Bonus Chapter 5 — Khail and Rowan meet Alex

Mikhail:

Rowan and I shift in our seats impatiently as we wait for someone to speak to us. I look at Rowan, who moves closer to me. We’ve been living alone in our abandoned school bus for a while and were hustling money from people on the streets until one of the Council’s officers caught us and took us to one of the group homes. To add to my stress, the Council members were not very happy to find out that I was a Hybrid. After reading Rowan’s book on Supernaturals and living on the streets for so long, I learned a lot about what I am. One being that Hybrids are not accepted in the Supernatural world. There aren’t many of us. In fact, I think I’m the only one of my species, and it seems that being a demon and angel hybrid is the worst you can be. In fact, when I went before the Council judge, the Council was debating whether or not I should be terminated. It has definitely been a crappy couple of days.

“Dude, are you alright?” Rowan leans his shoulder against mine.

After the judge released us to deliberate, they placed us in an observation room to wait for the social worker. The room is a stark grey color with benches, an old coffee maker, and a metal table.

I look at my brother. Yes, I consider Rowan my brother after all that we’ve been through. Since we met, Rowan has had my back, and we’ve become tight.

“I’m fine, I guess,” I mumble half-heartedly.

Rowan scowls. “You know, I won’t let anything happen to you, bro. If we have to fight our way out of here, we will.”

I shake my head. “Nah, man, it’s all good.”

He scoffs in reply. “It’s not all good, Khail. Those people want to kill you for existing, and that’s bullshit. I won’t let them hurt you.”

I place my palm on his shoulder in a calming way. “Chill, Ro. Ms. Mills said that they won’t do it because I’m still a kid.”

Ro frowns in reply but doesn’t comment. However, I can tell that he’s worried about me. His leg shakes impatiently as he stares heatedly at the door.

Just then, the door creaks open. Mrs. Mills, our social worker, walks in, followed by an unfamiliar man. He looks a little older than us, but looks can be deceiving in the supernatural world. He could be hundreds of years old, and we wouldn’t be able to tell because Supernaturals don’t age past their twenties.

“Boys, this is Alexander Shepard.” Ms. Mills gestures to the blond, golden-eyed man. “Mr. Shepard has agreed to foster you.”

I narrow my eyes at the man. “Why would you do that? Do you like little boys or something?” I ask the man.

Rowan and I have been on the streets long enough to understand that you can’t trust all grown-ups. Over the past year, we’ve gotten into a couple of scary situations. One guy tried paying us for sex, and another tried to lure Rowan into his home. It was pretty scary. We were both able to run away before anything life-changing could happen, but we learned to be wary after that.

The man, Mr. Shepard, quirks an amused brow. “I understand your wariness, Mikhail. I lost my parents at a very young age, and being dragged through the system didn’t really ingratiate me to the adults around me. That’s why I’m here.”

He looks at Rowan, who gives him a curious frown. “You’re a Dhampir,” Rowan mutters.

Mr. Shepard nods. “Yes, I am.”

His eyes bounce between us. “I know that you two haven’t had a good time of it. Especially you, Mikhail. I know what it’s like to be part of two worlds but never be accepted by either.”

Ms. Mills steps forward and gazes at both of us. “Here’s the reality, boys. The Council is not happy with Mikhail’s existence and is concerned with what might happen if we let him go. Before they make a harsh decision, Mr. Shepard—”

“Alex. Please, call me Alex.” He asks all of us.

Ms. Mills nods her head. “Before the council decided to terminate, Khail, Alex, agreed to let you live with him. He agreed to be responsible for you and teach you how to control your abilities. He also took responsibility if any problems arise.”

I look down at my hands, feeling complete disbelief. The Council wanted to kill me for existing.

“Do you understand what kind of life Alex is offering, Mikhail? He’s giving you a chance to live and a chance to prove the Council wrong. You can live a full life, Mikhail, and Rowan can be by your side.” She pleads gently.

I look at Rowan for confirmation. Rowan’s brows rise as if telling me that he’ll do whatever I want him to do.

I think through my options. I either die or live with my brother in a more comfortable environment.

“Listen, Mikhail.” Alex breaks into my thoughts. “I know that this is a difficult choice considering the things you’ve seen. But I promise you, I just want to help. For years, I’ve seen how Hybrids like us are treated for simply existing, and it’s unfair. I just want to give you the opportunity to prove it. Just give me a chance.”

I look into his eyes, seeing the sincerity. “Okay,” I reply. “We’ll go with you.” Rowan nods his head and says, “I go where my brother goes.”Alex smiles. “I can see that both of you are close. That’s why I made the decision to take you both.”

I look at Rowan, then back at Alex. “When do we leave?”

Alex waves at the door. “Now, if you want.”

Rowan and I rise from our seats and stand before Alex. “We’re ready.”

As we step out of the Council exit, I can’t help but feel that my life has taken another positive turn, and over time I realize that I made the right choice. Alex turns out to be an incredible dad, even though he doesn’t look that much older than us. Soon after, Alex brings home two more boys, and our family grows. But that’s a story for another day.