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

Kai had never thought about having the freedom to choose. He had so many more questions. He went to ask another, but it came out in a yawn.

“Bring your tea. I will show you to your room. Cave living is different—it takes a little getting used to the lack of sunlight in the morning. These crystals work the same as the Cosmos vine flowers.” Benmar motioned to the various crystals embedded into the wall. “Once you settle, their ambient light will fade. Good night, grandson. Get some rest. We have much to accomplish in the coming weeks.”

Kai glanced around the hollowed-out space. Like the beds in the tree pods, his bed was a twist of thick vines with a thick pad of cotton covered in linen. He had a table and chair in one corner and shelves in the other. Everything was made from twisted vines.

“Good night, grandfather.” The word felt good rolling off his tongue. Kai liked this man.

Chapter 17

The Black Soul

Kai awoke. The darkness of his room surprised him, then he remembered where he was. The moment he moved, the Lumen-empowered crystals brightened the windowless cave. He dressed in the ambient blue light. From memory, he retraced his steps back to the main living space. A black pot of porridge dangled on a wrought-iron arm. Water bubbled in the kettle dangling over the fire.

“Good morning, Kai. I hope you slept well.” Benmar dropped his armful of split wood into a copper bin.

“Good morning, grandfather. I slept well, thank you.” Kai sniffed at the warm meal.

“Breakfast is ready. Grab our bowls and cups.”

On the modest shelf, Kai found what they needed. Together they enjoyed a pleasant meal. “Do you live here alone?” Kai asked, looking around for signs of others.

“When Liam, my other student, is not here, it is just me. There are a few others that live within the mountain. Old-timers like me. People who fought in the war. Many find it difficult to be around others after all the violence. That or they simply won’t follow the rules of others.”

“You fought in the great war?”

“I did.”

Kai leaned forward. His eyes locked with his grandfather’s. “So, if I may ask, how old are you?”

Benmar chuckled, hearty and deep. “Mind you, age is only a number, but by today’s calendar, one hundred and seventy-five. But who’s counting.”

“You don’t look a day over fifty!” Kai stammered. “How is that possible?”

“Questions, questions. Let go of your traditional sense of time.” Benmar poured them both another cup of tea. “Why are you here, grandson?” He raised one eyebrow.

Kai thought about his answer. “A vision directed me here. Everyone told me to seek you out, but if I am honest, I came seeking answers. I think you are the person capable of giving them to me. Not to mention my crystal is white, and nobody knows what to do with it.”

His grandfather patiently waited.

Kai tapped at the table, collecting his thoughts, his mind a jumble of questions. “I have too many questions, I am not sure where to start. I read your book, but that was all made up, right?”

“There was more truth than fiction in my book. My life was a great adventure. It was a different time, but I don’t think that is the right question. What do you really want to know?”

Silence fell between them. Kai pursed his lips. “Tell me about Keegan, my so-called father. How could he turn against this way of life? Why did he kidnap my mother? Why did he turn…?” Kai let his voice trail off.

“Bad? My poor lost son…” Benmar took a deep breath and stood. “Keegan, your father, has a black soul. If you’ve seen his crystal, you know it’s true. It was once white as snow like ours, now it is black as coal.” Benmar moved to a more comfortable chair near the fire, offering the adjacent seat to Kai.

“Long story short, Keegan was unable to learn my power to become invisible. He begged to know my secret. It wasn’t like I hid the technique, I showed it to you the night of your blessing. Keegan was simply unable to convert the light.” Benmar shook his head in sorrow.

“I’ve not tried yet,” Kai admitted. “What you showed me. Not sure I am ready. I was unsure how to reverse the effects.”

Benmar snickered. “Good. A healthy dose of humility and fear. Your father was not a humble man—he lashed out. The more he tried, the angrier he became. He assumed his white stone would give him the same abilities. You cannot be who you’re not, and he was not me. His arrogance was his downfall. In his fury, he touched the person closest to him, his own mother. His blood boiled with rage. Out of control, he unwittingly pulled on her soul. Nobody understands how, but he shifted. His bone structure, his skin, his hair, all changed. Outwardly, he became his mother. His voice even had her gentle lilt.”

Sadness washed over Benmar’s expression. “My wife dropped to the ground. Your father just stood there. He shook his head disoriented, his mother lay helpless. For three days he was trapped in her skin. I kept him hidden. Sadly, my wife never recovered. She sat and stared, lost, disconnected from life. She died a few years back. My son did that. Took her from me.” Benmar’s words held anger.

“I am sorry for your loss.” Kai didn’t know what else to say.

Benmar continued. “Keegan went on to do it again. This time to his Kodama teacher, then his best friend. Each time, he became more fluid in his change. Fortunately for his victims, they were only paralyzed for a few hours. Their minds return in time; although, they are never exactly the same. My son’s gift shatters the mind-soul connection. If you can call it a gift. He was meant to be a healer.”

Kai thought of the effects on Kempery-man Marcone.