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

Wings stretched out wide, he flapped them up and down. His body moved through the water. He opened his wide mouth, and a gulp of water passed through. He closed his mouth and felt the water wash over his new gills. Exhilarated by his new form, he felt the urge to swim faster.

The more he moved, the more euphoric he felt. Faster and faster he went. He caught up with the school of manta rays. Kai surged into the group. Harmony emanated within the cluster. The group turned, and he followed. In the dark water, he saw the giant manta ray leading them. He rushed forward to hover beside her. His right eye looked at her graceful movements. He called to her in his mind—Mother. His wing dipped down and brushed her back.

Their touch was electric. He saw her face. Her trapped life as the dragon. Years of torment at the hands of her captors. Freedom in the arms of the sea. He swam with her. He knew how easy one could get lost in the desires of a wild animal. The power behind the transformation and enjoyment in the sensation of his new body. He had always loved the ocean. It called to him.

Drawn into the mesmerizing rhythms of the group, Kai lost himself. The majestic nature of their swim lulled his heart. The wild rhythmic feelings flooded his mind. The dark blue waters of the open sea surrounded him. Consumed by the peace, he followed. Thoughts of his mother faded. He felt at peace here. He could disappear into the deep. Quiet and free.

The giant manta ray surged forward. Kai pursued. It advanced ahead of the group and turned. He regained his place with her. Their eyes met. Elated, he angled upward. The manta matched his movements. Thrilled by the exhilarating freedom, he went faster. Angled toward the surface, he flapped his massive wings harder. His speed increased. The giant manta kept pace. They burst above the surface of the water. Caught by the flash of sunlight, one eye saw the flying manta ray, his other eye beheld Rayna standing in the distance. RAYNA. His mind slapped back at him, and he remembered why he was here. I must save Mariana…my mother.

They dove back below the surface. He chased after his mother. He had to focus on why he was here, lest he get lost in the ocean. She darted through the water. He followed and pushed his intentions to his mother. Remember, he begged with his mind. Come back to me. The more he chased, the more she darted away. She left the others and swam alone.

Frustrated, he darted ahead of her. Find me, mother, he called to her. Find me in the maze. He thought of Diu and the garden maze. The pink and white flowers she sprinkled down on him. The sunshine on his face and the wind in her hair. He turned and darted around her, bumping her with his wing. She darted after him.

He angled to the surface and burst into the air. Dragon Spine Island was a speck in the distance. She was right behind him in the air. He dove back down. Back and forth they swam. He bumped her, she tapped him. He laughed in his mind and thought of her face. Come find me, mother, he called once more.

He looped around his mother’s manta ray form and tapped her again. Her smile beamed in his mind. She flew out of the water over him. Chasing after her, he soared out of the sea. They were on target; the island was dead ahead. Darting around her into the darkness, he took a chance.

He coiled inward and let go of the thread that created his manta ray form. His body shrank. The wings and tail disappeared; his head, arms, legs, and torso reformed. The two glowing necklaces dangled about his neck. Deep below the surface, he floated. Holding his breath, he waited for her. His legs kicked slowly to keep him in place.

She charged through the fathoms. He saw the speck of white from the underside of her wings. She zipped right and left. He called again. Mother, come back to me. She slowed. Her massive form got larger as she neared. Eyes on him, she circled. Kai held out his hand. She swam closer. He waited. Once around, she tapped him on the head. The second time around, she brushed his hand with her wing. He called again. Remember me.

The massive manta ray stopped in front of him. Its one beady black eye sparkled with recognition. Her wing touched her glowing crystal, which hung around his neck. A burst of light emanated around her. The manta ray’s body shrank. The tail receded. Mariana’s form returned. They floated below the surface, face to face. They were together again. He held out his hand. He was close enough to touch her, but he waited.

Mariana looked at him, at his hand. Her hand drifted up next to his. She tilted her head. Their fingers touched. Sadness consumed her expression, and she pulled him into her arms. He grabbed her with all his might and squeezed tight for fear she might disappear. Her body went limp. Kai kicked for the surface. He held his mother in his arms.

Their faces broke through the surface. He gasped for air. Dark waves rolled. He shouted, “Ryker, help us!”

All he saw was water. Desperate, he tried to keep his mother’s face above the waves. He kicked his legs and paddled with his free arm to keep them afloat. The circular motion was daunting. Saltwater splashed at his face.

Behind him, he heard a return call. Over his shoulder, he saw Lucca and Ryker running through knee-deep water around the sandbar. A white sail billowed behind them in the wind. Liam, Yulia, and Basil hopped from their boat. Kai kicked hard to reach the shallows. Ryker pulled