Where am I?”
     Emery heard Micki’s voice under the sound of Jeep’s engine. She pulled herself to sit, her hands gripping her head. A new pain—a sensation—filled her body, coupled with a swirling dizziness. Her swimming head was easily explained as she noticed they were on the road, but the other…
     “We’re somewhere near Raleigh, North Carolina,” answered Emery. He went to rest a hand on her shoulder.
     Micki pushed his hand away. “Why are we in North Carolina?”
     “Long story.”
     Frantic, she looked around, the grogginess of sleep yielding in the face of her fear. Why was she here? And who were these people?
     “I have to get back,” she said, recalling her last memory. “I have classes in the morning.”
     “The campus caught fire,” explained Emery, “and the professors were all killed during the making of some high class snuff films. Great stuff actually.”
     “Let me out.”
     “That’s not going to happen,” Gabriel said.
     Micki stared at the back of the driver’s seat. She began to remember. “You have no right to keep me against my will.”
     “There are twenty-plus men wanting to kill you right now. If I allow you to leave, you will be dead within a week or at sunrise.”
     “I don’t understand. Why are they after me?” Micki stopped as she noticed her body and the way it felt. Everything was coming into focus. Her senses picked up on a myriad of different sounds and smells. “What did you all do to me? Last night I was sick. You said I was dying. But now, I feel like nothing’s wrong. What’s going on?”
     Gabriel kept his answer short. “You’re dead.”
     “Don’t fuck around with me!” she shouted. “Stop the car!”
     The Jeep slowed down and turned onto a side road. Gabriel drove for several minutes more before stopping. The road they stopped on was covered in gravel and far from any homes or street lights.
     Micki threw open the door and ran for the woods. She had no real plan of escape.
     “Where are you going to go, Michelle?”
     She stopped at the sound of Gabriel’s voice. He sounded closer to her, almost right next to her ear. She slowly turned to see all three standing by the Jeep, yards away and watching her. She called out, pleading, “Stay away from me!”
     Emery stepped forward, his hands outstretched to show no harm. “We’re not going to hurt you.”
     Reaching behind his waist, Gabriel retrieved a gun and fired it at Emery. The bullet smashed into the back of his skull, exiting above his left eye and sending a spray of blood into the air. He fell to the ground and didn’t move.
     A scream left Micki. “What the fuck? Why did you…” Her voice began to shudder as her breathing shallowed. “Don’t… don’t shoot me.” She stumbled away from them.
     Gabriel aimed the gun at her. “I’ll have no remorse for shooting you. I have no remorse for shooting him.”
     The blonde haired girl stood at the killer’s side, arms crossed and unmoved by what she saw. She was just as callous as he. Micki had no idea what type of game they were playing. But as her eyes went from the man laying dead to the gun pointing at her, she knew the cards were not in her favor.
     A jerking movement came from Emery’s hand. Micki stared at him, believing these movements were a part of the dying process. His other hand moved, as well, both pushing him up from the ground. Micki’s eyes widened as he began to speak.
     “Son of a bitch, Gabriel!” His words were slurred at first. “You could’ve warned me!”
     “What in the hell is going on?” Micki forced herself to say.
     “Listen to him,” said Emery, struggling to see her through the blood covering his face and filling his eyes. “If you don’t listen to him, he’ll pull the trigger.” He began to wipe the blood away.
     “Please, don’t shoot me!” begged Micki. She wanted to run but legs felt like jelly. With each shudder from her body, they threatened to buckle. “I’ll do what ever you say. Just don’t kill me.”
     Gabriel’s hand tightened around the gun. “This won’t kill you.”
     “Are you mental?” she yelled.
     “You’re dead. A simple bullet can’t harm you.”
     Demanding her body to move, Micki ran from him, returning to her original plan of fleeing into the woods.
     “Michelle! Do you want me to shoot you in the back?”
     The girl stopped running once more. Tears filled her eyes as she turned around. Slowly she walked toward them. Nearing the place she last stood, a shot rang out. This bullet struck its target between Micki’s eyes. She fell backwards, her body hitting the ground, motionless.
     Gabriel placed the gun in the waist of his jeans, behind his back. He spoke to Emery. “Put her in the Jeep.” He then turned to Evonne. “Are you certain you want to see your father?”
