It was a cool Saturday morning when Lira dragged a flabbergasted Ian out of the mess hall and in to the garden, a piece of toast still clasped between his lips.

"Ian, I need to ask two favors from you," she said.

Ian raised his brows. "Okay, tell me."

"I need you to teach me how to use my—uh—abilities."

"I can do that. What's the other favor?"

"I will tell you the other one after you taught me how to use my powers," she answered.

Ian eyed her suspiciously. "I have a bad feeling about this."

"Ian, it's me," she said, pointing a finger at her chest for emphasis, "the sensible one, remember? I will not do anything reckless without justifiable cause."

Ian crossed his arms, still looking doubtful.

"You said you will help me muster my powers. You even said you'd protect me. Were those merely empty promises?" she said. After she had finished reading her mother's journal last night, she still hadn't found any clues as to why the prince had ordered to kill her. So she planned to ask the prince himself. That's why she needed to know how to use some of her hidden abilities—to protect herself if ever her plan would fail.

Ian looked torn and helpless. "Of course what I said was true! I intended to do that. You're my lady Diwata—I am your servant—"

Lira shook her head to cut him off. "No Ian, you are not my servant—you are my very best friend, my loyal comrade, faithful to the three hoodlum sisters," she added the last one with a smile, thinking of Yumi and Mari. "I asked this of you as a friend. Please help me."

Ian sighed with resignation. "Alright, I will teach you. Just promise me don't do anything stupid; at least don't do it alone if you can't help it."

Lira smiled. "I won't. Promise."

Ian began teaching her the basics. He told her how to channel her thoughts and energy to her surroundings. The plants, he said, could also hear, feel and understand like other living things. She merely needed to voice her thoughts and the plants would help her. If she became stronger, she could even command the nature itself: she could call for the rain, the thunderstorm, the wind—abilities the Diwata inherited from her goddess mother. She could also heal the wounded by channeling her energy to the wounded. However, as what Ian explained, by doing so would weaken her as her energy would also deplete.

After a few attempts, Lira was able to ask the sunflower to bend. After several more, she could now whisper a command to the trees and vines and all the flowering plants around her. She even became aware of the plants' feelings as well—she could feel if a plant was thirsty for water or if it seeks the sun's ray. She gave peals of laughter and fell on her knees, fervently thanking Ian and the plants around her. The sunflowers, roses and the rest of the flowers swayed; equally glad they were able to help her.

"So what is the other favor?" Ian asked.

Lira gave her friend a determined look. "Ian, you're my dearest friend and I'll understand if you will refuse this—I won't hold it against you. I need to visit my mother's killer. Will you go with me to the vampire lair and see Prince Philip Imperial?"

Ian looked uncertain as he stood outside the magnanimous mansion later that evening with Lira on his side looking firmly resolved with her upcoming task. "Lira, I'm not so sure about this, but what the heck, we're here now. I can protect you more in my elf form."

Lira shook her head. "We don't want to alarm the rest of the vampires. If they'll see you in your full awesomeness elven warrior physique with your cute pointy ears, they might think you pose a threat."

"Ha-ha," he said sarcastically, referring to Lira's description of his elven form. "You're as bad as Yumi when describing people."

"What can I say? Yumi's personality is contagious," she said shrugging her shoulders. "If something did happen, then you can change."

They ascended the steps and moved past the massive double doors. They made their way to the great hall and climbed on one of the twin stairs. They halted for a moment; the hall in the second floor was full of vampires. They eyed the two—some gave them suspicious looks, while others looked at them with amused expressions clearly appreciating the two's bravery or foolishness for prancing around a vampire lair.

Lira had no way of masking her scent. But she knew Nicholas had made a command no vampire from the academy could harm her. "I could build a barrier around us, Lira. Though, it'll be flimsy in my human form."

"You can do that?" she asked.

"I've been playing around some dark arts—but do not tell that to anyone, most especially your aunt."

They made their way into the hall. She remembered where Philip's study was when she passed by it when Nicholas showed her the library. They now stood in front of the door to prince's study.

"Should we knock and announce ourselves?" Ian asked.

"Nah. They could probably scent our presence already. Besides we will look more intimidatingly cool if we just barge in."

"You're hopeless like Mari," he said underneath his breath, referring to Mari's escapades she most often dragged Ian into.

