“While we head out, bạn can tell me something.”
“What do bạn want to know?” Becca asked.
“Why you're out. I haven't seen bạn 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. bạn 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 bạn saved me from Hex.”
“Why'd bạn want to find me?”
“I was hoping bạn could help me find him. So I can end this once and for all.”
“Becca...he almost killed bạn 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 bạn sure? I mean bạn haven't been able to for the last seven years.”
“I know. But...I'm ready this time.”
“Okay. I'll help bạn 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 bạn better than any other. I won't leave bạn again. We'll be partners. Like old times.”
“Thank bạn 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 bạn 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 tình yêu it. Plus, I can get in and out of the window without anyone seeing me.”
“Handy. Can I bug you?”
“Yes. bạn 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 bạn worry. I'll get bạn the best thực phẩm you've ever had. And then we'll go out and find bạn some disguise clothes. All on me.”
“Oh Kai, I couldn't!”
“Becca, do bạn have any money on you?”
“No. I haven't been working. And I gave all I had for my three tháng rent to my landlord. I'm broke.”
“Then consider this a gift. I don't want bạn to go around like that. Your costume is not as comfortable as half the things I've worn.”
“Spoiled brat,” Becca đã đưa ý kiến 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 thêm movement, this time closer. She moved her head slightly. A red chó sói, sói with blue eyes growled at her. Becca screamed, sitting up. The chó sói, sói 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 bạn my dear? We haven't had time to catch up.”
“Aroan! What do bạn 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 bạn know! These pretty wings of your were made to fly. Don't bạn want to fly?”
“I have flown. And it only brings trouble. Like you.”
Aroan smiled.
“You're such a dear thing when bạn 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 thêm than just partners, Becca. We were soul mates, lovers. Can bạn honestly say bạn 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 bạn fallen to your death? Becca, I tình yêu you. And I know that there are feelings inside your tim, trái tim for me too.”
“Only hate.”
“If bạn won't tình yêu me Becca, I'll have to force bạn to tình yêu 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 bạn let her go, hoặc I'll rip your hand off.”
“Oh. So we're defensive. And protective. bạn 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 hoặc 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 bạn thực phẩm when I've finished.
“Thank you, Kai.”
He smiled at her.
“Anything for you, Swan.”