     The incident with Micki did little to phase these two. While Gabriel saw Micki as an inconvenience, Evonne saw her as a distraction. But in this moment, neither cared to entertain Micki’s grip on reality.
     “I see no other way around it,” Evonne said, glancing at Emery as he gathered the unconscious girl into his arms. “I have to do this. Maybe I can get him to listen for once.”
     “And if he tries to have you killed?”
     She looked into his eyes, seeing the worry within them. The sight was foreign to her. “He won’t do that.”
     “What if he tries to?”
     Her voice lowered as she answered. “I haven’t thought about that. But you have.”
     Going back to the Jeep, Gabriel sat in the driver’s seat. Evonne stopped him from closing the door.
     “And?” she asked.
     Another foreign expression appeared on his face as he replied. “It won’t come to that.”
     Her eyes narrowed, seeing what he wasn’t willing to admit. “You would kill him?”
     “I won’t let it come to that,” he rephrased. Gabriel then took the door from Evonne and closed it, ending their conversation.

A blinding pain engulfed Micki’s head. She wrapped her hands around her head, trying to fight through the pressure. She heard someone screaming. The sound annoyed her. As her mind refocused, she realized it was her own voice. Sitting up, Micki drew her knees to her chest, every muscle becoming tense amidst the agony.
     “The pain will stop,” Emery said. “Just bear through it.”
     “He shot me!” she managed to scream out. “He fuckin’ shot me!”
     Emery remained calm as he looked on the bright side of their small detour. “Be thankful he used a 9mm instead of his regular gun of choice.”
     Micki’s shaky hand dared to touch the origin of the pain. She found no hole where the bullet had entered, nor any blood. But the pain held strong. Staring at the back of the driver’s seat, she spoke. “You said that I was dead. What does that mean?”
     “Exactly what he said,” replied Emery.
     She looked at him, confused.
     He sighed. “God, why do I feel stupid saying this? You’re no longer human.”
     Micki’s face still shown confusion.
     With another sigh, Emery cut through the vague speak. “Does the term ‘vampire’ ring a bell?”
     Wanting to roll her eyes, Micki shook her head instead. “Wait a minute. Just because I dress the way I do doesn’t mean I’m one of those nut jobs who thinks they’re a vampire or believes in that crap.”
     “You could be wearing a white collared shirt and a cardigan sweater with canvas shoes, and that wouldn’t change what’s going on.”
     “You’re right. You do sound stupid.”
     “Stop for a moment. Don’t say another word.”
     “I doubt—”
     “Shh,” he said, his index finger to his lips.
     Micki grew quiet, the sound of the vehicle’s engine taking over. She noticed the blonde girl in the front passenger seat as she pulled off her coat, then lifted her shirt. Micki couldn’t make out what the girl was looking at, but the scent it stirred was as deafening to her senses as the roar from the engine. The scent was overpowering, yet relaxing, sweet as well as tart. It called out to her like a fire in the dead of winter.
     The girl whispered to the driver, “They’ve already healed.” She lowered the shirt, adding, “And I like this shirt. It was the only decent one I had left.”
     The driver replied, “I’ll take you shopping after we reach the haven.”
     “So this one has a boutique inside, as well?”
     He didn’t answer.
     Sucking in her bottom lip, the girl replied, “Sorry I made a joke. Things are just too tense right now and I don’t like it.”
     Emery spoke up. “I know what you mean.” He then spoke to the driver. “Which haven do you have in mind?”
     “Lucia’s,” he answered. “But I’m not sure if she’ll be there, or if anyone will be there.”
     “Maybe we should find a secure haven instead.”
     “It’s the closest to Eden,” he reminded.
     Emery’s eyes went back to the girl in the passenger seat. “So you’re really going to go through with this?”
     “I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt,” she said, glancing at him. “The move will probably catch him off guard. I’m hoping he’ll listen. I’m getting tired of running.”

Obeying Emery’s order, Micki stayed quiet the entire trip north. As they pulled into a strange, underground structure, she wanted to question the scene. But she held her tongue. The adventure down this rabbit hole was one she feared to question.
     The four left the Jeep and headed for a set of double doors. Micki looked around the underground structure and assumed it was a parking lot, though the Jeep was the only vehicle present.
     “This doesn’t look good,” Emery pointed out as they descended further into the place.