"Okay Ian, brace yourself." Lira pushed open the wide door and the room revealed Prince Philip sitting behind his desk, with three additional audiences surrounding him. Sevastian gave them a questioning look. Stephan looked at them highly impressed with their antics. Nicholas was wearing his usual scowl. Philip and Sevastian stood, obviously having enough manners to stand when a lady was in presence.

"This is a surprise. How can we be of assistance to you, my lady?" Philip said. The word 'my lady' raised questioning brows directed at Philip.

"I need to speak with you," she said addressing Philip, and then directed her gaze towards the three other occupants in the room, "alone."

Philip gave his brothers a nod. They stood and moved past the door except for Nicholas, who stopped in front of Lira. Lira looked at him and jerked her head towards the exit. Nicholas' jaw clenched with Lira's impertinent action; nevertheless, he followed his brothers. Lira was oblivious with the knowing smile Philip had when he witnessed her silent battle with Nicholas.

"Please have a seat," he said gesturing his hand over the couches in his study.

"I'd prefer to stand, thank you," she said.

"Very well," he said, taking a sit, "What is it you wanted to talk about?"

"I want to talk about how you killed my mother and why."

Philip looked weary and sighed. "Are you sure you want your friend Mr. Pascual to hear our conversation?" he asked glancing over Ian.

"He stays," she said firmly.

"Okay then. Where do you want me to start?"

"Why did you have my mother and father assassinated?"

"I was angry with your mother. We had planned to meet and... eloped. I was but an hour early in arriving to our meeting place. But then I was held captive for a moment by some slayers but I managed to elude them. I came back to see if your mother was still there, fearing that she might be in danger, but she wasn't in sight. She never arrived. I checked her house to see if she was there—she wasn't. I began to worry and searched for her frantically. A few days later, I heard she married another man. I was angry and hurt. I was willing to forsake my family and throw away my crown to have a normal and simple life with her. But she just couldn't let go of her status. She was young, when I met your mother. She was kind and gentle, but she lived a life of luxury. I guess, unlike me, she wasn't ready to leave her lifestyle behind."

"You know nothing about my mother," she spat. "So don't talk about her as if she was a spoiled little princess." She narrowed her gaze at him. "Why did you order my mother to be killed?"

"There was an attempted assassination towards me and my brothers. My father and his Enforcers were able to vanquish the slayers who made an attempt with our life. He then told me that your father was a slayer and he was the one who ordered to kill us. One of his spies reported that Cassandra conspired with the slayers. Her father, one of the leaders of the slayers, plotted a murder against me and Cassandra lured me to my impending death when she suggested meeting with me in our secret place. I was beyond mad—I was furious! She used my feelings for her in their plot to obliterate the Imperial clan. I was the head of the Royal Enforcers then; I carried my father's command and made the order to kill your family and the slayers involved in the conspiracy." He looked down on his desk, his fist clenched. "I later realized my father duped me. There was no plot for murder against us; there was no conspiracy. My father used my anger and hatred to manipulate me in carrying out his dirty task. I was too late when I found it out. Until now, I can never forgive myself."

"And now you're sorry? Your misunderstanding, your misconception had caused my mother's life!" She eyed Philip, who was still staring down on his desk. "My mother loved you. She was not the vapid socialite you thought she was. She protected you, kept you alive from your monstrous father. She was there in your meeting place only to find your father instead. You could confirm it with Miss Amara. Your father made a bargain with her: to stay away from you so you could live. And she chose to live a life without you, even though it pained her, so you could live. She knew of her duty as well, that was why she married my father. My father knew my mother loved you, but he never said anything against my mother. He protected her instead."

Philip looked stunned on his chair. Lira smirked and asked, "Do you know who I am, sir? Do you know my name?"

Philip gave her a confused look. "Why, you're Lira Santos."

"We both know Santos isn't my real last name. It's Castillo. My name is Lirabelle ALEXANDRA Castillo. My mother married another man and had his child but still named me after you. On her dying breath, she still loved you!"

Philip slowly stood and stared at Lira as if seeing Cassandra in Lira's blazing eyes. Ian handed the leather bound journal to Lira, and with a flick of her wrist, she sent the journal hurling towards Philip to which he expertly caught with one hand. "I'd advise you, sir, to read the rest of her journal so you will know how she deeply loved you, though undeserving you are of her devotion." She moved towards the exit but halted and looked over her shoulder. "By the way, I have decided to accept my role as one of the Dayanghirang. My mother kept me alive so I could fulfill my duty. I will not fail her."

