Salem had two cups of the brew when his father and Amberosia showed up. When he knocked Salem offered to get it. Sage nodded to him.

   The moment they walked in the room, the hob-goblin went over and hugged them both.

   "Thank you so much for coming." He said.

    "Always. Now what's the matter?" She asked.

    Sage began to cry.

"I'll tell them." Ludwig offered.

"Please do." Sage whispered.

"Sit everyone. This isn't good news." He said.

   The vampires sat together across from Sage and the gargoyle.

       "The empress is missing."he said.

     "What?! For how long?" Amberosia said.

    "She was in the courtyard last night. Sage went to see if she needed anything and she was gone."

       "Did she go into the forest?" Salem inquired.

   "Maybe. We checked but didn't find anything." Ludwig replied.