     It looked like a regal hotel to Micki—a true five star, five diamond getaway. But the abandoned appearance gave it a horror movie feel. Any second she expected a ghost or mass murderer waiting for them down the next hall.
     Over six months ago Evonne walked these same halls. It was her father she escaped that night. And tomorrow night she would return to the place she once fled. I hope I’m not making a mistake.
     Gabriel took the lead as he went to the lowest level, the floor that once held the elder and important guests. The haven, though free of vampires, elder included, still held a few warm bodies. One of these scavengers shuffled about in a guestroom.
     Pushing the door open, Gabriel startled the human. The man jumped up and dropped the pillowcase filled with metal items.
     “I didn’t mean…” the man choked out. “There’s no one else here, so I thought it would be alright to crash here for the night. I’m sorry if this is your place. There’s no need to call the cops.”
     “By all means, stay,” said Gabriel. “I could care less. This place doesn’t belong to me.”
     The dread lifted from the human’s face. “Really? Wow. That’s a huge relief.” He took in a calming breath. “Just a warning, there’s a few more of us around here. From what others have seen, this place has been empty for months. Feel free to browse around, but I think most of the good stuff has already been picked over.”
     Gabriel nodded politely. “Thank you.”
     Looking down the hall, Evonne saw a second human. This one stopped upon seeing them. The human in the guestroom stepped into the hall and called out, “They’re okay!” He then returned to his bag and continued “shopping.”
     Leading the way once more, Gabriel entered a large bedroom and closed the door.
     “We’ll stay here for the next two nights,” he began.
     “No motel?” asked Emery.
     “I see no need for a motel. There are enough humans here to last us for three nights.”
     Micki took a step back from them. “You guys are serious about this, aren’t you? What is this place anyway?”
     “You heard me call it a haven,” Gabriel remarked.
     She crossed her arms tightly around her waist. “That doesn’t explain anything.”
     Evonne answered, sounding like a veteran to the world of vampires. “Havens are just as name implies. They’re used as sanctuary for the day, and offer a meal free of hunting. But they’re usually not this empty.”
     “It’s also a place where humans live,” added Emery.
     “Humans…” Micki repeated, trying to understand their use of the word. She lowered her voice as she continued. “Are you planning to kill those people?”
     “There are five humans here,” Gabriel pointed out. “We will kill one tonight and two tomorrow night.”
     A look of disgust skewed Micki’s face. “How can you be so cold?”
     “How? With the greatest of ease. They give us life within our dead bodies. Without them, we will wither away. If you prefer to look like a walking, mummified corpse, then that’s your decision.”
     Micki shook her head at him and at everything they tried to tell her. “I don’t believe you. This isn’t real.”
     Gabriel rolled his eyes. “Here we go again.”
     “Micki,” Emery said, stepping in, “what part of this is hard for you to understand?”
     Evonne raised her hand to Emery. “Wait. Let’s not talk about this right now.” Turning to Micki she switched on her friendly side. “Want to come with me and check out the kitchen? We might be able to find you something to eat.”
     Micki nodded, unsure. “All right.”
     Evonne opened the door and left with Micki close behind.
     “What is she thinking?” whispered Emery.
     Gabriel answered as he exited the room. “She taking the indirect approach.”
     The large kitchen had been ransacked, as well. Nothing was untouched. Most of the cabinets were open and their contents scattered on the counters and floor. Micki waited by the restaurant-style grill, her eyes bouncing over the mess. Evonne looked through the unopened cabinets and found a package of crackers. She then went to the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle water.
     “Here,” she said, handing them to Micki. “Eat up.”
     Taking the crackers and water, Micki wasted no time as she began to eat. Gabriel and Emery stepped into the kitchen and waited for the inevitable. Next, Micki went for the bottle, drinking half of the water before stopping. Emery cringed at the sight. She then grabbed another cracker. Her chewing slowed. She placed a hand to her mouth and forced herself to swallow. Halfway through the motion, her body turned against her. Micki doubled over and vomited.
     Leaning against the counter, Evonne recalled her adventure with the bread. It was something she had to test out for herself. To this day, the thought and smell of bread turned her stomach.
     With her belly empty once more, Micki rested her head and arms on the counter. “Why can’t I eat?”
     Evonne replied, “Your body has changed. It needs blood and only blood.”
     “I can’t even get drunk? Great. Perfect. What more could I ask for?” The sarcasm in her voice was dry and thick.
