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

The glade was particularly warm, especially since it was snowing higher up in the mountains. Sun-warmed stone curled around the meadow, warming the already pleasant Katori climate. Imani searched the area. “Look for signs of disrupted dirt. Her roots should be fresh. She would have turned up the soil greatly.”

All three searched the large meadow. Smoke sniffed the ground, and he was the first to beeline away from the group. His loud, deep bark drew everyone to his side. Freshly turned soil and roots ran across the ground. Kai marveled at the size of the oak tree. Hopeful, he touched the dark ridged bark. “Good boy, Smoke. You’ve found her.”

Smoke worriedly scratched at the tree. Imani ran her hands up and down the trunk. “There is definitely a Kodama in this tree. I can feel her spirit. Given the newly turned soil, I am guessing Rayna lives within. Now we need to coax her out.”

“Why could I not force her out?” Kai asked anxiously. “I have done that before. Force people back to their true form.”

Imani took Kai’s hand. “Yes, I have seen your work. That would be alright for an experienced Kodama or Beastmaster, one that knew their way in and out. Changing one’s form requires an anchor. You must know yourself while you explore the possibilities of embracing another form.”

It was not easy to be patient. “I thought time was important. We need to free her immediately!”

She shook her head. “You could free her, but then she will not learn. It might damage her mind to break the thread that binds her. When you change, there is a golden thread you envision. That design sequence is real and, in her state, fragile.”

Kai stepped around the tall oak. “So, you’re sure it is better to leave her this way. I am not sure I can wait for her to come out on her own—if she ever does.”

“No, she must free herself,” Senina said, entering the meadow.

“You cannot…” Ciera started.

“…intervene,” Linnea finished.

Senina held up her hand to her sisters. “Imani is right. You must not free her. She must want to come out. Have you ever seen a felled tree—a hollow, empty shell? That was a Kodama’s tree. Her spirit made the center of the tree. When she dies, all that is left is an empty trunk. We reclaim her body and return her to Alenga. The tree depends on Rayna for life, and her on it—they are connected. While she is the core, they breathe and live as one.” Her words were solemn.

Heat rolled up Kai’s neck. He spun on his heels to face the sisters. “This is your fault! If you were not always chasing me and pushing her, we would not be here right now.” Kai heard the velocity and thunder behind his voice.

Linnea and Ciera kept their distance. They too seemed remorseful about the situation.

Senina nodded her head. “You are not wrong. This is my fault. I thought I could win you if I could prove her inferior as a Kodama. I have not mastered the change. But I was wrong. Your love for her runs deep to your core. She is a lucky girl. The fear in her eyes broke my heart. I did this, and I want to make it right.”

The word forgiveness echoed in his mind. Benmar was right. Kai let his heart soften, and his shoulders relax. “How can you help?”

Senina continued. “As I said, the tree and Rayna are one, connected. We sisters, together with Imani, can appeal to the tree, but you must awaken Rayna’s spirit. Without pushing too hard, call to her in your mind. Touch the tree with your hand, speak to her and give her a reason to reach out. I tried to call her, but she did not respond.”

Humbled, the three sisters gathered at Rayna’s roots. Imani found her own spot, and all four knelt before the tree. Face first they bent over their torsos flat against the ground. They mumbled inaudible words. Their fingers curled into the soil.

Their words soon changed to a harmonic hum. Their bodies rose and fell to the rhythm of their tune. Kai knelt close to the tree, his hands pressed into the bark. He called out to Rayna. Images of their lives together flashed through his mind. Her laugh on the beach the day they met. Her smile picking wildflowers with the basket he’d given her. Them splashing in Baden Lake on a hot summer’s day. Holding her hand as they walked through the gardens. Kissing her in the apple orchard.

Each moment filled his heart. He pushed those emotions to her. Focused on Rayna and their connection, Kai spoke. “Come back to me, Rayna. Walk with me once more.” To his relief, he heard leaves rustle. Above in her canopy, branches swayed in the wind.

Kai scooted back. The bark creaked and groaned. Dirt and roots wiggled. Branches and leaves receded. The size of the trunk shrank. Roots curled back into the base of the tree. Imani and the sisters hopped back. Slowly the tree’s cylinder shape morphed into womanly curves.

The base of the tree shrank, lowering Rayna to the ground. Her bark-covered hair thinned into brunette strands. Her craggy wooden exterior softened into cream-colored skin. The rest of the trunk curved back into Rayna’s true form. Rayna sucked in a deep breath and fell to her knees. She grabbed at her body, arms, and face. Tears streamed down her face.

Thankful, Kai ran to her and pulled her into his arms. “I am sorry I was not here for you. I should have been here.” He smoothed her hair as she wept.

Her tears flowed fiercely down her cheeks. Sobs shook her body. Rayna collapsed into Kai and wrapped her arms around him.

“You’re alright now. Shhh. I’ve got you,” Kai whispered into her ear.

Wet wild eyes lifted to meet his. Rayna stared at him. “You came. I knew you would.” Her breath stuttered. Anxious, she gasped for air.