By evening, Marikit was gone.
Her hotel room was empty, her belongings vanished, her phone disconnected. The only sign she'd ever been there was a single note on the pillow:
"You win this round, little Manananggal. But the game isn't over. See you soon."
Glad read it three times.
"She's threatening you," Ariel said, anger in his voice.
"She's warning me. There's a difference."
"Same result. You're in danger."
"I've been in danger for 173 years. This isn't new."
But even as she said it, she felt a chill.
Marikit wasn't finished. Notes like that didn't come from someone who was done.
That night, the council met in emergency session.
"Marikit has vanished," Luningning reported. "Probably left the country. We have contacts in other supernatural communities—if she surfaces, we'll know."
"And Dimagiba?" Glad asked.
"His bill is dead. His career might be too. The evidence you released destroyed his credibility. He's holding a press conference tomorrow to 'reevaluate his position.' Translation: he's saving what's left of his career."
"Good."
"But there's something else." Luningning hesitated. "The Department is investigating how their files were leaked. They're not happy."
"They should be happy we stopped Dimagiba from releasing them."
"Technically, you stole confidential information and released a redacted version publicly. That's still a crime, Glad."
Glad stared at her. "I'm going to be arrested?"
"Probably not. You're too popular. But the Department will want to talk to you. Formally."
Wonderful.
As if she didn't have enough problems.
Later, flying over Dumaguete with Anino, Glad tried to process everything.
Marikit was gone but threatening return. The Department wanted to question her. Dimagiba was wounded but not dead. And somewhere out there, other threats were probably gathering.
"Anino," she said, "am in over my head?"
Anino purred.
"That's not helpful."
He purred louder.
"I know. I have you. And Ariel. And the whole community." She sighed. "But still. A murderer is out there, and she wants revenge."
Anino's eyes gleamed in the moonlight.
Let her come, they seemed to say.
We'll be ready.