Gabe scooped up the crystal and shoved it in his pocket.
“I— I— didn’t know. What it —” Rachel stammered, now trembling in Gabe’s presence. Unknowingly, he had allowed his anger to affect the temperature of the cave, causing it to fill with a chill that made their breath visible.
“You’re right, you don’t know anything! You always have to be meddling, don’t you? Jesus, woman, do you ever mind your own business?” Gabe snapped, turning his back to Rachel.
Rachel went from being afraid of Gabe to furious in an instant. How dare this guy speak to her that way? He didn’t know her at all.
“You don’t know me!” Rachel screamed, amazed by the way her voice carried in the entrance of the cave.
Gabe turned around wildly and leaned in close to Rachel’s face. “And I don’t want to know you.”
“What is your problem?” Rachel asked, clenching her fists tight.
“You are my problem. You come to my home, put me in danger, and then you have the nerve to snoop through all of my stuff. You really are quite daft, aren’t you? Hard to imagine one day you will give birth to the prophet.” Gabe’s words spit out like venom.
“Well I can’t seem to figure out why so many people have sacrificed their life to protect you. You clearly don’t care about anyone but yourself.” Rachel replied coolly, releasing her hands, determined not to allow this guy to elicit such a response.
“What are you talking about? Nobody has given their life for me.” Gabe rebutted, confused by her statement.
“Gabe, I’m not stupid, Uri told me. There was Raimie, or how about those Mursers who helped you when you first left Rampart?” Rachel answered with her own question.
“What? What are you talking about? Are you talking about Clarite? I haven’t seen her in years.” Gabe asked, consumed by confusion.
“I don’t know. All I know is Uri said he kept tabs on you during those five years, and you left a path of death and destruction behind you.” Rachel insisted.
“You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about!” Gabe shouted. “Go back to the cabin and wait there for Uri, do you understand me?”
“Where are you going?” Rachel demanded.
“Do as your told and don’t worry about me. Don’t leave the valley, stay close to the cabin and wait for Uri.” Gabe said, exiting the cave. Before Rachel could say another word, Gabe waived a hand and disappeared into a cloud of smoke. He gave no thought to the fact that he did not have his copper helmet; his thoughts were consumed with figuring out what Rachel was talking about. Clarite and his other friends had been alive and well when he left them. If something happened to them, it was not his fault.
CHAPTER FOUR
Five years ago when Gabe left Rampart, he had come to a small town called Baynar that was in the Underworld. At the time, he thought he was just looking for a place to lay low, but soon enough he realized there was more to his exit from school. At Rampart he found himself constantly shrouded in secrecy, and now that he had broken away he wanted answers. He was seeking the truth about The Guardians.
Gabe had been inducted into this society of magical protectors, given a home and friends, and people who seemed to care about him. One thing he was never given, however, was answers. He was sure Michael had kept countless secrets from him. Once Gabe was on his own, he decided he was going to unravel all the mysteries, one way or another.
Gabe had either been arrogant or naive, he wasn’t even sure himself, but years ago when he fled his home, he hadn’t thought about the fact that he would be hunted. Every demon in the Underworld was after him and he showed up at a pub, in unfamiliar territory, unprotected. He was very fortunate Balor, the innkeeper who was running the pub, noticed him that night. Had it not been for him, Gabe knew he would most likely be dead.
A Wintok was a creature that could be easily bought. They never fought a war because of a cause; they fought for the highest bidder. When Gabe first came to Baynar, the word was out that Baal was seeking the protector and he would reward anyone handsomely who brought the boy to him. Though Gabe attempted to hide his identity beneath a hooded cloak, it did not fool the Wintok. Baylor suggested the boy leave when