Finding My Overlord

I've done it.

Really, really done it now.

I stared at the long raven hair lying on the cold bathroom tiles, gripping the silver scissor in my hand.

I looked up to the mirror to see the final result of my first act of defiance. My long hair was now a mess of very short wolf-cut.

It stood out against my white porcelain skin that never suffered the scorch of the sun. With a tall aristocratic nose, deep-seated green eyes, and thin red lips, I could definitely pass as a boy.

But...could I ever pass as a vampire?

I doubt so. My heart was beating like crazy and a vampire could tell from a mile away that I was made of human flesh and blood.

I scrutinized my reflection, looking closely whether something about my face would give away that I was a girl.

My uncle had once told me, albeit bitterly, that I looked more like my European father than my Japenese mother. Uncle Jiro must have been disappointed that I didn't carry the facial features of the Hatanaka clan.

Even though I was a carbon copy of a man I have never met, I definitely did not inherit his height. I was pitifully below average.

"No, remember Kana, even the guards said you look more handsome rather than pretty." I convinced myself. "Yes, you got this."

Having been homeschooled for 16 years, I have no idea what other people my age should look like. To be on the safer side, I tried my best to style it along with the Mitsuki brother's haircut. Luca Mitsuki even said he wished I was a boy so he could invite me out to play in the city. He even joked that I might even be able to entice a hoard of succubus by just appearing in a bar.

But, I had a feeling that even if I was indeed a boy, my uncle would still not allow me to step foot out of the family compound.

Maybe it had something to do with the soul mark on my chest, right above my heart. A birthmark that caused my mother to commit suicide. A mark that kept me from venturing to the outside world.

If I was born normal, I might have been able to go wherever I want.

How nice would that be?

On a winter night, I'd once asked my uncle why I wasn't allowed to go to school just like Luca and his brother.

"You and the Mitsuki brothers may be on the same aristocratic level but your roles in the family are world's apart," Uncle Jiro replied without looking at me as he focused on reading the documents on his study table. "The Darklings would be overjoyed, not in a goodway mind you, once they realize that the Hatanaka heiress is out in the open. So, you'd better stop wishing to be like the Mitsuki brothers if you want to stay alive."

Darklings. The name of all the supernatural creatures like the vampires, witches and werewolves who had appeared and co-existed with human civilization for a century now. And they were the very reason why my uncle taught me how to wield a katana and learn all about the weak spots of the Darklings—to protect myself.

Whatever it was the Darklings wanted from me, I knew my soul mark had everything to do with them.

Thinking of my uncle's adamant persistence that I must stay within the family walls and the fact that I was about to do the opposite, my heart ached and my stomach coiled with anxiety.

"I'm sorry," I whispered to the air, "I must do this."

I shut my eyes, breathing in and out. Once I opened them, the same determination in my uncle's eyes stared back at me.

A buzz sizzled in my left ear and a panic-stricken voice came out.

"Oh shit! Shit! Fuck!" Luca started. "Kana! You'd better get out of your family's compound right this instant! Your uncle's returning from the airport within 15 minutes. And the Head Security is running towards your room! They must have realized that the security cameras had been stationary for the past 10 minutes."

"What? I thought you said you've hacked into the cameras?" I asked, stiffening like a rock as fear clutched my heart. I rushed out of my bathroom and hurriedly locked the door to my bedroom before grabbing my backpack.

Uncle was supposed to be on the plane by this time for a business trip, but Luca and I had underestimated the security that my family had spent millions of dollars for my safety. And for keeping me locked within the perimeter.

"I told you there will be some mishaps! I'm not as good as my brother when it comes to these things!"

I knew I should have asked Daichi rather than Luca. But Luca was the only one I got in contact with from the business party last month. I shook my head knowing I shouldn't blame this on him.

But, I have to at least get out of this place first.

"There is a secret passage located in the main library. I think you know what I'm referring to."

I nodded. "Yes, I've seen it once but my uncle had it closed and I'm not sure where it leads to."

"I got a blueprint of your house so it's not a problem." Luca said. "The end tunnel leads to the back of the mountains and falls right into a river, but it's barricaded and has ten thousand volts of power. Damn! That could kill a giant right there. A human would definitely be fried to death."

"Can you shut it down?"

"I can, but it takes time."

I rushed to the window and pushed it open. This one was facing the abandoned garden that my mother used to love, but my uncle didn't really like it and barred anyone from entering.

"How long?" I asked as I jumped over the windowsill.

"The shortest will be twenty minutes."

A hasty knock rang from my door. "Young lady? Are you in there? Can you come out for a second? Your Uncle needs to see you as soon as possible."

My uncle hasn't even arrived. I may be obedient but I was not stupid enough to fall for their words.

"Start breaking it down," I told Luca.

I inhaled deeply before jumping and clutching onto the eaves with practiced ease. I pulled myself up onto the roof and quietly made my way towards the main library, which was on the second floor on the west wing.

The sun had set minutes ago and twilight made the clouds look like fiery cotton candy as night stretched its way into the sky. I had to crawl my way on the edges, avoiding being seen by the guards below who were running like crazy looking for me. But once I heard the shout saying, "She's on the roof!" I bolted straight to the library area and jumped without second thoughts down onto the balcony of the library.

However, it was locked from the inside.

I bowed towards the door and said my apologies before continuously kicking it open until it broke.

Once I entered, I ran through the glass shelves that towered over me, halting as soon as I saw the family heirloom sitting within the center of the room. It was supposed to be a sword held by my ancestors who had served a Vampire Lord thousands of years ago, but now only the hilt was left behind. As ugly as it looked, I couldn't break my eyes away from it and something about it made me reluctant to leave it behind. I had to take it with me.

So, I did.

But once I shattered its glass casing, a blaring sound of alarm echoed around me and the windows started shutting down with metal barricades.

Now, I've done it.

I sped my way through the very end of the library and found the wooden wall that could be opened by pulling onto one of the books.

"I'm here, Luca."

"You don't need to tell me. The screaming alarm is enough to let me know." He sighed helplessly. "You can open it now, I stopped the metal door from closing."

"Thanks," I murmured before opening the secret door. I looked behind me, imprinting the view of the library where I've practically lived. And the ancient books that had been my only comfort and companions. "Goodbye. I'll see you again. I promise."

Once I was in, the metal door heavily closed with a thud and complete darkness enveloped me.