Rayna's Sacrifice (The Katori Chronicles Book 3) A. Lombardo (best smutty novels txt) 📖

Inside the cave, heat pulsed within the walls. Hot air blew into his face. The walls came alive with ambient blue light, and Kai came face to face with the silver beast. The dragon’s amber eyes glowed.

Kai shook his head at the memory. “How will I know where to go?”

Ryker hopped over a felled tree. “I will take you as far as the snow. You must find your way after that. I have business to attend to for the Kahoma—coastal tribe. Smoke will need to come back with me. You will need to focus on your training.”

No questions asked, Kai continued. The sun’s rays pierced the treetops. Together they made their way through the woods. Thousands of pine trees littered the forest floor with pine needles. Ryker led him through the trees, moving deeper into the thick forest. The smell of pine tickled his senses with each step. Kai felt at home in the forest. With his new connection to Alenga and the power flowing through his veins, he sensed so much more.

After a few hours of walking, the dense pines gave way to tall redwoods. Bits of blue sky poked through the canopy. Out of habit Kai gleaned the area. He searched for wild animals that might cross their path. They traversed the river to venture northeast into new territory.

Ryker glanced over his shoulder. “Do you see the bear up on that ridge? And the lone wolf on the outcropping?”

“I gleaned them both,” Kai responded.

“I figured. You’re using your sight to search the forest. Stop it.” Ryker’s voice was firm but kind.

“Why? I thought that is what we do.”

“True. You are Katori, but you are a Beastmaster. I am sure of it. Develop your senses like the animals of the forest. Listen. Look. Smell. Marduk cannot glean. Shane doesn’t either. They are hunters: hunter and the hunted. Going against the Lumens should have taught you that. Gleaning isn’t your only natural gift. As a Beastmaster, you are so much more. Feel the magic around you.”

“But my crystal is white. How do you know?” Kai insisted that mattered.

Ryker turned to glance back at Kai. “Alenga saw fit to give that gift to you, a white crystal, but you have a way with animals. Focus on what you know. As a Beastmaster, you can sense animals. Feel their intent. You will know which ones to run from and which can be approached. It works the same way with people. If you pay attention, you’ll sense their true nature. This is your first lesson. Feel the connections around you. Don’t take it for granted, develop it.”

Kai listened to Ryker’s advice. For a man of few words, he had much to say these past few days. Now was the time to absorb every bit of knowledge that anyone was willing to share. While most of Katori had opened their hearts to him, he wasn’t sure how long that would last if he chose to return to Diu so soon, even if it were only for a short time.

“Push out with your own aura; the sensitivity you feel on the surface of your skin,” Ryker continued. “The soul opens the mind and expands your sight. Do more than see them. Feel them.” Ryker hopped across a stream. “The aura you saw around people after your dip in Alenga’s waters. You saw that, right?

Kai followed him across the stream. “I did, but that has faded now.”

“Life’s energy never fades. It changes, but never fades. You were taught to glean with your mind. Now you need to learn to do it with every part of you.”

“Can every Beastmaster do this?” Kai asked.

“The short answer is no. They could if they tried, but it is a lost art. People are lazy. They rely on their ability to glean. Everyone likes seeing. Feeling takes effort.”

In the renewed silence, Kai let his body sense the surrounding world. He smelled the damp earth, decayed leaves, and cold air. There was power in the ground. He listened to the scamper of animals, the bird's chirps, and the sway of the trees in the wind. Life teemed around him. Ryker’s footfalls were hardly noticeable on the trail ahead, but Kai felt the man’s physicality.

Around the next tree, Kai let his hand brush the rugged bark. The trunk bloomed with power. Some of the magic seeped into Kai’s hand. He felt the energy charge his muscles. It was easy to see how one could sustain themselves or even increase their abilities by borrowing from nature.

The smell of snow filled Kai’s lungs. Through the trees, there was a hint of white snow on the ground. Thick flakes began to fall from the sky. The dark form of Ryker against the white reminded him of his dream. He ignored the signs of snow and continued to follow his guide, his new friend.

It saddened him to know Ryker would turn back soon, yet it thrilled him to know he was close. Today, he would meet the silver dragon. The invisible man. His grandfather.

Ryker’s demeanor changed. His expression seemed solemn. “You are so much like your mother. You have her spirit.” He let go the breath he’d been holding. “I’ve enjoyed our time together. How I wish I were your father.”

At a loss for words, Kai bobbed his head.

“I am sorry you had to wait so long to know what you know now.” Ryker stopped in the snow, and turned to look into Kai’s eyes. “If you ever need anything, I will help you. I will take good care of Smoke. When you return, look for me around Alenga’s hidden cave. I will help you search for your mother.”

Kai offered his hand. “Thank you, Ryker. That means a lot to me. Look in on Rayna. She is alone now.”

“Consider it done.” Ryker let go of Kai’s hand.

Their goodbyes were short, and they parted. Ryker walked back down the mountain, and Kai stepped through the snowdrift. The climb became difficult,