HIS FRAGRANT BLOOD

AS Uhrel entered the basement, a long hallway immediately welcomed him. Lightened torches were all over the corner giving the surroundings a very relaxing feeling. As finally reached the end of the hallway, he turned and entered the large-close door. Uhrel was greeted by many guests who were busy talking while holding a glass of wine as others have a red liquid on their glasses, it was blood. He stepped in and ignored the eyes that were watching and followed his every move, even his steps. He was already used to such looks.

Uhrel approached a waiter that was carrying a tray with goblets of wine. He took one and quietly leaned against a beam in the middle. As he slowly sipped his goblet of wine, he silently roamed his eyes around. The surroundings were noisy and the dancing colorful lights were giving him a headache as it was accompanied by boisterous music that further enlivened the hall. There were some couples dancing while others were just standing and drinking while others are watching around as they sipped the red liquid from the glass they were holding.

"Uhrel!" he heard the call of a familiar voice from his back.

He turned around and his eyes hit her sister, Thana who was gracefully waking her steps close to him together with Gabriel, who as usual looked so serious. Uhrel stood up straight as he was waiting for the two to finally get closer. Thana was smiling from ear to ear while holding in her right hand the goblet of wine.

"Thana, Gabriel!" he greeted them as they finally faced each other.

Thana immediately wrapped her arms around his waist while Gabriel tapped him on the shoulder.

"I'm glad that you made it here, Uhrel," Gabriel said with a weak smile from the edge of his lips.

Uhrel looked at his brother with a shrug. He wasn't that close to Gabriel but they weren't fighting either. Thana and Gabriel had always been in between him and Zuriel.

"I had no choice even if I don't really want to," he answered without any trace of emotion in his voice.

Thana was about to speak when they suddenly heard a familiar and seemingly annoying voice from behind.

"That really hurts, brother,"

Uhrel's hands fisted while Thana's grip on his waist clinched. The hall suddenly seemed to be so small and crowded for both of them. Thana and Gabriel both turned their head back to look at the source of the voice while Uhrel quietly drained the remaining wine from the goblet that he was holding.

Moments later, Uhrel felt Zuriel's faint pat on his left shoulder. He filled him with a blank stare and prompted a waiter to ask for another glass of wine.

"Aren't you going to greet me 'happy birthday', Uhrel?" Zuriel lazily queered as his gaze focused on his younger brother.

Uhrel furrowed as his eyes narrowed and stared at his older brother. Zuriel was smiling from ear to ear like he was mocking him. The pair of white tuxedos and white slacks that he wears made Uhrel think that it doesn't fit Zuriel's personality.

"Happy birthday," he said coldly before he took his step away from Zuriel.

Thana and Gabriel were left stunned while smiling as Zuriel's eyes followed Uhrel. There was an int of hatred in Zuriel's eyes and that didn't escape Uhrel's sharp feeling even in the eyes of Thana and Gabriel.

Uhrel turned around to look for his mother. He had not seen her since she and his father had arrived. Uhrel saw familiar faces that he just nodded. He huddled with some dancing women until he saw his Mom who was sitting next to her husband, Silvano Dela Torre. Among them were two other men, Marco and Leandro. He stepped closer to them and bowed to his father so do with the two men before turning his eyes to his Mom.

"'Mom," Uhrel greeted her mother with a smile.

Isadora Dela Torre immediately stood up and hugged her youngest child happily.

"Uhrel!" she uttered and there was a trace of overjoy in her voice. "I'm so happy that you're here."

Uhrel just smiled before he gaze at his father who was seriously looking at him.

"How long are you going to run, Uhrel Alessandro Dela Torre? When do you plan to stop playing with your friends?" Silvano raised a question and there was like a piercing blade in his voice.

Uhrel's smiles were immediately erased as he stared at his father without any emotion.

"And how long are you going to force me to take on the responsibility that I don't want to take? Why don't you just leave that thing to Zuriel instead? He seems to be more interested in being-"

Uhrel stopped speaking when he suddenly felt dizzy. He rubbed his forehead and inwardly glanced at his mother whose mouth was shut tightly. He understands her. As the wife of one of the three elders, she has no right to oppose the will of her husband. His eyes flew back to his father whom his raging red eyes were piercing him while Marco and Leandro watched silently,

Uhrel's face darkened and his jaw tightened. His ash-gray eyes turned red as his hands clenched. Uhrel's long nail sank into his palm and the fresh blood dripped down to the floor. He heard the simultaneous breathing of those who were standing around him as they smelled his fragrant blood. It seemed to have a strange aroma and the smell filled the air.

What he just didn’t expect was Zuriel’s sudden attack on him. He just felt a fast and strong force approaching him so before it hit his body, he immediately avoids it. It's a good thing that he has strong senses.

"Zuriel!" their mother shouted in horror.

Zuriel was standing in front of Uhrel while he was looking at him furiously. His eyes were so red that they seemed to glow with anger.

"How dare you insult our father right in front of the elders?!" Zuriel screamed angrily. "You and good-for-nothing pride, Uhrel. Why, who are you? You're just a vocalist of a cheap band. And will your fans still be happy when they find out what and who you really are and who you are with?" Zuriel added.

Uhrel's face darkened as he stared back at his older brother seriously.

"Stay out of my fucking business, Zuriel or you'll be sorry!" Uhrel threatened and in the blink of an eye, he disappeared in front of everyone. He had no time to argue with Zuriel. It ain't worth it.

Zuriel was left furious while all the guests were stunned. Silvano let out a deep sigh and shrugged his shoulders off. Uhrel's stubbornness is giving him a big headache, for goddam sake! He no longer knew how he could enforce him without having to resort to violence.

It always ends up in violence whenever he tries to talk to Uhrel and he was already worried for him and about what might happen if he will still not be able to convince him.