For the next couple of days and nights the weight on Evonne’s shoulders lifted. She played off Gabriel’s final admission of his past without much concern, but his words left her speechless on the subject. What could she say to him? And here she had complained about the stupidest of things when her life before and now could never compare to what he went through. Without even asking, she could read between the lines of his story, and this left her feeling guilty for pressing him for answers. The next night he was back in the workshop, toiling away on some project. Evonne decided to keep her distance and chose to remain in her room during the day. She could feel the ice forming between them. And this time she had no way of breaking through.
     Already finished with her sorting of the study’s books, Evonne restlessness and curiosity sent her to the kitchen. Not quiet as large as the kitchen in Eden, it was fairly large compared to the average home, nearer to the size of a living room. Her curiosity wasn’t to investigate more of the house, but rather to satisfy her curious thought about eating human food.
     Searching around, Evonne came across a package of bread in the pantry. She grabbed a slice and readied to eat. She stopped. She wasn’t sure what might happen if she tried eat it. Eating human food was never explained to her. But what harm could it do? It was simple, harmless bread.
     She remembered the taste, but as she took the first bite, it was like eating foam or some type of fragile sponge. Its taste was bland and carried no life. As she chewed the bread, it sat in her mouth like a mashed paste. She forced herself to swallow. Nothing happened. Evonne took another bite and ate faster this time. Still, nothing happened. As she placed the last piece to her mouth, she stopped. Her stomach turned.
     Evonne ran to the sink and began to throw up. The bread, mixed with blood, looked like chewed up tomato dumplings. She turned on the water and rinsed out the sink and her mouth. Her stomach lurched again as her body fought to rid itself completely of the strange substance.
     Spitting out the last bits of vomit, she groggily answered her own question.
     “Well that settles that.”
     She cleaned out the sink once more and threw the remaining bread into the trashcan. As she started to leave the kitchen, she was greeted by David. He stopped upon seeing her.
     “I want to apologize for the other night,” he hurriedly said.
     Evonne walked past him, making sure her voice shown her displeasure in seeing him. “Goodnight, David.”
     The human followed her to the stairs. “I’m being sincere,” he pleaded. “I’m really sorry about what happened.” All the way up the stairs and to her room, he continued to apologize.
     Evonne tried to close the door to her bedroom but found David stopping her.
     “You’re not suppose to be up here,” she reminded him.
     “I want to earn your trust. Please, will you let me do that?”
     David was ripped from her doorway as a hand grabbed the back of his shirt. Evonne stepped from the room and saw Gabriel forcing the human down the hall and to the stairs. She followed them. At the foot of the stairs, Gabriel gave a hefty shove, sending David stumbling. The human remained on his feet.
     “You know the rules,” Gabriel fumed.
     “I just want to speak with her,” he said, straightening his shirt. “Where’s the harm in that?”
     “Has she not made herself clear? She doesn’t want to speak with you.” He took a step closer to the human. “If you come upstairs one more time, then you will no longer be welcome in my house.”
     “This isn’t your house,” David muttered.
     Before the words could even register in Evonne’s ears, Gabriel was on the human, his hand at the boy’s throat, pushing him into the wall. The bandages at the boy’s neck tore loose under the force of the attack. Gabriel sneered at the human, his fangs threatening and daring for him to utter another irritating word.
     “David!” Philip called out.
     Gabriel released the boy.
     “What did you do?” the grandfather asked as he crossed the room. “Did you not listen to a word I said?”
     “I was only expressing my apologies,” David explained, inching away from the vampire. “I’ve done nothing wrong.”
     “He went upstairs,” Gabriel corrected, “and would not leave her alone. If I hear that he’s up there again, I want him out of this house.”
     Philip nodded. “I understand.”
     Dumfounded, David looked at his grandfather. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. His grandfather was obeying this thing.
     Philip grabbed his grandson’s arm and led him away, scolding him with a sea of colorful words.
     Gabriel headed up the stairs and stopped at Evonne. “If he does anything that you question, then come to me first. Sadly, killing him isn’t an option.” He continued up the stairs where Demetrius now stood, watching the whole scene without being noticed.
     “Shall I speak with the boy,” he offered.
     Passing him, Gabriel answered, “I’m not sure how much of an affect that will have.”
     Demetrius held back his enjoyment at all of this. “You’d be surprised.”
     Darting after Gabriel, Evonne caught up to him. She hadn’t had the chance to gloat over her finished project.
     “I finished organizing the study,” she said, trying to ignore the tension from earlier, “and I was wanting to get your opinion on it.”
     Humoring her, he followed Evonne to the study. In his eyes, the room looked the same as before. But Evonne was quick to point out the differences.
     “I alphabetized them by title with the ‘A’s starting here and ending with ‘Z’ over there,” she said, pointing at the cases in a clockwise motion. She seemed pleased with herself.
