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