Page 93 of Dark Awakening: Hidden Currents

"True." She pulled out her phone. "I'll text Amanda."

As they began to eat, the conversation flowed more easily, but Annani's mind was still in turmoil over Syssi's vision despite Kian's entertaining stories about the humorous comments left on the clan's bulletin board.

"Mother?" Kian's voice broke through her thoughts. "Have you heard anything I said?"

"Yes, some. I am sorry for not paying attention. My mind is still on Syssi's vision." She looked at her daughter-in-law. "When we go to see Jasmine, we should bring a map of the region. And perhaps some photographs of ancient ruins in the area. It might help jog her intuition."

Syssi winced. "Shai searched the internet for ruins and artifacts matching my vision and didn't find any."

Annani smiled. "Contrary to popular belief, not everything can be found on the internet. Those ruins might have been discovered many years ago before anyone even dreamt about the internet. The archeologists could have recorded the finding in some obscure research paper or book, and they were later forgotten."

Kian nodded slowly. "That's true. I will have to hire someone to do some research. Maybe David can recommend one of his professor buddies from Stanford." He frowned. "Do they even have a history or archeology department at that university?"

Syssi shrugged. "I don't know, but that's something that can be found on the internet."

As Syssi pulled out her phone to do the search, Annani felt a sense of purpose settling over her. For the first time in years, they had a tangible lead, however tenuous, on Khiann's whereabouts. It might come to nothing, but the mere act of searching, of doing something, filled her with renewed energy.

Allegra's happy babbling drew Annani's attention, and as she turned to her granddaughter, her mood was immediately lifted by the child's smiling face, which was smeared with the remains of her lunch.

To someone who did not know Allegra well, she would have appeared blissfully unaware of the weighty matters being discussed around her. But Allegra was not a regular child, and Annani took her smile as an encouraging sign.

66

JASMINE

After Margo and Frankie left, Jasmine glanced at her watch and frowned.

It had been over two hours since Ell-rom had left for his appointment with Julian, and he should have been done by now.

Not that anything could happen to Ell-rom with Julian watching over him, right? But what if something had happened to both of them?

Jasmine did not want to hover, but worry had a way of creeping in despite her best efforts.

She tried to distract herself with a book, but her mind kept circling back to Ell-rom and wondering what could be keeping him so long.

Pulling out her phone, Jasmine held her hand over the screen. She wanted to call Julian, but she didn't want to upset Ell-rom with her hovering and interrupt the rehabilitation session.

It would be better if she just went in person.

Ell-rom wouldn't mind that. He liked it when she was near.

With the decision made, she strode out of the penthouse and summoned the elevator. The ride down to the clinic level seemed longer than usual, but she knew it was only her perception of time and not a problem with the elevator's mechanics.

To her surprise, the clinic seemed deserted when she got there, which was odd. Ell-rom hadn't worn his swimming trunks, so Julian couldn't have taken him to the pool. Maybe he took him for a walk?

But then, who was watching over Morelle?

"Hello?" she called out, her voice sounding unnaturally loud in the stillness. "Is anyone here?"

A moment later, Gertrude emerged from a back room. "Oh, hi, Jasmine. Are you looking for Julian and Ell-rom?"

"Yes." Jasmine nodded, relief washing over her at the nurse's calm demeanor. If something was wrong, Gertrude wouldn't look so relaxed.

"Julian decided to take Ell-rom for a walk outside. Said it would do him good to get some fresh air and see more of the world he's woken up in. They must be enjoying their walk because they've been gone for a long time."

Anxiety gripped Jasmine again. "What if something happened to them?"

The nurse smiled reassuringly. "Julian can handle random thugs, and his reflexes are so quick that the chance of them being hit by a car is negligible. They are fine. My guess is that Ell-rom got tired, so they found a bench, sat down, and forgot about time while chatting."