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

close. “I did not mean to bring her up again to hurt you. When you are ready, I will go with you. You don’t have to face them alone.”

His arms gave her comfort. “So, when do you leave?”

When Kai didn’t answer, Rayna pushed back from him. His hesitation made her wonder how long he had been putting off the discussion. Rayna squinted at him. “You’re leaving tomorrow, aren’t you?”

He pursed his lips and looked down.

Her eyes went wide. “You plan to leave today?” she huffed.

“Again, I’m sorry. I have been putting this off. I meant to tell you weeks ago, but I’ve been distracted, and now Ryker is tired of waiting. He told me last night he was leaving this morning.”

“So, he is waiting for you now? Right now?” She stormed towards the window. “What, is he waiting downstairs?”

There was no denying her words. He went to her and wrapped his arms around her from behind. “I love you. Please, tell me you’re alright with this. You are safe here, in this home, in this community. Jayla is a good woman. As are many others. Even Lucca seems to be trying to mend the gap between us.”

She relaxed in his arms. “I know I will be fine, and I know you will return. But I have never been on my own. Sleeping out under the stars did not frighten me because you were there.” She turned to face him, her expression a mix of emotion.

“Have confidence, my love. You are stronger than you know.” He kissed her forehead and hugged her tight. “I never considered the thought of being alone would be your concern. Or how hard it would be going straight from your parent’s house to here. Haygan and Simone have been like surrogate parents, but I know it’s not the same.”

“How long?” she asked.

“A month, maybe two.”

A faraway thought consumed Rayna’s expression. She gazed through the crescent moon window. Below she could see a man dressed in black approaching. “You are right.” She glanced over her shoulder at Kai. “I cannot hold you back. If Alenga wants you to go, you must go. I will be honest, I am nervous. This will be strange at first, but maybe this is what I need.” She spun on her heels. “Ryker is coming down the path. You need to pack. I will be fine. What supplies do you need to take with you?” She approached the shelves with their provisions.

A small grin curled Kai's cheek, “I suppose bread, cheese, dried fish. Any vegetables you can spare.”

“I will make you a satchel, go collect your things. You should be ready before he decides to leave without you.” She scurried about, placing items on the table. “Go, go,” she waved.

While he ran to his pod and collected a few belongings, she packed food and a water sack into a bag. The idea of spending the two months without him jumbled her insides. This would be good for her and her studies.

Moments later, Kai bounded up behind her, all smiles. “Thank you. I will be back as soon as I can. With good news, I am sure. I love you.” He pulled her into a kiss.

When he stepped back, she found it difficult to let him go. “Travel safe. You will be back before you know it.” She assured herself more than him.

“Smoke, come.” Kai tapped his leg.

Rayna heard Smoke run down the spiral stairwell. Kai thundered down behind him, and she watched him dash down the trail. Sunlight seeped through the trees. Much to her surprise, Ryker was gone. Kai turned back and gave her a wave and dashed down the path toward the central part of the city.

Rayna felt surprised at how excited she was to be on her own. This was her time to decide who she wanted to be. Create the person she was meant to become. Deep within her soul, she knew she was more than Kai’s girlfriend, more than a baker’s daughter, and more than a Kodama from Katori.

The path she chose brought her to this point, and it would determine the course of her future. She would need to listen to the call from Alenga and discover the depth of her power. Her sudden awakening made the essence of her soul feel more connected to the world and the life around her.

Filled with confidence and determination, she bounded down the spiral staircase into the Hiowind city to find Jayla.

Chapter 14

Ryker’s Truth

People gawked at Kai as he navigated around them. He had to admit he had no idea where to find Ryker, so he walked towards the lake. Then he had an idea. Smoke had spent time with the man, so why should he vex himself searching? With a deep breath, he connected to Smoke, asking for him to find Ryker.

Smoke sniffed the ground and took off through the gardens, headed for the edge of town. They ran around the lake and up the hillside. They entered the woods and veered south. Kai dodged down trees and scaled a steep slope to keep pace. They ran for hours over the sloping terrain. The grass was high against his legs. Sparse trees provided little shade, but the trees grew thicker as they went deeper into the foothills. Tall pine and mighty oak swayed in the breeze. It was a beautiful country.

Smoke darted over a small creek, and Kai stopped. “Hold up, Smoke. Let’s stop for a moment.” He turned around, getting his bearings on where they were in relation to his Katori home. After running for almost an hour, he was thirsty. He sipped water from his pouch. High in the cliffs, Kai could tell there were more trees and Katori homes. Old large Bodhima trees wrapped in Cosmos vines.

Satisfied, Kai stood up. Beams of sunshine trickled through the branches. He and Smoke stood in a large wildflower meadow within the forest. Kai spun around. “Rayna would love this spot.”

Smoke danced