17
ANNANI
The Pearl hummed with activity as Annani stepped through the doorway with two of her Odus flanking her like sentinels. The scents of fresh bread, cardamom, and cilantro enveloped her, triggering memories of markets from the past.
"Clan Mother!" Soraya stepped from behind the register and bowed low. "What an honor to have you visit our store."
Annani glided forward, her silk gown whispering against the floor. "I have heard so many good things about it that I had to come not only to see but also to shop."
She motioned for Ogidu and Oridu to take baskets and go about their task of collecting ingredients for the evening meal.
"You must try our new tea blend." Rana was practically vibrating with excitement. "Yasmin has quite the gift for combining flavors."
"Then I shall have some." Annani followed her deeper into the store.
The transformation of the space amazed her. What had been a regular house just days ago now bloomed with new life and purpose. Shelves lined the walls, stocked with a variety of items. The refrigerated section hummed quietly, keeping produce crisp and dairy fresh. Everywhere were careful touches that spoke of pride, like the hand-lettered signs written in chalk on small blackboards, the artfully arranged displays, and the small potted plants at the register.
A flash of movement caught her eye, and Annani spotted a small figure attempting to hide behind Yasmin's skirts. Little Cyra peered out at her shyly, her dark eyes wide.
"Hello, sweet one," Annani said gently, bending down to the child's level, which, given her diminutive stature, required little effort. "Have you been helping your mother in the store?"
Cyra nodded solemnly but did not leave her hiding spot.
"She's been very helpful," Yasmin said, running a loving hand over her daughter's hair. "Haven't you, sweetie? She helped arrange some of the lower shelves this morning."
"This is wonderful." Annani smiled at the child. "You are such a big girl."
The child nodded in agreement, which was adorable.
"Tell me, Cyra. Have you had any more dreams about the doll man?" Annani asked bluntly.
Normally, she would not have pressed, but she felt in her gut that they were getting close to finding Khiann, and the little girl with her strange dreams, which could be prophetic, might provide a crucial piece of information.
The child's eyes widened further, and she shook her head vigorously, pressing closer to her mother's leg.
Interesting. The denial was too quick, too emphatic. Either she had dreamt of him again and was frightened, or she was picking up once again on Annani's own thoughts about Khiann trapped in stasis somewhere in the desert.
If the child was indeed an empath, as Annani suspected, being around so many immortals with their heightened emotions must be overwhelming—no wonder she hid behind her mother's skirt.
"It is alright, my dear girl," Annani soothed. "Dreams cannot hurt us. They are just stories our sleeping minds tell us."
But were they?
In Cyra's case, Annani wasn't so sure. Empaths often receive information through dreams, processing during sleep what they absorbed during waking hours. She could have peeked into the child's mind to see what she was hiding, but Cyra was so young that an intrusion like that could potentially harm her.
Annani straightened, offering the child a reassuring smile before turning to Soraya. "Everything looks wonderful. The entire village is talking about The Pearl."
"Really?" Rana's face flushed with pleasure.
"My dear, everyone loves the store. I have heard nothing but praise."
The sisters exchanged delighted glances. It was such a change from when they had first arrived—haunted, broken, and jumping at shadows. Now they stood proud, met eyes directly, and smiled without reservation. They had found their purpose, and with it, their dignity.
"Business has been even better than we hoped," Soraya said. "We've had to triple our bread production, and we still sell out by mid-morning."
Yasmin chuckled. "That's because Parisa is a magician with dough. People are placing special orders for all kinds of occasions or just for everyday consumption."
"As they should." Annani smiled. "Talent should be recognized and rewarded."
