Lee pulled Imogen’s van in front of Gunner’s residence and shut off the engine.

He and Piper turned in their seats, looking back at Henry with expectant expressions on their faces.

“Getting anything?” Lee asked.

Henry gave the slightest shake of his head.

“Well, keep trying!” Piper said, as she flipped down the visor and applied her lipstick. Then she whispered, “He’s not very talkative. I guess he’s trying to pick up Imogen’s scent.”

Lee shrugged.

“Let’s let him do his work his way.”

Piper raised her voice, enunciating every word, as she said, “Should we leave you...” She pointed at him and to the floor of the vehicle. “...here?”

“I don’t think he’s deaf, sweetheart.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean to offend you, Henry. I’m not sure what to do.”

Tipping his head to the side, Henry gestured towards the house.

“That’s our cue,” Lee said, opening his door.

As he rounded the front of the van, he could see Henry running his hands over the sprayer Imogen used to wet the dogs. He stood with his eyes closed, appearing to be in deep concentration.

When Lee reached Piper’s side, he raised his finger to his lips for quiet and eased the door open. Taking her hand, he helped her down from the high seat and then shut it as soundlessly as he could.

“Can we stay and watch?” Piper asked in a loud whisper.

“No,” Lee answered, pulling her behind him, as he went up the walkway back to Gunner’s front door. “I guess we can just go in. No sense in knocking.”

Piper stepped in front of him and turned to face him. A wicked conspiratorial gleam was in her eyes, and Lee arched a brow, as he leaned in close to her mouth.

“Whatever you’re thinking has to wait, babe.”

“Damn. I thought a quickie might relieve some of the stress we’re under.”

He kissed her on her forehead.

“It would, but there’s no time. Come on.”

Delia said, “We’re in here.”

They went to the study to join the others.

“Oh, my God!” Piper gasped, covering her mouth.

When Lee’s eyes fell on Gunner, whose skin appeared ashen in places that were sunken against his bones, he took Piper by the arm, stopping her from proceeding farther into the room.

Delia stood and said, “This is the first step in his degeneration. I’ve seen it happen many times.”

“Do you have to be so blunt?” Blaine asked, looking her over.

“What will sugarcoating the truth help? You, all of you, especially Gunner, need to be prepared for the worst.”

Jana twirled the stem of the glass of wine she was holding in her hand, as she asked, “How much time does he have?”

“Questionable. I’ve seen vampires suffer for months, as they descend farther and farther into despair from not being with their mates.”

“And others?” Jana asked.

“As little as three nights.”

“What?” Blaine shouted, jumping to his feet. “You can’t be serious!”

“I am,” Delia said with finality. “Since they’ve known each other intimately, the connection cannot be broken for long. The Thirst wants its way and will pursue it at any cost to the afflicted. Hence, we must locate Imogen... and quickly.”

Henry meandered into the room, twisting his neck as he looked around. He wandered about the place, touching things and cocking his head as if listening to someone.

“He’s got something,” Delia said, softening her voice, as she directed her gaze towards him.

A gentle laugh came from Henry, as he stared at a particular spot, while his fingers laid on a vase.

“What is it?” Gunner asked, as he brought another blood bag to his mouth. “Do you have information on Imogen?” Henry nodded, and Gunner exploded off the chaise. “Well?” He strode with heavy steps to where Henry was standing. “Say something, man!”

“He thinks she’s pretty,” Henry murmured.

“Who?”

“Him,” Henry replied, as he gestured to an empty space.

“He’s a witch,” Delia said. “Sees all sorts of things.”

“Does he know who took her?” Gunner shouted.

The pack in his hand burst, spraying blood over them both. Henry jerked at the sound and then looked at his clothes and sighed.

“He said something about a woman, but now he’s gone.”

“Then, call him back!”

“I’m trying.”

“Calm yourself,” Delia said in a warning tone. “Let him do his work. He’ll apprise us of what he’s learned once he’s done.”

Anger raced through Gunner at the speed at which he wanted to rush to Imogen, but after a glance to Blaine, who nodded, he raised his hands in surrender.

“While he does whatever he does, I’d like to talk about the connection to The Directive,” Jana said. “If we figure out who the perpetrator is, we might be able to end this quickly.”

“Whoever runs District 7 is behind this,” Blaine said.

“Why do you keep saying that?”

“Shortly after Lee mated with Piper, Gunner was under the mistaken assumption that she was his intended instead.”

“Hmm.”

“It was Imogen’s scent on her, and that’s how they figured out who fate had chosen for him. The very night that Gunner met Imogen, they were attacked by a group who tried to take her from him.” He paused and looked at her. “But that’s the first you’ve heard of this, isn’t it? It wasn’t on any activity reports?” Jana shook her head. “But, you see, I alerted the local Directive chapter within minutes after it happened.”

“Let me guess. District 7?”

“Exactly.”

Jana took her phone from her purse and said, “An armed contingent is to go to Terrance’s home and apprehend him on my orders. Use the precision team. I want it done ASAP. Take him to the rendition area.” She paused. “Yes, you heard me correctly! Call me back when it’s done.”

“She’s not there,” Henry said. All eyes went to him, and he held Imogen’s phone up, showing it to them. “The electrical currents help me make connections with the other side.”

Wanting to rip into Henry and make him hurry up and tell them where to go, Gunner shouted, “Where is she, then?”

“Amongst the dead.”