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"That they are." Annani leaned forward, ready to move to the real reason she had asked Kyra to stay behind. "I know that Syssi has spoken to you about her vision."

"She did." Kyra pulled her pendant from beneath her blouse and let it rest against her chest. "She even saw me wearing this."

Annani regarded the amber stone and the symbols etched on it. The shapes reminded her of the old language of the gods, but she could not decipher the writing, and she doubted it carried any meaning. It was most likely an attempt to mimic the style, but she wondered about the artifact that had inspired the artist who had created this piece.

"What does it do?" Annani asked.

"It warms up in warning or in confirmation, depending on the situation, but lately it hasn't been reliable. I made a mistake on the mission, insisting that we should get Soraya first, and it did nothing to warn me that it was a bad decision. Max and Yamanu kept telling me that we should get my sisters who had children first, and they were right. The Doomers went after Yasmin. If I hadn't relied on this stupid thing, I might have listened to them, and we could have saved Javad."

"The Fates had other plans, child. Do not blame yourself."

Kyra shook her head. "I should have listened to those with experience. Relying on magical objects is not wise."

"Perhaps." Annani leaned back. "Syssi requested a vision about my husband, asking if he was still alive, buried in stasis somewhere in the Arabian desert, but instead of showing her my Khiann, the Fates showed her you and your pendant. I know it is significant, and I suspect that it was their way of hinting that you will help find him."

"But I don't know how to use it that way," Kyra protested. "It warns me of danger, sometimes guides my decisions, but I've never used it to locate anyone."

"Not consciously, perhaps," Annani acknowledged. "You might not have discovered all of its abilities yet. Besides, your daughter believes that objects don't possess inherent power. They're merely conduits that assist the gifted practitioner in channeling her power."

Kyra put her hand on the pendant. "So, it was me all along making those intuitive decisions?"

Annani nodded. "Never discount your gut feelings, which is another way to say your intuition. I always listen to mine, and it is telling me that you will somehow help guide me to my Khiann."

"What would I need to do?" Kyra's fingers closed around the stone pendant. "Where do I start?"

"I am not sure," Annani admitted. "Perhaps you should consult with Jasmine. She guided a team to find my brother and sister, Ell-rom and Morelle, and she found them in the nick of time. I have a feeling that you will need to combine your powers, and maybe even Fenella has a part to play in this. I find it hard to believe that she was in the right place at the right time by chance. The Fates have been busy again, and they have plans for her."

Kyra frowned. "Fenella didn't mention having any powers. How is she supposed to help?"

"That remains to be seen. The Fates rarely bring people together without a purpose. Your paths converged for a reason. It was not a coincidence."

"I'll help in any way I can," Kyra said. "Just point me in the right direction."

Annani sighed. "I will probably need to request another vision from Syssi because I do not know what to tell you."

"Do you wish me to speak with her?"

Annani shook her head. "I will do that. Now let us see what we can do about those lost memories of yours."

Kyra swallowed. "Right now?"

"If you would rather wait, we can do it some other time."

Annani had a feeling that Kyra was too scared of what her memories could reveal.

"I'm not sure I want them," Kyra admitted. "Bad things happened to me, and I would rather not remember them. I would like to remember my childhood, growing up with my sisters, coming to America, meeting Boris, falling in love, and having Jasmine. But none of the other stuff." She lifted her eyes to Annani. "Can you do that?"

"I am not sure I can get any of your memories at all. It was a very long time ago, and I have a feeling that they are covered with a thick layer of metaphoric scar tissue. At best, I will be able to learn some truths about your past and tell you about them. I do not believe I will be able to bring back the memories from your subconscious. Truthfully, you will probably have better luck talking to Vanessa. She specializes in trauma."

Kyra did not look disappointed. She looked relieved. "I will contact Vanessa." She rose to her feet and bowed her head. "Thank you for welcoming me and my family with such open arms. It's more than I could have ever expected. You are giving us a new life."

Smiling, Annani stood up as well and put her hand on Kyra's arm. "I am glad to be in the position that allows me to be generous, but I am not doing it out of pure altruism. I meant it when I said that your family's enrichment of our genetic pool is invaluable."

She walked Kyra to the door. "Be well, Kyra. We shall speak again soon."

The woman bowed her head. "Goodbye, Clan Mother."

Hopefully, Kyra held the key to finding Khiann, perhaps not alone, but with the help of Jasmine and maybe Fenella, and possibly another vision from Syssi.