A Division of Souls - A Novel of the Mendaihu Universe

by Jon Chaisson

CHAPTER TWENTY

  Mendaihu

  A brilliant streak of white light appeared in the sky from out of nowhere, tore its way past the top of the Mirades Tower, made an impossible yet graceful curve around it, then lifted and soared over the Sprawl again before touching down somewhere in Berndette Sector, all in the span of five seconds. It was over before Kai had even registered what had happened.

  “Pashyo!” she exclaimed, feeling a sudden wave of energy cresting over her own spirit…the aftershock of what she’d just seen. She shuddered and turned to the others in the car. “Did anyone else see that?”

  Poe shot a quick glance at her as he drove on. “See what?”

  Instead of answering him, she shifted in her seat and stared at her brother. Ashan stared back, breath held and hands gripping the back of her seat. He did not answer right away, instead turning to Caren. She had remained aloof, staring blankly out the window. She seemed to be content enough that they were driving to Berndette Sector to pick up Denni from Ormand Park School. She had to have sensed it as well, but she was showing no reaction.

  “I certainly felt it,” Ashan said eventually. He took an uneasy breath and closed his eyes. “I’m going in.”

  “Wait!” Kai said, grabbing his hand. “Are you sure it’s safe?”

  “Kai —” he began.

  “I saw it with these eyes, Ashan.” She gestured at her own irises. “I saw it before I even sensed it. If it bled over into this reality, it could be anyone.”

  “What did you see?” Poe asked again, a slight irritation in his voice.

  “A streak of light,” she said, glancing quickly at him. “Like a se’nyhndah, a Lightbody. Souls that can travel completely on Light energy. Immensely strong spirits tend to leave light bleed when they travel, whether it’s intentional or not. Never thought I’d see it, though…”

  Poe bristled. “Are you sure it was a Lightbody?”

  “It must be,” Ashan said. “It felt like…”

  “Like a ripple in timespace,” Caren said suddenly. “Bending reality. Like blurring the line between Light and Life.”

  Kai gaped at her. Caren had not said a word, let alone show any emotion whatsoever, since they’d spoken with Kindeiya Shalei. His words had taken a lot out of her, and she had retreated far into her own thoughts and emotions, letting no one in. Kai reached over the seat and let her hand hover in the air for a second before touching Caren’s knee. Ashan placed a hand on top of hers. Double protection.

  “You sensed it,” Ashan said.

  “I sensed her,” Caren answered, and faced him with reddening eyes. Her voice was trembling. “I sensed Denni.”

  “Poe,” Kai said, glancing at him.

  “Yeah,” he said gruffly, and headed for the curb.

  Caren took an uneasy breath. “She’s that light…the se’nyhndah. It had to be.” She quickly wiped away a tear with the heel of her palm. “I know my sister’s spirit.”

  Kai nodded silently, and turned forward again. She understood Caren’s reticence now. She wasn’t cutting herself off from them because she was afraid…she was holding back, keeping her own spiritual energy in check. She was extremely vulnerable right now, almost as much as Denni was, and she didn’t want anyone else coming to harm. Not under her watch. Kai understood this, because it was a Mendaihu reaction, and Caren knew it instinctively.

  Karinna, she said, directing her voice only to her.

  What, she answered. Her voice was an unsteady monotone.

  I believe she’s trying to keep you safe. Let her.

  “Wh— ” Caren started aloud. Keep me safe? A crooked smile of surprise and amusement crossed her lips. Okay…I understand. She turned to Ashan. “Go. We’re right here. Just promise me you’ll tell me what she’s up to.”

  “Of course,” he said, eyes already closed.

  “Poe, keep heading up to Ormand Park School,” Kai said.

  “Got it,” he said. He was ready to shift back into traffic, when his comm went off. He pulled it out of his jacket pocket and upon checking the number, cursed aloud.

  “What?” Kai said.

  “It’s Matthew,” he said flatly. “One of our street contacts. Always a sense of timing, that kid.” He threw on a headset to free his hands, turned on the phone and answered while he pulled back into traffic. It was mostly a one-sided conversation, one that Poe seemed hesitant to have. He nodded and replied with one or two words or grunts, but for the most part remained silent as he drove. It wasn’t until he reached the next stoplight that he told Matthew where he was. Kai listened to him with concern, and reached out a hand to touch his shoulder. He responded to her touch, much to her surprise, by covering her hand with his. His touch was surprisingly gentle.

  Confirmation, she thought, seeing that word in his eyes. It had been Denni after all, and this Matthew knew about her, and who she was.

  Poe finished the call and tore the headset off in a fit of anger. “Damn it!”

  Startled, she pulled her hand away. “Alec—”

  “Wait,” he said, holding up a hand at her. “Just…hang on a second.” The traffic light had changed, and he pulled forward slowly. A slow trail of anger emanated from him, but he held it close. He faced her again, this time with a calmness she didn’t expect. “Kai, I want you to soulsense for me. Matthew says there are nuhm’ndah in Berndette Corner, and they’re zeroing in on Denni’s spirit signature. I need you to tell me where they are.”

  Kai gaped at him. “Alec, I don’t know if I —”

  “Faith,” he said, grabbing her hand and squeezed it. “Faith in yourself, kid.”

  Faith… she mused over the word for a moment until she realized she had no idea how to respond to that. Faith! What a strange thing to say.

  She closed her eyes and relaxed her muscles, and all was Light.