by Marian Tee
“Miranda, stop.” But she could only back away more and more as the other girl moved towards her without stopping.
“Don’t do this---” But even as she tried to reason with Miranda, Zari’s mind was already considering the alternative. Of fighting for her life. The girl was smaller, but there was no telling how strong she was. What if she lost? The thought had her speaking again, loudly, hopefully enough for Alexandru to hear her.
If he had cared to pick up the phone.
Right now, she wasn’t even sure if he was willing to do that for her.
“Killing isn’t right, Miranda.”
But the girl didn’t answer. She only continued to walk towards Zari and look at her with impassioned and calculating eyes, as if she was already trying to figure out how to hide Zari’s corpse when it was all over.
The thought had her babbling. “This isn’t like you. This isn’t you.”
But Miranda still didn’t answer.
Turning desperate, Zari blurted out, “Do you really think this is what your Master wants from you?”
Something in the other girl’s eyes flickered, something that seemed the only remnant of humanity left in Miranda. It wasn’t much, but Zari clung to it, the only piece of hope that she could use to believe that she would get out of this alive.
“I’m not talking about his parents. I’m talking about the baron – because I know about him. I’ve r-read about him. He seems like a good man, someone w-who would really appreciate---”
Zari lost her footing and fell on her back. When she opened her eyes, she almost screamed, because Miranda was right in her face. A moment later, and the girl’s hands were around Zari’s neck, and slowly, Miranda started to squeeze. Hard.
Her vision started to blur. She tried to push Miranda away, but the other girl was too strong.
“Miranda.” She looked at the other girl desperately. “Think…”
“You have to die.” Calm. Cold. Every emotion suppressed. “I’m sorry. It’s nothing personal.”
Zari still tried to struggle. “Please.”
“I need to do this---”
“Miranda.” She fought for breath even as the world became blurrier with each second. “Baron. You really think…he will be…happy…you became like this…for him?”
Miranda didn’t speak.
But slowly, her fingers answered for her, easing around Zari’s neck. She choked and coughed, gasping for breath, unable to believe that she had managed to get through the other girl. When she opened her eyes, Miranda was crying.
“Miranda---”
The other girl shook her head. “Run.”
It was the last word Miranda said before her face morphed into a demon, the parasite on her soul completely taking over.
Zari scrambled to her feet and ran. Her feet padded hard and loud against the road, but no matter how fast she tried to run, it seemed like she couldn’t get away fast enough, the sound of her attacker’s furious and hungry snarls always sounding like it was just an inch away from her.
As she veered towards the boardwalk, heart thumping hard against her chest, Zari couldn’t help but look back---
It was her biggest mistake, the action slowing her down. It was all the demon-possessed girl needed, and Zari screamed as Miranda’s arms wrapped around her, chaining Zari to her just before she tossed Zari and herself into the water.
It was her vision all over again.
Zari kicked and shoved, trying desperately to get away from Miranda. But still the girl clung to her, the demon making Miranda’s lips stretch into a ghastly grin even as Miranda’s own body was dying with Zari’s.
She held her breath as long as she could underwater, but she could feel herself weakening, the constant struggle to break free causing her to consume even more oxygen under water.
Each second made her dizzier, and her lungs felt like they were about to burst into fire any second. Was this really how she was going to die?
Above her, a streak of white flashed, something – someone – diving in and causing the water to ripple.
It was Katarina.
The vampire swam towards them, a knife in her hands. Miranda’s eyes, made red by possession, widened at the sight of it.
Katarina reached them and Miranda fought wildly even as she kept Zari to her, never letting go.
The presence of Zari in the arms of the possessed made it difficult for Katarina to attack, the female vampire fearful of accidentally hurting Zari. But even so, she didn’t stop going into the offensive and finally, when Miranda started to weaken, her own lungs failing her, Katarina dove forward, and this time she managed to slice the girl’s arm, drawing blood.
Behind her, Zari felt Miranda stiffen as the girl’s blood slowly turned the water around them into pink.
And then she heard Miranda whisper.
Please don’t tell my Master.
The arms around her fell away.
When Zari flipped around, she saw Miranda’s mouth parting open. Katarina’s wound had allowed the girl to reclaim her body from the demon, and this time Miranda had decided to keep permanent ownership the only way she knew possible.
In death.
****
It hurt Zari’s pride to let the female vampire swim her back to the surface, and it hurt even more that Katarina had to carry her up because she no longer had any strength left. Even when she was lying on the boardwalk, right next to the still-unconscious man that the demon had chosen to be Miranda’s next victim, she still couldn’t stop choking. Couldn’t stop crying.
“Doctor?”
Still on her knees, her body shaking because of the fight, Katarina turned to the girl.
“Miranda asked…” Zari swallowed. “She asked me not to tell her Master.”
Slowly, Katarina nodded.
“She loved him…” Zari whispered. “---very much, you see.”
Katarina said quietly, “I promise. I will keep her secret.”
