Read Online The Bone Tiki by David Hair - Free Book Online Page A

the light and into the darkness. He checked his watch. It was nearly ten. He should start. But he felt awfully alone, and afraid.
    Pania put an arm around his shoulder and pulled his face into her shoulder. She was about as tall as his mother, and his face pressed into the nape of her neck, where it fit perfectly. Her crop-top and hair were wet, but her skin was warm.
    ‘You’ll be OK,’ she whispered.
    He nearly burst into tears, but gritted his teeth and fought the urge with all his strength, even though he was nearly paralysed with fear—for Riki, and for Aunty Hine. Fear of Puarata, Donna, and the warrior. Fear that his mother would never hold him again. And fear that his dad would never be his dad again.
    He became conscious of Pania murmuring in his ear, whispering in Maori, words he didn’t know. He felt a sense of shame that he couldn’t speak his own language. He tried to speak, but Pania shushed him gently.
    ‘You’ll be OK. Just listen. You’ve been brave, and you will be again. Everything seems strange, because you’ve stepped into a world you didn’t know existed. But it was always here, waiting for you. Aotearoa. It’s light and magical, but it can be dark too. Just like your world. It’s like a river, and when you put one foot in, the current won’t let you go. You just have to swim. It would be better if you knew more of tikanga-Maori, your culture. But you will learn. You just have to be brave, and believe in yourself.’
    ‘What should I do?’
    ‘You can still go to Taupo, as you planned. But remember, they know where your mother lives, so you must be careful. Puarata is strong, and he won’t give up.’
    Mat went still, those words echoing in his skull. They know where your mother lives. Of course they did! How could he be so stupid? Fear for his mother threatened to unleash another wave of tears, but he blinked them away, angry at himself. ‘But then…what can I do? Where can I go that’s safe?’
    Pania stroked his head. ‘I don’t think you should go to your mother. They’ll be watching her. There’s a place in Waikato, a pa near Maungatautari, on a bend in the river. There is a man there, a tohunga, called Hakawau. He can help you. Go to him.’
    Mat nodded, though when he thought of not seeing his mother, something inside him refused. He said nothing. Pania gave him another squeeze then stepped away from him, held both his shoulders. ‘If you hear the whispers again, don’t listen to them. Just take hold of the tiki, or even your koru, and say ‘Shhh’. As if you were making a baby go to sleep. OK?’
    Mat frowned slightly but nodded. After a night of such strangeness, this sounded like perfectly good advice.
    ‘One more thing. If you’re in trouble, take hold of the tiki, picture a Maori warrior in your mind, and call out for Toa to help you. OK?’
    Toa?
    Pania smiled. ‘This is important. You hold the tiki, picture a Maori warrior in your mind, and call out for Toa. He has dark curls, and is very handsome.’ She smiled at this, and stroked his cheek.
    ‘Is Toa his name?’
    ‘No,’ she replied. ‘It is what he is. It means warrior.’
    ‘Oh.’ The way she said it made this warrior seem frightening.
    ‘You’ll be fine,’ she told him. ‘I’ve got to go now, Mat. But you’ll be fine, and maybe I’ll see you when you get back.’
    A lump rose in his throat. ‘I…I’d like that,’ he managed, desperately wanting to hug her again. But she stepped away.
    ‘Off you go now,’ she said. ‘Good luck!’
    She turned, and walked down to the water’s edge. When she turned, the moko on her chin was back.
    ‘Who are you?’ he asked her again.
    She turned. Her skin caught the light, gleamed dully like bronze. She smiled coyly. ‘I’m Pania, of course. Silly!’
    Then she turned and dived silently into the sea. It swallowed her like an open mouth, and from that mouth came that half-heard chanting again…Mat backed away, then turned and ran, along the wave