For the next five days and nights Evonne forgot how much she liked to do nothing. It was like being back home, but without the constant oppression from her father.
     On the first night she discovered the widescreen TV hiding behind a roll-away panel on the wall. At first glance she thought it was merely decoration, but as she inspected the room further, she found a button beside the panel that sent the small, quiet motor into action. She squealed in delight as the slatted panel lifted to reveal the beautiful sight. She grabbed the remote and began flipping through the channels. Please have HBO! Oh please, oh please!
     By the fifth night, Evonne could sense the restlessness in Gabriel. Staying in one place for this long and doing nothing didn’t sit well with him. But when word reached him that Arden would be arriving soon, his mood lifted.
     Evonne asked him again about his past with Arden. The response was one she almost laughed at.
     “Werewolf pirates?” she repeated. “Sounds more like a really bad movie plot.”
     “I met Arden before then,” he went on to explain, sitting on the bed next to her, “but I had no idea that he and a group of humans were hired by the British Navy to hunt the pirates.
     “The captain of the pirate ship was Alexander Brach. He was said to have served under Benjamin Hornigold, before gaining his own ship and crew. The ship was a brigantine christened Kismet, though Brach rechristened it to Phantom’s Vengeance. A laughable name by today’s standards, but it was common for pirates to rename ships in order to strike fear in their prey. He later added another ship to his command, a fast sloop rechristened Gunnersway, and chose his gunner from his crew as the new captain. But I wasn’t after the sloop. I had been tracking Brach.
     “It was in Charleston, South Carolina when I was discovered by Arden. In his own way he asked me to join his ragtag group of hunters. At first I wasn’t impressed. But I knew I could use them to my advantage. I’m still not sure why Arden even bothered. He never struck me as the type to care about the hunt. But he was a natural at it.
     “In 1718, a year after beginning our search, we succeeded in catching Brach. We masqueraded our ship as a supply vessel and baited Brach into a chase.” Gabriel laughed as he recalled the event. “It was one of the most memorable hunts I’d had in a long time. But as the British Navy learned of the capture and the strange events surrounding the ship, they removed everything from their records: Brach’s name, Arden’s contract, and anything pertaining to the Phantom’s Vengeance. Arden didn’t take the news too well. I, on the other hand, was already off on my next hunt.”
     “What did he do?”
     “Killed some of the naval officers, I think. He takes things to personal sometimes.”
     “He sounds out of control.”
     “He’s not. He’s always in control over his actions. That’s what makes him feared by others, and the perfect guardian for Nauvia.”
     “About that. Why is he called Nauvia’s Guardian?” She was familiar with the name “Nauvia”—one of the Original Vampires—but she had never heard the title before.
     “Arden and his sister, Ardella, were children when they were brought into Nauvia’s Court. They grew up surrounded by vampires. As they grew older, they were trained to become guardians. I’m not too clear on what happened, but somehow Ardella was injured and Nauvia saved her from death. It’s said that she disliked keeping them apart so she turned Arden, as well, years before their intended time.
     “Guardians aren’t always active. They’re usually called into service once every one-hundred years. The last time Arden served as guardian was from the mid 1800s to the 1900s.”
     “So those vampires I always see around Saros are her guardians? I wouldn’t think she’d need anything like that.”
     “The Originals aren’t completely invulnerable. There’s a fear that if one were to die, those within the bloodline will also die. But there’s no proof behind this.”
     “I guess it’s the fear of ‘what if.’ Is there anything else I should know about Arden?”
     “Like Demetrius, all he has known is the life and customs of vampires. But unlike Demetrius, he doesn’t talk much.”
     “I like him already,” she joked.
     Their conversation ended as Evonne’s attention went back to the TV. The show was about ancient Greece and their everyday lives. Shows like these interested her more than the ones made up for primetime.
     Halfway through the show’s explanation of Greece’s relationship with its neighboring countries, a knock came to the door. Evonne turned off the TV as Gabriel answered.
     The human nodded and stepped to the side, ushering in their guest.
     Evonne found herself staring at the new vampire. This was Arden? He looked nothing like she imagined. Though he was not much taller than Gabriel, he presence made him seem like a titan.
     As true to popular vampire myth, Arden was of Romanian heritage, though his birth name was lost when he and his sister were stolen away from their home. His real age was never told to her by Gabriel, but she guessed that his human age ended near thirty.
