Glad found Marikit at a café near the boulevard, sipping what appeared to be a very expensive blood blend.
"Sit down," Marikit said without looking up. "I've been expecting you."
"You've been feeding information to a human politician. Information that could get creatures killed."
Marikit smiled. "I've been ensuring my future. Dimagiba wins, I get immunity. Simple transaction."
"At the expense of everyone else?"
"They're not my everyone. They're yours." She finally looked up, eyes cold. "You think you're special, Gladys? The famous Manananggal? The beloved internet star? You're a novelty. A pet. When humans get bored, they'll turn on you. I'm just planning for that day."
"You're wrong. Humans have accepted us."
"For now. Give it time." Marikit stood. "I've been alive 400 years. I've seen empires rise and fall. Humans are consistent: they fear what they don't understand. Eventually, that fear wins."
"Then why help Dimagiba speed it up?"
"Because I'd rather be on the winning side." She tossed money on the table. "Tell Ariel I said hello. And that I'm sorry it had to be this way."
As she walked away, Glad wanted to stop her. Confront her. Something.
But Anino pressed against her leg, a silent warning.
Not here. Not now.
Later.
That night, Glad told Ariel everything.
He listened in silence, his expression growing darker with each revelation.
"I didn't know," he said finally. "About the humans she—I knew she was ruthless, but murder? Actual murder?"
"Centuries ago. But still."
He buried his face in his hands. "I spent 80 years with her. How did I not know?"
"People hide who they are. Creatures too."
"She's my past, Glad. You're my future. Whatever happens, I'm with you."
They held each other in the darkness, Anino a warm presence between them.
Outside, the moon rose.
And somewhere in the city, Marikit prepared her next move.