22

omesickness was the only way Evonne could describe the feeling in her stomach. It wasn’t her old home she yearned for, but the yearning for something familiar. She knew it was a mistake. She shouldn’t have come here.
Voices from outside caught her attention. Pulling back the window’s heavy coverings, she saw David outside, talking to someone. In the remaining light from sunset, she saw the person clearly.
Evonne threw the door open and stepped on the porch, her anger from last night returning.
David and Zachary ceased talking.
“I’m flattered that David risked everything to ‘save’ me,” she said, crossing her arms, “but now I’m baffled that he planned all of this with you, yet failed to mention that to me last night.”
“I told him not to mention me,” Zachary defended. “I was afraid you would see this as an attack against our father.”
Her lips tightened as she looked at him. “We may have the same father, but I know nothing about you. And I know this isn’t an attack against my father. It’s an attack against Gabriel.”
“I’m sorry you see it that way.”
Evonne headed off the porch and began walking toward the creek.
“Where are you going?” asked David.
“To find Gabriel.”
He caught up to her, grabbing her arm. “You can’t go back to him. Once Alex knows you’re no longer with Gabriel, he’ll leave him alone.”
“You honestly think my father will feel better knowing I’m with you?” She laughed at their naive plan. “All right. If you really want me to stay, then take me hunting.”
“There’s woods all around,” David said. “Endless amounts of animals.”
“I want human blood.”
The words seemed to sicken her two captors.
“We only hunt animals,” informed Zachary.
“Then take me into town.”
“You’re not hunting humans,” said David. “The only humans we feed on are in havens. Humans outside haven walls are off limits.”
“I don’t plan to kill them,” she said. “I’ve done this before.”
Zachary remained adamant. “No humans.”
Evonne continued walking. “Then no deal.” She felt a new hand on her as Zachary stopped her this time.
“Stay with us for a month—a week,” he begged. “If you still wish to leave, then we won’t stop you. But if you try to leave before the week is up, we’ll take you back to Eden.”
Sucking in her lower lip, she thought over his proposal A mistake or not, the change of pace enticed her. “You have one week to change my mind.”

The black town car rolled to a stop in front of the Ingram Estate. The driver got out and opened the back door.
Sophie Bromley wasn’t use to this kind of treatment. On her prior visits to the estate, she would arrive in a Chevy Suburban or some other simple car. But the car she arrived in this night was none other than Alex’s personal car, a move that dumbfounded her.
The driver led Sophie to the front door as he carried her only suitcase. The door opened.
Certain to see Alex on the other side, she flashed a worried smile. The smile faded as she saw man dressed in casual work clothes. He didn’t look like the typical security guard, but Sophie knew his station in the house.
“Hello, Maurice,” she said, relieved it wasn’t Alex.
He nodded. “Hello.” Taking the suitcase from the driver, he ushered Sophie inside. “How was your flight?”
“Long,” she answered, looking around as though she had never seen the place before. “Where is he?”
“Ingram? He’ll be here shortly. I informed him of your arrival already.”
They stopped at the bottom of the grand staircase.
“How long will you be staying?” he asked, setting the suitcase down.
“I’m not sure. I didn’t know I was coming here until last week. I guess I’ll find out soon.”
Sophie saw someone descending the stairs. Her stomach dropped as she realized it was Alex.
Maurice gave a respectful nod. “Glad to have you back, Sophie,” he said. He then gave a smaller nod to Alex as he left for the security room.
Alex stopped on the last step. “I’m glad you accepted my offer.”
“I was afraid to say no,” she honestly said.
“With all that has happened, I would prefer you to stay here.”
Sophie began to fidget. “When Pax said he was coming back to tell you, I was certain…”
“No, no. Don’t worry about that. I won’t allow anything to happen to you. It wasn’t your fault.”
“Where is he?”
“Downstairs. I’ll send for him once you get settled.” He picked up her suitcase and led the way upstairs.
Like the ride here in the town car, the thought of staying upstairs felt odd to Sophie. Neither Jonathan nor Pax stayed upstairs. These rooms were reserved for family, friends, and special guests. The only acceptations were David and Marie, but their rooms were currently sealed off.
Alex opened the door for Sophie, allowing her to enter first. Unlike the permanent rooms of Evonne and David’s, the guestroom was neutrally decorated, warm and inviting.
Alex sat the suitcase beside the bed.
“Are they still here?” Sophie asked, whispering.
“They are,” he answered. “They’re staying in the other wing.”
She stared at him, shocked. “Are you crazy? I can’t stay up here with them!”
“They are my guests. You are my guest. No harm will come to you.”
Studying him a moment longer, she shook her head. “Why are you doing this?”
“I already told you.”
“Fine.” She sighed. “I’ll figure it out the real reason sooner or later.”
He gave a respectful nod. “I’ll leave you to get settled.”
Sophie didn’t watch him leave. As the door closed, she took in a deep breath and sat on the bed. Get your ass up here, Pax!

