“While we head out, wewe can tell me something.”
“What do wewe want to know?” Becca asked.
“Why you're out. I haven't seen wewe in a long time. Ever since Hex came along.”
“Ugh! Please don't talk about that! I have nothing I want to remember!”
“Okay. But I have to know why you're out. wewe owe me that.”
“I'm out...looking for you.”
“For me?” Kai asked in pure surprise.
“Yes. I had a dream three nights ago. Of the night wewe saved me from Hex.”
“Why'd wewe want to find me?”
“I was hoping wewe could help me find him. So I can end this once and for all.”
“Becca...he almost killed wewe last time. And he's got a new girl now.”
“I don't care! I need to put an end to everything. He hurt me. I need to set it right.”
“You're going to kill him?”
“No. Lock him up.”
“Are wewe sure? I mean wewe haven't been able to for the last seven years.”
“I know. But...I'm ready this time.”
“Okay. I'll help wewe find him. But if he hurts you, I'll have no choice but to kill him!”
“I hope he does, Kai. Because I've never had this kind of protection before.”
“You'll always have me Becca. I know wewe better than any other. I won't leave wewe again. We'll be partners. Like old times.”
“Thank wewe Kai.”
“No problem. Ah. Here we are. Hold on.”
Kai folded his wings in, bulleting towards the ground. He quickly opened his wings, swooping into a window in a hotel.
“Wow. A penthouse. How'd wewe score so big?” Becca asked.
“I payed double what they wanted the first five months. Plus, I was able to pull some strings.”
“Nice. Very fancy. But still cozy.”
“That's why I upendo it. Plus, I can get in and out of the window without anyone seeing me.”
“Handy. Can I bug you?”
“Yes. wewe never bug me.”
Becca smiled.
“This paralyzing stuff is wearing off and I haven't eaten in three days. Get me some food?”
“Don't wewe worry. I'll get wewe the best chakula you've ever had. And then we'll go out and find wewe some disguise clothes. All on me.”
“Oh Kai, I couldn't!”
“Becca, do wewe have any money on you?”
“No. I haven't been working. And I gave all I had for my three mwezi rent to my landlord. I'm broke.”
“Then consider this a gift. I don't want wewe to go around like that. Your costume is not as comfortable as half the things I've worn.”
“Spoiled brat,” Becca alisema with a smirk.
“I can just drop you.”
“No! I take it back!”
Kai smiled and placed Becca on the sofa.
“I'll be back.”
“Hurry,” Becca called.
“Duh.”
Becca smiled, moving her fingers. She stayed where she was, looking up at the ceiling. She heard movement and looked to the window. The curtains blew in the wind. She mentally shrugged and her eyes went back to the ceiling. She heard zaidi movement, this time closer. She moved her head slightly. A red mbwa mwitu with blue eyes growled at her. Becca screamed, sitting up. The mbwa mwitu transformed into the form of a kneeling boy. His hair was silver and his eyes were red. He wore a malicious smirk on his face, eyeing her.
“Rebecca Stevens. Who would have thought you'd walk right into my town? I didn't! But I could smell your delicious aroma. How are wewe my dear? We haven't had time to catch up.”
“Aroan! What do wewe want?!”
He brought his face close to hers, hands on her thighs.
“You have always been my heart's desire.”
Aroan moved his fingers and produced a rose.
“A red rose for the prettiest flower.”
“Cute. But it's too late for that.”
“Is it? Becca, we've known each other for a long time. Almost a life time! Is it really wrong to make one mistake? Take one risk?”
“When that risk is trying to kill your girlfriend, yes.”
“Oh little Sparrow, we were just kids! Look at wewe know! These pretty wings of your were made to fly. Don't wewe want to fly?”
“I have flown. And it only brings trouble. Like you.”
Aroan smiled.
“You're such a dear thing when wewe get angry. But nonetheless, you've always been beautiful.”
“Flattery won't help you. I don't need you. And I'm not going back to the old life I had!”
“But we were zaidi than just partners, Becca. We were soul mates, lovers. Can wewe honestly say wewe have no feelings for me? Even after all these years?”
“I admit I used to have feelings for you. But it was never love. And those feelings died the night Hex through me over the edge of a building!”
“You think I'd have let wewe fallen to your death? Becca, I upendo you. And I know that there are feelings inside your moyo for me too.”
“Only hate.”
“If wewe won't upendo me Becca, I'll have to force wewe to upendo me!”
Aroan grabbed her wrist and Becca cried out.
“You're hurting me!”
“Then get smart!”
“Release her!”
Both pairs of eyes flew to the window where Kai stood, his scythe out.
“Kai. Ever the charmer. Come to win your Sparrow's heart?”
“Listen nutball, either wewe let her go, au I'll rip your hand off.”
“Oh. So we're defensive. And protective. wewe want the bird? Here!”
Aroan threw Becca and Kai fell backwards, catching her.
“Another time my flower!”
Aroan disappeared and Becca panted, tears streaming down her face.
“Did he hurt you?” Kai asked.
“No. I just want him dead!”
“Don't worry. He won't come back. I'll place a spell of protection over this place. Any one who works for him au who belongs to his clan won't be able to get in.”
“Okay.”
“I'll be right back. Go into the bedroom. I'll bring wewe chakula when I've finished.
“Thank you, Kai.”
He smiled at her.
“Anything for you, Swan.”