Free The Persistence of Memories - A Novel of the Mendaihu Universe by Jon Chaisson Page B

to the other Elders with a hint of annoyance.
    Roshan Eiyashné leaned forward first. “I
support the idea, but how can we be sure that the Ones of the past
would willingly agree to go along with this? Sa’im nyhnd’aladh,
emha, I mean no disrespect to the girl, but can we trust her in
such a sacred place?”
    “I agree,” said another Elder, an older woman
by the name of Andra Selissia. “If she were chaperoned? We could
offer to bring Karinna to sehna lumia as well. I’m sure she would
—”
    “Out of the question,” another woman
interrupted. Her short frame squeezed in between two burly men,
elbowing them aside. Nehalé thought he recognized her but couldn't
place where, and he hadn’t caught her name. “Karinna cannot leave
Gharra just yet. It is too soon.”
    “Why can't —” Nehalé started.
    “Let me finish. There is one person who may
be up to the task. I know of one young girl who may be able to
help. There's only one problem: although she's been awakened as a
cho-nyhndah and a Protector, her real soul has not.”
    Ampryss frowned. “Please elaborate.”
    “She's a Né madhyané , milady,” she
said. “An offspring of the One.”
    Nehalé shuddered at the sudden silence that
hung over the table. An offspring of the One? Goddess, then that
meant…!
    Ampryss broke the silence. “Was her spirit
conscious before or after the Awakening, Madhza?”
    “After, milady. And if the rumors are true,
the girl is an embodiment as well, a reincarnation of the child of
the first Dearest. This child has always remained close to the
future Ones throughout all of their lives, instinctively knowing
who will be the next One of All Sacred, remaining close to them
throughout their lives. The child has not always made their
presence known, not for a long time, but she has returned now. I
have met this young woman, and she is a close friend of Dennise
Johnson. She was with her during the failed Ascension, and from
what I sense, she is willing to follow Denni anywhere.”
    “Does she have a name?” Ampryss asked.
    “Her True name is Annedin.”
    Ampryss crossed her arms and tapped her
fingers against her forearms, thinking it over. Fully awakening a
Né madhyané would take more than a simple ritual...and once it had
taken place, no one would be able to tame her. The girl may be a
holy offspring of the One of All Sacred, but again, she was also a
young woman without a clue as to what her strengths may be.
    “You must take that chance,” Nehalé prodded.
“It could mean her survival.”
    “I understand,” she said, and turned back to
the woman. “Madhzi, can you initiate this?”
    “I've already set things in motion,” she
said. “Denni returned from her self-imposed isolation a few days
ago. She's come to visit me a few times, asking for advice. She
does not know that I am an Elder, nor does Karinna. She does trust
me, though. I have suggested a few times that she get in touch with
her memories of being the One of All Sacred. She’s hesitant, but I
believe she’ll come around.”
    “...and this Annedin?”
    “Right by her side. She'll go anywhere Denni
goes. It's got to be Annedin, the way she’s latched onto
her.”
    Ampryss slowly nodded, glancing again at
Nehalé as she did so. He felt a flash of guilt, unwarranted though
it might be. Should he feel guilty that he was helping Denni
remember her past, in order to keep her safe in the future?
“Nehalé, I must confess I don't fully agree with this method of
action. There are too many unknowns, too many risks upon Denysia,
and also upon this Annedin. I can only hope that you can do all you
can to keep her well protected.”
    “I shall do my best, emha,” he said, bowing
deeply.
     

CHAPTER SEVEN
    Expectation
     
    Christine Gorecki leaned up against the wall
near the roof access door, her attention three blocks up the street
at what had once been a deserted warehouse. She lit the cigarette
she'd pulled from behind her right ear, her second one in the