He’s all right. I’m certain he’s all right,” Pax said as he chewed at his thumbnail.
     “Of course he’s all right,” assured Jonathan. He kept his eyes on the road, forcing himself to remain focused on his driving and not the possible conclusions they faced once reaching their destination.
     The drive back to the motel was filled with more of Pax’s choice words for Alex. After they gathered their things, their search for the Redthorn Estate began. On this leg of their journey, Pax’s irate speeches gave way to concerned one-liners and the resurgence of his nail biting. Jonathan, on the other hand, refused to let his worry show.
     By mid afternoon their long drive ended in the shadow of an iron gate. In the place of a guard house sat a simple intercom.
     “Are you sure this is the right place?” asked Jonathan.
     Pax nodded, his eyes looking beyond the gate’s black bars. “I’m certain.”
     Rolling down his window, Jonathan pressed the call button on the intercom.
     A voice responded, “Welcome to Redthorn.” The gate clanked open.
     Jonathan glanced at Pax, his composure shifting from nervousness to a complete calm. He seemed resolute at the possibilities he faced. If anything were to happened, he prayed their wrath would be swift.
     The driveway looped before the large house, a trait shared by many grand homes. The house, itself, outclassed the Ingram Estate in age and elegance. Its bold structure looked more like a castle to Jonathan and Pax. Even the estate’s grounds shown great care in its design and upkeep. The name Redthorn came from the hawthorn trees that grew on the property. In the late summer, the trees became filled with clusters of bright, red berries.
     Jonathan parked the car as a handful of people exited the house. They stood on the stone steps and waited.
     “No weapons,” Pax whispered.
     Giving him a confused look, Jonathan removed the gun from his shoulder holster. “What about you?”
     “Already unarmed.” He flashed a half smile. It faded before he could look away. “Let’s get this over with.”
     Pax and Jonathan stepped from the car and neared the waiting group. A man with light blond hair met them halfway, barking out a simple question, “Your names?”
     The two hunters stopped in their tracks, each one waiting for the other to speak. Jonathan was the first to yield under the stare of this one man.
     “Jonathan Avery,” he said, sounding like a well-trained soldier.
     The man’s stern eyes then settled on the other hunter.
     Without faltering, Pax answered, “Bruce Wayne.”
     “Your name!” the man fumed.
     “Elvis Presley.”
     Taking no interest in his games, the man swung his fist into Pax’s face. The force was greater than he anticipated, yet he remained standing. Pax took this brief moment to search the small group gathered on the steps. Another man moved from them and approached the two hunters. Pax tried not to smile. Regaining his composure, he stood straight before the blond haired man, finally answering his question.
     “Douglas Paxton.”
     Before another breath could be gathered, Pax felt the barrel of a gun pressed against his forehead. The man glared at him, gun in hand and finger poised on the trigger.
     “Stop!” Alex ordered as he neared them. “You said you wouldn’t!”
     “He is an abomination to our linage,” said the man, each word delivered with a harsh tone. “His death was ordered upon his conception.”
     Alex pushed Pax to the side and stood before the gun. “He works for me, not you! Think of him as dead if you like, but I need him at my side.”
     The man’s eyes went from Alex to Pax. “As long as he remains alive, the threat of him breeding is a threat to our lineage.”
     A fake calm shown throughout Alex. “Then he is no threat. Pax has no interest in women. The chances of him breeding are the same as the sun refusing to rise.”
     The man looked at the hunter. “Is this true?”
     Pax shrugged. “Don’t ask, don’t tell.”
     With lips tightening, the man lowered the gun and headed back into the house, the small group following him inside.
     “Why didn’t you tell me?” Alex whispered to Pax.
     “Sorry, sir,” the hunter quipped, slapping Alex on the shoulder, “you’re just not my type.”
     “Your family,” he pointed out. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
     A brief moment of seriousness returned to Pax. “I didn’t want any special treatment.” He nodded at the bandage on Alex’s neck. “I see that Gabe got a little too friendly with you.”
     Alex placed a hand to the bandage as he lost sight of the conversation. “Yeah, I shouldn’t have… It could’ve been worse.”
     “Can we trust them?” asked Jonathan, giving the house another glance.
     “Of course not,” Alex said, taken aback by such a question. “But as they told me, ‘Know thy enemy.’ ” With a forced smile, he added, “Well, come on. Time to get acquainted.”
     Pax waited before following Jonathan and Alex into the house. He knew the gun to the head would not be the last attempt to neutralize this abomination. Poison seemed like the stealthiest way. But the man had the perfect opportunity. Why didn’t he take the shot? Hunters never hesitate.
     A burning knot formed in Pax’s stomach. They’re planning something.
     He sighed as he began walking toward the house. “Into the dark, abysmal unknown our brave heroes trekked.”