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

“Of course, I care. You may not understand my choices as a chief or as a father, but…”

Aggression boiled inside Kai. “Choices? You judged me without meeting me. Just because I am Keegan’s son, I am destined to be bad?”

“You are destined to bring war to our people,” Lucca countered.

“And you know this how?” Kai could not hold back. “In all of my seventeen years, this is the first time you’ve spoken to me. You know nothing, short of hiding behind your precious mountains. So, what, is my name carved in stone beneath this legend everyone is so afraid of?”

Lucca stepped into the space between them. Kai felt immense power radiate out of his grandfather. In fact, the man’s aura spiked, and Kai’s still-sensitive eyes blinked at the brightness. “Watch your tone. I am your chief. Do not challenge me.”

Saving them from an escalating discussion, Haygan placed a hand on Kai’s shoulder. “Father,” Haygan addressed Lucca. “Pardon the intrusion, it is rather late. Kai, we should find Simone. You and Rayna will be staying with us.”

“As you wish, son. Good evening.” Lucca nodded graciously and backed away.

Kai was relieved. “Thank you, uncle. I don’t like or trust the man. Sorry, I mean no offense. I know he is your father.”

“No offense taken. I understand. Half of the heartache in your life could have been spared if he’d have only listened to Kendra and me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, instead of waiting to see if you would bloom into full Katori, we should have been teaching you and telling you our secrets. Helped you remember earlier. But he insisted you were a Half-Light, unworthy of our time.”

“So, when I started to show abilities, Lucca must have decided I was Keegan’s son.”

“Exactly. The older you get, the more you look like the man.”

“And now my white crystal…” Kai continued Haygan’s train of thought.

“If only he had listened to Mariana back when he had the chance,” Haygan sighed. “Anyway, let’s get you two settled.”

If it were not so late, Kai would have pressed for more details, but he’d not slept well in days—and even with the power from Alenga coursing through his veins, he felt tired.

Haygan and Simone walked hand-in-hand down the serpentine path that led away from the Agora, Kai, and Rayna following behind. Along the way, Kai tried to observe as much as he could about the new place. In many ways, the city was more advanced than Diu, yet somehow it seemed held back. Nature ruled nearly everything here. Even the man-made structures seemed to resemble plants and vines. Not that there appeared to be anything man-made in the sense he was used to seeing. Even their windmills were different, with vertical curled sails spinning carousel-like around a central shaft.

Everything was a living garden. Liam had talked about the integration of stone around the trees, and Kai noticed that to be true. The main path branched off in many directions. Finally, Haygan turned down a route towards a towering tree. Off in the grass, Kai saw a dark form. “Shiva!” Kai called to her.

Bent on one knee, he greeted the great black wolf. It was so good to see her. It had been months. Seeing her brought it home for him that Smoke was not with him. He was probably still on the other side of the Katori Mountain range. At least he was with Ryker.

Haygan gestured toward a man-sized arch at the base of the tree. “This is the entrance to our home. Above is a network of pods or nests. This is where you will be staying until you choose to live elsewhere.”

The tree and its bark were unlike anything Kai had seen before. Thin, smooth pieces of bark lay on the surface. The trunk itself was a weave of thick individual stalks, each twice the size of his body. Around the outside of the central trunk grew a honeycomb of two different vines; one a pale cream color and the other a dark red. Along the ground, exposed roots snaked through a patch of wildflowers and variegated grasses.

Haygan stepped into the network of outer vines. As he walked, tiny white and blue flowers sprang to life, luminescent. Even the vines began to glow. Together they climbed in a spiral, higher and higher up the tree. Rayna ran her hand over the vines, and they beamed brighter. She giggled with delight at the magic of the plants. Her happiness warmed his heart. The more they moved; the more flowers illuminated the staircase.

High in the tree hung several egg-like nests. Each had a different room connected and supported by living vines. The home was different than anything Kai had ever known. There were curved growths in several places on the walls, like shelves that held a few various items.

Along one wall, a stone hearth arch sat waiting for winter. Below his feet, tightly woven vines created a nearly smooth surface. In the corner of the main room, a low table had been coaxed out of the floor. Kai was surprised by how comfortable the texture was on his bare feet. Flowering vines trailed around the ceiling, illuminating the space with a warm glow. Red clay filled the cracks between the vines, making the house feel private.

The next pod was a bedroom. Limbs grown into enclosed baskets created a nest with more flowering vines and red clay. Again, the furniture grew out of the walls and floor. The living branches had been trained to create a harmonious living space built for comfort and security.

There was a narrow ledge for sitting, a round bed, hooks for hanging clothing, and shelves with folded linens and extra pillows, all illuminated by white and blue flowers.

Curious, Kai asked. “How was all this made? Why do the flowers glow?”

Simone plopped a few blankets and pillows on the round bed cushion. “The Bodhima trees are robust once they are full-size; however, when they are small, they need the Cosmos vines to support them. The trees grow as