In the belly of the lower levels, Pax went through a quick question and answer session with a few greenhorns sent in from SEVEN. One eager kid was quick to raise his hand.
“This isn’t grade school,” said Pax. “If you have a question, speak up.”
“Oh, sorry. What kind of military branch do you follow here?”
“None. We’re not military. We’re more like mercenaries—specially trained and well paid mercenaries. You all were brought here because the higher ups saw some raw talent they hope to nurture. Each one of us were brought into the fold on a case by case basis. There are no recruiters or application forms. Your history and experiences got you this far. Now it’s time to show us what ya got.”
Another greenhorn spoke up. “How much do we get paid?”
Pax crossed his arms and leaned against the table. He wanted to smack this kid. “You’ll learn fast that it’s not all about getting paid around here.”
A man entered the room and called out to Pax. “I need to see you for a second.”
Cued by the interruption, another hunter took over, speaking on the importance of teamwork as Pax slipped out of the room.
“I just got off the phone with Jon,” the man informed. “He said that Sophie just arrived.”
Pax’s eyes widened. “What?”
“She’s staying upstairs in one of the guestrooms.”
“Shit!”
Rushing for the stairs, Pax had no time to wonder why she was here. But he know how she got here.
He barged into Alex’s personal study and saw the room empty and the door to his bedroom closed. He threw open the second door.
Alex wasn’t startled by the intrusion. He continued to look through his closest, removing a couple of suits and laying them on the bed.
“Why did you bring her here?” fumed Pax.
Choosing not to address the rules concerning personal space, Alex answered as he held up one suit, looking it over for wrinkles. “I brought her here for you. You seemed determined to return to her, so I did you a favor.”
“You didn’t do this for me. You brought her here to keep me from leaving.”
Alex careful laid the suit on the bed and looked at him. “You are one of the best hunters I have. I want you here.”
“I don’t want her here with them,” he said, gesturing to the wing with the three occupied rooms.
“She’s staying. And you’re staying. Our other guests will be leaving next month. You worry too much.”
Pax threw up his hands. “I can’t believe you did this.”
“You’re welcome,” said Alex, going back to the closet. “She’s in the Blue Room.”
In a huff, Pax left the bedroom. He tried to keep himself from running down the hall. How could he? He thought over and over. He’s known about this for days and I never once picked up on it.
Pax ceased his mental scolding as he reached the door to the Blue Room. With a raised hand, he paused before knocking. Please, oh, please, don’t be mad at me. He knocked.
The door opened. As Sophie’s eyes meet his, she threw her arms around him, nearly squeezing the breath from his body. Pax returned the hug.
“Why did you come here?” he asked.
Sophie let go as she ushered him into the room and closed the door. “It sounded more like an order. Do you know the real reason he wants me here?”
“He doesn’t want me to leave,” admitted Pax as he ran his fingers through his hair. He looked around the room. Her suitcase was on the bed, opened and some clothes already put away. He must have interrupted her as she unpacked. The sight made everything real. “I told him I was heading back to California,” he continued. “And this was his solution, I guess.”
Sophie slid her hands into her pockets. “Who else knows about me?”
“Only Alex. I never told Jon.”
She looked at him, worried. “But he’ll know. Just one look at me and he’ll know. And those three down the hall—”
“Don’t worry about them,” scoffed Pax. “They’ll be leaving soon. I’d imagine they’d have plenty to tell their mummies and daddies.”
“But they won’t be gone by the time…” Her eyes left him as tears tried to form. “God, I can’t even say it. Six months and I still can’t get use to this.”
Pax went over to her, his arms pulling her close. She buried her head into his chest, still fighting the tears.