     “Are we finished here?” asked Gabriel.
     Standing straight, Evonne answered with a smile at Micki. “I am,” she said as she crossed the kitchen and left with Gabriel.
     Emery stayed behind. He moved to Micki’s side. He wanted to place a comforting hand to her, but instead, he folded his arms, stifling the urge. “Look on the bright side,” he said. “You don’t have to worry about gaining any weight from here on out.”
     Micki stared at him, disgusted. Smacking the crackers and water off the counter, she turned from Emery and stormed out of the room.
     Emery shook his head. The more he saw himself liking this girl, the more he wanted to beat some sense into her. A beating, he entertained. That will get her fangs showing. She can’t ignore that. He smile at his newly devised plan.
     Entering the hall, Emery heard the faint sound of crying coming from one of the rooms. He opened the door and found Micki laying on a disheveled bed, her back facing him. She quieted her tears as he stepped into the room.
     “Crying isn’t going to help,” Emery said, standing at the foot of the bed. “I apologize for how Gabriel’s been treating you. He’s just… straightforward. And shooting you—I think he could’ve handled it differently.”
     She wiped the tears from her eyes. “Those weren’t real bullets.”
     “Wow. Now I’ve heard of denial before, but this is straight up denial for the insane. He shot you right here.” He pointed between his eyes. “An impressive shot, I might add.”
     “But it can be explained. Fake bullets or a tranquillizer.”
     “Can you explain what just happened in the kitchen?”
     “Stress or a side effect of the drugs you all gave me.”
     Emery shook his head at what he was hearing. “You have an answer for everything, don’t you?”
     “Because all of this can be explained.”
     “By individual excuses. But there’s only one answer, and somewhere within you, no matter how hard you try to ignore it, you know the truth.”
     “Stop it!” she yelled as she sat up, glaring at him. “Stop messing with me! This isn’t a game. I’ve entertained you all enough. I’m leaving in the morning. I have finals to study for.”
     “You can try, but I’m not sure you’ll like what the sun can do to you.”
     The door opened. Emery and Micki stopped talking to see Gabriel standing in the doorway.
     “We’re going upstairs,” he said. Without waiting for Micki to reply, he headed down the hall.
     “What’s upstairs?” she asked.
     Not sure if he should answer truthfully, Emery shrugged. “More bedrooms. Come on. Best not to ignore his vague invitation.”
     As they stepped into the hall, they found Gabriel and Evonne at the other end, beginning to climb the stairs. Upon entering the floor above, Emery left Micki’s side and entered one room with Gabriel. Micki heard the voice of a man, yelling at first, then screaming.
     Evonne grabbed Micki’s hand and pulled her into the room. She closed the door, pressing her body against it to keep Micki in and anyone else out. It was Gabriel’s plan to make her kill this one. With as few words possible, he let Evonne know his real feelings regarding Micki. And as much as she wanted her around, she, too, could see the aggravation the newborn vampire brought to the mix.
     Micki stared wide-eyed at the scene. Gabriel held the man’s arms behind his back and covered his mouth with his other hand. He looked at Micki, a lifeless expression that gave no hint to his cruel nature.
     “This is your kill,” he said. “Listen to what your body is telling you.”
     Micki took a step back. “You want me to kill him?” Her eyes went to Emery, hoping he would intervene on her behalf. She found no sympathy from him.
     A flash of annoyance moved across Gabriel as he looked Evonne. Without any instruction she left the door and approached the man. Micki watched as the girl closed in, her mouth to his neck. She couldn’t see what was happening, but as the man struggled, the sight enticed something dormant within her. Everything that she tried to explain away could be answered with one word, but that word didn’t exist in her world. This isn’t real, Micki’s mind kept repeating.
     “That’s enough,” said Gabriel.
     Pulling away, Evonne stepped back, her hand to her mouth as she wiped away the blood. She then licked her hand clean. The quick feeding wasn’t what she hoped for.
     Gabriel looked at Micki once more. “She’s done most of the work for you. He won’t fight.”
     Shaking her head, Micki back up further. She could find no words. This has to be a trick. “You can’t make me do this.”
     “Then you’re on your own,” Gabriel said, turning the man. He let go of the human as Emery took over, holding him in a careless manner.
