Chapter 21

Sweating, a burning sensation, chest pain, feeling that danger is nearby, a racing heart, and feeling an intense need to escape. All of those are the initial reaction of an urion's body everytime an outcross is nearby. But there was an oddity of what I felt with the guy. Parang may isang pisi ng tali na nagdudugtong saamin. The other side of my conciousness was telling me not to harm him.

The red haired guy, who was seemingly aware that we can sense his blood and his identity graciously made his way towards us. Parang walang kapintasan ang itsura, kilos at pananamit nito. A modern vampire I supposed. Nakangisi itong humarap saakin na tila ako talaga ang pakay niya. His dark eyes flickered and his charcoal eyelashes fluttered.

"I'm Roen Maroon." Lumuwag ang ngisi nito sabay abot sa kanang palad para makipag-kamay.

How could he intentionally gesture for a handshake if he really is aware of him being an outcross and me being a crowned urion? 

All dark demons like the outcross knew that the last thing an urion and their like would wish to do is to touch an opposite force in public.

Tumitig ako sa kamay ng lalaki. They were long manly fingers with a ring on each of them. "Do you really want to create chaos in this peaceful place? Is this a form of mockery?"

Kelvin and Rumina were ready to crush the guy into bits but I signaled my hand to stop them. It would be an offensive record against the LOU code. This outcross doesn't have any codes to follow kaya masyado silang kampante kahit na sa public place sila. They're ruthless and arrogant and deadly.

Nakatawa ito nang bawiin ang mga kamay. His side glances were lethal. He was fully aware that he's dealing with four urions. He blew an amount of air to get rid of the crimson hair that landed on his eyebrows. "I just need Kiera Roberts here, or should I call you Kiera Renee Saldevar?"

Natigilan ako sa pangalang binanggit ng lalaki. He knew my true name, my full name before the adoption. Napalunok ako. Takang sinalubong nina Rumina, Kelvin at Ara ang mga mata ko. "W-who are you?"

"Kiera, this guy is j-"

"Shut all the shits Ara Tala." Itinapat ng lalaki ang index at middle finger nito sa bibig ni Ara kaya hindi na natapos ng huli ang sasabihin. Mukhang kontrolado nito ang usapan. "I seriously need Kiera. Renee. Saldevar. Obviously, I know her more than you really do. All of you."

"Kiera, this hobo is fooling us all! Hindi ka namin p-"

"I am no hobo dude. Malayong mas malaki ang bahay ko kaysa sa bahay mo. You are a tech savvy guy Kelvin Sefino but you missed to do your research on a certain Roen Maroon. So cut the crap because Kiera is coming with me." The red haired jerk confidently recited. With the demeanor the guy has presented, he seemed to have controlled the conversation.

I was curious about what Roen has to tell. Obviously, he knows a lot about me. Walang nakakaalam ng tunay kong pangalan maliban kay Dr. Roberts. I wasn't even sure if Friedan knew my former name. Muli akong napalunok bago nagsalita, "I will go with him."

"Oh god! No Kiera!" Rumina tries to stop me with her hysterical voice. Napahawak pa ito sa magkabilang sintido to show her agitation. Her gaze were like fire -burning my skin on a third degree.

Binalewala ko ang mga mapang-usig na tingin ng tatlo. I stared at the smiling guy infront of me. Nakahilig na ang ulo nito as he waited for an answer. "I can take care of myself. S-sasama ako sa kanya."

The red haired guy gathered his hands as he resoundingly rejoiced for his win. Mukhang wala namang nagawa pa sina Ara, Rumina at Kelvin nang kunin ko ang bag ko at humakbang palapit sa lalaki na nagsimula nang naglakad palabas sa library. I even heard Ara calling my name as I took my steps towards the exit.

Tahimik na naglakad sa pasilyo ang lalaking outcross. Pinagtitinginan ito ng mga estudyante lalo na ng mga kababaihan. There is no denying that this guy is good looking and can steal anyone's attention without creating hamoc. His looks, his wardrobe and his presence is magnet --it attracts anyone's curious eyes closer.

Sa parking lot ako dinala ng lalaki. Tumigil ito sa isang pulang Bugatti Veyron. He watched me walked closer to the red auto. "Get in."

"What?"

He rolled his eyes like he ran out of patience. Good looking guys are really not so patient. Most of them hates waiting. "Hindi ka lang nerd, bingi ka din pala. I said hop in!"

"No, I mean why would I need to be in that car? We're here. So just tell me what's up?" Iritable kong sagot. I blinked under the thick glasses that hides my identity.

He smirked then gently shook his head. His charming look got serious. He's more intimidating now. "Would you really compromise the vital information I am carrying because of either your being stubborn or suspicious? Now get in and I promise not to harm you. You have my word."

