Pax stood at the foot of the grand staircase. An expression of concern and fear found him as he debated whether to involve himself with Alex’s troubles or continue on his daily routine.
     The days following the banquet were spent in disbelief. Pax, nor the other hunters, learned of what happened until the following day. It was Jonathan who was informed only minutes after Gabriel’s exit. Pax felt left out. Sure, Jonathan had been their longer, but Pax use to see them as equals serving under Alex’s command. Why didn’t their fearful leader send his men after Gabriel that night? Why allow him a head start? Even within the days following Evonne’s escape, Alex made no attempt to send his men into the field.
     “Still in his room?” Pax heard Jonathan say as he approached. The two looked toward their boss’ bedroom.
     “Going on six days,” said Pax, shaking his head. “If he keeps this up, he’ll break his old record.”
     Jonathan glanced at him. “Did you try talking to him?”
     “Are you crazy? I’d like to keep my job here. Besides, he’ll come out of there… eventually.”
     “There’s only one lead we have, and he won’t be easy to find.”
     “Gabriel will make a mistake sooner or later. We just need to keep our eyes open until he does.”
     Jonathan’s eyes moved to Evonne’s bedroom door. “What if she’s not with him? Sure she left with him, but he could’ve been a decoy.”
     Pax shrugged. “Possibly.”
     “He wasn’t the vampire after her, remember? There was another. She could be with him right now.”
     The muscles in Pax’s jaw tightened. “It doesn’t matter who she’s with. As long as she’s out there…” He looked at Jonathan, one of the few times he allowed him to see his serious side. “There’s a good chance that what we may find will no longer be the Evonne we remember. And what then? How do we tell Alex? The man will have nothing left.”
     “He’s survived things like this before. He’s a tough old bird. It will take much more to silence him.” Jonathan smirked as he began to head up the stairs. “I’m not waiting any longer. He needs to snap out of it.”
     “You’re making a mistake,” Pax reminded. “He won’t answer. And if he does, he may snap off your leg or an arm.” Rolling his eyes, he followed Jonathan to the second floor. “He’s not going to answer.”
     Coming to the bedroom door, Jonathan raised his hand to knock.
     Pax stopped him. “How long have you lived here? You should know that he never opens this door.”
     Jonathan sighed and moved to the other door, this one leading to the personal study. He knocked. No answer. He knocked again.
     Leaning into the door, Pax called out, “I have a pizza here. Extra cheese and a side order of breadsticks.”
     “Would you cut that out,” whispered Jonathan.
     Pax continued, “Listen, the pizza guy drove clear out here to BFE, and he expects to get paid. I don’t have any cash on me, and I figured since you’re loaded and all…”
     “BFE?” Jonathan asked, an eyebrow raising.
     “Seriously?” Pax looked shocked. “You’ve lived out this long and haven’t heard that before?” He saw Jonathan shrug. “BFE: Bum fucked Egypt.” He patted him once on the shoulder. “And now you know.”
     “That doesn’t make any sense. This isn’t Egypt.”
     Pax let out a heavy sigh. “It’s just a phrase. It means… you know what? Forget it. I don’t feel like explaining it right now. And another thing, I know you stole my last packet of hot cocoa.”
     “Now why would I do that? It’s not even winter yet.”
     “It’s fall. The nights are getting cold. I was looking forward to some hot cocoa.”
     The door cracked open.
     They stopped bickering to see Alex’s peering through, looking at them.
     Pax scrambled to speak. “Uh, you took too long. I already ate the pizza.”
     Alex stared at him, finding no amusement with the hunter.
     “Sir,” said Jonathan, stepping closer, “we are concerned.”
     The door started to close. Pax’s arm shot out, bracing against it. The seriousness returned to him. “I don’t give a shit about how depressed you feel right now. Staying locked up in here isn’t helping us find her any faster.”
     Alex studied him a moment longer, then opened the door further, allowing them to enter. The two hunters stepped inside. Closing the door, Alex returned to his desk. He picked up a legal pad covered in notes.
     “I have some information,” he began, looking over the paper. “I’ve been informed by SEVEN that four humans were found dead along a river in Pennsylvania. They were camping there over the weekend. They’re bodies were found the following day, burned inside their tents. The local authorities thought it was an unfortunate accident at first, but a fellow worker for the department looked deeper. The local news is reporting it as a homicide, the result of a drifter, or something like that.” He ran a hand through his dark hair and took in a deep breath. “It was a vampire attack. I have a small team looking at things around there, as with every attack.”
     “So what makes this one any different?” Pax asked.
     “Tire marks were found nearby,” Alex informed. “The same tire tread on a certain Jeep Commander.”
     “Evidence, yeah, but not strong evidence. Take the fact that this was a camping area, many SUVs probably come and go there. You’re grasping at straws here.”
     Alex sat back in his chair. “This area isn’t a popular camp ground. It is a couple of clearings near the river where fishermen stay or locals go camping. At its busy season, five campsites may be seen. Now take that in to account. The tire tread can be traced to the Jeep Commander, and even the one we have on record.”
     “Okay,” Pax humored, “let’s say that it was Gabriel. Why would he even kill these humans. To my knowledge, he doesn’t kill on a regular basis, aside from werewolves that is. So why kill these four?”
     Jonathan spoke up. “Perhaps he’s luring you there to keep you from searching elsewhere. There’s a good chance she may not be with them.”
     “Or she is,” said Pax, “and she was hungry that night.”
     Alex shot him a dangerous look.
     “I don’t want to say it,” the hunter continued, “but I saw the surveillance footage. She went willingly. Others are thinking the same thing. What if she’s dead? Are you still going to look for her?”
     “She’s not. She would never let that happen.”
     Pax crossed his arms. “If that helps you sleep at night.”
     Alex’s anger rose. “She was gone for a week last time. I was able to get her back then.”
     “And what about David? Why not search for him?”
     “Pax!” Jonathan snapped. “That’s enough.”
     Leaning forward, Alex placed his elbows on the desk, his forehead in his hands. “I drove her to this. It’s all my fault.”
     “We’ll get her back,” Jonathan assured. “Let me join SEVEN’s group up there.”
     Alex looked at him and shook his head. “No. I need you here.”
     “I’ll go,” said Pax.
     Thinking over the offer, Alex finally replied, “All right. You go. I’ll send a few other hunters with you and the location of the rendezvous.”
     Pax dropped his arms. “Jeez. I see how it is now. Keep Jon here, but me? Hell, you don’t care.”
     “It’s all about seniority, Pax,” defended Jonathan. “Not skill.”
     Alex added, “You’ve worked for SEVEN. Jonathan has not. You know their protocol better.”
     Pax tightened his lips at the excuse. “All talk, that’s all I hear. I’m honored, though.” He turned to leave. “I’ll be downstairs, awaiting your orders.” He left the room.
     Jonathan turned to Alex. “Why are you really keeping me here?”
     “You know Gabriel’s talent in sensing out werewolves. It would jeopardize the team if he discovered you.”
     “I understand.”