Rayna's Sacrifice (The Katori Chronicles Book 3) by A. Lombardo (intellectual books to read .TXT) 📗

felt a little disappointed. He had been sure it would be blue like all the other Beastmasters he knew.

Rayna lay on the mat beside him. Her body emitted light that he could see without gleaning, and it pushed against Kai’s sensitive eyes. He noticed she was also dry, but still deep within her experience. “How…” Kai struggled to make a sound at first. “How did we get out of the pool?” Kai asked. He wanted to touch Rayna’s arm, but he refrained. “Why is everyone here glowing so bright?”

Haygan whispered. “After your… shall we say, experience, everyone floats to the surface. As your uncle, I asked to be the one to lift you from the pool. It is a blessing to enter the water while it teems with power. The entire building hums with magic.”

“How is it that we are completely dry? I kind of remember you pulling me from the water, only, I…” Kai let his words fade, thinking back to the moment.

“You have been lying here for almost an hour.” Haygan waved to the meditating crowd. “We are all here to pray over you and Rayna. Offer blessings. We wait for you to return.” Haygan paused as Rayna stirred. “They are bright because you are attuned to their aura. I see it too, although not as brightly as you, because I was in the pool. They can also see a pale version of the magic you connected with in the water. It is the insight from Alenga, shared with us all on this day.”

Lost between thoughts and emotions, Kai did not know what to say. He tried to speak again, but no words would come out. His nerves felt raw, near the surface, oversensitive. Without needing to focus, not only could he see everyone’s aura, he sensed their emotions. Harmony emanated from the crowd. He took a deep breath to linger in the moment.

“Nephew, after our bonding, everyone feels at a loss for words. It is a compelling experience. Relax and enjoy the moment. It can be disorienting for some and euphoric for others. It will subside. Within a few hours, you won’t even remember the experience. You will be left with the memory and feeling of pure peace and love. That is Alenga’s way.”

Brows knit together in confusion, Kai looked at the pool. He didn’t want to forget. Just the opposite, he needed to remember her words. He was sure that is what Alenga told him. Before he could protest, Rayna sat up. Her beautiful long brown hair puddled around her shoulders. She opened her hand. The once white teardrop crystal was now deep emerald green.

“I…” She swallowed and looked at Kai. “I feel wonderful,” Rayna announced profoundly. “Alenga was so beautiful. She told me…I…I don’t remember.” She looked to the others, her eyes ready to tear with joy. “Kai, you are radiant.” She motioned to his aura. “I can feel your essence. Without gleaning, I see your light shining.”

Yulia knelt between them. “Welcome back, my dear. Green, I see—Kodama. As if there was any doubt. You are most blessed, Rayna.”

Yulia reached toward Kai. Her expression shifted to one of concern. “Close your hand, Kai,” she whispered. “Don’t let them see your stone is white. The elders will not like this. It is as they feared. You are most certainly Keegan’s son. I don’t know why I didn’t notice the resemblance before.”

Fear welled in the pit of Kai’s stomach. “You mean my father’s crystal was white?”

“Yes,” she cupped her hand over his stone. “Before it turned black. Although his father, Benmar, your grandfather, his crystal is still white to this day.”

Haygan waved her off. “There is no use in hiding it, Kai. Alenga has blessed you as she saw fit. Legend or no, your crystal is white. Like all of us, you will choose a teacher, and your gifts—whatever they are, will simply be. How you choose to use them is what will define you. Maybe even define us all. I do not know what this means, or if you will fight your father, but this is not the time to talk.”

On his feet, Haygan pulled Kai and Rayna to his side. Hands pressed together, he bowed to each of them. “I see you, Kai, welcome to Hiowind. I see you, Rayna, welcome to Hiowind.”

Unsure what else to do, Kai pressed his hands together and bowed in return, Rayna followed his lead, thanking each new person. Simone and Yulia followed Haygan. They offered them the same greeting and stepped aside.

The crowd stood. Each person, one by one, all came and extended their warm welcome to Kai and Rayna. Hands pressed together in prayer, they bowed. Eyes locked with each person, Kai felt the love they offered. Emotions welled in his chest. Overwhelmed tears rolled down his cheeks. He had never experienced anything so raw.

When a man with pitch-black hair and dark brown eyes approached Rayna. Kai felt tension tighten his neck and shoulders. Without him saying it, Kai knew who this man was to him. Like the others, he pressed his hands together and bowed graciously. “I see you, Rayna, welcome to Hiowind. I see you, Kai, welcome to Hiowind. My name is Lucca. I am your grandfather.”

The apprehension swelled in Kai’s chest. His heart pounded in his ears. He had nothing to say to this man. What could he say? Best he knew, Lucca did everything he could to keep Kai out of Katori. The smile his so-called grandfather offered looked real but did not truly reach his eyes. The softness in Lucca’s touch as he patted Kai’s arm left Kai feeling conflicted.

This was more than he expected after the fight it took to get here. Could it be that simple? Were they now welcome among the Katori? Face after face, he bowed and met new Katori people. So many eyes, smiles, and blessings. They all became a blur.

After the crowd stopped, Haygan put his arm around Kai. “I know this,” Haygan waved to the now