Kian closed the door to his apartment and strode down the stairs.  He wore a light jacket against the cool evening air.  He didn’t want to incite unnecessary attention as he turned down the street.

On cue, light steps joined his but he continued to walk down the empty sidewalk.

“Shall we?”  She asked, her small strides double the amount of his to match his long legged pace.

He found himself slowing down slightly despite himself and glanced sideways at her.

She slowly smiled and stopped walking altogether.

“Sahara.”  She held out a hand, her hazel eyes more peppered with gold than he realized.

He didn’t take her hand but touched her waist slightly, allowing a speeding cyclist by.

Her hands pressed against his chest, as she watched the cyclist pass, cursing under his breath about  them no doubt.

She looked up to find his dark eyes unreadable.

“Is that your true name?”  He responded, his voice so low even with her strong sense of hearing, she had to strain to hear it.

She dropped her hands to her side and stepped back.

“Despite everything that has happened and may happen, I chose to keep my name.”  She found herself answering.

He locked eyes with her, holding her to her spot.  A part of her was annoyed at his effortless power to enthralled but she knew this wasn’t his power.  It was a charisma he’s always owned.  

Even before he became other.

The moment was broken when he looked away and began walking again.

“Where are we heading?”  She asked, feeling unsettled by the turn of the conversation.

He didn’t glance her way this time, continuing to look ahead of him.

“You mean to take us to him, do you not?”  

He pulled the collar of his jacket up to cover his neck, feeling a cold sensation like trailing fingertips along his veins.

Sahara was satisfied that Kian was cooperating at last.

“Yes and no.” She admitted, wanting to goad a reaction out of him.

Kian merely shrugged and continued to walk down the street.

She was disappointed and yet strangely satisfied with the interaction.  

A part of her was hoping he was still the Kian she-

She quickly repressed that thought and with a determined stride, caught up to him.