     Gabriel glanced around at her apparent hard work. “Usually it’s done by the author’s name.”
     Evonne’s delight shattered under the rock of his statement. “Really?”
     “But this is fine,” he assured her with sincerity. “I remember the titles more than the author’s anyway.”
     Her spirits seemed to lift. “I also made a list of all the books.” She went over to the desk and removed the small stack of papers. “All this room needs now is one of those index card-holder-thingies.”
     “I think I have one in the attic,” he admitted. “I’m not sure. You might be able to find one up there.”
     She placed the papers back in the drawer. “The attic can wait. I feel like taking a break anyway.”
     “Good,” he said, turning from the room. “You can help me in the shop.”

Evonne wasn’t sure what she got herself into. Outside, in what she called the barn, looked different from the last time she saw it. Where he had been cleaning before, the place was once again cluttered.
     Gabriel gave her the brief ten cent tour, more or less a crash course on how everything worked. From the different type of tools, all of which he made, to the importance of keeping the firepot at the right temperature, and even the differences between charcoal and coal. Evonne managed to get the strangest look from him when she suggested the use of charcoal briquettes, the kind used in barbeque grills, as a cheaper source of fuel.
     “I’m working with iron, not grilling hamburgers,” he replied. He then went into a brief explanation on how each fuel in a forge will affect the iron, even the different techniques in working the metal.
     Evonne was amazed at all the work that went into the simplest of tools around the shop. Everything had it own unique purpose here, even the pile of scrap metal. Nothing was wasted. As she marveled at the extent of it all, she realized one important fact. She wanted to know about his human life, to find something to connect with, and as she sat there, watching him work in a leather apron and all, she caught glimpses of that old life—a life he never ended.
     Throughout the majority of the night, Evonne found herself helping less as she saw herself as a means to keep him company. And perhaps that was the only reason he asked her out there. She didn’t mind. She actually enjoyed watching him in his element. It relaxed her more than any silly books or junk could.
     “Is it always just you in here?” she asked.
     He stopped hammering to answer. “Keelan usually helps me. But I’m not working on anything large right now.”
     Evonne went to ask another question but stopped. She heard the footstep of people approaching. The footsteps were too heavy to be Demetrius or Philip, and the strides too quick. Gabriel heard them approaching as well, but continued hammering without worry. He already knew who approached.
     Keeping an eye on the shop’s open door, Evonne saw three men enter, each dressed in nice, yet casual clothes. Age wasn’t a sign of rank within these men as the second oldest, and apparent leader, addressed Gabriel.
     “This unexpected visit of yours is actually a blessing in disguise,” he began. “We need your services once more. But this will be no idle patrol to frighten the young ones. You will have to get your hands dirty this time.”
     “Lukas Grayson,” Gabriel said, looking at Evonne, “incase you were wondering.”
     Evonne looked at the man who finally noticed her. He turned on the charm as he extended his hand.
     “And you are?”
     “No one,” Gabriel intervened. “State your business.”
     Brushing off the vampire’s rudeness, Lukas continued speaking. “I’m afraid this venture is out of the way for you, but the current situation requires immediate attention. We would handle it ourselves but we do not wish to chose sides. The last thing the territories need is an all out battle. If you play the cards right, then all that is required will be the mentioning of your name. I informed Roland of your arrival and he is eager to meet with you. On your own terms, of course.”
     Thinking over the request, Gabriel already knew his answer; however, he decided to throw his weight around in his favor. “The price will be triple,” he said.
     Lukas’ face flustered. “And your reason?”
     “I only work for you in the spring, regardless of unannounced visits. And this trip will take me away from the very reason I came here. And finally, I liked your father better.”
     Taking in his words, Lukas laughed them off. “All right. Triple. I’ll send further details your way.” He turned and nodded at Evonne. “It was a pleasure not to formal meet you. Perhaps I shall later.” Giving another polite nod, he left with the other men.
     Gabriel continued working.
     In Evonne’s mind, she registered the men as mere humans, even though she knew the truth.
     “Was that the Alpha you told me about?” she wondered.
     “Lukas Grayson, son of Jered Grayson. Alpha’s are usually chosen by strength and skill. He chose himself. Ever since he took control, the peace between the territories has slowly eroded away. Personally, I don’t want to be here when the war breaks out.”
     “When?”
     “It’s been brewing for years. Lukas’ Beta should be the Alpha. But he bowed his head when Lukas claimed the title. To become an Alpha unchallenged is to be an Alpha unproven.”
     Evonne slouched in her seat. “So this means you’re leaving.”
     “Demetrius will watch over you,” he reminded.
     Slouching even further in her seat, she dropped her head into her hand. It was as she feared. Alone with Demetrius. Oh, what fun that will be.