Mariana's Secret

by A D Lombardo

  Mariana’s Secret

  Katori Chronicles Book 2

  A. D. Lombardo

  ALSO BY A. D. LOMBARDO

  Katori Chronicles Book 1 • The Half-Light

  I dedicate this story to my grandmothers—Gianfranca Mariana Nichols and Marjorie “Maggie” Stoneking. Two women whose names became instrumental in the creation of The Katori Chronicles.

  Acknowledgments

  Completing my second book changed me as a storyteller. My editor, Keith, encouraged me to challenge my hero. He taught me the best characters have flaws and make mistakes. As my characters grow, so do I.

  I especially want to thank my son, Connor, for his early reading and honest opinion. Constructive criticism from my biggest fan came at a heavy cost. He reminded me the delete-key is the most powerful weapon in my arsenal; unfortunately, for one character, it was detrimental to his existence. Here’s to you, Gino—may you live on in a future story.

  Special thanks to my family and friends for your continued enthusiasm. Thank you for being my fans. It’s a real dream to share this part of myself with each of you. Your perseverance and faith give me strength.

  One significant honorable mention is my devoted husband. Over the shoulder, reading has become his pastime. Thank you.

  Mariana’s Secret

  The Katori Chronicles Book 2

  A. D. Lombardo

  This work is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used factiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2019 A. D. Lombardo

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or otherwise, without express written permission of the author or publisher—except for the use of brief quotations for a book review.

  Published by A. D. Lombardo

  ISBN (E-Book): 978-1-7333376-3-2

  Cover design by A. D. Lombardo

  First Edition 2019

  www.ADLombardo.com

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1 Facing the Past

  Chapter 2 The Mind Master

  Chapter 3 Reflection

  Chapter 4 Keep the Faith

  Chapter 5 Snow Fall

  Chapter 6 King’s Day

  Chapter 7 Runaway Discovery

  Chapter 8 Ever Faithful

  Chapter 9 Old Anger

  Chapter 10 Watery Mistakes

  Chapter 11 Chenowith

  Chapter 12 Conhaspriga

  Chapter 13 Albey Honey

  Chapter 14 Haygan’s Warning

  Chapter 15 Hidden Community

  Chapter 16 Summer’s End

  Chapter 17 Rayna’s Persistence

  Chapter 18 Riome’s Beginnings

  Chapter 19 Winter Betrayal

  Chapter 20 Mariana’s Secret

  Chapter 21 Helena’s Rescue

  Chapter 22 Twist of Fate

  Chapter 23 Wrought Iron

  Chapter 24 Aftermath

  Chapter 25 Heroes

  Chapter 26 Clarity

  Chapter 27 Nola’s Secret

  Chapter 28 Planting a Seed

  Chapter 29 Best Friends

  Chapter 30 The Calling

  MAPS

  Prologue

  Keegan’s snarl quivered with anger. Tears streamed down the face of the man in front of him. The mercenary captain pressed his palm against the embossed star on his chest plate. No amount of begging would change his fate. He was a dead man. Still, the captain pleaded for his life. “I am not a thief, please… It was merely a trinket.”

  Keegan eyed the crew. The crew stepped back, fear swirling around them.

  The wind whipped through the sails of the Caroco ship, and its flag—a black star on a field of red—snapped in the breeze. Keegan wrapped his hand around the man’s neck. He applied very little pressure; he didn’t need to squeeze. A tiny light emanated from a black crystal around Keegan’s neck. The life of the captain shriveled away with Keegan’s touch.

  It wasn’t enough to run the man through with his sword—no, Keegan wanted him to suffer. There was enjoyment in his eyes as he watched the lifeforce drain from the captain’s face and limbs.

  Keegan cast the man aside; his lifeless skin-and-bone corpse rattled on the deck of the ship. No words were spoken. His crew knew not to make eye contact when Keegan was on a rampage. With the wave of Keegan’s hand, the mercenaries started stowing the cargo they had stolen from the now-sinking ship at their portside.

