A Division of Souls - A Novel of the Mendaihu Universe

by Jon Chaisson

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Approach

  Poe left the car idling as he got out and climbed onto its hood so he could get a better view of the street ahead of him. Traffic had been rerouted off Holgate Street as far back as Chapel Avenue, a good ten blocks away from Moulding Warehouse, and had ultimately caused the bottleneck of a six-lane boulevard emptying onto a four-lane side street. He was at least a good mile before Chapel, closer to Sculler’s Crossing than the warehouse itself. If he was somehow able to cross two lanes and take the next left, he might be able to park at the market garage there, though he was unsure if the others would want to make the nearly two-mile hike.

  “It’s up to you,” he offered, once back in the car and relaying his idea. “If we’re stuck here any longer, I can’t promise if we’ll get there by four.”

  Caren sighed noncommittally, not caring either way. “Denni will be there, Poe. That’s inevitable. I just want to be there with her.”

  “We all do,” he said with an even voice, choosing not to argue a moot point. He pulled out of the line of traffic and cut down the side street. With each stolen glance at her from his rearview mirror, he could tell that this was definitely not the path of fate she’d expected. She had finally accepted the reality of her situation, that her little sister was someone so important and special to so many people, she felt powerless in her attempts to keep her protected. Her gaze out the window was disconnected from the real world, as if she was trying to take in the last few calm moments of her life before the chaos took over. A few times she caught his reflection in the mirror, offering a weak smile or a roll of the eyes. No words were offered.

  Poe could read Denni’s mind as if it were his own. Although she had quietly preoccupied herself by watching the pedestrian traffic, inside her thoughts were racing, competing with each other for attention. While he could not read them, the tension they bore was intense. She was questioning her actions as the One of All Sacred…she believed in them, trusted them, used them to the best of her abilities, but deep within she was doubting. Was she truly doing the right thing? Could she truly be a savior when she could also cause so much pain? These rampant thoughts of hers left her emotionally drained. The only thing keeping her going was being surrounded by those she loved, and those who loved her.

  Dehndarra Né hra nyhndah, he thought. The duality and the individual, existing at the same time.

  For a brief moment, the concept of dualities made perfect sense to him. After all, wasn’t he a duality himself? A cho-nyhndah, both Mendaihu and Shenaihu in blood and spirit? He understood the concept and the fact that Denni’s case was not just unique but wholly special in and of itself. She had become a deity among the mortals here on Gharra…yet here she was, still just a young, beautiful and ultimately confused girl.

  But did she have to choose one over the other? Could she be like him, forever fighting that internal battle? Could she be both at the same time?

  “Poe?”

  He shivered. “Yeah? What is it, kiddo?”

  Denni leaned forward and touched his shoulder. “Drop me off here at the corner. I can make it the rest of the way myself.”

  Caren grabbed her sister’s arm. “I’m coming with you.”

  Denni let out a shaky breath. “Caren, please, you can’t, not right now. Your place is here with everyone else.”

  “I’m not leaving you, Denni! I don’t care who you are!”

  Denni sullenly sat back in her seat and faced her. Poe bit his lip as he began to slow the car up to the curb. The two sisters glared at each other for a long moment, Caren in barely contained anger, Denni in pity. “You don’t understand, Karinna,” she said softly. “I cannot take you. You must find your own way there.”

  “You’re damn right I don’t understand!” she cried. “Damn it! Don’t do this to me, Denni! I can’t…I just…” Further words died on her lips as tears began to form. I can’t lose you too. Poe knew those were the words she would have said. I can’t lose my entire family. He felt her pain as deeply as anyone else in this car would have felt it. Rising above that, slowly and deliberately, was her sense of logic. One way or another, Denni was going to be at the Moulding Warehouse at four. Wordlessly, Caren let out a long, choking breath and opened up her door. Amna squirmed in the front seat, and Kai quickly let her out. The girl was her protector now.

  Kai climbed back in without a word or a glance in Poe’s direction, but dark concern had crossed her face. Then a stray tear fell from her eye, quickly wiped away before it even passed her cheek. “We all have to make the decision eventually,” she said. “One way or another.”

  Poe nodded, knowing that truth all too well now.

  Outside the car, the two sisters were holding each other tightly, talking within, consoling and soothing each other and reaffirming their safety. Poe respected their privacy and did not listen in. Goddess, he thought, shivering and fighting back tears himself. For all anyone knew, this would be the last time they’d ever be together.

  That dark thought fell away as Denni’s hand reached through the open window and rested on his forearm. He managed to face her, but stopped just short of looking her in the eyes…he was too afraid. “Love, Peace and Light to you,” she said. “…and thank you for being there.” She touched his arm, squeezing it. “Please take care of my sister, okay?”

  His hand dropped on hers as he forced himself to gaze upon her. He offered a weak smile as he squeezed her fingers. It was a pathetic attempt at consolation, but at the moment he wasn’t sure what he was supposed to feel. “You know I will,” he said.

  She bent down and kissed him on the cheek.

  Thank you, Alec, she said within him. I love you.

  He laughed, despite the tears. Love you too, kid.