“T-thank you.” Zari closed her eyes. “H-how did you find me?”
“I knew enough about the case and your abilities to figure out that your vision may have made you decide to hunt down the killer yourself.” A pause. “Alexandru’s been trying to talk to you through your bond, but I told him you’re too weak.”
Unlike her, Zari thought dully.
Zari heard Katarina get up. Forcing her eyes to open, she saw the female vampire walking away. When Katarina came back, what she held in her hand made Zari’s lips part in a silent gasp. How did Katarina know?
Katarina’s eyes were on her as she spoke. “Alexandru?”
There was a moment of silence before Alexandru spoke. “Is my pet okay?”
“Yes. She is.”
Another pause. “Good. I’d like the chance to kill her when I reach her.”
“I don’t think I’ll bother to tell her that.”
A chuckle, one that made Zari’s heart break.
And then Alexandru asked, quietly, so quietly, Zari almost couldn’t make the words out. “Why are you there, Kat?”
Looking at Zari, Katarina said, “Because I want to be with you.”
Chapter Eight
He had chased her to the ends of the earth, and finally they met again.
“Alexandru.”
It made him furious that she sounded so surprised. “You really think my love can be killed just like that, Kat?” He gripped her arm, hauling her close to him. “If you disappear, I’ll just hunt you down. If you marry another man, I’ll just kill him. That’s how much I love you.”
“But I’m not your heartkeeper,” Katarina said brokenly.
“It doesn’t matter,” he hissed. “Do you understand me? It will never matter. I don’t give a fuck if you’re not my heartkeeper. It’s MY heart. MY heart. Do you understand? It’s MY heart, and I decide who keeps it for me.”
“I cannot be with you. My honor will not allow me.”
Alexandru looked sick at her words. “You will truly choose honor over me?”
“Don’t look at it like that,” she pleaded.
“Sometimes, I wonder if you truly love me.” Alexandru’s voice was bitter. “I’ve turned my back on my inheritance for you. I’ve chosen to give up ever having a soul for you. But still you choose not to be with me.” He shook his head. “What more, Kat? What more do I have to do to make you choose me?”
Somewhere deep inside her, Katarina knew he was right. She loved him, but she loved her honor equally. Perhaps, like he said, she loved it even more. The right thing would be to finish everything between them now, once and for all, but she couldn’t do it. She wanted it all. She wanted her honor and she wanted Alexandru to keep loving her.
“I will always love you, Alexandru. Even if you find your heartkeeper, even if you allow your heart to be snatched by another woman, I will always love you.” She said the words, knowing that Alexandru’s own honor would make him believe she said them to free him. But that had always been his flaw. He had always thought she was someone good, but she was not.
She looked at his eyes and knew that he believed every word, knew that Alexandru didn’t suspect the truth. She said the words to bind him to her forever. To prove to those who were against them that no matter what happened, this hunter would be hers. Forever.
When the enforcers officially declared the murder case solved, Zari was startled to feel someone squeezing her hand.
It was Rhapsody.
She asked immediately, “Are you okay?” It was not like her new friend to display any kind of emotion.
Rhapsody slowly released her hand. “Thank you for clearing my name.” She added solemnly, “My Master and I have also thought of a way to return your kindness.” Her voice lowered. “If you ever wish to leave and be alone, he can have it arranged, even just for a while, and there is nothing – not even your Master or the headmaster – can do about it.”
As they joined the queue of people filing out to leave the courtroom, Rhapsody stressed, “Anytime, Lady Zari. You just have to say the word.” They stepped out of the room. “I must go now. I still have to write to my Master about what happened today.”
And then Rhapsody was gone before Zari could even say goodbye.
Suddenly, the hairs on her nape started to prickle.
She whirled around.
There, standing out in the crowd of students, was Alexandru. Her Master. Even though it had only been days since she had last seen him, last night’s events had made it feel like an eternity. Had he always this been gorgeous, she wondered painfully. It was weird, but somehow it felt like he became more and more irresistibly beautiful in her eyes each day.
She started to call out for him, but then she heard another voice calling his name. Her head whipped around. It was Katarina, hurrying towards Alexandru.
When Alexandru saw the light in his pet’s eyes fade, he started for her immediately. Dimly, he heard Katarina – his Katarina – calling his name at the same time. Everything in him wanted to answer her. It had been so long since he had heard her voice, so long since he had last seen her. Touched her.
But right now, he knew that it would be the gravest sin to do so.
Right now, he had to focus on his pet.
Zari was already walking away, but he caught up to her easily, spinning her around to face him. The pain in her gray eyes made Alexandru flinch. There were just so many times he had hurt her. He had promised to cherish her, to protect her. And he had meant it. So why did he keep hurting her in the end?
“Zari…” He found himself strangely lost for words. His feelings no longer made sense. All he knew was that he just wanted his pet to stop hurting.
She wanted to answer, but again she saw her. She said tonelessly, “Someone wants to talk to you, Master.”
