Several more minutes passed as Jackson and Briggs conducted interviews with DBL reporters and several other media outlets. When at last they headed for the hovercraft, Jackson felt like he just might lift off the ground as if he didn’t weigh a thing. His head spun and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop his hands from shaking.
Somehow — Jackson couldn’t remember exactly how long it took or how they’d gotten there — he found himself back in the locker room. When the steel sliding doors whisked shut, the silence pounded on his ears almost as loud as the applause and cheering had.
A couple of minutes later, the rehabber returned with Jackson’s three rings. Jackson let out Asena but left Triton and Scrappy in stasis. He felt bad he couldn’t share his celebrations with them just yet, but Triton was still recovering and Jackson didn’t want to risk setting Scrappy back by letting the Scoundrook out to flap around — and possibly hurt — his wing.
That made it just Kay, Briggs, Jackson, and Asena. Just like it had been from the beginning.
Jackson wanted nothing more than to stay in the locker room with them for hours.
“So what happens next?” he asked Briggs.
“Next?” Briggs grunted. “Next, we spend a month lining up sponsors, and then we start intense workouts again to get ready for the new season. The Silver League is a whole ‘nother game, kid. I’ll wager Rita and the rest of the Fab Four all get sponsors, and ultimately invites, to the Silver League. They’ll be the easy matches next season. And we’ll be without Ms. Watts to boot.”
Jackson winced at that but pushed the thought of losing Kay from his mind. He didn’t want the thought of her leaving or anticipation of the Silver League to ruin the night.
“I see where your head is at,” Kay said, eyes narrowed in front of him. “Come back. This is a time to celebrate, remember? I don’t need angsty Jackson right now.”
“Hold on.”
Asena, Kay, and Briggs all looked at Jackson, waiting for him to say more. Instead, he took a step back, doing his best to ingrain the moment into his memory just as he had when he’d raised the Bronze League Championship Cup. Who knew the next time they’d all be in a taming locker room together?
“We’ve got a long way to go,” Jackson said.
“We do,” Briggs agreed.
“You’ll probably be hopelessly lost without me,” Kay added.
Jackson grinned.
“Look out, Silver League.”
Epilogue
Against all odds, Jackson managed to sneak away from the tamers, news reporters, and sponsors who wanted his attention. Out on the hotel balcony, he sucked in a deep breath and took his time exhaling, letting the soft breeze and the soft murmur of traffic and urban night life play over him. The celebration event at The Metallic — Alloy City’s largest and fanciest hotel — was definitely a party to remember, but Jackson was ready to call it a night. He felt completely drained from the day’s battles and the emotional rollercoaster of the past couple of weeks. After spending a few short minutes soaking in the peaceful solitude, a man in a gray suit stepped out onto the balcony a few feet away from him.
Jackson braced himself for another conversation with someone he’d never met — that’s how sponsorships were made, as Briggs put it — but the man didn’t say a word. Like Jackson, he leaned over the balcony and seemed to be enjoying the dulcet tones of the urban landscape laid out before them. The man bore several jeweled Djinn rings on each of his hands, instantly piquing Jackson’s interest, but he knew of no tamer matching the man’s description. Jackson knew if he’d seen the man before he would have recognized him. His sharp, angled face and shaved head would certainly stand out in a crowd.
But who else other than a Gold League Tamer would have that many Djinn?
“I suppose I should offer you congratulations,” the man said, without looking at Jackson. “It’s a big day for you.”
“Thanks,” Jackson said. For some reason, he felt drawn to the man and took a few steps closer. As he did the man turned and his steely gray eyes flashed. The look stopped Jackson in his tracks and the man smiled, revealing a mouth of perfectly straight, brilliantly white teeth.
“I feel like I should know you,” Jackson said. “I’m sorry — I’ve met a lot of people in the last few hours.”
“Oh, we’ve never met,” the stranger said. He grinned again and Jackson felt like he had when he and Fiona had been surrounded by Arkodon on the archipelago. “You can call me Joe. Joe Angelino.”
The man extended a bejeweled hand and Jackson shook it, trying not to stare too closely at the four expensive Djinn rings on the man’s fingers. Their cost alone would have paid for Jackson’s entire season in the Bronze League.
“You may know one of my associates,” Angelino said. “His name is Vega de Rivera.”
