We’re sitting in one of Zahra’s favorite large bean bag chairs in the loft on the second floor of her house, and Zahra’s leaning against me as we’re in a deep conversation with Kynani and Zahra’s parents. It’s been on my mind ever since my chosen said something about it at school earlier today. She was vague on the details, but something tells me I’m not the only one who may have their mind blown.
We spend a short time engaging in idle chatter, which does nothing but irritate her. Don’t ask how I know, but I can feel it on her; that’s the best way I can explain it. I’m trying to avoid her mood affecting my own, but I’m low-key feeling like I’m gonna explode if Kynani doesn’t get everything out in space so everyone can digest and understand what’s going on with us. I wish they would hurry up, though. This is turning into borderline torture.
Zahra jumps out of her spot next to me, nearly scaring everyone in the room to death. Her father pops into this stance like he’s ready to go to battle in seconds. I instinctively pull her close, ignoring her father’s glare, and she holds her hand up, nodding to let us know she’s okay.
“What’s going on? You reacted like something freaked you out.” I remember that look on her face. It’s the same one I had when… “Wait, did you hear—?”
“Zahra, are you sure you’re okay, baby girl?” Kairo interrupts. “What is it? What’s happening to you?”
“I believe I can explain. Once she has calmed down a bit, we can begin the conversation.” Kynani moves toward us, placing her palm against Zahra’s forehead before closing her eyes. “Sleep for now, warrior. We will call for you when it is time.”
Zahra’s shaking her head like she’s trying to figure out what just happened. “I’m okay, Daddy, for real. I think there’s something Ms. Kynani can help with to get that under control.”
“If you say so, baby girl,” he replies, switching his attention to Kynani. “Now, can we finally know the reason for the impromptu visit?”
Kynani shifts her focus toward Zahra again, smiling as she confirms that she’s settled down. She then returns her attention to her parents, placing her hands in her lap. “Do either of you know what a trillsage is?”
Kesi shrugs, while Kairo nods his understanding. “Outside of what information is available in the Kindaran Archives and the Central Library, there is not much common knowledge on the subject. We know much more about nyxwraiths than we do trillsages.”
Kynani nods as Zahra and I get comfortable with the history lesson that’s coming. “The reason why there is not much knowledge is due to the fact that, except in very rare instances, nyxwraiths and trillsages do not venture far outside of the Temples inside of Mount Kindara.”
“What information do you have on the subject, Ms. Kynani?” Zahra inquires, shifting her body forward to engage in the conversation. I match her body language, realizing that I’m more interested in the subject than I’d originally thought. “If nyxwraiths and trillsages are rarely away from the temples, what does this have to do with anything here in the States?”
“Before I answer that question, my child, I must provide a quick back story and history,” Kynani expresses to everyone in the room. She leans back in her seat, waving her hands in a circular motion. In the next moment, images form out of thin air, begging our attention. “As your father knows, nyxwraiths can only be brought to the attention of their owners either through a traumatic event or by one of the Temple priestesses, when there is an imminent threat to the Temple. They come from specific bloodlines, which is how the Kindaran Nine families came into being.”
“Yes, this is true, Kynani,” Kairo confirms.
“What you may not know, Kairo, is that when a nyxwraith is realized, in a manner of speaking, a trillsage is realized at that same time,” Kynani continues as she manipulates the images in the air. “A trillsage is, from birth, bound to their nyxwraith mate, by Ashanti’s will and power. The trillsage becomes the guide, the nyxwraith its protector. And both are bound by the gods and Kindaran law to protect the sacred Kutokufa Scrolls of Kindara.”
Kairo and Kesi gasp at the same time. He grabs her hand to pull her close. “I did not think that was possible. We would have been told by the priestess who helped bring Zahra into the world, right?”
“Sometimes the priestess who assists with the birth is not made aware of the mwali duati gene inside the baby when they are first born,” Kynani explains further. “In your daughter’s case, it lay dormant for some time because her mate had not yet realized his nyxwraith, until—”
“Until Yasir had to be revived during the incident at that boy’s party,” Kesi finishes the sentence. “It is almost like we are having to make up the rules as we go along. There is nothing in the texts that can even explain what is going on. We were told by one of the Vodaran priestesses a few weeks before the invasion that she had been having visions that Zahra’s mate had been located,” Kesi explains as she stares at Zahra. “We were to have made the trek from Kua to Solara to meet with Bakari and Nasira in person.”
“Wait, what?” Zahra says, nervously playing with her hair.
Kairo turns to face Zahra, his gaze switching between me and her. “Baby girl, you were supposed to have met Yasir over a decade ago. When everything happened in Solara, we were forced to escape to the States while the Kindaran military and Mipaku Tribe—the border tribe—extinguished the Bralban threat. We did not know why we were singled out, but now it is starting to make sense.”
