Read Online The Kuthun by S.A. Carter - Free Book Online Page A

lost for words. How can he see me? He watches me calmly, waiting for a response.
    Chosen? What does that mean? ‘Ah, thank you,’ I answer, slightly confused.
    ‘Sit,’ he says, moving his hand towards the woven mat across from him.
    I look around me, not sure of what is happening but sensing that this moment is important somehow.
    I carefully place myself closer to the woman and take my seat gently. As her face comes into view my hand covers my mouth in alarm. Instinctively I know that the face I am looking upon belongs to that of Isabella Cole—the woman who would unknowingly spawn a centuries-long curse upon our family.
    She seems to be sleeping. Her clothes are worn and her skin has a blue lustre to it, indicating that she has been subjected to the cold elements outside. They must have only just found her?
    While placing his hand to his chest he says, ‘My name, Taqôq Wiyon.’
    I am still a little startled so it takes me a moment to respond. ‘Um, my name is, Elena Cole.’ I mimic his movement by putting my hand on my chest also.
    He stares at me thoughtfully, the lines around his eyes crinkling slightly, and then he smiles and nods. ‘Yes. Ray of Sun. Yes.’ He keeps nodding as if it makes complete sense to him.
    I, on the other hand, am having a hard time trying to understand any of it. Ray of Sun? I feel like this should make sense to me but I find it hard to understand his meaning. I revisit the conversation in my mind.
    Eventually I get it. ‘Oh, I see. My name
means
Ray of Sun?’ I ask him, tapping my chest lightly.
    He nods calmly. ‘Yes, yes. Ray of Sun.’
    I start to feel light-headed. My eyes must convey my confusion because Taqôq Wiyon looks at me warmly and raises his hand. ‘Come soon,’ he says.
    I feel myself drifting.

    I’m sitting back on the table near the oval, feeling dizzy and disoriented. Lifting my head I see movement off in the distance and through the sun’s haze I see Uncle Jo and Magi walking towards me, neither of them looking particularly happy.
    On slightly shaky legs I run to them. ‘I’m so glad you’re okay,’ I say hugging Uncle Jo hard.
    ‘We’re alright, Ellie. It’s all fine.’
    I bend down to hug Magi. She licks my face and is panting like a steam train.
    ‘I saw you from upstairs. What happened?’ I ask, not mentioning that I cast a spell as I thought that wouldn’t go down too well under the circumstances.
    ‘Magi caught the Venator’s scent and took off after him. I followed as quickly as I could. We chased him for about three miles and then lost him in the woods.’ His words are laced with hatred as he looks back towards the tree line.
    ‘We’ll find him, Uncle Jo. It’s only a matter of time.’
    ‘That’s what worries me,’ he says giving me a concerned glance.
    We walk back to the school in silence. What is there to say to one another that will make it alright? As we near the car park I glance up at the Sequoia tree that I was sitting under earlier. The owl has taken flight but no doubt he’ll be back.
    When we reach Uncle Jo’s truck he pauses with his hand on the door. ‘Ellie,’ he mutters, not looking at me. ‘Please be careful.’
    I place my hand on his shoulder. ‘I will, it’ll be alright.’ I’m not sure if it actually will be but I can’t let him know that, I’m the only family he has left.
    He nods his head and gets into the car but Magi doesn’t leave my side. ‘Go on, Mags. Get in.’ She doesn’t budge. She just sits there watching me in defiance.
    Uncle Jo manages a weak smile. ‘Good luck getting her to move. Looks like she’s staying.’
    ‘She can’t stay. I have school!’ I exclaim.
    Magi turns back in the direction of the oval, heading towards the tree line again. She doesn’t look back. I watch after her, surprised at such a defiant display of hound attitude!
    ‘Like I said, good luck with that.’ He starts The Beast up. ‘I’ll pick you up here at three, okay?’
    I nod.
    ‘Oh and Ellie,