Demetrius sat beside Evonne, the large bowl on the floor collecting the blood that left her wrist. As the blood stopped flowing, he used his mouth to pull out as much as he could, spitting it into the bowl. The foul taste within her was beginning to diminish, but it continued its hold over her. This was the fourth time he drained her body, and it was their second night in the house. Her recovery was going painfully slow.
     The house’s back door squeaked open and closed. Gabriel’s errands for the night were finished as he entered the house and stood in the doorway to the master bedroom. He watched Demetrius finish with Evonne as he picked up the bowl and headed into the bathroom.
     Gabriel followed him. “I buried Jack and the woman in the woods,” he said.
     Demetrius finished rinsing out the bowl and looked at him in the large mirror. Their appearances shown the effects of their attempt to restore Evonne. Their bodies were weakening faster than he expected.
     “How many horses are left?” Demetrius asked, setting the bowl on the lavatory.
     “One.”
     Demetrius’ eyes moved away from the mirror, disgusted at his appearance. “We keep weakening ourselves with animal blood. The process has slowed because of it.” He turned to face Gabriel, adding, “We need humans.”
     “Can she move on her own?”
     “Her body is too weak. She’s not even aware at this moment. The part that was her has been slumber ever since she was drugged.”
     Demetrius went to leave the bathroom. As he passed Gabriel, he felt a hand grab his arm.
     “We can’t go after humans,” he said. The plea sounded more like an order.
     Tension began to show on Demetrius as he studied Gabriel a moment longer. Time was not on his side. The choice to stay here benefited himself more than Evonne. He was being selfish.
     Demetrius yielded. “Then we’ll do this your way. Get the dog.”
     Gabriel left the room, a part of him glad that they would be leaving this night. Even though he knew Saros could have her cured within a day, he sensed the fear this change of plan caused in Demetrius. The hatred he carried for this lady went deeper than his outward disgust. Out of the Original Six, she was the one he loathed the most.
     Demetrius sat on the bed. His eyes settled on the lifeless body of Evonne. If he only had more time he could have her restored on his own. He felt useless. All of his knowledge and experience meant nothing in this moment. Even his natural gift had left him with his strength. In talking with Gabriel, he could sense no direct thought from him. Everything was closed off. And his next action would weaken him further.
     Placing his wrist to his mouth, he bit down, the taste of his own blood stirring the beast that was his hunger. It’d been centuries since he had felt this hungry. Suppressing the deadly beast, he opened Evonne’s mouth with his other hand and held his wrist to her, the blood spilling past her lips. Evonne’s body responded with a jolt as her hands grabbed onto his arm, her teeth ripping him open further. Though her body seemed awake, he knew her conscious mind still slept. Demetrius hid the pain her feeding caused. His weakened body begged for the abuse to stop. He pulled his arm away. Evonne tried to follow.
     Demetrius left the bed and urged her to do the same, then guided her from the bedroom. As they entered the living room where Gabriel awaited with the dog, Evonne’s sluggish body perked up as she centered on the heat coming from the frightened animal. The sensation was like the prickling rays of the sun but not as irritating.
     The dog lowered his head and growled. The warning had no affect on creature staring at him. Gabriel let go of the collar as Evonne slunk to her hands and knees. Nothing else in the house, except the dog, interested her. The other two beings in the room were nothing more than cold, moving objects that bleed on occasion, and their blood was of no real importance to her. It was the heat from this animal she wished to immerse herself in.
     With quick hands, Evonne grabbed the thick fur around the dog’s neck and pinned him to the floor. Her other hand held down his muzzle as she positioned her body over him, her weight keeping the animal from struggling free. The hand, holding the neck, tore at the mass of fur, clearing and searching for skin. Evonne lowered her head, her face feeling lost among the fur. She bit deep and tore her way into his neck. Her plan was to cause as much damage as possible, to release the blood in a surge of heat. The dog cried out and thrashed underneath her. Evonne remained unmoved.
     Demetrius and Gabriel waited.
     “Bring the Jeep around front,” Demetrius finally said.
     Without questioning, Gabriel headed for the back door and to where the Jeep was hidden.
     Powerless, Demetrius scolded himself. You haven’t the strength to even help a fledgling. You are nothing without a haven to command. He winced at his own thoughts. He did what he could in the most deplorable of situations. It was an admirable fight, but it was a battle he had to forfeit—his pride for the life of Evonne. No amount of pride was worth the life of another.
     Demetrius kneeled beside Evonne. The dog was dead but that didn’t stop her from feeding. She even used her hands to tear into its neck, searching for the blood that escaped her. Demetrius placed a hand to her arm and gently pulled her away. She stood without a fight. He guided her to the kitchen where he began to rinse her hands under the faucet. Wetting a dish towel, he then wiped her face clean. As she stood before him, body shuddering and eyes listless, the true part that was Evonne continued to rest. She was like a ghoul.
     Demetrius led her out of the house to where the Jeep waited. The scent of the cleaning products was strong where Gabriel struggled to remove Jack’s blood the night before. The job was successful, but the sharp chemical smell remained. Nevertheless, he tried to ignore the smell as he climbed into the back with Evonne and settled down for the long ride to Saros’ Haven. Evonne rested on his lap, her body already quieting once more. Within minutes on the road, he found himself falling asleep, as well.