     Lowering his head, Emery delivered a bite over Evonne’s. His teeth ripped deep into the man’s neck. The sudden rush of pain caused the man to muster one last scream. The sound was weak and pathetic. Emery lifted his eyes to Micki. She stood, horrified at what she was witnessing. Emery followed the human to the floor, where he continued to drink.
     This is insane! Yelling at her body to move, Micki ran for the door and down the hall to the stairwell.
     Evonne closed the door. “I thought that would work.”
     “I wash my hands of her,” Gabriel said, shaking his head. “She’s yours now, Emery. I have no patience to teach another.”
     Raising his head, Emery spoke. “I accept your challenge.” He went back to feeding, taking his time to enjoy this one. It had been a while since he had the opportunity to kill. Moments like this were ones to savor.
     “When you’re finished, leave him here. I’ll clean up,” said Gabriel. He crossed the room and left with Evonne.
     The original plan was to kill one this night and two the next, but with the frustration in dealing with Micki, Gabriel changed his plan. Though more than one human missing may cause concern for their fellow squatters, he was willing to take that chance. He planned to see them all killed eventually. It didn’t really matter how many died their first night in the haven. But this was his starved body thinking and not his rational mind.
     “Where are we going?” asked Evonne as they ascended the stairs.
     “I’m hungry,” he quietly replied.
     “I thought only one human tonight.”
     They stepped from the stairs as he answered, “I changed my mind.”
     The spacious living room was like something from a resort or lounge, with half walls and lowered floors to help section off each area. One place even centered around a fireplace. This was the first time Evonne saw this haven’s social room. Her first visit here was a brief one and she was kept to the lower levels.
     One the sofa facing the cold fireplace, a human slept. He was younger than the others, which sparked Evonne’s sympathy. She imagine he was a runaway, and that this was one of the few places he felt safe in this world.
     Gabriel left her side. She could no longer see him or sense him. Evonne moved behind a pillar, one used to section off two areas, and watched the human sleeping on the sofa. As though he was her prey, she focused on him and ignored everything else. She knew that he was Gabriel’s target, and she didn’t want to miss his attack. She wanted to see his primeval side.
     Something moved on the opposite side of the large area. Evonne’s eyes searched the dimly lit areas, from chair to chair and sofa to sofa, and found no movement. Her eyes went back to the human and found Gabriel already on him and feeding. She wanted to join him. The blood from the first human wasn’t enough to ease her hunger. But this was his kill. He hadn’t invited her, and she knew he wouldn’t.
     Evonne heard a floorboard creak. Her eyes shot to the sound and found the scene empty. But the noise was real. Lowering her body, she slinked along the floor and hid behind a sofa. Her ears picked up on Gabriel as he drank. She wasn’t sure if his senses picked up on anything besides the human in his grip. If that were the case, then he was vulnerable at this moment, and it was up to her to watch his back.
     The sofa shot away from Evonne, its legs scraping the hardwood floor. Before she could retreat, she felt something smash into her face. She fell backwards. Her body recovered fast as she saw a man lunging for her. He threw his hand toward her chest, a classic wooden stake bound in his grip. Evonne brought her hands up, pushing against him. The force, though weak in her eyes, sent the man back, sliding a few feet on the floor. She scrambled to her hands and knees and leapt onto the human, her fangs ready. The human fought underneath her, his incoherent words becoming clearer.
     “I know what you are,” he gasped out. “I know what you are. I know what you are. You’re a demon in sheep’s clothing. A demon. A demon! You cannot touch me!” He fumbled with his torn jacket and fished out a silver cross attached to a chain. He held it at the demon.
     Taken aback by his actions, Evonne eased her grip on him. The human then pressed the silver cross to her forehead and screamed. She sat there, the cool cross resting innocently against her skin. The human finally ceased screaming as he looked at her, confused. He glanced at the cross, and then the vampire. Its skin was undamaged.
     Evonne knocked his hand away and went for his throat. Her teeth popped through his flesh and entered the stream of blood, releasing the torrent of heat her body craved. The human pushed against this monster and pulled at her hair, his attempts unable to move her.
     He began muttering again, tears welling from his eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I trespassed. I knew better. Fear these demons. I fear all demons. Forgive me. Forgive me. Let me live. Let me… I beg you. I want… I want to live. Don’t… kill… Don’t kill me.”
     Evonne heard his pleas but the call of his blood was louder. It would be over soon. His fear would be gone. He would be at peace. As his heart slowed, his words stopped.
