"Hmm ..."
"Why do you need to think about it?" I asked.
"Well, Ace is complicated."
"How so?"
"He just is," Gabriel said.
"That is not an answer."
"Ask him yourself," Gabriel said.
"I don't feel like he wants me to."
"That is because he doesn't, but don't be scared of him. Like me and Dominic, he would protect you with his life. I can promise you that," he said.
I smiled a little. I couldn't help myself. I really believed that. Somehow, I just knew Ace would protect me too.
"Okay," I said. "I believe you."
That made Gabriel smile even bigger.
"So, his talent?" I asked.
"He is smart."
"Smart?"
Gabriel nodded.
"Damn clever."
I was surprised to hear this, but then I asked myself why was I surprised. He was definitely talented at games, but maybe that wasn't just it. Maybe he was one of those people, who only need to be taught something once, and then they were just good at it. It made sense. Ace wasn't the biggest talker, but he definitely seemed to be good at a lot of other things.
"Interesting," I said. "How long have you all known each other?"
"I have known Dominic for about ... four hundred years.
"FOUR ... four hundred?" I asked lowering my voice, so I didn't attract attention.
Gabriel nodded.
"Ace, we met about three hundred years ago."
"Wow ..."
Gabriel just smiled at the way I looked, and I had to think I looked funny. I knew they were all old ... but I didn't knowhowold.
"How old are you all exactly?" I asked.
"I am four hundred and eighty," he told me. "Dominic five hundred ... Ace? Good question."
"He has never told you?" I asked, barely able to comprehend how old Dominic was.
Gabriel shook his head.
"Never," he said.