Season of Sacrifice (Blood of Azure Book 1) Jonathan Michael (red novels .txt) 📖

and instead quivering at the lip. “There aren’t any other agendas or tasks you have to fulfill?”

“I’m not getting anywhere with Coloss, or Graytu, for that matter. Today, I was told to seek out my youthful knowledge. So here I am. Seeking whatever knowledge you can bestow upon me.”

“Yay!” she squeaks, followed by an awkward look. Then, she punches me in the gut.

“I love it when you do that. By the way, you sounded like a girl just now.”

She swings at me again. This time I dodge it, but I do so without realizing how close I am to the edge. I fall off the organic bridge and plunge to the forest floor, awaiting an extremely painful outcome. But I come to an abrupt halt before hitting the ground. There is a thin branch lassoed around my waist. At the other end of the branch is Zoie. I stare in amazement at her talent. I knew this village was full of Sprhowts, but I didn’t know they learned so much at such a young age. I gesture to let her know I’m okay, and the branch slowly retracts, unfurling me from its grasp. I fall the remainder of the way to the forest floor and get a nice jab in the back from my bow, which knocks the wind out of me.

Somehow, Stone’s clumsiness has worn off on me over the seasons. It’s unfortunate. Why do they live in the trees anyways? And without any form of guard rails. It’s so hazardous.

Zoie drops down by my side, using one of the many living ladders in the village. “How have you managed to live a life as long as you have? I’ve already saved your life three times since you arrived.”

Zoie offers a hand. I accept the nice gesture and allow her to help me get back on my feet.

“Thank you. So, where are we headed?” I ask while recovering my breath.

“The grove.”

“But why aren’t we taking the arborcar?”

“I don’t know. You’re the one that decided to jump off the bridge. I just followed. Let’s go. We have a long walk ahead of us.”

I admire her strong will at such a youthful age. I’ve been closed off to everyone except Stone and Jay since last summer, and somehow, this girl has opened me right up and stepped into my heart. I care for her deeply, like a kid sister. However, her angelic green eyes are sobering when I’m expecting to see a radiant amber. I have a mission. I’m here so I can get closer to saving Jaymes. I should be attempting to cross that ravine. I shouldn’t be out for a leisure hunt. But what is another morning? I’ve already spent so many in bed.

“You failed to answer my question earlier,” I say as we stroll through the wood.

“What? About my parents?”

I nod, trying to make eye contact. She lowers her head and turns away.

“That’s because I didn’t want to talk about it.” Her honesty is well received. She’s clearly not ready to open up.

“Understood. I’m sorry I asked.”

“Me too.”

I don’t want to prod if she’s unwilling to discuss it. I know too well what she is feeling. Not only with my own mother, but with Stone and Jay’s parents as well. I didn’t know them personally, but it feels as if I do with the numerous stories I’ve heard about them. And their death was so sudden, and far too early. And violent. Zoie’s situation sounds too similar. She’s still young and likely trying to cope with it as best she can, so I will respect that.

I start talking about my own losses in hopes of softening the self-pity lingering in the air. “I told you about my mother and how she was lost when I was a child.” Zoie continues walking by my side in silence. “I hardly remember her. I was raised by my father, but he is no longer…” I choke on my words because I know it was my choice, yet it is still hard to admit. “…he is no longer my father.”

“What do you mean?” Zoie speaks up. “How could he not be your father anymore?”

“He and I have our differences. I didn’t agree with what he was involved with, so I fled.”

“Are you serious? You still have a father, and you ditched him?” Her voice is cross. “I thought you said he was an honorable man. Don’t tell me you know how it feels or try to match your experiences with mine. It’s not the same when you have a choice. I don’t have that choice. It’s not fair.”

I stop walking and rest my hand on her shoulder. I’ve opened the flood gates. Tears stream down her cheeks, and I lean in to console her.

I hold her tight for an eternity before breaking the silence.

“I’m sorry, Zoie. I wasn’t trying to compare my experiences. And I wasn’t attempting to make my own story more important than yours. I…I’m sorry. It’s how I was raised. ‘Defenses first because even your closest allies will fail you,’ my father always said. And, Zoie…somehow, you’ve torn down those defenses. I was merely opening up, and I apologize if it came across has offensive.”

“My parents…they died only last Spring.”

“I’m sorry,” I interject with a redundant apology. She doesn’t seem to mind.

“This village isn’t comprised solely of Sprhowts. My father was a Sprhowt like myself, and my mother a Dihkai. They worked as a team up on the cliff. They were responsible for maintaining the integrity of the crossing. I was told they both fell to their deaths, but I don’t believe it. They were talented, and they were very skilled climbers. With my father being a Greenthumb, it’s impossible he would let my mother fall to her death. He would have done something, anything to save her. He loved