     Gabriel didn’t have the luxury of sleeping. He knew he should have taken Evonne to Saros on the first night. But his trust and respect for Demetrius swayed his better judgment. Rather than dwell on the “what ifs,” he was happy to be on his way to Saros, even if she struck fear in his fearless sire.

The weight of the sun startled Demetrius awake. He felt the Jeep still moving as the sun crept on the horizon. The tree line was their only defense against a painful death. Once the pressure became too great, it eased. Demetrius looked out the window to see the darkened corridor. They made it.
     The Jeep came to a stop in the underground parking lot. They sat in silence for a moment, unsure of how Saros would react upon seeing them.
     “In all my years on this continent,” whispered Demetrius, “I’ve never been here.” He looked at Gabriel and added, “Whatever happens, do not interfere.”
     Gabriel didn’t reply. He, instead, got out and opened the back door. Demetrius carefully helped Evonne outside where he gathered her in his arms, carrying her into the haven. Gabriel walked beside them. The quick rush of déjà vu was evident as they stepped inside.
     A vampire standing near the entrance saw them and jumped into action, running down the hall to inform others of their arrival. He seemed excited upon seeing them, as though they offered some sort of entertainment to his boring evening.
     By the time Gabriel and Demetrius entered the large, main room, a dozen vampires waited. Their attention moved to the back of the room as the door opened with Saros and the excited doorman following close.
     Saros stood before the crowd, her eyes studying the three miserable souls who washed up on her doorstep. She began to laugh. The laughter grew louder as she refused to hide her amusement.
     She grew quiet and stared at them once more. “I should be surprised. When history repeats itself, many years usually pass. But not one year has passed and you are bringing me your second sickened child. I’m not certain if I want to help you this time.”
     “I told him not to come here,” said Demetrius as he sat Evonne down, helping her to stand.
     Saros tilted her head at him, curious. “Gysai’s little, stray dog here in my home. Now this pleases me more.”
     “Will you help her?” Gabriel asked.
     Saros’ shoulders dropped. “Gabriel, you need to take better care of your children. Either you place them first or retire.” She began laughing again.
     Demetrius glared at her. “Help him, you callous bitch.”
     Before a muscle could be moved, Saros was on Demetrius, knocking him to the ground. Evonne tumbled to the side. Gabriel caught her, himself losing his balance among the force of Saros’ attack.
     Saros pinned Demetrius to the floor, her hand at his throat and anger coursing throughout her body. She sneered at him.
     “You have always been Gysai’s favorite pet, plucked at such a young age. All you have known was our kind… until that one night when she finally gave in to our pleas. Why she chose you remains a mystery to us all. Are you enjoying your midlife crisis?”
     As she spoke, Demetrius could see no inner thoughts. He cursed his weak body.
     “Why she chose me?” he whispered as he struggled under her grip. “I have been with her since I was a forgotten, human child. I was the son you all forbid her to have. She is the only mother I have known.”
     Saros leaned down, her face moving over his. “Then why do you cause her so much pain?” she hissed.
     Demetrius saw the truth hidden in her words. “Her pain is your pain.”
     Disgusted, she released him and stood. “When Evonne is healed, they will leave. You will stay.”
     “You can’t keep me,” he said, sitting up.
     She stared down at him, amused at his stubbornness. “You will be staying. I’m in the mood for a new pet, and since Gysai isn’t here to stop me…”
     Demetrius’ lifted his eyes to find Gabriel.
     “Don’t look at him!” Saros fumed. “Gabriel cannot help you. He is of my bloodline, not yours.”
     Feeling the anger she attempted to stoke, Demetrius glared at her, realizing he was playing into her game. She knew of the unique bond he and Gabriel had, and in this room, before everyone, she was rebuking his claim as sire.
     He pulled himself to his feet, challenging her. “Gabriel is mine.”
     Saros laughed. “We are not humans. The rules of adoption do not apply here. Sire and child are united in that one act. You did not create Gabriel. My child, Jovan, did. The nerve of you stealing away his heritage.”
     It took all of Demetrius’ remaining strength not to lash out at her. He knew it was her plan to push him over the edge. He refused to give her the satisfaction.
     Saros grabbed Evonne from Gabriel, carrying her across the room. Gabriel attempted to follow her but was stopped.
     “You will wait here,” she ordered.
     The room emptied under the command of the elders, and Gabriel and Demetrius found themselves alone.
     Gabriel forced himself to look at Demetrius. “I’m sorry.”
     He shook his head at the apology. “I shouldn’t have come here.”
     “Neither of you should,” a voice called out.
     They looked around the room and found the origin of the voice. Gabriel whispered to Demetrius, telling him who this was. “David Lucas, Alex’s former errand boy.”
     David crossed the room, his anger evident in his movements and words. “You didn’t need to bring her here.”
     “You have no say in this,” Demetrius intervened.
     “Like hell!” David swung his fist, striking Gabriel in the jaw. The hit caused pain in his hand, as well.
