Gabriel had left Eliza in his protective shield. Yes, he hadn't lied to her. He needed to attend something. Something that he had considered a 'danger' to his relationship with Eliza.
Earlier, while in mid-air, he could sense a very familiar presence that also seemed to be in the same desert. Though, it would have been easy if he had used another route to his home but where would the fun be in doing that? He asked himself.
Now, that he knew Dav was close by, he saw it as a necessity to have a word with him. To tell Dav that I was fruitless to be in search of the princess.
In a matter of moments, he was able to spot the thick forest and also, the car that Dav must have probably used to get to the forest. But there was no sign of Dav even when his scent was very strong.