Page 36 of Violent Skies

Akamu had known the day it happened that it wasn’t me driving. One look at me and she could tell. She also knew her son more than anyone, to his core. She knew his strengths, and his flaws.

“It came knocking this time,” I tell her.

“I’ll make dinner.” She ignores me and drags me into the house, closing the door behind me.

“I’m not hungry, Mama.” I huff.

“You’re starving. Don’t talk back to me,” she grumbles and keeps on through the house toward the kitchen where sounds of arguments bounce in whispers off the walls. She knocks Rafe upside the head gently with a towel because he’s holding the cookie jar hostage as Murphy tries to get some. “Enough,” she barks and they both still. “One each before dinner.”

“One?” They both argue. She gives them a look and takes the jar, Rafe shoves Murphy, slipping his hand in first before he disappears to the table. When she’s alone with Murphy she carefully reaches inside and hands him two chocolate cookies with a wink.

He kisses her cheek and excuses himself to the table to eat both in Rafe’s face. “When they come here, they act like they’re six years old again.”

“Let them,” she warns as she starts to pull out ingredients, handing me an onion and a cutting board. Eventually, I fall in line beside her, doing as I’m told even if it’s my least favorite job. I rub the back of my hand against my eyes to clear the rogue tears from my cheeks. “Always a baby,” she teases.

“You’re the only person I know that can cut six onions and not cry,” I scoff and she laughs.

“It’s because you dilly-dally.” She scolds without seriousness. “Just like you are now. What aren’t you telling me?”

“Cress is home,” Rafe blurts.

“I thought I told you to—” I start, but Akamu looks like she’s seen a ghost. “She’s in trouble.”

“What kind of trouble?” She sets down her spoon and gives us all a concerning look.

“The kind Koa got into and we don’t know how bad it is, but they’re willing to hurt her…” Murphy explains.

“Hurt us,” I add.

“Show me,” she says tightly. Murphy gets up and wanders over with his phone, catching her up to speed. He leaves out some of the details. Akamu doesn’t need to know that her Birdie Baby killed a man, it would stop her dead right here in the kitchen if she did. “So you think that Koa was working for these men? The ones who attacked Cress?”

I nod and she inhales slowly.

“Trouble follows him even in death.” She shakes her head. “What was this man's name again?”

“Malosi,” Murphy pipes up.

“Strength.” Akamu mumbles, “power. Interesting,” she hums.

“What?” Rafe leans over the table.

“The name, it’s quite the choice.”

“You think it was on purpose?” I ask her, trying to follow her thought.

“I know your brother was obsessed with the idea.” She stares at me. She’s always called us brothers, born to stars, threaded together to live in existence forever. Only Koa had cut those strings because he thought I was holding him back. “He had a tattoo…” She reminds us, “on the back of his neck.”

“I knew I recognized that word,” I huff, the connection had been completely lost on me.

“He did?” Murphy scowls.

“He had it covered with a stone angel after his grandfather died,” Akamu says.

“Do you think it’s connected or coincidence?” I ask.

“The universe doesn’t believe in coincidences, Toa.” Warrior. “I would search harder for the man, I’m sorry I’m not much help. After I moved, Koa spoke to me less, in the months before the accident he was secretive, quiet. Not himself.”

“You’ve done plenty, Tinā-Mu,” Rafe assures her and he’s right. She’s given us the first substantial lead we’ve had in days. Unfortunately I’m starting to think that Koa is more involved than any of us suspected.