Jackson’s stomach tightened and his mouth went dry. He took a step back and clenched his fists, ready to summon his Djinn at the first provocation.
Joe Angelino laughed humorlessly.
“Calm down. There’s no reason to get upset. I just wanted to speak with you.”
Part of Jackson screamed at him to run or call the police, but his curiosity wouldn’t let him.
“You really made a mess of things in Lombardia for me, Jackson Hunt,” Angelino said. He stood up straight and the thought crossed Jackson’s mind that the man was built like a Hurricanther — strong, powerful, and threatening. “Thanks to you and that idiot Vega, I won’t be able to get my hands on Lyotes anytime soon.”
“Good,” Jackson couldn’t help but say, even in spite of the apparent power disparity between the two of them. And then the obvious idea hit him. “It was you who hired those tamers to go after us, wasn’t it?”
Jackson was only met with a cold stare.
“What do you want?” Jackson said. He felt every minute alone with Angelino was putting him in further danger. “Are we even? I messed up Vega’s plans and you tried to fix the tournament against me.”
“And yet you proved more resilient than I’d anticipated.”
“So we aren’t even.”
“It wasn’t about getting even,” Angelino said. He took one step, then another and before Jackson knew it they were only inches apart. Angelino stabbed Jackson in the center of his chest with a ringed finger. It took everything Jackson had not to take a step back, but he didn’t back down.
“That was just a message to let you know that no matter where you go or what you do, my associates and I could — if we so pleased — make your life as unpleasant everyday as mine was when you refused me the rewards of my months of hard work.”
The anger then evaporated from Angelino’s eyes and was replaced by a sudden look of curiosity.
“Jackson Hunt,” Angelino said. “Jackson Hunt. Jackson Hunt,” he repeated, as if trying the name on for size. “You ever say a word over and over again, only for it to lose all meaning? That’s how I feel about the concept of revenge or ‘getting even,’ as you call it. You can take a quick stab at it, but if you spend too much of your time and energy focusing on that one thing, you lose sight of the important things.”
“So what does that mean?”
“If I truly wanted to ‘get even,’ it would be quick, it would be painful, and there would be no clawing your way back.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“I’m a reasonable man,” Angelino said. “You were in over your head and completely unaware of who and what you were dealing with. You no longer have the luxury of ignorance.”
Jackson didn’t know how to react. He wanted to tell him no. Tell him he’d be standing between him and his illegal capturing of Djinn until the end of time, but he couldn’t find the words.
“Not the verbose type, Mr. Hunt?”
Jackson stood silent.
“You know, Hunt is a very common name,” Angelino said after several moments of silence. “And yet when I heard your name connected to Vega, I couldn’t help but have a feeling of déjà vu. I knew
I had to look it up. As it turns out, I had a run-in with a Hunt some-odd years back. Another thorn in my side. You wouldn’t happen to know where she is, would you?”
If Jackson had been filled with a cold dread before, it was nothing like the crippling sensation that gripped him now. He felt his chest tighten and his hands shook once again, but for the complete opposite reason they had when he’d won the Bronze League.
“What are you talking about?” Jackson asked. He had to force each word out, like he was choking. He grabbed the balcony rail to steady himself.
Angelino didn’t answer, only studied Jackson’s face.
“Know what?” Jackson shock faded beneath a surge of anger. “What do you know about my mom?”
Angelino studied Jackson for another few seconds and then shook his head, as if disappointed. “You really don’t know. Huh. That’s just my luck.”
“What do you know about my mom?” Jackson repeated.
“Congratulations again,” Angelino said, ignoring Jackson’s question. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned an enormous chiropteran Djinn from stasis. “Do yourself a favor. Stay out of my way in the future. I’m not known for giving second chances.”
And then he was gone, winging away in the night, leaving Jackson alone with his confusion and grief.
Djinnology
Humans are constantly discovering more about abilities, new species, and evolutions of Djinn. Below is a short guide to all of the Djinn mentioned in Evolution.
Want to check out full-color images and learn more about Djinn? Join our mailing list at djinntamer.com/newsletter/ and get a FREE copy of the Djinncyclopedia, an illustrated encyclopedia all about our monsters!
