“Becca,” Talia called.
alisema warrior came out of her room. She came to stand kwa Cheshire and looked at her mentor.
“How are we feeling?”
“Fine, master.”
“Good. Up for a little training?”
“Please.”
Talia nodded and moved away. She nodded at Cheshire, who swiped at Becca. Becca dodged it looking at Cheshire with wounded eyes.
“Have wewe forgotten to fight without mercy?” Cheshire asked. “Sister, wewe have been gone long.”
Becca glared at her and readied herself. Talia nodded again and Cheshire attacked. She swiped her poison dipped fingernails at Becca but Becca caught her wrist. She twisted Cheshire's arm, kneed her in the stomach, and threw her towards a wall. Cheshire bounced off the ukuta with her feet and grabbed one of the swords hanging from it. Becca brought out her escrim sticks, combining them into one long staff. She blocked the sword with her staff, metal clashing together.
“Ready to give in?” Cheshire whispered.
“No. You?”
“Never. I'm stone hearted. What about you?”
Becca grew angry at this and harshly thrust her staff upwards. The sword fell from Cheshire's hands and Becca knocked her down with a kick to the legs. She caught the sword, turning it on Cheshire.
“My moyo can't be touched,” Becca said, breathing heavily.
“Good work my warrior,” Talia said.
Becca dropped the weapons, allowing Cheshire to get up.
“Well done sister. I thought wewe had Lost your touch.”
“I have not. It burns within, a feeling I have learn to be accustomed to. And my touch can be deadly.”
“All of us have the same touch, sister. Just different ways. But wewe seem to have the most deadly touch. Tell me how did wewe acquire such a gift?”
“Hurts cause pain, sister. Pain fades into anger. Anger can fade into revenge. That revenge could be deadly. And they have only added fuel to my fire.”
“If ever wewe need help, call and I will assist you.”
“Same goes for you.”
Cheshire nodded before heading on her way. Becca turned to Talia.
“Come my little black bird. We have much to do before tomorrow's exchange.”

They waited in the darkness, alert for any movement. The night of the exchange had come and all were anxious to get it over with. A shadow stepped forward, several zaidi behind it.
“Greetings heroes,” Talia called out.
“Where's Becca?” Robin shouted.
“Safe. For now. Do wewe have it?”
Willow lifted the case in her hand. Talia studied it and turned to the smallest member of her posse. Her hair was pitch black, eyes covered kwa a full face mask of black and red. She was dressed all in black, red used to accentuate the different parts of her outfit. The girl nodded, stepping forward, towards Willow. She took the case, opening it. She stood still, scanning the contents before moving back into place.
“Good work Sangue,” Talia commented.
The girl nodded, happy to help.
“Where's Becca?! wewe promised to release her!”
“Calm little bird. I told you, Becca is safe. Your lovely bird is fine.”
“We had a deal!”
“Yes. We did. But your bird didn't agree with it. Why should she be traded like some prize?”
“What did wewe do to her?!”
“Silence!” Sangue shouted. “Why should wewe care? wewe betrayed her!”
“You mean the notes?” Erin asked. “We helped her! She was threatened! kwa you!”
Sangue let out a laugh, stepping closer to both teams.
“You misunderstood.”
“Okay? What kind of a name is Sangue anyways?”
“It I Italian,” Talia explained. “It means blood. Something she has taken much of. And we trust her enough to know when she's had enough pain.”
“I'm confused.”
“Sangue...”
The small warrior hesitated before pulling the mask off. Hair fell into her face but wewe could see her brown eyes.
“Becca?!”
alisema warrior replaced her mask, her face hardening.
“Why is this such a surprise? Haven't I done this enough? I thought wewe would have known me kwa my attitude. It is apparently unforgettable.”
Cheshire came up beside Becca, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
“The note I gave wewe was fake. We never needed to capture your little Sparrow. She came willingly.”
“What?! You're lying!” Willow accused.
“No. wewe are. Every time wewe say wewe will do as I say. I was leader of the team was I not? Yet wewe go behind my back when I told wewe not to. That was the worst betrayal I have ever faced.”
“We were helping you!”
“By doing it behind my back? What's the point? I had it all figured out. I was going to protect all of you. But then wewe disobeyed. So I guess I'm not your leader. And neither am I a hero. Shade is a forgotten soul no one listens to. Sangue is a villain everyone will reckon with. And fear. Because wewe chose to have me take this path, you'll be the first. And I swear this to you. If one of wewe leaves here alive, wewe had better run. Because I'll be on your trail and I know everything about you.”