Lira and Ian went out of the room, leaving Philip to drown in his own guilt and sorrow. At the end of the hallway, they saw Nicholas leaning back on the wall, waiting for them to finish their meeting with Philip.

"A word with you, Lira," he demanded, and upon seeing Lira's scowl, he added, "Please."

"Okay. Go on," she said.

"What the hell are you doing here? And you even brought this puny boy to what? You expect him to protect you from the vampires in this room?" he said, assessing Ian's tall and lanky form.

Ian was seething with anger, sizing up Nicholas through his glare. Nicholas made her elven warrior mad. Great.

Lira placed a hand over Ian's arm, silently telling him no to do anything drastic. In a calm voice Lira said, "You can't just block our way and start insulting my friend, Nicholas."

"Fine," he grated. He faced Ian. "My apologies," he said underneath his breath, looking as if saying it pained him so.

Ian gloated over Nicholas' poor attempt at humility.

"Ian, is it okay if you'll wait for me outside? I just need to teach this vampire brute some manners. Five minutes."

"Okay. If there's anything, just yell. I'll knock his fangs out," Ian said then strode. Nicholas snorted.

The minute Ian was out of sight, Nicholas berated, "What has gotten into you lately? This is the second time you acted rashly. First was your failed attempt in rescuing your friend in the woods; then this unannounced appearance in a lair full of forty hungry vampires. What next? You're going to storm your way in a den full of werewolves?"

"Werewolves are real?"

"My point is, if you had wanted an audience with Philip, you could have just informed me and I could've arranged it for you."

"You don't just grant favors, Nicholas," she pointed out. "You said so yourself. I don't want to make another bargain with the devil."

Nicholas stabbed his fingers into his hair, looking exasperated. "What did you talk about with my brother?"

"None of your business."

"What is it really you're doing, Lira?"

"Ask your brother, then, if you really want to know."

"Your disposition towards me hasn't changed at all, has it Lira?" he asked softly, taking a step forward towards her.

Lira sensed the sudden changed in Nicholas' mood. A while ago, he was furious with her, then he became exasperated. And now, with the dark gleam in his smoldering gray eyes, he looked predatory. She took a step back as Nicholas took a step forward. "Yes. I still despise you."

He took another step, causing Lira to step back farther, her back meeting cold concrete behind her. "I can change it—your disposition. I can make you like me again," he said.

"With your compulsion voo-doo hypnosis?" she asked sounding disgusted.

"Oh no, I don't need to use compulsion," he said confidently with a smug smile. "I have other skills I could use—more effective than compulsion." He took another step, trapping Lira. He raised his arms and placed his palms on the wall, completely trapping her between his arms.

"You're so sure of yourself," she said, her mind sending off alarms.

Nicholas inched his face forward. "Not so brave are we now, my sweet? I can hear your heart pounding like a drum. It exhilarates me—music to my ears."

Lira tried to shove Nicholas in the chest, but he didn't budge an inch. Nicholas moved his face closer to Lira's ear and whispered, "You want to know what my other skills are? You might like them."

Lira forced her heart beat to steady. When Nicholas went all out predatory on her, she seemed to be always falling to his charms. And he wasn't even using the freaking compulsion! He even made her feel butterflies in her stomach. He could transform his villainy arrogant character into something charming and... and... Oh! Why was she starting to fall? She hated those evil domineering vampires that go let-me-suck-your-blood-blah-blah-blah she encountered in her books. She even hated the ones in real life! But with Nicholas it was bewitching. She knew he was all evil and power, but Nicholas was making her feel she held a soft spot in his heart; that he was willing to bend his evil ways to make her happy. Altogether, it made Nicholas captivating; like he was a Rubik's cube she wanted to fix, a challenge—she wanted to see if she could dissolve the wickedness and turn it into something good and kind.

Lira felt her throat and mouth gone dry, and the room suddenly went warm. So she licked her lips with her tongue. Nicholas smirked and thought her gesture was an invitation for he closed the gap between their faces and brushed his cold lips against Lira's warm one. Lira sucked in her breath as Nicholas started to move his lips softly, pressing it against hers, urging her—seducing her even—to participate. Lira's resolved broke. As she let out a sigh, her lips started to move on its own accord, matching Nicholas', giving in to her weakness.