The Traitor A. Lombardo (best thriller novels to read TXT) 📖

to him. “But I am not sure how we can help. You do not have time to find Iver’s body and save Rayna. She is no longer with your grandfather.”

Sabastian interrupted. “She is as stubborn as you. In her attempt to follow you, she traveled to Chenowith; however, by the time she arrived, news of Iver’s murder had already reached them, followed by the news of your escape.”

Kai’s confused expression must have been evident because Sabastian explained further. “After your skirmish at Davi’s camp, I went to Katori to tell the Elders you were now traveling to Diu with your men. The Elders thought it best to begin bringing home the Katori outsiders.”

The phrase “your men” struck Kai. Could his friend really believe he supported Diu over Katori? Had he made a choice yet? No, he did not know to which life he belonged. “So that is how Lucca learned I was in Diu. He asked me to stay, but I was too angry to listen. I was sure my mission was to save Iver and change fate. So, how do you know Lord Chenowith has Rayna?”

“After you ran off to Diu, I begged Lucca to help you,” Sabastian continued. “I had hoped we would venture to Diu and bring you home before something went wrong. He said no, you were free to make your own decisions. So, I traveled to Chenowith to ponder my options.”

“Drink is more like it,” Kendra chided.

Sabastian folded his arms over his chest. “While I was there, I learned about what you had done and that Kendra was also in prison. By the time I was able to travel, another day had passed.”

Kendra put her hand on Kai’s shoulder. “Dante ordered every cell emptied, hoping to find you. Prisoners were herded into the prison courtyard as they searched. In the chaos, I escaped through the tunnels; I know the palace better than anyone. I wanted to find you myself, so I combed the streets, and that’s when I overheard a guard.” Her hand touched her heart, and Kai saw real fear in her eyes. “Lord Chenowith sent word to Diu that he had Rayna. I am guessing Rayna is to serve as bait to lure you out.”

Sabastian acknowledged the story. “We saw the Dragaron set sail this afternoon. They will be swift to Chenowith and back. You can be sure that by dawn tomorrow, Rayna will be thrown into the palace prison. Alenga helps us . . .”

The words crushed Kai’s spirit; another mistake that would be his fault. He broke his promise by leaving her behind. Guilt was a powerful force, and it began to eat away at him.

You are too late. You will lose everyone you love . . .

With less than two full days left before he promised to return to Diu, Kai stood on Eagle’s Peak. So much had transpired in this spot. His life changed forever when he saw his first two Beastmaster transformations and learned that Haygan was his uncle. Now tonight, he would make another life-altering decision—save Rayna instead of himself.

He would make amends with Rayna, even if it meant he would not have time to search for his father’s body. He could not go to his death knowing in his last moment that he had broken Rayna’s heart. He needed her forgiveness. But first, he needed to save her from his mistakes.

“I will save Rayna,” he declared, “but I need to find her first.” Kai knew memories, like nature itself, held great power. Baden Lake was nearly three hundred miles wide, and he would need immense range if he hoped to pinpoint her location. The love he felt for his mother helped him find her an ocean away, but his love for Rayna was even more powerful. The view of Baden Lake below with the city of Diu in the distance reminded him of all the memories he had with Rayna.

He looked to his friends. “Please lend me your strength to ease the burden of gleaning. I cannot risk being drained right before saving Rayna.”

They gave him a nod.

The moon kissed his head and blessed him. The stars giggled with delight and blessed him. Even the wind did its part and rushed up to bless him. Kendra and Sabastian each set a hand on his shoulder. Given freely, he felt their magic swirl into his core. Collecting all the power within his soul, he gave it purpose, wrapped in memories of Rayna; his gleaning ability would focus on her energy and draw him to her like a moth to a flame.

Releasing the molded magic through his gleaning sight, a dart of cosmic power and light shot from Kai. His mind traveled on stardust over the treetops and across the wind-swept waves of Baden Lake. Miles of rippling water raced beneath him as his mind’s eye flew toward Rayna’s spirit. Near the distant shore, he saw the Dragaron underway, still within view of the Chenowith docks. Rayna’s gleaming outline sparkled with Katori magic. She stood alone facing the bitter winds. No chains held her; her eyes had no tears, but her gleaming form held a brilliance, a beacon to his soul. He sent her a whisper on the wind—I am coming, Rayna.

Her mouth curled ever so lightly, and she thought back—I know.

As his mind dropped the connection, he started to smile, but it quickly faded. From the position of the Dragaron, he knew that Sabastian was correct; Rayna would be in Diu shortly after dawn. The seven or so hours while they sailed would be his best chance of rescue before she reached the city—or the Diu dungeons.

Various possibilities sprang to mind. He could fly down to her, but the shimmering scales of his silver dragon would reveal his arrival and break the promise to hide the truth of dragons. Sending Kendra and Sabastian might be an option, but this was his mistake.