“I am still trying to wrap my mind around our daughter being a trillsage,” Kesi mentions out loud, incredulous over the revelation. “I mean, how would we even know if she were or not?”
Kynani turns to me, finishing the glass of water and placing the base of the glass on top of her palm. “Zahra, concentrate on this glass and sing. I believe high C should do the trick.”
Kairo’s confusion is written all over his face. “What are you talking about, Kynani? Zahra can sing, but that octave is Mariah Carey–level high.”
While her parents continue protesting, Zahra takes my hand in hers, squeezing it a few times to keep my attention. I hear her vocalize a range of notes, working her way up the scales, her eyes focused only on the glass in Kynani’s hand. I swoon as I listen to her find the right pitch, doing my best to not fall victim to her siren side.
In a voice I don’t recognize, she gives everyone a bit of an advanced warning. “You might want to cover your ears. This could get a bit loud.”
Zahra opens her mouth, unleashing a note and frequency that, at first, doesn’t seem to cause the concern her warning advised. Soon, the volume rises, causing the windows in the loft area to vibrate. She’s still focused on the glass, narrowing her eyes as the octave amplifies. The windows stop shaking as the glass in Kynani’s hand becomes the sole focal point of her singing voice. Before long, the glass pulses, and a few seconds later, it shatters into several pieces onto the carpet.
Kynani maintains her grin, turning toward Kesi and Kairo. “And that’s only one of the ways that you could tell that she is a trillsage.”
Zahra’s just sitting there, admiring her handiwork. I’m in shock over what I just witnessed. She can break glass! Now I’m wondering what else she can do.
She blushes as she meets the shocked expressions on her parents’ faces. “So I’ve been practicing a bit.”
…
Kynani is sitting in the backyard with us after finishing the conversation with Zahra’s parents, and if we’re being honest, there’s gonna be several more conversations on the horizon.
I stay busy with Zahra as Kynani instructs us where to place the candles around the space we cleared out on the lawn, my mind traveling back to my introduction to Gamba. I never got the chance to really explain to her what happened, what I went through, but the way things are playing out in front of us, we’ll be comparing notes soon.
“I heard a voice in my head earlier. Was that my trillsage trying to communicate with me?” Zahra asks as they close the circle around them. “It was the same voice I heard come out of my mouth before I started singing.”
“Yes, that was her,” Kynani answers. “We will be meeting her ‘in the flesh’ quite soon. I am pleased that she waited to reach out to you until it was time to complete the acclimation ritual.”
“So will I have the same control over mine that Yasir has over his? This is all exciting and scary at the same time.” Zahra places the final candle on the grass before meeting Kynani in the middle of the circle. “What does this mean for the future? I have so many questions.”
“They will be answered in time, but for now, we need to get you comfortable with your trillsage.” Kynani holds out her hands, nodding for her to take them. Seconds later, the candles catch fire in a circular sequence, the blaze surrounding them and almost shielding them from view. “Are you ready to meet her?”
“Yes, Ms. Kynani, I’m ready.” She’s saying the words, but I’m not sure she believes them. I know I didn’t when I said them. “As ready as I’ll ever be, anyway. One more thing: is it possible for Yasir to come with us? Is that allowed?”
Umm, I didn’t see that coming.
“If your betrothed is willing to delve inside, if only as a silent and invisible spectator, then he is welcome to travel,” Kynani states as she glances in my direction. “It is by her wish, but this is an intimate ritual, as you are well aware.”
“I understand, and I will find a quiet corner and watch.” Who’s she kidding? It’s one thing to be in the middle of it all. It’s a whole other thing to watch from the outside. “I’m hoping not to freak out.”
“That makes two of us, baby.” Zahra takes a deep breath and slowly exhales. “Okay, now I’m ready.”
I take my place just outside of the circle at Kynani’s direction, and I brace myself for what I’m about to witness.
“Now, take a walk with me, deeper inside your mind, so that we can meet your trillsage,” Kynani directs. She chants a few more words in her Kindaran dialect, and I grin as I finally understand what’s being asked. “You have the control to create the outward surroundings in which we can meet her. Whatever you create, it will manifest itself in a space inside your mind.”
Zahra nods, and it doesn’t take long for her to create the space. In a flash, they’re sitting under the Live Oak on Oakwood’s campus, on top of an oversize blanket in the colors of the Kindaran flag. They’re sipping on strawberry lemonade slushies as we all enjoy the late afternoon sun. Kynani looks around at the serenity of the scene and smiles as she spots a figure in the distance walking toward them.
“This is quite the backdrop for your first meeting, dear girl,” Kynani opines. “I believe this will be more than suitable, and she is arriving as we speak.”
