There was indeed an attack within the academy. Since majority of the remaining students and faculties were in the Great Hall, it was easy for their attackers to corner everyone. Fortunately Francis was able to alarm the Enforcers, and with the help of the slayers, they were able to ward off the attackers. Her friends Yumi, Mari and Ian all of a sudden became warrior and amazons, helping out in the fight. As a result, Nurse Jane became very busy patching up everyone.

Lira went to Ms. Amara's office and explained to the headmistress and Prince Philip what had happened inside the woods. Ms. Amara gave a nod of approval, saying it was a good sign she could control her abilities now. Philip also explained what Nicholas had learned from Alexander. He also said it was time for his brothers to be aware about the Covenant and the Dayanghirang.

As per Philip, Nicholas was able to delve inside the mind of Alexander during his captivity. He now knew the names of their enemies.

After her meeting, Lira met with her friends in the rec room. Each one of them was eyeing the other, as if waiting for someone to open a certain topic they wanted to discuss at the same time wanted to avoid.

"Okay, what is it?" Lira asked when she couldn't take it any longer.

"What happened to you last night?" Yumi asked.

Lira explained the events with her friends, but excluding her major freaking out mode with the thunder and lightning.

"So what happened here last night?" Lira asked.

"Lira you should have seen me!" Yumi exclaimed. "I was like super-duper cool and all!"

They all recounted the stories, but like her, she felt as if each one where hiding a secret.

It was nearing dawn when the girls decided to retire in their rooms. Lira sat on her bed and drew her knees near her chest. Memories of Dalisay resurfaced that night in the woods. The Diwata was guiding her. No, not guiding her. The Diwata was not a separate entity –she was the Diwata. Dalisay was Lira and Lira was Dalisay. They were one. They shared the same memories; shared the same feelings. When she thought Nicholas died, she felt Dalisay's anguish as well.

And now that her memories have been unearthed in the depth of her subconscious mind, the Covenant was now very clear to her. She knew of her purpose –the reason why the Dayanghirang was formed in the past, made the Blood Compact and the Covenant. Her role in this play was very much clear to her.

She thought of ways on how to explain this to Nicholas. How would Nicholas take it if she told him it was her duty and oath to kill Lazarus, his father? Or maybe Nicholas would not care since Lazarus was pure evil and Nick was not. Maybe it would not matter to him since he didn't know Lazarus was his father until a few months ago. Now that the Diwata was fully awaked meant that Lazarus was about to rise as well.

***

Lira insisted to see Nicholas that afternoon. When she woke up later that day, she swiftly took a bath, got dressed and stormed towards the vampires' home. She banged at the door several times before Sevastian opened it and admitted her in. Although the sun was still high, most of the vampires were wide awake inside the darkened mansion. Sevastian explained that vampires need only to sleep three or four hours or none at all. And here she thought vampires were asleep all throughout the day. She made her way to Nicholas' room with Sevastian beside her.

Nicholas was lying on the bed being forced fed by Elisabeth, a glass with red liquid inside was on the female vampire's hand. Nicholas stubbornly turned his head to the side, avoiding the glass. His bothers, Prince Philip and Stephan were standing beside the bed. All the curtains were drawn down, not permitting even the tiniest ray of sun inside the room.

Lira walked towards Nicholas' bed. "Oh don't be such a wuss," she said. "Drink that yummy red thingy and be a good boy."

Nicholas glowered; nevertheless, he took the drink, causing Lisa to smile and his brothers to hide their snickers unsuccessfully as Nicholas dutifully gobbled the entire drink.

"Happy?" he snapped.

Lira smiled. "I am."

He gave Lira another glower. "You're hopeless, you know that?"

"I know," she agreed.

"You're hopelessly stupid."

"We already agreed on that one before."

"Since when did you start agreeing with every word I say?" he said. "I thought we agreed to disagree long time ago."

"I'm just glad to see you... undead," she explained with a small smile.

Nicholas motioned for Lira to step closer. "What happened there, in the woods? I thought I was hallucinating with a near-death experience back there. Did lighting really kill Alexander?"

Lira glanced at Philip. Philip gave a nod. The silent communication was not lost to Nicholas' attention. "I'm waiting, Lira," he said sounding impatient.

"Well, if you're well by tomorrow evening and if you'll remain a good boy for the entire duration of your confinement in bed, I will explain it to you then," Lira said.

