by Jon Chaisson
*
A half hour later they had made their way north on Krieger Avenue when Poe made the decision to go to the Crest. She was relieved to be going somewhere rather than poking around the Sprawl for the next three hours, but she was more than happy to be going up to Breed’s Hill Park. The change from manmade buildings to natural surroundings would be quite welcome.
Out of curiosity, she asked Amna if she had ever gone up there; she had answered that she had driven by plenty of times, as a cousin of hers owned a small summer house not too far from the park. As for the Crest, she had never actually climbed all the way up.
“It’s not so much a climb as a stroll,” Poe said. “I go up there all the time to clear my head.”
Unexpectedly, Denni felt a connection, a thin strand of spirit between him and the Mendaihu agent. Kai had given him a warm smile that he’d returned. Nothing was said, but a connection had been made, a fresh one, and a strong one at that. In spite of herself, she smiled. Bless you, Alec, she thought, only to herself. He certainly deserved it. Bless the both of you.
Caren, in the meantime, had been glancing out the window at the passing buildings and markets, watching all the people walking the streets. Denni saw a kind of resigned sadness on her face that she had not seen for a long time, not since their parents died. She’d once again detached herself not only from the others but from her surroundings, merely going through the motions set in front of her. She was on the verge of falling inwards again, just like she had done five years ago. She had never properly come to terms with any of it. The only thing that kept her from completely detaching from reality was her devotion, to her position as an Alien Relations agent and as older sister and caretaker. She had never fully accepted her fate as a Mendaihu, and she definitely hadn’t come to grips with her little sister awakening to become a major deity. Her own guilt, combined with the added stress of recent events, must be taking its toll on her. Denni breathed out a long, quiet sigh and dropped her head onto Caren’s shoulder.
Hey, she said, focusing only towards her.
Hmm? Caren shook herself out of her reverie and faced her. The expression on her face was that of well-hidden surprise.
You know… she started, then paused. She looked into Caren’s eyes, searching for that oft-seen tower of strength that her spirit held. Denni knew it was there…it had always been there, through the worst of their pain. She focused both eyesight and spiritsense towards her, and found it…in her heart chakra, right where it always was and always would be. She focused the intent at that precise spot and started again.
Karinna… she started again. You’ll never lose me, you know. I know how you feel about Mum and Dad’s deaths. You’re hurting enough for the both of us.
She stopped again, wondering what to say next. They stared at each other, oddly without self-conscious discomfort, each wondering what the other would say next. For a moment the rest of the worlds didn’t matter. Denni didn’t care who else was sitting in the car or that any of this really existed. Just the moment now, with the two of them together and feeling completely invulnerable to anything except their own emotions. That moment was all that mattered between the two of them. Denni reached an arm across and embraced her.
I promise, Karinna…I promise I will help you heal. We both will heal together.
A stifled gasp slipped past Caren’s lips, a sound only Denni heard, and sent an intensely strong wave of love back at her. Thank you, she said, offering a lopsided smile as she wiped away a tear. She pulled Denni into an embrace and held her tight, and Denni knew she would never let go. Not completely.
Denysia. We must talk again.
“Oh, crap,” she mumbled.
Caren bristled; she must have heard the voice as well. “What’s wrong?”
I heard you, she answered. “It’s…it’s Ampryss,” she said aloud.
Caren paled. “Ampryss?”
“She’s…” she stumbled again. “She’s a spirit guide.”
“I know who she is,” Caren started again unevenly. “She talked to me earlier...briefly. I didn’t know she was the one who spoke to you that night.”
Denni sensed the ears of everyone in the car pricking up. “I trust her. Poe, she needs to talk to me again. Are we almost at the Crest?”
Poe called out over his shoulder; even his voice had wavered at Ampryss’ name. “About three miles to the exit. We’re almost there.”
I’ll contact you in fifteen minutes, Ampryss, she called out. She wanted to add more, but forced herself not to.
It is done, was the answer, and she left her alone.
