Season of Sacrifice (Blood of Azure Book 1) by Jonathan Michael (best ebook for manga txt) 📕

Naturalists don’t partake in lavish clothing, which is why the McLarins have extended their generosity to me. And, although I find the clothes over-the-top, the parties dedicated to Susy are always memorable.

Stone wears a plaid pattern of midnight and sky blue. He’s also donning a matching flat hat and bowtie. I’m not an expert in fashion, but I find myself jealous of what he’s wearing. I have nothing to complain about, though. At least they invite me to these parties and provide me with the proper attire.

“We’re ready,” Stone says to his mother as we parade down the staircase.

Everyone appears as if we’re heading to meet the Taoiseach. Shae now has matching stilettos to go with her pale-blue evening gown and a platinum necklace lined with sapphires. Stone’s father, Arden, is dressed in a midnight-blue three-piece suit with a crisp light-blue shirt underneath. Even Jaymes, at the age of eight, looks beautiful in her charcoal-grey jumper with white lace at the bottom and white stockings. All of them have the crest of the Lahyf pinned on them in some form. Stone and Arden have cuff links in the shape of three raindrops, and Shae has three platinum raindrops dangling from each of her ears. Jaymes, however, the only Dihkai in the family, has a charm bracelet with three toadstools dangling from it. I would feel like the odd man out with my black suit and toadstool buttons if it wasn’t for Jaymes.

“You two look adorable.” Shae reaches for her own neck, gesturing to Stone. “Straighten your bowtie, son.”

Arden pats me on the shoulder. “Thanks for coming along, Elder. Stone and Jaymes both appreciate your company, as do Shae and me, of course. Are you sure your parents are okay with you celebrating with us on the Autumnal Equinox? I know it’s a holiday most families prefer to spend together. We can always take a detour back to Farrow on our way.” Shae narrows her eyes at her husband. Arden shrugs his shoulders in return.

“Of course, sir. My parents have already threatened to punish me if I didn’t accept every opportunity to come enjoy myself at one of your extravagant festivals. Believe me, they claim no issue with me being here. In Farrow, we don’t celebrate the way families of the Seezuhn religion do.” I shrug my shoulders, then quickly add, “But that doesn’t mean we don’t like to enjoy ourselves.”

“You’re right. We’re all just trying to put a smile on our faces, aren’t we? It’s part of being human, I suppose. And speaking of putting smiles on faces, Stone…” Arden pauses and looks at his son. It’s a look of pride. “…I’ve a surprise for you.”

Arden disappears momentarily and returns with a long, narrow box with a blue ribbon on it. He hands it to Stone, who accepts it with a befuddled look.

“What’s this, Father?” He runs a curious hand over the box.

“Open it!” Arden urges him.

Stone unties the bow and lifts the top, peaking into the box. His eyes light up, and he tosses aside his manners. He throws the lid to the ground and reaches into the box, letting the box itself fall to the ground as well. He wields two identical swords sheathed in light-blue leather scabbards with brushed silver pommels adorned with sapphires in the shape of raindrops. The pommels and light-blue coloring both symbolizing the Lahyf heritage, of course.

Stone unsheathes one of the blades. The silence while he withdraws the blade and the sparkle of the untainted polished steel send shivers down my spine as I envy his new treasure.

“Wow!” Jaymes cries as she moves to grab it. Stone, tapping into his sibling instincts, slaps her hand away. Both of his parents overlook it.

“So…what do you think, son?” Arden asks. His smile beams with pride.

“It’s amazing, father. Thank you.” Stone embraces his father, then steps back, looking slightly puzzled. “But…may I ask what the special occasion is? And…a sword! Is it mine?”

“Not just a sword. Those blades are part of the family. An heirloom passed down from father to son for generations. I think it’s time Life Bringer gets handed down to its new owner.”

“Th-thank you, father. I don’t know what to say.”

“Thank you is enough. Now, go ahead, see how they fit.”

I look to Shae, and there is worry in her eyes, but she defers to Arden on this matter. She wouldn’t have let it happen without a discussion with Arden first, but her motherly worry is visible on her face. Her son has just been given a pair of blades. At age ten, he’s plenty old enough to start training.

Stone retrieves the harness that fell to the floor when he ripped the blades out of the box. His father helps him wiggle into it and fasten the light-blue scabbards to it. Stone, dressed in his plaid formalwear with two hilts protruding from his back, looks like one of the Noxelite ready to attend a ball. He’s always wanted to be a member of the Noxelite, and he’ll be there someday. I’m sure of it.

Stone looks at his reflection in a nearby window. A gleaming smile tears across his face. “Thank you, father.” He turns to embrace his father once more.

“It is a mere formality. Please remember that. I don’t intend for you to use them on anything, or anybody. It is not a plaything. And you will need to prove to me you can handle the responsibility of keeping them safe. Understood?”

“Understood, Father.”

“And I’ve already arranged lessons for you. You can’t claim responsibility if you don’t know what it is you’re responsible for, now can you?” He lays a hand on his son’s arm and pulls him in closer.

“Wh…why have I never heard of…Life Bringer?” Stone unsheathes one of the blades and admires it. “Before now, I mean. You’ve never mentioned it before.”

“Life Bringer isn’t a prize