Beneath the Burning Wave by Jennifer Hayashi Danns EPUB & PDF – eBook Details Online
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- Author:Jennifer Hayashi Danns
- Language: English
- Genre:Historical Fiction
- Format: PDF / EPUB
- Size: 2 MB
- Price: Free
KAORI
Why now, in the final preparations for the hunt, do my hands shake?
My stupid obi won’t form the symbol of an ankh. Again, I wrap
the long strip of black cloth around my waist, tying it in a knot by making a
circle loop at the top and leaving the end to hang down. I can finally
breathe. I won’t survive tonight without creating the symbol of life for
protection.
My silver dagger is secure on my hip. I swivel from side to side, gazing
down at myself in admiration. I love how the blade shines against my dark
ceremonial robe.
“Kaori, we must go.”
Naho is standing in the opening. I hope mu didn’t see my display of
vanity. Naho looks so dignified in our wide-sleeved wrap robe. The delicate
fabric hangs well on mir broad shoulders skimming mir flat stomach and
narrow hips. Mu has tied mir long braids back with twine. Like the fine
silver thread running through the cloth, Naho’s hair is streaked with time.
My robe refuses to stop gaping over my curves and smoothing out the
places where the fabric clings to my belly doesn’t help much either. Within
two steps to match Naho’s tall stride the humid night air has stuck my tunic
to my thick thighs.
We make our full-moon walk to the beach, winding our way down the
red dirt path separating the gamgam huts. The moon has cast a silver
shadow over the woven benme roofs, turning the black night deep blue.
Curious eyes peek out of openings. On some of the huts, carefully knotted
ankhs hang.
Is tonight the night I don’t return?
Normally I find their stares bolster my courage, but tonight I depend on
Naho to bow and acknowledge their unease. Naho always waits for me so
we can walk together. To be honest, I would prefer to make the short
journey alone like the rest of the hunters, but tonight in the creepy blue light
my fingers fumble until they rest in Naho’s warm hand. We pass the final
row of huts and trample across an exposed tangle of benme roots until we
reach a grassy clearing. The air tastes salty and waves crash in my ears as
we approach a soaring stone pyramid.
Reaching the temple of the Experienced is a horrible reminder I have to
face the eldest Experienced Takanori tonight.
How much longer can I keep my secret from mem?
I squeeze Naho’s hand tight despite the temple being the sign for Naho
to run ahead and arrive alone. When I release Naho’s hand mu doesn’t
leave, even though we can see the shadows of the hunters on the beach; the
others have already formed a circle.
Naho guides me into the moonlight reflecting off the temple’s unique
feature: gold doors. No other structure on the island has doors. Only the
Experienced are allowed privacy.
A golden glare rests on Naho’s high cheekbones, making mir brown
eyes glow. I don’t like looking into Naho’s eyes; their intensity reminds me
of my twin, Kairi, and I always feel like Naho can see more than I want to
reveal.
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