     Arden’s hair was long, black, and hung past his waist. He never liked the idea of cutting it or keeping it pulled back. It was the only part of his appearance he refused to change. His clothes, however, were more in line with the whole vampire stereotype. The black coat he wore was long and carried a series of buckles from the waist to the collar. His look wasn’t a fashion conscious decision. The dark clothing helped him to blend in while hunting as well as sparking intimidation in others. All of the Guardians of Nauvia wore similar clothing.
     Evonne became transfixed by the stoic vampire. Though nearly not as old as Demetrius, he had the aura and respect of an elder.
     The human closed the door, leaving the three vampires inside.
     Arden didn’t wait to be introduced to the young vampire staring at him from the bed. He spoke directly to Gabriel. “I need your help. The matter is urgent.”
     Sitting back on the bed, arms crossed, Gabriel replied, “What has you so concerned?”
     “The Brotherhood of Osiris.”
     Evonne wanted to bury her head in a pillow and scream. Not them, again.
     Arden continued. “They are planning to attack Eden. Their goal is to nullify SEVEN, perhaps convert the facilities into more of their own.” He stopped speaking as he saw Gabriel and the young vampire exchange glances. “Have you heard of them?”
     “I’ve had some run-ins with them in the past,” explained Gabriel.
     “Then you know what they are capable of.”
     “Why contact me?”
     “You have a direct link to Ingram. We have attempted to warn SEVEN, but they have brushed off our concerns. If more seek to warn them, they may listen.”
     Gabriel sighed. “This couldn’t have come at a worse time.”
     Arden tilted his head at the statement.
     Gesturing to young vampire, Gabriel introduced her. “Evonne Ingram.”
     Arden looked at her then Gabriel. “Then don’t bring her.”
     Evonne was baffled that he wasn’t shocked by her name. He was the first one to not stare at her in disbelief. She was actually relieved that he didn’t care.
     “Even without her,” replied Gabriel, “I doubt Alex will listen. We’ve already been down that road recently. The wounds are still fresh.”
     “Then you’re not helping?”
     Looking away, he finally answered, “No. I wash my hands of anything concerning Eden or SEVEN.” His words sounded forced.
     Arden’s dark eyes studied him. “Nicholas was right. He said you wouldn’t get involved.”
     “How did you get involved?”
     “They came after us. We stumbled upon a dhampir who managed to escape from them. She warned us of their plans but we acted too late. They were after a human in Nicholas’ keep.”
     “I’m not getting involved,” Gabriel reiterated.
     Arden tried a different tactic. “The Brotherhood has many goals within this one move. Their main target is Redthorn. They plan to kill Ingram’s guests to fuel the House’s anger.”
     “Redthorn’s at Eden?” The news startled him more than the threat against Alex.
     “Two children of Kenrick and one of Mallin have been staying there. They are to observe and perhaps form a working relationship with Ingram and SEVEN. They are scheduled to leave next month. The attack will happen on the full moon.”
     Evonne finally willed herself to speak, addressing Gabriel. “Forgive me for playing devil’s advocate here, but you delivered my father to them. In a way, you’re the cause.”
     Upon hearing this, Arden narrowed his eyes at Gabriel. “You sent Alexander to Redthorn? What were you hoping to achieve?”
     “I needed him to stop looking for us. What he chose to do from there was his own design.”
     Arden shook his head. “Then I was a fool for coming here.”
     “You’re not a fool—just bad timing.”
     Without another word, the vampire bowed and left the room. He knew that no amount of talking would sway Gabriel’s mind. He had to report back to Nicholas before sunrise.
     After the door closed, Evonne stared at Gabriel, confused by his lack of compassion. “You’re going to turn your back on my father?”
     “They are The Brotherhood, Evonne,” he said, laying on the bed. “Every run-in we’ve had with them hasn’t ended well.”
     “You know they’re not some band of angry werewolves and vampires. If this attack happens, it won’t be like the last one. My father doesn’t know what they’re capable of. And I’m certain we haven’t seen the full force of this group.”
     “Alex won’t listen. He’ll have to deal with this on his own.” He closed his eyes.
     Evonne could see the weariness in him regarding the matter. She slumped her shoulders as her eyes dropped to her hand, her fingers running along the remote’s buttons. “If we do nothing, he’s going to die. I don’t think I could forgive myself if that happens.”
     “Arden and Nicholas will find another way to warn those at Eden. I’m not Alex’s only liaison.”
     She looked at him, hoping he would look at her. “What he doesn’t listen at all?”
     Gabriel kept his eyes closed as he spoke. “Then he digs his own grave. The blood won’t be on my hands.”
     “Yes it will,” she whispered.