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

provided no chance to evacuate. There were nearly fifty feet of treacherous rapids between them and the shore on either side. If they were going to survive, he needed to think fast. Taking hold of his crystal, he took a breath and reached for the golden thread within his soul. The magic coursing through his veins felt powerful.

Not wanting the break the raft further, he jumped into the river as the transformation began. The rushing water pushed him under and carried him away. His spine rippled with new vertebrae, and his body expanded. His fingers curled into sharp talons and his arms bulged with muscle mass. As his wings unfurled, Kai became the silver dragon.

Bursting out of the river, his dragon wings stretched wide, lifting him into the air. Circling back to the others, he saw Ryker grab hold of Rayna as the raft broke apart. They fell into the water and disappeared. Fixated on the river, he waited for them to resurface. Rayna popped up first, then Ryker. Kai flew over the rapids after her. Gliding over the water, he grabbed Rayna with his talons, careful not to squeeze too hard. With the next few beats of his wings, he was over Ryker and lifted him from the roaring rapids.

Up into the sky Kai flew, ever mindful of his friends dangling in his talons. Near the riverbank, Kai eased Rayna and Ryker close to the ground and let go. They dropped to the ground and turned to face him. He knew what this meant—if he changed back, he would be of no use to them.

Interrupting his thoughts, he heard Ryker in his head. You did the right thing, Kai. Saving us. The man’s warm hand touched Kai’s scaly dragon face. Do you feel up to flying? We must continue to search for Liam and Yulia.

Kai thought about the risks. I will not endanger you and Rayna for speed.

You can do this, Kai. Just keep near the ground. If you lose your connection, we won’t have far to fall.

He looked to Rayna for her approval. She shook her head and spoke out loud. “I believe in you, Kai.”

The pressure of carrying them weighed on his heart, but he lowered his dragon wing to allow them to climb up. Their weight was hardly noticeable. With a few thrusts of his wings, he lifted into the air. Higher and higher he went. Below on the ground, he saw his shadow, the span of his wings and the curve of his long barbed tail. Then he noticed how high he was and swept closer to the road. The wind in his face felt amazing and the pleasure of gliding filled him with excitement and desire.

The dragon within begged to go faster, to belch fire, and warble. He let out a chirp and spat a flame across the sky. In the back of his mind, he heard a voice. Kai, hold fast to your real life. Find the balance between your two worlds. Ryker touched his neck.

The reminder shook Kai’s core, and he dropped a few feet. Holding his breath, he refocused his mind to keep the connection to his Beastmaster form and his life as a person. He flew straight and steady, alternating his mind between his mission and his dragon form.

To Kai’s relief on the road ahead, he spotted a group making camp. On his second pass, he saw Liam and Yulia. He dropped to the ground and let Ryker and Rayna down. Unsure what else to do, he let his mind flood with memories. He released the golden cord and held onto the white light. His hand clutched his white crystal and he transformed back into his natural form. Disoriented and tired, he found it impossible to stand. White stars floated in the periphery and blackness pulled him down.

◆◆◆

When Kai awoke, he was lying on soft grass. The sun had nearly set and he saw Liam and Yulia gathered near the water’s edge. They whispered and walked the riverbank. Liam pointed to the opposite side, a level spot of grass in the curve of the river. Yulia nodded in agreement. Liam stepped forward.

Beside him, Rayna held his hand, Kai watched, curious. “Rayna, what are they doing?”

She leaned over him, “You’re awake. I tried to wake you, but the transformation was too much for me to correct without another Kodama.”

“How long have I been asleep?” he sat up and looked around.

“Not long, maybe an hour. I guess I helped a little.” She motioned to the changing sky.

“What is happening?” he asked again.

“According to Yulia, this is a narrow point in the Makani River. They elders would like a bridge built to connect both sides. Liam asked for the honor of making it.”

Liam approached the river. The smooth flow glistened with sunshine. On one knee, Liam pushed his hands into the soil. The ground rumbled. Stone punched up through the ground in front of Liam. Sod burst into the air. Liam’s arm muscles flexed as he curled them. Slowly Liam arched his arms upward and joined them together as he stood. On the opposite side of the river, more rock emerged from the soil. From where Kai sat, he smelled dirt and grass.

Thunder shook the ground, and the two structures curved toward one another over the narrow point in the river. As Liam’s hands came together, the stone arches merged, forming one solid bridge. Pleased, Liam stepped through the group.

Interested to see what might happen next, Kai stood and joined the gathering. Feeling disoriented, he leaned into Rayna. Standing in a semicircle, the group watched. Everyone waited while Liam studied the ground. Happy with the location, he rubbed the dirt with his hand in an ever-expanding circle. Beneath his friend’s touch, the soil turned to solid stone. Even in the fading light, Kai could see the polished sheen Liam created.

Perched on his knees, Liam pulled on the edge of the disk. As if working clay, the stone responded and expanded five feet wide.