     I’m not a demon, Evonne consoled herself. I’m not a monster. But in the eyes of this man, she was both and more. She was Death to him. She was the creature he feared from afar. And upon entering this abandoned place, he tried to conquer that fear, and perhaps kill this demon to silence his own.
     Sitting up, Evonne’s eyes found the silver cross locked within the man’s hand. She pulled the trinket free and held it up by its chain. The cross was two inches in height and carried intricate details along its face. On the back, three small numbers were etched. 925. Real silver.
     She unlatched the chain and placed the around her neck, tucking it under her shirt.
     “Stealing from prey now?”
     Evonne turned around and found Gabriel standing behind her. “I don’t see the harm,” she defended. “It’s probably stolen to begin with.”
     “Stealing from prey is a desecration.”
     “We take their lives. That in itself is stealing.”
     “Blood is the only thing we should take.”
     Evonne looked back at the man and contemplated returning the necklace. She could see what Gabriel meant by an act of desecration, but the fact that the object no longer served him, she chose to keep it.
     Evonne lifted the cross from underneath her shirt, rolling it in her fingers. “He thought it could protect him. For a moment he almost had me convinced.”
     “Crosses were once used to ward off our kind. Some respected those beliefs enough to stay clear of those who bare the symbol. Humans began to see this as another weakness they could exploit, so much so that the image has become indelible within our history. But this also plays into our advantage. It gave him courage enough to enter here and to attack you. Without it, you would go hungry for the day.”
     Dropping her shoulders, Evonne read between the lines in his last sentence. “You weren’t going to let me—”
     “No. You already had one kill tonight. There was no need to kill this one.”
     “But he attacked me. What should I have done?”
     Gabriel answered as he walked away. “Ignore your instinct.”
     “Wait,” she said, standing. “Up until now you’ve been teaching me to rely on my instincts—to trust my instincts. And now you’re telling me to ignore them? What kind of bullshit are you trying to teach me now?”
     He stopped to face her. “Is that what you think about my teachings?”
     Evonne detected the anger in his voice, causing her to stumble with her reply. “Actually, I haven’t learned anything new in the past three months. And the last thing I did learn came from Demetrius, not you.” She could see the muscles in his jaw tense, but that didn’t stop her ranting. “What are your instincts begging you to do now? To put me in my place? To pin me against the wall? Intimidate the hell out of me? Hard to ignore that, isn’t it?”
     Gabriel’s face softened. He laughed. “So you have me figure you, don’t you?”
     “You’re not that difficult to figure out. You, Tarzan; me, Jane. But now that I know your next move before I make mine, you have no surprises left for me.”
     “And yet you continue to argue. It’s like your baiting for a reaction. Why? If you already have me figured out, why do you keep testing me?”
     “I…” I don’t know why. “I want… I want to find a balance between us. But it’s kind of hard to do that when I’m constantly reminded we’re not equals. You’re so far above me that I can’t even glimpse that level, or even imagine what it would be like.”
     “I thought Demetrius helped you see that level.”
     The statement was like a slap to the face. “That was different,” she fumed. “It was through him, and it was a blood bond. Even now you continue to keep me out. It’s like you’re hiding from me. What are you afraid I’ll see?”
     “You need to learn on your own. Adding me to the mix will only hinder your progress. And I’m not hiding anything from you.” Gabriel walked over to the sofa and grabbed the young man’s body. “You will carry yours,” he ordered.
     Evonne looked at the dead man on the floor. She dropped her shoulders once more. She was beginning to regret killing him.
     After tucking the two humans in the kitchen’s walk-in freezer, Gabriel returned to the floor above to retrieve Emery’s kill. As he stepped into the room, Evonne heard him curse under his breath.
     “Dammit, Emery.”
     Evonne looked around Gabriel to see the decapitated man. The body carried deep bite marks on his wrists, shoulders, and any place that yielded blood after death. The head laid near the wall, face down. From the appearance of the neck, he had chewed his way through. His heart was removed, as well, and sat discarded on the floor.
     Evonne dryly commented, “Now what were you saying about desecration?”
     “I should’ve known better than to leave him alone in here.” Going to the bed, Gabriel removed the sheets and laid them on the floor.
     “Is this a habit of his?” Evonne asked, watching him clean up the mess.