  Two men heaved the corpse of their dead captain overboard. A foolish man who lost his life to greed. But then the crew spent their days plundering silver, gold, and gems from every ship they crossed without challenge. Temptation was everywhere. The Khatara Sea was a dangerous place, and none willingly ventured too close. Keegan and his pirates dominated the high seas taking everything that ventured close to Caroco.

  The second wave of Keegan’s hand set the ship in motion. It surged forward through the rolling ocean waves along with three other vessels. The Katori Weathervanes on each of Keegan’s vessels worked their magic, their stylized movements shaping the wind and bending it to their purpose.

  Outside the entrance to Keegan’s quarters stood three terrified women. Their once-genteel nature was now gone, lost in the horrific slaughter of everyone on their ship. They clung to each other for comfort, their golden locks fluttering in the wind. Tears streaked their refined faces.

  Keegan’s gaze panned the figure of each woman. He grabbed the youngest girl and pulled her toward the cabin door. In protest, the older woman pulled her back to their huddle. “No, not her. Please, not her,” she begged. “Take me instead.”

  Pleasure danced in Keegan’s eyes. “She means something to you. Your daughter, perhaps?” The corner of his lip curled upward.

  The three women clung to each other. Their sobs fluttered away on the wind.

  There was no malice in his expression, only pure delight. “You’re right, I don’t need all three of you.” With the flick of his wrist, the girl’s lifeless body dropped to the deck.

  Horror smacked the two remaining women in the face. The mother dropped to her dead daughter, sobbing. Keegan grabbed the hair on the older woman’s head, hoisting her to her feet. He shoved her toward the door.

  Weary and broken, she opened the cabin door and entered.

  Keegan made to follow her, but before he could even take a step, a wave of energy smacked him back. One word echoed in his mind—Mother.

  It was stronger than anything he’d felt before. The Weathervanes above stumbled, and the shift in energy reverberated through the whole ship. The wind died in the sails, and the bow pitched downward with the sudden change in speed.

  Somewhere, far from here, a Katori was lighting up the world. And Keegan had felt it.

  A wide-eyed Keegan ascended the stairs and shoved the helmsman aside. The Katori Weathervanes stepped to his side.

  “Such raw power,” he muttered, still in disbelief. He spun the ship with its remaining momentum. “Not since Mariana have I felt such power. Could it be she is still alive? How did you trick me, my love? I must have you back…”

  Chapter 1

  Facing the Past

  Prince Kai sat cross-legged on the floor across from Kendra. She offered her open hands to him. “It has been months since we have sat together,” Kendra motioned. “I would like you to try and reach out again. I believe you can glean outside the city. The more you practice, the better you will be. There are layers in our gifts. Explore and challenge your boundaries.”

  Kai took her outreached hands. “I can already glean the entire city. Like
you said, it’s been a while. I want to learn something new. You once said I could remember a past event, see the truth of a moment. I want to remember what happened the day my mother died. I have waited long enough—I will be sixteen this spring. Twelve years is long enough to wait for closure.”

  Kendra looked down. Her heavy sigh told Kai she was unsure. “Are you sure?” She hesitated, her eyes turning to worry. “The more you know…”

  “I need to know what happened.”

  She squeezed his hands. “It will change everything. And I don’t even know if you can do this. Half-Lights can’t…” she paused to look at him, “they can’t glean. You should not be able to do this.”

  It had never occurred to him he would not be able. He wondered why Kendra was having a change of heart. She had offered to show him the truth before, so why was she so scared now that he wanted to remember? Then he thought of the horror his mind had hidden from him all those years ago. Could he handle seeing it any better now? Probably not, but the burden of her death hindered every relationship, and the weight of blaming himself and others for her loss held him back. The anger held him back. He needed to be free. He must face her passing, or it would consume his future.