Alexandru refused to turn around. “I’m here to talk to you.”
Behind him, Katarina said his name again, making him freeze. The Katarina he knew was not like this, drawing attention to herself – to themselves. She had been the opposite in the past, doing her utmost best to hide the fact that they were together.
So what made her change now?
“Alexandru---”
“Not now, Katarina.” His gaze never wavered from his pet as he said the words.
“I understand.” Her voice shook, making Alexandru’s conscience sting with guilt. He hadn’t meant to sound so dismissive, hadn’t meant to hurt Katarina.
“I will wait for you to speak with me. I want you to know I understand your responsibilities to your pet. And I would never want you to abandon her.”
Alexandru heard Katarina inhale, as if trying to manage the pain without giving up. “But I also want you to know that I’m here to stay. That I came back to fight for you.”
****
Her Master had been talking all this time. Nothing in his demeanor showed that he minded how she hadn’t said a single word since they had left the courtroom together. He told her how worried he was, let her know that he had flown as fast as he could from the mainland to get to her. He talked and she listened, and if he asked a question, all she could do was nod or shake her head.
It was not revenge.
It really was all she could do so as not to break down.
Inside his rooms, Zari remained silent as she watched her Master draw a bath for her and didn’t murmur a single protest when he took her hand and slowly undressed her.
His arms were strong and gentle as he carried her to the tub, and then he sat on the edge before slowly soaping her body.
Realization dawned, and she found herself looking at him. He was pampering her. Why? Was it because she was his pet? Or was it because he felt guilty?
Suddenly, she remembered the words he had told her.
I won’t let you go unless you ask.
Zari looked at him.
Alexandru froze when he saw his pet’s eyes. One look, and he knew exactly what she was thinking. One look, and his heart felt so damn raw and exposed. When she started to speak, he knew he couldn’t let her.
He just…couldn’t.
“Master---”
Alexandru shook his head.
Don’t ask it.
Her body jerked at the words.
Her Master’s face was pale, but his voice inside her mind was fierce and tight.
Don’t ask it.
I beg of you, pet.
Don’t ask it.
One, two, three teardrops started to fall. And soon it was countless, tears raining down her cheeks. You’re so unfair, Master.
His heart bled at the sight, but still he couldn’t find it in him to take the words back. When he reached for her, she closed her eyes, laying her cheek against his palm. A sign of trust, one that had his heart bleeding even more.
Alexandru knew there were so many things they had to talk about. But in the end, all he could say hoarsely was, “I’m sorry, pet.”
“I’m sorry, too, Master.” A tear-clogged whisper, one that revealed just how vulnerable she was feeling, and it was all his fault.
He said fiercely, “My loyalty is to you, pet.”
“I know, Master.” And she did. But that had never been the problem, Zari thought. What she wanted was her Master’s heart, but what she wanted, he had already given to another woman.
~ END OF PART II ~
Part Three
Prologue
Dear Miss Baltimore,
Thank you for your interest in Academie Nu Exista (ANEX).
For your reference, we would like to share with you the highlights of what would be your curriculum and the type of student life you would enjoy if you were to decide on pursuing a mid-year transfer to our school.
Personal adviser
Every student of ANEX is provided a personal adviser, who they are to meet once a week on a one-on-one basis. The school uses an extensive and thorough selection process to determine the ideal match. Generally speaking, however, we aim to provide students with personal advisers who are most skilled in nurturing their diverse talents and he
lping them harness their skills to reach their full potential.
Bespoke curriculum
Individuality is a characteristic we appreciate here in ANEX. As such, we make sure that courses are tailor-made to fit the needs of the student and/or the requirements of the student’s sponsor.
Student life
ANEX prides itself in providing the most luxurious accommodations for its students. To ensure students’ privacy, residential quarters are strictly awarded at a one-person-per-room basis. However, each dormitory is equipped with common areas to encourage a healthy social life. Recreational facilities in each dormitory include an infinity pool, a fitness center, a 50-seater cinema with its own popcorn and soda dispenser, a game area, and its own private ballroom for functions organized by any of the dormitory’s residents.
Self-governing and non-hierarchical
Last but not the least, ANEX is a self-governing unit as prescribed in Statute 341. As such, pre-existing non-filial relationships founded on legal agreements are temporarily put on hold once a student is enrolled in our school. This is to promote free thinking among our students and ensure that their learning and growth is not hampered by any concerns from their outside life.
We hope that this brief summary of what we offer meets your approval. If you are interested, guided tours for admission candidates are also offered on an appointment basis.
Be guided by your blood,
Academie Nu Exista
~~~~
Dear Lady Zari,
I trust this letter finds you well. On behalf of my pet, I would again like to express my sincerest thanks for your assistance in clearing her of all charges.
ANEX has already received my recommendation for your transfer and they only await your decision. Please note, however, that you are in no way obliged to take any action. I only wish you to take comfort from the fact that you are not without options.