One Last Time

23. Pain, Blood and Tears

Kai turned around. "Greetings, children of the sea. I have been expecting you." 

Taya's jaw twitched. "It's six against one, blondie. You can't win."  

Kai laughed, it sounded like a waterfall. "Taya, how nice to see you. I wanted to meet you the most. You are extraordinary, aren't you?" His grin was like quick-silver. 

"Wha-" 

Matt shook his head at her and she fell silent, her eyes glaring at him. 

Kai looped his hands behind his back and started walking towards them. They all moved closer into a tight circle. Matt's warm hand brushed against Taya's hip and she felt her cheeks redden. 

Coming to a stop in front of them, Kai leaned in towards Stella. "You seem sick. Are you alright?"
She tilted her head to the side and felt a throb, though she didn't show it on her face. "I am pretty fine, much more than I can say for you after we are done with you." 

He barked out another laugh. "Wow, you are a bunch of sassy kids. I like it." 

"Fuck off, Kai. No one here is threatened by you." Theo said. "You can play your nasty games all you want, but you just want power. So you are all alone. But, you won't get anything from us. Nothing." 

A muscle jumped in Kai's cheek. He was genuinely pissed now. "Who says I want anything from you?"

Theo scowled. "You couldn't have been waiting for us, just to chat or flirt with. We aren't dumb-" Kai flicked his hand and Theo clamed up unexpectedly. Stella gasped and grabbed Theo's hand as he started to go green in the face.

"Don't worry, he'll be able to talk again in a few moments. I was getting bored of him." Kai acquiesced in a sharp tone. 

Taya bit her lip. Kai was a strange one and he seemed to be impatient, it was going to be hard to escape him. 

She spoke up. "What do you want?" 

Matt groaned in her ear. She ignored him. 

Kai rubbed his hands and the gesture made shivers run down Taya's spine. "Glad you asked, Taya." 

"How the hell do you know my name?" 

Kai winked. "I make it my business to keep track of all special things." His accent was different, British with a hint of a Mandarin tone. 

She frowned but didn't say anything. He glanced at Matt and continued. "What I want from you is simple." 

He moved closer to them, Casey could feel the air rush out of her lungs as he walked past her. 

He stopped in front of Taya and smirked. "Taya's life." 

******

"No." Matt shouted. "We aren't going to give Taya's or anybody else's life to you.
So you can stay away." 

His grey eyes glinted. They were almost the same color as Pedro's but it lacked the warmth Pedro's eyes had. 

"After you hear what I have to say, I am sure you will be ready to give Taya's life." 

"Never." 

Kai licked his lips and to Stella's astonishment she saw that he had a black tongue. She recoiled, barely imperceptibly. 

"We'll see about that. Are you guys hungry?" 

Casey's eyebrows shot up. "You want to kill Taya, but before that you ask if we want to eat something? I have met many mad men in my life, but none as crazy as you."