  “Please, Kendra. Help me let it go. I know there is nothing I can do to change what happened, but I need to know the truth. Why can’t I remember?”

  She chewed her bottom lip. “I suppose you are ready.” Her tone sounded hollow. “I can only hope for both our sakes it is not as I have feared. Promise me you will protect our secret.”

  What could she mean? Had he not proven capable? Were they not just as much his secrets? Why did he have to hide his ability to glean, bond with animals, and his incredible speed and strength? “Please, Kendra, you can trust me,” he begged again. “I need to do this. I’ve had another dream. This time there was something new I remembered.”

  Kai felt the warmth build in his soul. He let the power grow, and he felt his eyes change color.

  Kendra gasped in surprise. “Your eyes... No matter how many times I see them turn green, I can’t believe it. You’ve gained control over the shift.” She shook her head in disbelief.

  He squeezed her hands. “I need to move past her death. I have done things you thought impossible being only a Half-Light. Show me my past. They are my secrets, too.”

  Lips pursed; Kendra slid her hands around his wrists. “I’ve waited a long time myself to know the truth. Since you have visions, you must be attuned to the energy within time itself. Only a few other Katori can do this—remember a moment in a waking vision.”

  The anguish in her eyes told him this was as important to her as it was to him. “It is time her memory no longer haunts me.” Kai nodded.

  “You will need to be in the moment,” she said slowly. “An observer, reflecting on the past without being controlled by your emotions. You must let go of your fear to see what your mind has hidden. Let your spirit guide you. Separate your heart from the event.”

  Eyes closed, Kai relaxed his breathing. He let go and felt peace as Kendra spoke.

  “Think back to the moment in the gardens—feel it in your soul.” She paused. “Let it pull you into a waking dream.”

  Kai pushed through the silence into his memories. The darkest part of his soul was a locked box he’d always feared opening. Kendra’s voice was a distant echo in his mind. “You were calling to your mother.” Kendra rubbed the back of his wrist with her thumb. “See her, but step outside of the child you were. See the child. Remember, you are only observing. Uncontrolled emotions can cloud the vision. Heed my warning, Kai. Don’t get consumed by your childhood memory. If you lose grasp on time, you could break the link, leaving your mind trapped in the past version of yourself.”

  In Kai’s mind, he recalled the garden maze. He heard his mother’s laughter. A young Kai stomped with disappointment. Pink and white flower petals dropped on his shoulders. “Mom!” the younger version of him cried.

  Kai gasped.

  Kendra lightly squeezed his wrist and whispered, “Observe. Calm your breathing. Whatever you see, it is not happening now. Do not grab at the wave of time you are viewing.”

  Remembering Kendra’s warning, he slowed his racing heart. He followed younger Kai around the small sundial, and they ran past the pink-and-white flower bed. Little Kai turned the corner. Mariana was doubled over in pain, grabbing at her sides. His mother turned, her face visibly caught between surprise and fear. She spoke, “I am sorry, Kai. I should have told you.”

  Mariana grabbed at her head. Pain and agony twisted her sounds. Little Kai stepped towards his mother. “Kai, stay away… Run away… Please. I can’t hold it back much longer. It is coming. I am not in control…”

  Mariana screamed in pain. Her fingers changed into large claws, tearing her dress. Pieces of fabric fell to the ground. “NO! Please. How can this be?” Her eyes bulged in fear. She held her breath, and the claws disappeared. Her hands grabbed at her head, and she fell to the ground.

  Observing, Kai felt heat build inside his body. He clenched his hands around Kendra’s wrists. “I want to help her!” he cried, tears streaming down his face.

  Kendra whispered. “I am here with you. Let yourself see what your mind has hidden, see the truth. Remember, this is the past. You cannot change what happened. Don’t get lost.”

  Once more, he slowed his breathing. He stared at his mother as she writhed on her hands and knees. Tears filled her eyes. Again, she laid her hand over her heart and screamed. Her body curled inward, and then she flexed her arms outward. With a burst of light, she turned into a giant blood-red dragon—with scales, horns, and wings. She had become as large as the banyark tree nearby.