     “When there are no rules to be enforced, anything is possible with Emery. It’s one of these moments when there’s no repercussions.”
     She crossed her arms as she picked out the double standard. “But somehow I get scolded for killing one human with one simple bite. Yeah, makes perfect sense.”
     Gabriel removed a pillowcase and tossed it to Evonne. “Put the head and heart in here.”
     Staring at him, she gestured to the body. “You said that you would clean this up. No where did you mention my name.”
     “Just get the damn head and heart.”
     Evonne held her tongue. She kneeled by the head and covered it with the opening of pillowcase. In a quick maneuver, she rolled it inside, avoiding the sight of his face. The heart was easier to deal with. She had no issue with touching the heart. With both in the case, she knotted the end.
     Gabriel finished wrapping the body in the sheet and picked it up, slinging it over his shoulder. The walk to the freezer felt longer than before. Every other stride, the head in the pillowcase struck against Evonne’s leg. She cringed each time, and each time she held the bag further away. Dammit, Emery.
     With the last body added to the freezer, Evonne was thankful to see Gabriel lock the door, sealing the mess inside. But with the distraction of these events, she remembered her earlier concern: tomorrow night. She would finally come face to face with her father on her own terms.
     Evonne sat on the bed within their room, her hands between her knees. What would he do once he sees her? What would he say? What would she say?
     Am I making a mistake? She continued to ask herself.
     Laying back, she stared at the ceiling and struggled to find any answers. Beyond the ceiling and the floors above, the sun was beginning to rise. She actually welcomed the sleep it ushered in. She closed her eyes.
     In a room down the hall, Evonne could hear Emery speaking to Micki. His attempts to break through her wall went without making a dent. She then sensed Gabriel as he returned from the Jeep, carrying their bags. She heard him enter the room but refused to acknowledge him. Any more talking and she feared that a new argument would start. No, she didn’t fear it would happen, she knew it would happen. And the same may happen with her father. The conversation, starting out passive, would disintegrate into a shouting match.
     A softness brushed across Evonne’s lips. She kept her eyes closed, knowing well what Gabriel was trying to do. She didn’t even noticing him climb onto the bed. The softness returned to her skin, brushing the hair from her forehead. His fingers then trailed along the edge of her face and over her lips once more.
     “I’m awake, you know,” she whispered, eyes still shut.
     “I know,” he replied. His hand moved down to her neck and slid under her shirt, finding the cross.
     Evonne’s hand grabbed his, her eyes finally opening to look at him. “I’m keeping it,” she said, almost daring him to remove it.
     “It doesn’t belong to you.”
     “It does now.”
     “Why are you so fascinated by it?”
     She pulled the cross from his hand as she replied. “I like the irony it invokes. You know, silver and crosses, two things believed to harm vampires. Plus, I like the design.”
     “I can buy you one, if you like.”
     Evonne shook her head. “This one has special meaning to me now. You can’t replace that.”
     “In a morbid way, you’re right.” Gabriel looked at the cross, then at her. “But from now on, don’t take anything else from them.”
     She nodded, slipping the necklace back under her shirt.
     “You don’t have to see him,” he said.
     Again, Evonne forgot about seeing her father. “It needs to be done. I’ll feel better after I’ve talked to him. You didn’t give me that chance last time. Remember?”
     “I’ve told you before. There’s nothing you can say that will sway his mind.”
     “I have to try.”
     Gabriel’s hand returned to the side of her face, his thumb moving lightly over her lips. He leaned down, the softness of his touch replaced by the softness of his lips. Evonne gave him one kiss before pulling away.
     “My mind’s not into this, right now,” she whispered beneath him.
     Watching her for moment longer, his hand left her face but his mouth continued on, his attempts to awaken her slowly succeeding. She felt his hand return to her, settling on her waist and sliding further. As he began to unfasten her jeans, Evonne stopped him, her hand at his once more.
     “I thought you were mad at me,” she whispered, her hushed voice sounding loud within her ears.
     Gabriel didn’t answer; instead, he continued unfasten her jeans. Evonne felt his warm hand then glide underneath her shirt and over her skin. She cursed the fresh blood in their bodies. She wanted to sleep, but with each movement of his taunting hand, she found the idea of sleep being swept away.
     Gabriel’s mouth returned to hers, the kiss deepening as his hand slid underneath her jeans.
     She gave in.