The lights from the gas station appeared like a beacon.
     By the time Evonne and Zachary reached the gas station, David was awake and gingerly walking on his own. Evonne wanted to run but the fear of separating herself from them was too great. What a difference a few hours made.
     The parking lot was empty and the store was closed for the night. Zachary ran for the back of the store, calling out frantically.
     “It’s not here. He said he parked here, right?”
     “He wouldn’t park in the open,” said Evonne. She led the way into the woods, confident she knew where to find the car.
     Zachary helped David through the tangle of branches and vines. Though her brother seemed urgent on getting out of there, David was the calmest of the three, almost detached from reality.
     The woods opened up, revealing a wide, dirt road. Further up the road sat a black Chevy Tahoe.
     “There!” shouted Evonne. With keys in hand, she ran for the vehicle. Zachary met her by the driver’s side and took the keys, silently declaring himself the driver.
     David took his time reaching them. He leaned against the back door and slumped to the ground. Evonne rushed to his side. Something else was wrong with him. The deep wounds to his body were one thing, but he wasn’t healing. Evonne lifted his shirt and found the slash marks on his stomach and chest. Another trail of blood led her to the base of his neck. The bite was far vicious than she expected. It looked as though he had been mauled by a werewolf. And the bite also spoke of another truth. Jovan had striped him of his blood, hindering his ability to heal.
     “He’ll be all right,” said Zachary, unlocking the door.
     The leaves along the road’s edge rustled as something approached. Evonne and Zachary became frozen, eyes transfixed on the origin of the sound.
     From the dense underbrush, Gabriel stepped onto the road. Blood cover his torn shirt, concealing most of the damage.
     “Get in!” he ordered, running to them.
     Zachary bolted into action as he went to David’s side. Lethargic, David fought him off. He didn’t want to run. He knew he’d be safe where he sat.
     “David!” yelled Zachary. “We don’t have time for this!” Taking hold of David’s arm, he began to lift him.
     At the edge of the wood’s, yards before them, a voice called out. “You choose to forfeit their lives to save your own?”
     Evonne could feel Gabriel’s fear resurge. He moved in front of her, shielding her body with his. She looked over his shoulder to see Jovan, clothes saturated in blood but body completely healed. He appeared pleased at this change in events. He was going to enjoy this night.
     The muttering sound of David’s words caught Jovan’s attention. His look of enjoyment soured.
     Evonne saw Jovan’s form blur as he made his move. Hands grabbed hold of her, throwing her into the air and landing by edge of the woods. In the commotion, she heard Zachary scream, not in rage but in pain. Evonne looked around to see Gabriel tossed to the side, as well, landing not far from her. Zachary’s body came to rest by the opposite side of the road, rolling to a stop. He sat up fast, his right shoulder dislocated and face by a slash by Jovan’s hand.
     Jovan casually walked down the road, dragging David by his hair. The ruthless treatment did little to cease David’s muttering. The words grew louder.
     Swinging him around, Jovan stopped walking as he lifted David before him, hand gripping his throat.
     “Quiet!” he demanded.
     David continued speaking, his words whispering through the strong hand. “… searching for me. She’s searching for me. She’s coming for me.”
     “And you think she’ll drop everything to save you?”
     Daring to look into Jovan’s eyes, David answered, “She’s here.”
     Jovan frantically looked around, sensing the area with one sweep of his mind. The area was empty. He looked back at David. “She’s not coming for you, brother,” he mocked.
     “I know,” David choked out. “She’s coming for you.”
     Sneering at the four simple words, Jovan threw his other hand into David’s gut and ripped at his flesh. His hand dug through muscles and organs as he went for the heart.
     David’s screams filled the calm, night air. His hands pulled at Jovan’s arm, his grip slipping over his own blood.
     “Drop him, Jovan,” said a woman’s voice.
     Standing in the center of the road, the petite form of Saros waited for her order to be carried out. The sight of her seemed misplaced in this setting. She wasn’t accompanied by other powerful vampires, nor did she carry herself like a queen. Facing them now, she came here as protective mother, the deadliest of all creatures.
     “You deny me my fun?” asked Jovan.
     “Have all the fun you like,” she assured, “but do not harm those from my bloodline.”
     “I do not like those rules.” Turning back to David, his hand finally reached his heart.
     David let out a deafening scream, his voice cracking. The invading hand left his chest as Jovan’s body was thrown into the air and into the base of a tree. As David fell to the ground, he felt his descent slow.
     Saros sat beside him, cradling him. She brushed the hair from his forehead.
     “Why did you leave me?” she asked.
     He kept his eyes from her as he spoke. “I’m sorry.”
     Jovan pulled himself to his feet, disgusted at what he was witnessing. “You let him have his fun.”
     “I have know about his absence since the night he left my home. I have been following him.” She looked at Jovan, the raw sight of contempt on her face. “Do you think I would let such a young one out of my sight?”
     “What game are you playing?” Jovan boldly asked.
     Saros looked down at David, her face softening. She continued to address Jovan. “You will not seek out Alexander. The human amuses us greatly. If he is to be dealt with, then it will be by our own hands.”
     “Then allow me to collect my child and I will leave.”
     Gently, Saros eased David to the ground and stood, her eyes finding Jovan once more. “Gabriel is no longer yours. Demetrius pleaded his case rather eloquently and I have honored his wish.”
     Fuming, Jovan couldn’t believe what she was saying. “Since when do you listen to the wishes of Gysai’s lap dog?”
     “You are no longer welcome on my continent.”
     “This place prides itself on its freedom. You can’t keep me from what I want. I will have—”
     Before he could finish his threat, Saros was on him, her hand to his throat and pinning him against a tree.
     “Do not confuse my orders as a vague invitation,” she hissed, fangs showing. “You harm Alexander or anyone affiliated with him and your punishment will be decided upon by us.”
     Jovan began laughing. “You’ll never kill me, mother. You won’t even allow them to harm one hair on my pretty head. It’s because I know the truth. I know what you long for. It’s the real reason you keep your fangs from me now.” Staring into her dark eyes, he saw the pain his words caused. “As long as you are bound to them, they will never grant you Life. Jharell be damned, right? It’s not fair that he should keep his based on technicality alone.”
     Saros’ grip on him eased but her hand remained, still trapping him against the tree.
     “We are all walking tragedies,” Jovan continued, “always searching for some type of meaning, some way to validate our reason for existence. You envy them, don’t you? As fragile as a spider’s web, humans hold more meaning to you than your own children.”
     The once softening expression on Saros’ face turned cold. “We share this world with them. They are our life. They are ours to protect.”
     “And to use for our entertainment.” He smiled.
     Tightening her hand, Saros grew tired of Jovan’s words. “Gabriel, you and Evonne may leave. Sleep without worry. Jovan will not look for you.”
     Gabriel said nothing as he helped Evonne to her feet. Zachary stood up, as well, and headed for the SUV.
     “Not you, Zachary,” ordered Saros. “You and I have much to talk about.”
     Climbing into the passenger seat, the new car smell dwarfed every scent in Evonne’s nose. But the small irritant was easily pushed aside. With Gabriel in the driver’s seat and them heading down the dirt road, Evonne felt the relief she longed for the entire night. There was a part of her that wanted to thank Saros. But the other half cursed her steady hand in dealing with Jovan.
     And by this steady hand, an unspeakable wrath would be delivered upon Evonne and her father, Alexander.