one of her regular visits in the library when she took enough courage to approach Sevastian and asked, "Do you mind if I take a seat here?" Sevastian shook his head and turned his attention back on his book. Lira took it as her cue and sat down. They were silent all throughout. Lira copied two of Mari's fool-proof subtle flirty moves: sneaking covert glances at Sevastian underneath her lashes and smiling coyly when he found her glancing at him. It was nearing curfew time when she excused herself from Sevastian and telling him she will go back to her dorm. Sevastian offered to walk with her. And from then on, Sevastian started walking with Lira in the evening whenever they met in the library. Sevastian then would often disappear in the garden afterwards. On one occasion, Matt saw them together, and Lira shot him a "go away or die" look which made Matt throw her a killing look as well and stormed his way on the opposite direction. But Lira knew Matt was several feet behind, watching them to make sure Sevastian would not do anything funny. Of course Lira didn't need a baby sitter in the likeness of Matt; she was perfectly safe with Sevastian, even though he was a vampire.

They were in their Tuesday evening class and the atmosphere also changed. Before, the vampires were restricted to one corner of the room; now they were scattered and seated anywhere, mingling and associating with their human classmates—except for the three Imperials and Elisabeth, who kept each other company.

Lira wondered if Sevastian would take a seat with them if she invited him to. Oh, she wasn't that bold enough to ask him in front of all her classmates. I wonder if he'll be in the library tomorrow night, Lira mused. She was forced out of her reverie when their teacher came in and called for class to settle down.

***

Nicholas eyed Sevastian perched on the settee's armrest reading a book. He openly observed him and his queer behavior. Sevastian really was like Philip. Nicholas tried to read the letters on the cover of the book Sevastian was holding. Was it Twi—something?

As if Sevastian felt Nicholas staring at him, he averted his eyes from the book and asked, "Brother, do you think if we tried to stand under the sun too long, our skin will shine and sparkle like diamonds?"

Now where did he get that idea? "You'd be barbecued, that's what'll happen to you." Nicholas momentarily weighed his thoughts before he addressed Sevastian. "Sev, I want you to stop your excursions to the library in the evening from now on."

"And what made you think I'll listen to you, brother?"

"Because I'm older and a lot stronger than you. I'll also be your king someday."

Sevastian merely raised a brow and said, "As you wish, Your Royal Highness."

***

*taho: is a Philippine snack food made of fresh soft tofu, arnibal, and tapioca pearls (yum yum yum!)