Gabriel (Continued) (Book 2)

My Past Comes Back To Haunt Me

May 21st (Gabriel's POV)

I put my key into the lock and pushed open the front door. I didn't call out because nobody was supposed to be home. Johanna was still working, Nikola was at the library finishing an essay and Drew was at football practice. I was finally just beginning to come down from the worry of Khyita. I hadn't seen hide nor hair of him since Russia. To think that he killed my dog because I hadn't been there for him! And to think that he approached my children! If I had known about him, I would have cared for Karina and him- well, I like to think that I would have.

I sighed, setting my briefcase down by the front door and hanging my jacket in the closet. I walked off towards the kitchen with intentions of going to turn off the kitchen lights. Instead, I saw Crash sitting at the bar top with a glass of wine.

My shock and anger made me pause.

"W-what do you think you're doing?" I spit out.

"Having a glass of wine," he says plain and simply before taking another sip.

I faltered again, "I don't know how you do things in New York but in this house children do not drink alcohol."

"Look, Gabriel, I had a really hard day. Please, just deal with it."

Oh my god, who the hell does this kid think he is?!

I sit down across from him, deciding to try the concerned approach, "Crash, whatever your problems are, drinking is not going to make them go away or make them better."

"Well, your proof of that, aren't you?" He says back. I'm not sure what he was trying to imply; his voice was neither spiteful nor condemning.

"What are you talking about? Johanna and I never drink when we're at home..."

"Well, not wine," he says before raising his eyebrows and finishing off his glass.

I got worried. Was this really Khyita sitting in front of me? I know Crash was moody but I've never seen him like this before!

"Who are you?" I whisper.

"I think you know," he replies back smoothly.

"Khyita, dammit!" I bang my fists on the table, "Leave me and my family alone!"

Crash leans his head on the table, "Noooo, I'm not Khyita."

"Oh," I say, "Well, shouldn't you be at work then?"

"My job isn't at the record store. I work someplace else," he mumbles.

"Oh, you got a new job?" Was he on drugs?

"More like an old one. I'm Archiving Real Creatures Secretly."

AN A.R.C.! One of Rhoan's people was sitting in front of me!

"Oh my god! Why are you living with me if your an A.R.C? Have I done something wrong? Are you trying to hunt me and my family? Do you know Rhoan Boulevardi? Is he alive? Is he dead?!" I didn't think vampires could panic this much...

"I was sent to you. No, your fine. We don't hunt otherworldly creatures, we study and protect them. Yes, I know him. He's more or less fine, but not dead- and he won't be for a long time."

My heart leapt into my throat. I hated Rhoan for leaving- but I couldn't wish bad things upon him. I wish he was here right now. I want to know what he's seen and how he's been. I want him to teach Sophia more spells and to see how much his god-daughter and nephew have grown...

"Gabriel," Crash says slowly, "I am Rhoan."

I stared, and stared, and stared, and stared some more at this kid. He only looked like Rhoan because of his hair and eyes, but nothing else resembled him.