One Last Time

28. Stay Away

The wind howled and screeched, ratting the window panes. 

The group stood around the metal chair in which Taya had once been tied up in. 

"He's not here." 

"Well, we weren't expecting him to wait and welcome us with piña coladas at the entrance, right?" Matt asked Pedro exasperatedly. 

Pedro made a face. "There's blood here though. It looks a bit fresh. He couldn't have left that long ago." 

He swooped down and ran his finger along the floor. A rusty red color coating came off. "Yep, it's fresh all right. I'd say three-four hours." 

Matt turned around, his back to the rest. "Oh shit. He has so much of a head-start and he has magic. That means he could be anywhere in this world." He looked out of the window, as if that would provide the answers. The sky had turned murky and grey, the clouds heavy with the promise of rain. 

Lightening crashed across the sky. Taya jumped a little at the sound that came with the thunder.
Matt glanced at her before staring outside again. Trees swayed in the harsh wind, threatening to  fall on the building.  

Stella sighed. "We follow our plan then. He wants Taya and the best way to keep her safe is not out in the open jungle, but at home. Back to Mexico we go." 

Taya kept her hand on Stella's shoulder. "Wait, what? Nobody told me about the whole, "let's keep Taya safe" plan. What's all this?" 

"Shit. I should have told you earlier." 

"Damn straight. Now, tell me what's going on?" 

"Fine, I'll tell you." Stella acquiesced. "Well, of course Kai didn't want you to clean his undies but for some bigger, darker action. We have to keep you away from him."

She held up a hand. 

"Before you go on that self-martyr speech that everyone just likes telling, it's not only about you. Your safety is important, but the Sotìras, and the whole world may be in danger. We cannot risk that. Please, tell me you find this fine reason enough." 

Taya grunted a confirmation. Stella gave her a quick smile. 

Matt rubbed his eyes tiredly. "Let's go home?"

There was a chorus of yeses.

**** 

Matt clapped a hand on Pedro's shoulder. "It was nice to meet you, mate. Hope to see you again." 

They were all outside the Brazilian airport gate, exchanging goodbyes with Pedro who had decided to stay behind. 

Taya hugged him. "Thanks for not betraying us." She laughed as he rolled his eyes. 

"Oh, and thanks for not kidnapping Casey either or I would have strung your insides on a Christmas tree." 

Pedro gasped overdramatically. "Oh my. I am scared." 

"You should be." Taya winked. She had started to warm up to Pedro and now he wasn't going to be there. She would miss him. 

Stella gave him a quick peck on his cheek. "You could have been my brother-in-law. I am sorry you didn't get time to spend with Theo. You know, when we found out about you, he was super happy and excited." 

Pedro winced. "Yeah, I am going to miss him a lot. Even though he didn't know me, I knew him." 

She smiled. "Do visit us soon." 

He patted her head. "Of course. And you don't have to marry Theo to make me your brother-in-law. I could be your brother from this moment onwards forever."