Taniwha's Tear Read Online Free

his throne. People like Donna Kyle. You remember her, don’t you?’
    Mat shuddered. He certainly did. ‘But she’s dead, right?’ he asked hopefully.
    Pania shook her head. ‘She’s still alive, sadly. Alive andfighting to gain her master’s throne. She was his lover and his closest confidante. Many rally to her on that basis. But there are others strong enough to rival her. Kurangaituku, the Bird-Witch, is also powerful, with eyes everywhere. The American, Sebastian Venn, also; he has alliances among the colonial soldiers. But the worst is John Bryce.’
    Mat frowned. ‘I think I’ve heard of him,’ he said, remembering some school lessons. ‘Wasn’t he the guy who took over that Maori village in Taranaki and enslaved everyone?’
    ‘You mean the attack on Parihaka,’ she replied, nodding. ‘It was during the aftermath of the Land Wars, in 1881, when John Bryce was Native Minister. He personally led the attack against a pacifist community. Women were raped, men beaten, and then taken away and made to work until they died, down in the south. Their houses were burned and all they had of value confiscated. He was the most hated Pakeha in New Zealand for a long time. When he died, that hatred gave him power in Aotearoa. He quickly became Puarata’s lieutenant, and the tohunga gave him the South Island as his own fiefdom. Now that Puarata is dead, Bryce seeks to seize all of Aotearoa. Ships have been passing in the night, up from the south, heading for the East Coast. We sea-people have seen them.’
    ‘The East Coast? What’s there?’
    ‘Puarata’s lair. Deep in the Ureweras, on the banks of Lake Waikaremoana.’
    Mat thought for a minute, remembering what Wiri had said before hehad said before he left. ‘We’re going up to Gisborne this morning, for a holiday.’
    Pania frowned. ‘Well, don’t go into Aotearoa when you’re there,’ she warned. ‘This side is probably safe, but Aotearoa won’t be. Not safe at all.’ Then she smiled suddenly, in that quicksilver way she had, and her mood changed entirely. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a beautiful paua shell, its blue-green hues reflecting the distant street lights. ‘This is for you. A present.’
    He accepted it awkwardly. ‘Th-thanks.’ He dug in his pocket. ‘I couldn’t think what to give you,’ he stammered.
    She shrugged. ‘What would I do with a present anyway?’
    ‘Would you like to join us for breakfast in the morning?’ he asked. ‘It’s nearly dawn.’
    She shook her head slowly. ‘That’s very sweet, Matiu. But you are humans. Your father would be afraid. And you have a turehu with you. His people and mine are old enemies. I would have to eat him, so best I don’t come.’ She bared her white teeth suddenly with a low titter. ‘I’m only joking,’ she said, but Mat wasn’t sure. ‘Anyway, I prefer to eat fish, freshly caught.’ Her teeth flashed again. ‘I like them raw.’ She looked dangerous for an instant, but then giggled. She leant in and kissed Mat on the cheek. ‘I have to go,’ she said. ‘My people await.’
    ‘Can I ask you a question?’ he asked as they stood.
    She half-turned, looking at him sideways with a knowing smile. ‘Sure.’
    ‘Do you have a boyfriend?’ He felt himself colour as he asked. One day I’ll learn how to talk to a girl without going red.
    She laughed. ‘Mat, of course. I have a husband. Remember my story?’
    Mat did. Pania had been one of the sea-people, and she had fallen in love with Karitoki, a human. She had become human to live with him, leaving the sea. He had tried to prevent her returning to her people by feeding her cooked food, which binds the power of some magical things. But her jealous people had lured her back, regardless. ‘I just wondered…’ Mat said.
    ‘Oh, we’re still seeing each other, my man and I,’ she purred, then she laughed and reached out, stroking his cheek. ‘You are growing up, aren’t you? The little boy is becoming a