His dark eyes were intense like he's swearing with his whole life at stake. I felt like I have seen those pair of eyes.

"You can't harm me." That was a statement expressing certainty. Kung talagang nasa panganib ako with this red haired guy around, Zilla should have appeared.

"I know. You are a Saldevar and a Russo for demon's sake. Now, sasakay ka na ba o hihintayin mo pang pagbuksan kita ng pinto like most weak girls would prefer? And hell, chivalry is dead."

Awtomatiko kong nabuksan ang pintuan ng pulang sasakyan nito. Not because he was jeering me again but because I heard my mom's maiden name. No one knows those last names except my parents. Naupo ako sa passenger seat at hinintay na makasakay ang lalaki. Hinawi pa nito ang laylayan ng trench coat bago naupo sa driver's seat. His movements were flawless. I wonder if all outcross are like him.

Nang makaupo ito ay mabilis niyang binuhay ang makina ng sasakyan pero hindi niya pinaandar ang kotse. I guess he would just tell everything inside the car. He sighed and leaned against the seat of his car. "So, you just turned eighteen."

Ofcourse he knew about that too. What else this guy doesn't know? "Can you cut to the chase Roen? What do you want?"

"What do I want from you or what do you need from me?" He uttered with sarcasm.

Hindi ako umimik. Hinintay kong muli itong magsalita.

"I was sent here to watch after you. Part of the mission is to know who the subject is. You." He said in a bored one. "I have done my research."

I laughed on the other side of my face. Ofcourse he's here for me. Another outcross that came to Diamond Hill University because I friggin celebrated my birthday and the lunar eclipse just happened to bring them all together. "I am not shocked. No. Not at all because these past few days, people have been gathering around me. Ano ako? Manok na hinihintay mangitlog ng diamonds kaya nagkainteres ang mga urions at outcross na paligiran ako?"

"You have to take this seriously Kiera. There is no joking around here!" Napahampas ito sa hawak na manibela ng sasakyan. He clicked his tongue as if controlling his sudden change of mood.

Humarap ako dito. Nagulat naman ito nang halos ilang pulgada na lang ang pagitan namin. "Who sent you here?" Nanlilisik na mga mata kong tanong sa kanya. "And why am I supposed to trust you? You're an outcross!"

"I should have killed you the moment your back landed on my car seat Kiera. That's one proof I am harmless. I came here for a mission. So let me do my job and don't make it hard for me."

"You're mission is to protect me? Wow! How heroic! Mukha akong damsel in distress! I am not a princess longing for a knight!"

"My mission is to keep you alive before the next solar eclipse. You're right, you don't look like a princess." He sarcastically uttered. Bumuntong hininga ito ng ilang beses.

Halos magsalubong ang kilay sa narinig ko mula sa kanya. Anong kinalaman ng solar eclipse sa mission nito? Malamang ay may alam ito sa tunay kong katauhan. He knew my last name was Saldevar and my mom's maiden name was Russo. So maybe this guy is a carrying a big fish in his net but for sure, he won't tell any clue. "Are you going to tell me what will happen on the solar eclipse?"

"No. No one knows what will happen yet. So I can't tell. Even the person who sent me here cannot tell yet what lies beyond the solar eclipse." He said seriously without glancing on me. This guy seemed to be very serious with his mission.

I can't get anything from him. I maybe collecting my wits while seated beside this guy but it looked like I was collecting dusts from this conversation.

"Are we done?" Pagtatapos ko sa usapan nang maramdaman kong wala naman akong mapapala sa lalaki. He just told me he's around to be my watchdog. Nothing else. So why would I even spend a minute with a drone?

"We're good. Expect more of me lurking around." He warned then sheepishly smiled. He looked more charming when he smiles.

Wala na akong sinayang na oras pa. Mabilis akong bumaba sa kotse at walang paalam na iniwan ang lalaki. Lagpas alas nueve na rin kaya malamang ay lukot na lukot na ang mukha ni Ms. Pilorin pati na rin sina Phelan at Senina dahil wala pa ako sa rehearsal. Kailangan ko nang magmadali.

Hindi ko na naramdamang nakasunod pa si Roen nang mabilis kong takbuhin ang music hall ng university. Naririnig ko na ang boses ng kunakantang sina Senina at Phelan habang patakbo kong tinungo ang backdoor. Right before I was able to reach the door, I saw three urions before me. Nakatayo nag mga ito sa tabi ng rails ng back patio ng music hall. Hindi lang sila mga pangkariniwang urion kundi mga pillars: the 8th, 9th and 10th pillars --Procyon, Achernar, Betelgeuse.

What is going on at biglang umuulan ng urions at outcross sa university?

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