I notice the woman, too, stunned at her striking features as she draws closer. In fact, they are as familiar as they are striking, so much so that I swear she and Zahra are sisters—except she told me she is an only child. I continue to study the young woman’s face, and the moment she smiles, something clicks in my head, at least for a split second. I stay in the background as I watch the scene unfold in front of me.
“I know you, don’t I?” Zahra remarks as she makes space on the blanket for the woman to sit. “You look so familiar to me, but I can’t place your face.”
“You do know me, little one. I used to babysit you when you were a little girl,” the woman replies. “You’ve grown up to be such a strong, beautiful young woman. Your parents should be proud of you.”
“Imara?” She clasps her hand over her mouth as she recognizes the woman in front of her. “You’re my older cousin. You were my favorite cousin. I was so heartbroken when my parents told me you died while fighting off the Bralba invasion.”
“I know, but the strangest and most wonderful thing happened. Nyati deemed me worthy to be your trillsage because I protected you in life…at least, to some degree.” Imara moves closer, giving her the tightest hug, wiping the tears streaming down her face. “I didn’t want to leave you, and I think it was that desire to find a way back to my favorite little cousin that had the gods smile on me and bring me back to you.”
“I can’t believe you’re here.” Zahra’s voice breaks as she continues to hold Imara close. “I still don’t understand, but I don’t care right now. To have you here with me…I don’t have the words to say how happy I am.”
“Not as happy as I am. The gods are smiling on us both, baby girl.”
Kynani smiles, watching as Imara and Zahra continue to banter, making the necessary preparations for the final step in the process. “It is time, ladies. Are you ready?”
“I’m ready. At least, I hope so,” she tells her.
“I am ready, Kynani. I have been waiting for this for a long time,” Imara answers. “We will have time to catch up on everything once the merge and acclimation has been completed.”
Kynani claps her hands three times, repeating the same movements that began my process. She rubs them together, creating a spark. When she separates them, each hand is consumed in a crimson-hued flame this time, its brilliance cutting through the darkness. She takes each of their hands, watching as the flames consume the connection, then encourages them to complete the triangle by grasping hands.
As the fire rages, I notice as Zahra tries to resist playing with the flames as they flicker against her body. I don’t dare interrupt, as I’m only there to watch it all, but I love the way she plays in her favorite element.
Kynani keeps her eyes closed to concentrate. “Imara, do you pledge your life to your owner, to protect her from all threats, foreign or friendly?”
“I pledge my life to my owner, my cousin, and to protect her from all threats, foreign or friendly,” Imara repeats.
Kynani continues. “Zahra, do you pledge to protect your trillsage from anyone who would try to do her harm, to ensure that you do not place yourself in any unnecessary peril, and when called upon, you both will do what is best for Kindara?”
“I pledge to protect my trillsage, my cousin, from anyone who would try to do her harm, to ensure I do not place myself in any unnecessary peril, and when called upon, to do what is best for Kindara,” she replies.
Kynani focuses her energy among the three of them as the color of the flames changes to a brilliant sapphire before dissipating. Satisfied that the process is complete, she opens her eyes and releases her grip. “Zahra, Imara, the acclimation has now taken hold, and the merge is complete. Imara, you should be able to move freely within Zahra’s consciousness, but there are still limits as her trillsage. You cannot take over unless she is in severe distress, and she still can override if she sees fit. Any suggestions you make can be heeded or not.”
Imara nods. “I understand. I know the limits of my power. My owner has the final say, regardless, unless it causes her harm.”
Zahra flashes a mischievous smirk. “Ooh, I get to boss her around? You have no idea how much fun this is going to be for me.”
Imara shakes her head, giggling along. “I see now that this is going to be an interesting time for the two of us, baby girl. I am your guide and bound by Kindaran law to protect you. I am looking forward to catching up with all the things that make up who you are, including…the young man in your life, as I understand?”
“It is time to return, as Zahra’s parents will need to be informed of tonight’s revelations,” Kynani advises. “It has been my honor to facilitate this transition, and I look forward to guiding you further.”
Once we come out of the depths of Zahra’s subconscious, Kynani extinguishes the candles with a swipe of her hands. She glances at her, nodding at her new body language and the aura surrounding her. “There is one more thing that I will need to prepare you to deal with, in due time.”
“What else is there, Ms. Kynani? You have already done so much at this point.”
Kynani gazes into her eyes to express the importance of the words in her mind. She pulls me into the conversation to make sure she doesn’t have to repeat herself. “You and Yasir will be tested. There is a storm on the horizon, and you cannot give up. That storm will be relentless, and it will do everything it can to make you submit.”
I recognize the severity of her words. “If that’s the case…we’re gonna need backup.”
“I would not have it any other way. You will need every resource at your disposal to get you through. But make no mistake; before this is all over…it may take a monster to save us all.”