  The dragon screeched and sprayed fire into the sky. Then it fixed its amber eyes on little Kai.

  Stunned, he held his breath. Little Kai fell to his knees. “MOMMY!” he cried. His voice trembled between sobs. “Please come back!”

  From the opposite side of the garden maze, a guard entered the central clearing. He drew his sword and yelled. “Run, boy, run! RUN AWAY!”

  The guard lunged at the dragon; his blade held high. In an instant, the dragon turned its angry eyes toward the guard and screeched. Terrified, the guard stepped back, but it was too late. Through screams of terror, the dragon ripped him to shreds. The ground was now covered in blood and pieces of his mother’s dress.

  Kai remembered the terror he felt in the presence of the dragon. The confusion of her transformation. Even now, he could not comprehend how this could be real. Little Kai shouted. “Mommy, please, no, no… NO!”

  The dragon flexed and flapped its wings. A massive gust of wind sent little Kai backward against the maze hedge. Older Kai watched his mother fly away. His younger self curled into a ball and sobbed. The garden flooded with guards, all gawking skyward.

  Kai let go of the moment and opened his eyes to look at Kendra. His heart throbbed with adrenaline. “Did you know?” He paused, studying her face. He gasped as the realization came to him. “You DID! You knew all this time, and you didn’t tell me!”

  Fury flooded his mind. He yanked his hands away. “My mother is the red dragon. It didn’t kill her—it IS her.” Anger consumed him, and tears welled in his eyes. Tears from years of needless suffering.

  Kendra wept. “Kai, please, you must understand.” She lowered her head and cupped her face with her hands. “I wanted to tell you, but it’s… complicated.”

  Kai watched as she wiped the tears from her face. Her confident demeanor had turned remorseful. “What other secrets have you been keeping from me?” he seethed. “Be honest, for once.”

  “Kai!” she responded, shocked by his tone.

  Anger welled in his throat. His words were meant to hurt. “You dole out little secrets about my heritage, but only after I discover my gifts on my own. I am only privy to Katori secrets when I prove I can do something that risks exposing you.”

  He clenched his fists tight and continued to glare at her. Everythin
g in his life was secrets and lies. Did Kendra care about him, or only about keeping Katori secrets? “Why not share the possibilities and teach me?”

  Kendra reached toward him. “You know we guard the Katori secrets with our lives. Since you are a Half-Light, we never expected you to be able to glean. Meditation should only provide clarity of mind—or at the most, perhaps enhanced focus. Anyone can meditate. We had no idea you would have the gift of sight like all Katori do. Your gift with animals is as good if not better than any trained Beastmaster.” She looked at him as if she were seeing him for the first time. “You are an enigma to us.”

  Kai’s thoughts twisted in all directions. “All you see is a Half-Light—half Katori. Nothing more. Why bother with me at all? I am not a thing. You kept this from me. Why? Why let me suffer? Why let me believe she was gone?”

  She took several deep breaths. “You were Mariana’s son.” Kendra tilted her head to catch Kai’s gaze. “I spent years trying to find a way into Diu palace. I gave up my life to be near you. My own husband disagrees with my choice, but I came anyway. Now, you mean the world to me. The truth is, my elders still guide me. They never wanted me to come here. If I ever wish to return, I must heed their warnings. They only allowed me to stay after I convinced them you might know something. I was asked to watch you. Test your abilities and report back.”

  “Report back!” Kai huffed. “Am I an experiment?”

  “No, but Half-Lights have no gifts, but you do. If someday you remembered what I hoped was true—you would know one of our secrets anyway. Besides being able to connect with animals, some Beastmasters, like your mother, can turn into animals. Outside of the risks behind the world discovering what we Katori can do, the danger for your mother is more serious. She is very powerful. I wanted to know if she was alive, the elders wanted to know what you knew.”