Tears of Astoria: Astoria Series Book One by J.B. Wright

Author:J.B. Wright [Wright, J.B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: NHB Publishing
Published: 2023-07-06T23:00:00+00:00

nineteen

A Prize

In the nine days we’ve been in Caeliss, I haven’t seen Rett—except when I spot the back of his head walking away from wherever I am, Iris and Lysette in tow. Audrina and I have ventured out and discovered the Children have a very organized way of life. The Bottinials care for the gardens to ensure hearty harvests. The Eikvidalis, who can communicate with animals, take care of the livestock and ensure they’re happy and healthy. The Children who can bend the will of water, the Vodas, ensure we have pure clean water for drinking and bathing. There are Children who can move the ground beneath us and manipulate its resources. They’re called Grounders and are in charge of creating new development in the village. It feels like there is a balance here of everyone working together in harmony, complimenting each other’s strengths and differences.

Once a week, the Children of Astoria join together at the temple in holy worship of the gods. They’ll also share any news of interest and hold a large feast in a hall below the temple. It has been the only time they’ve required our presence. Otherwise, the people, including the Priestess and Alec, have left us to adapt to our new surroundings on our own. For the most part, Audrina and I have kept to ourselves.

I am told Lysette has been studying the many books in the temple as well as learning from the other Bottinials—distant cousins, I suppose, if we were to trace the lineage. They’re helping her to understand her gift and teaching her how to control it.

There are four other Isoots here. I have yet to meet them. Part of me is afraid they won’t accept me because of my undisciplined visions. Part of me is afraid they will, and I will betray my dead family for a family I’ve never known.

Audrina has been searching the barriers trying to figure out a way out without alerting anyone of our departure. There appears to only be one real way out, the guardian laden path we arrived on. We could go over the falls, but even if we survived the five hundred foot drop, it would be a long swim to the Islands of the Sons. It doesn’t stop her from sneaking off at all hours of the night. Never bothering to tell me where she has gone. I think she hopes to find a weak point somewhere on the outskirts.

DeLuca and I have skillfully avoided each other. Well, he’s skillfully avoided me. He leaves before Audrina and I are up for the day. He comes home well after we’ve gone to bed. I find myself staring at the door, willing him to walk through it, to see him. So much time has passed. I miss him. I fear that it has been too much time now. Maybe he’s found another woman, one with an incredible gift, one who's in control and knows who she is. One who wasn’t born to a family he despises.

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