"Fine," Nicholas grumbled, causing Lira to chuckle at Nicholas' accepting defeat easily.

She approached the bed and sat beside Nicholas. Philip and the rest hastily left the room. Lira had the feeling Nick issued a command through his mind, making her roll her eyes and Nick asking, "What?"

"So... I heard you took a boar's blood for dinner a month ago," Lira started.

Nick gave her a shrug. "Yeah I did. And I'm not doing it again for you. Didn't like the taste of it."

"Yeah, well, nothing could equal my blood once you got a taste of it," she joked.

"Are you actually implying I could have another drink of your blood?" he asked sounding too hopeful.

"Not if I can help it," she answered truthfully. "The thing is, Nick, I'm glad you did that for me –trying to suppress your nature. And I'm not asking you to do it again. You're a vampire, I get that. You needed blood to survive. I will not try to change who you are. But what I'm trying to say is you don't have to be like Lazarus to keep the essence of a vampire." She grasped his hand and gave it a slight squeeze. "You're a vampire, and in reality, I should be frightened. But I'm not; not anymore. I'm starting to believe that vampires and humans can live together in this world. Frankly, this whole society needs a total reboot. And I trust Prince Philip and Ms. Amara will know what to do, and we will be there with them to help."

Nicholas held Lira's hand and brought it to his lips. "I know. And I will not do anything to hurt you."

"And if ever you'll do anything funny, you can count on me to give you a swift kick in your –uh... hmm –behind."

"Why can't you just say the word as–?"

"Because I can't!" she said cutting him off, making him chuckle.

Nicholas' face suddenly turned serious. "So... about that promise you made in the woods."

"What promise? I don't recall any promises I made."

"Yes you did. You made it when you thought I was dying."

Lira's brows furrowed as she tried to recall what she had said that time, until she found her answer, which made her cheeks flushed pink. "Why do you still need to hear it? You already know that I do. And it wasn't a promise. It was more of a threat."

"Oh come on now. I am well and alive. I want to hear you say it. Why are you embarrassed to say it anyway?"

"I am not embarrassed. I'm just not used to saying it," she admitted. Nicholas merely raised a brow, clearly not accepting her reasons. "Oh alright! Fine." She took a deep breath. "Nicholas, I love you. Satisfied?"

Nicholas gave her a very wide smile. "Very much."

"Now it's your turn. I want to hear you say it, too."

"Words are not important, Lira. I believe that action speaks louder than words."

"Why you...!" Lira tugged her hand out of his grip, but he wouldn't let go. "You're still the same conniving, arrogant vampire prince!"

"But you love me anyway," he answered her smugly.

"Yeah well, what can I do? You seduced me into loving you."

"I think it was my charms and good looks that made you fall for me."

"Jerk! Is there no end to your arrogance?" Nicholas answered her with a shrug. "I better go," she said a moment later.

"Stay for a while. Please."

The corner of her lips curled. It wasn't often that the prince of the vampires said the word 'please'. "Since you asked really nicely, I guess I can stay. For a while."

They remained silent afterwards. Nicholas still held her hand. His thumb was rubbing the back of her hand, his eyes closed and he wore a ghost of a smile on his face. Lira was glad she and Nicholas had already fixed their misunderstanding. Of course, she would have to argue her point that he shouldn't have believed those photos in the first place. But that would be for another day once Nicholas was all better. Her brows formed a scowl when she remembered Matt's involvement in her previous problem. Although Alexander had used him to place her in a difficult situation, still Matt shouldn't have gone kissing her. She wasn't ready to face him yet.

Lira openly observed Nicholas. Most of his wounds were already healed, she noticed. And by tomorrow, she surmised he would be in good condition to receive her confession.

"I really have to go now," she finally said.

Nicholas opened his eyes. "Do you have to?"

Lira nodded. "Yes. I need to speak with Ms. Amara about something."

"Well, if you really have to go... then how about a goodbye kiss?"

Lira rolled her eyes. She inched her face closer to his, intending to kiss his cheek, but Nicholas pulled her arm causing her to be caught unaware while Nicholas took the opportunity and kissed her on the lips. She could feel a smile that curled on Nicholas' lips while he kissed her with that same fervent passion that also burned deep in their hearts. Both Lira and Nicholas knew it was love.

When they broke their kiss, Nicholas caressed her cheek. "I told you action speaks louder than words."