Pool of Memories and Serpents by Erynn Lehtonen

Author:Erynn Lehtonen [Erynn Lehtonen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: White Raven Chronicles
Published: 2022-07-08T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

A mass of roiling darkness hovered over the O-Hinagiku statue. Spiritual energy cascaded to the cobbled streets and crashed into Hidekazu as he came from the temple.

The inky black clouds wafted in all directions, revealing the gleaming ivory bone of a skull beneath. Absent of eyes and a nose, tendrils of smoke poured from the dark chasms like rivers of tears.

Tatsuma’s energy surged up through Hidekazu. Dark streaks spread across the canvas of his spirit, wrangling for his body’s control. He chose not to fight back and let the dragon guide him closer to the statue, compelled by the whispers of unite us. Unite us. Let us be whole for the first time in centuries.

Lavender light shimmered across Hidekazu’s arms, the ki in his tattoos responding to both spirits at once. He arched his neck to take in the full glory of the being before him—infinitely shifting between one shape to the next, neither a man nor a dragon for more than a flickering second.

Unite us.

unite us

UNITE US!

The whispering calls to action rose and fell within Hidekazu, and he stood on the precipice between obedience and resistance. Tatsuma made no move to rush or force him; they were kindred, and Hidekazu understood that Tatsuma expected him to make the right choice.

They wanted the same thing.

Completion—to be whole again. Where a part of Hidekazu had been taken from him, so had a piece been taken from Tatsuma.

But why?

Behind Hidekazu, he sensed the arrival of Ryoka, Kiaria, and Chizue—all of them unfortunate distractions intent on getting between him and his zenith. Their spiritual signatures were written into the air, coiling ropes that would choke him if he wasn’t careful. They were here to stifle him, to control him, to squash him into the ground like so many others had tried to do before.

“Master Genshu,” Kiaria warned, “I suggest you back away and let my priestesses deal with this.”

Kiaria’s spirit smelled of sweet cherry blossoms and green tea—scents he first thought came from a life of delicacy and luxury, but perhaps instead came from the sharp, rugged edge hiding beneath those silks. The kind of woman who wasn’t afraid to pull a blade to get what she wanted, and with Hidekazu under her thumb, she could get ahead.

He defied her by striding closer to the demonic being waiting for him and Tatsuma.

“Master Genshu! Don’t force us to contain you, too!”

“Don’t be so hasty,” Hidekazu sighed into the wind, “we haven’t lifted a finger yet.”

Priestesses waited nearby, the raging storm whipping their cloaks and paper lanterns around. Sparks of silver light poured from their tools and up to the dark figure, which they attempted to contain to the central square with varying degrees of success.

This other piece of Tatsuma could have combusted into a fit of rage and levelled the Seika Shrine for the second time.

But he waited patiently for Hidekazu’s answer.

The scent of kinako and roasted nuts drifted from behind. Hidekazu raised his arms in warning, the dragon tattoos there threatening to come undone with a hiss.

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