The Traitor

provided the extra magic you needed. But you must remain mindful of the balance between beast and man. Consider having Rayna with you; she is undoubtedly your strongest connection in this life. If any memory can hold you in this life, it is your love for her.”
“Thank you,” Kai muttered. “The moment simply swept me away.” Again, he lied, this time more to himself to ease his guilt for not taking Rayna with him to practice his magic.
The huff from Ryker made Kai sit up straight. “Heed Basil’s lessons, or you will find yourself permanently trapped. I know you have heard the story, but it is necessary to understand the risks. Even with Basil nearby, you could be lost. The Katori Beastmasters, who created the first two dragons, had no beast to emulate—only their imagination to guide them. Their designs took immense power. Every drop of magic went into the formation, leaving nothing behind to reach the light. The wild nature of the beasts took over, and they reveled in their new form. Those with them could not coax them back, and they flew away.”
If there was any guilt or fear, Kai ignored it. Everyone assured him there was no rush to learn or expand his magic, but he believed the real reason was because nobody trusted him with that much power. If there were even a chance he would be like Keegan—his biological father who had corrupted his gifts in a belligerent quest for power—then he was sure the Elders would banish him, just as they had done with Keegan. Kai knew that the Elders wanted to control him, to protect him from that fate—but Kai needed no protection. He could handle his powers all on his own.
A hush fell between them until Ryker stood and offered Kai a hand up. “Your mother, Mariana, she would be proud of you. While she was one of a rare few capable of changing into multiple animals, it has been centuries since any Beastmaster did what you accomplished today. None since the dragon and the shuk have we Katori created an original creature not already found in nature.”
The thought of Mariana being proud of him touched his heart. He visited her each day as she lay comatose, but he still wondered if bringing her back was the right choice. “Are you coming to visit my mother today?” He knew the answer but asked anyway.
“I am not one for an audience.” Ryker turned away. “Kendra’s mother, Yana, and your grandfather, Lucca, never leave me alone with her. As if I, of all people, would do her harm.” He tossed his hand back in a mock wave and started to leave.
“You know,” Kai called after him, “tomorrow the Elders intend to announce where Davi and his people will live. Both Yana and Lucca will be here in Matoku. Could be the perfect time to visit my mother in Hiowind.”
Ryker glanced back, his one eyebrow raised, then he disappeared into the forest with Shiva trotting after.

Chapter 2
Destructive Lies
The warm weather was a surprising change from the snow-covered countryside only two days prior. Smoke sat next to Kai, and they watched the Kodama manipulate the landscape, sprouting new evergreen holly bushes and winter flowers. It pleased him to see Rayna flourish in her new home with new friends. He only wished he could settle the argument raging inside his mind—stay or go.
Lucca cleared his throat and interrupted his contemplation. “Kai, when do you intend to speak with Davi and the other Katori outcasts? It is high time you honored your commitment to bring them home. Davi and his people will not listen to the Elders, but they will listen to you.”
There was something to be said for his grandfather’s ability to sound calm yet instill intensity. There was no use delaying the inevitable. Alenga herself had asked him to bring her children home—Davi and his family, and any Katori outcast who wished to return to Katori. Kai thought about his responsibility. “I will speak with Liam,” Kai responded. “I know Alenga granted Liam the power to restore the tunnels of her crystal mountain, but how will we hide the entrance? Will people be able to pour through the mountain, or will you place Guardians at the temple?”
“When you can control light, you control what others see. Lumens can create light from nothing, but we can also reflect light to create an illusion. Besides the magic you see while gleaning, we can distort light to create barriers, much like Benmar, your grandfather, a Beastmaster with the ability to bend light to become invisible. One of his ancestors must be a Lumen. My own daughter, your mother, could deflect light, and I would not be surprised if the ability lies within you to manipulate light as well. But back to the point at hand, speak with Davi and get Liam to focus on the tunnels.”
Although unsuccessfully, Kai did not want anyone to know he had been practicing the ability to bend light. Keegan had tried and it drove him mad; he did not imagine anyone would be in favor of him trying. "Very well, I will speak with Liam about his willingness to change projects in favor of the tunnels and Alenga’s temple. But there is something else I need to do before visiting Davi.” He eyed his grandfather, hoping he would catch where he was going.
“Diu?” The word escaped Lucca’s mouth, dripping with disappointment.
The topic was a sore spot they never managed to avoid, and today would be the same. “It is time for the Winter Festival, and I need to see my father, Iver.” Kai noticed the disapproval in his grandfather’s eyes. There was no argument he could win when it came to Diu. It was Kai’s home, and Lucca refused to understand