     Demetrius pulled David back as he kept him from delivering a second attack.
     “You had no right to do this to her!” the young vampire yelled out. “She never wanted this!”
     Gabriel rubbed the side of his face. His weakened body held onto pain a lot longer than he expected. He calmly replied, “I know she didn’t want this.”
     “Then why?” David pleaded. “Why condemn her? Did you think you were empowering her some how?”
     “You can’t speak for her.”
     “I know her better than you!”
     “Not any longer,” whispered Demetrius.
     David pushed him away as he stared at Gabriel. “You made her an even greater target.”
     Demetrius continued to speak, picking up on a few random thoughts. “Then you should have ran away with her when you had the chance.”
     Furious, David’s body grew tense, ready for anything these two troublemakers could throw at him.
     “David!” another voice called out.
     All three turned to see a tattoo-covered vampire standing by the room’s north entrance. His punk rock style looked out of place in the haven filled with aristocratic fashions. Gabriel easily recognized Emery. He was one of the volunteers who helped Evonne escape Eden.
     “Back off, David,” shouted Emery. “What if Saros’ lackeys find you in here with them?”
     Swallowing his anger, David gave a hateful glance at Emery as he left the room. He had nothing else to say to them anyway.
     Gabriel and Demetrius walked over to Emery. The small tussle with David was a surprise nuisance. It was easy to see the feelings he still carried for her—feelings that went deeper than even he knew.
     Emery began speaking as they neared him. “I must be missing all the fun while I’ve been staying at these stuffy havens.” He nodded at Demetrius. “My name’s Emery. I’m an acquaintance of Gabriel’s.”
     “I know who you are,” he acknowledged. “You must have a poor memory. We’ve meet before.”
     “Oh?” Narrowing his eyes, Emery fought to recall their previous encounter. “Oh! I remember now. You’re ‘Big D!’ ” His expression contorted into a look of regret. “And now I want to forget. Sorry about what happened back then. I was young—well, younger. I’ve learned my lesson. Never ever get the humans drunk. Massive party, an orgy if I recall, and I was banned for one-hundred years. Again, I’m truly sorry about that.”
     “That’s not my concern any longer,” Demetrius admitted. “The records of the event were mysteriously burned.”
     “Clean slate then. No more orgies… at havens.” He looked in the direction Saros left. “Was that Evonne? She looked pretty bad.”
     Gabriel avoided the question. “I’m going to need your help. Ask around and see if you can find any information on a group called The Brotherhood of Osiris.”
     He shrugged. “I can ask, but the locals around here haven’t warmed up to me yet. It’s like the old blood feuds I’ve heard about. I guess they don’t like Medhar spawn around here.”
     “Blood feuds no longer exist,” Demetrius quietly corrected. “I should know.”
     Emery lips tightened at the statement, the weight of the words’ meaning lost on him. “Yeah, I guess. Anyway, this Brotherhood, are they the ones responsible for what happened to Evonne?”
     “Just ask around for me, all right?” Gabriel said.
     “Sure. Oh, Keelan was here three days ago. He told me a little about what happened. A blessing in disguise really. He even asked if I knew where you were, and that someone named ‘Derek’ is still missing.”
     Gabriel’s placid composure gained new life upon hearing both names. “What all did he say about Derek?”
     Emery shook his head. “That he only spoke to William. He said that Derek and the others were captured after you left, and that the girl and her brother were the only ones released so far.”
     “Anything else?”
     “That was pretty much it. He didn’t stay long. I think he was here two nights tops.”
     A human entered the room, prompting the end of their conversation. She approached them and bowed. “I will show you to your rooms.”
     “Only one room will be needed,” informed Demetrius.
     The woman seemed baffled by the request. “I was specifically instructed to show—”
     “Separate rooms. Yes, I know the procedure. We will need only one room.”
     “Lovely Allison,” Emery stepped in, “you aren’t the one who enforces the rules. That messy job belongs to someone else. Now be a good girl and show them to the nicer room of the two.”
     The woman shot him a cruel look. “You’re on thin ice as it is, Emery. You can’t order me around.”
     He smiled. “I believe I just did.”
     In a huff, Allison asked the two new guests to follow her. Emery disappeared down another corridor as he began his mini mission of intelligence gathering.
     Inside the guestroom, Allison stated the rules, addressing Gabriel first. “You are free to come and go as you please.” She looked at Demetrius. “You, however, are forbidden to leave this room. Is there anything else you all need?”
     “Blood, my dear Allison,” said Demetrius.
     “I have been instructed to refuse such a request.”
     “Leave,” he ordered.
     Allison bowed and happily left the room. The human’s presence annoyed him from the beginning. If there were no rules…
     “I’m sorry about all of this,” Gabriel said.
     Demetrius crossed the room and took a seat by a small table. “It doesn’t matter. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.”
     “You’re staying?” he asked, confused by the sudden change.
     “Why run? She’ll only track me down. It is better to get this over with. She’ll tire of me eventually.” He traced his finger along the design caved into the table’s surface. “When Evonne is returned to you, I want you to head south. She wants to see the ocean. Will you do this for her?”
     “You have my word.”