Aquestria
Known Tamer: Jackson Hunt (Triton)
Real-world comparison: Water Kelpie/Quarterhorse
Evolution Line: Ponizu > Aquestria > Vandallion
Aquestria and their evolution line are known as the “Guardians of the Seas” for their natural tendency to rescue humans and Djinn lost at sea. The dappled dark blues and greens of the Aquestria’s rubbery hide allows them to hide from predators. Unlike land-based equine Djinn, they have a seaweed-like tendrils in place of a mane and a long, powerful tail to navigate strong currents.
Arkodon
Real-world comparison: Smilodon (Saber-toothed tiger)
Evolution Line: Felinx > Smilaguar > Arkodon
Arkodon travel in hunting packs where constant fighting determines the leader of the pack. They are much larger than their pre-evolution forms and boast long, saber-like fangs and powerful bodies built for ambushing prey. In spite of their brutish appearance, they are cunning predator Djinn and have exhibited signs of deliberate strategy when hunting.
Avialcon
Known Tamer: Rita Antonius
Real-world comparison: Peregrine Falcon
Evolution Line: Falcuab > Avialcon > Falcador
Avialcon are already some of the larger of the common avian Djinn, even in their intermediate form. Their black and tan plumage makes them the envy at Djinn falconry contests where they exhibit their excellent hunting abilities. Unlike Falcuabs, Avialcon have well-rounded stats and are skilled in flight. Their natural enemy is the Magglecaw line.
Dobberbark
Real-world comparison: Dobermann Pinscher
Evolution Line: Unknown
Dobberbarks are popular guard dogs for both households and small children. They come in a variety of brindled colors ranging from black, brown and roan. In spite of their powerful bite, most Dobberbarks will only hold on to an opponent until they surrender rather than causing further damage. This makes them popular with police agencies and when used in duo fights as the Dobberbarks can hold down an opposing Djinn while its teammate attacks.
Eskiflurr
Known Tamer: Rita Antonius (Snowball)
Real-world comparison: Arctic Fox
Evolution Line: Unknown
Found only in arctic and northern regions, Eskiflurrs are shy vulpine Djinn who specialize in ice attacks that combine the Water and Wind Elemental trees. Their white fur and blue frost-colored ear tips make it easy for them to blend into the snow and ice. They often stand on their hind legs to survey their surroundings.
Flamenco
Known Tamer: Akamu Kaleo
Real-world comparison: Phoenix
Evolution Line: Pyras > Flogadra > Flamenco
When a Flogadra evolves into Flamenco, its copper-colored feathers burst into a living flame that continues as long as the Djinn is alive. Flamencos harness a combination of self-healing and Fire-Elemental moves to sustain themselves and overcome opponents in long fights. When defeated, their fire turns gray in color until they are restored.
Floraceros
Known Tamer: Sloan
Real-world comparison: Rhinoceros
Evolution Line: Floraceros > Rhinoral
Floraceros inhabit grass plains where they soak up Earth-Elemental energy by rolling in mud holes and then basking in the sun. This has led to the misconception that these Djinn have red hides, when in fact that is the red savannah clay. At this stage, their horn is a single, deadly spike at the end of their nose.
Lobolf
Known Tamer: Jackson Hunt (Asena)
Real-world comparison: Grey Wolf
Evolution Line: Lyote > Lobolf > Lycanris > Unknown
The Intermediate-Form of the Lyote line, Lobolves are larger and leaner than their basic forms but have the same orange and cream-colored fur. Evolution grants Lobolves more powerful fire abilities and additional increases in speed and attack. Lobolves are known to howl not only at the full moon but during the daytime around the summer solstice as well.
Loquatic
Known Tamer: Ron Shakur
Real-world comparison: Loch Ness Monster
Evolution Line: Glauco > Loquatic
Unlike its previous form, Loquatics are coated in hard scales that protect the Water Elemental from many physical and Plain-Elemental attacks. The Loquatics’ fins make them slow movers on land, where they must rely on ranged Water-Elemental attacks to combat opponents. In the water, they move with surprising grace and speed for Djinn of their size. They are often found in lakes and rivers and catch fish with their needle-like teeth.
Marifinn
Real-world comparison: Swordfish
Evolution Line: Unknown
The large back fins and rapier-like nose of the Marifinns give the appearance that they are excellent fighters. In reality, the green-scaled Marifinn are rarely chosen for competition from the wide selection of maritime Djinn. Their ability to reproduce large spawns twice yearly has made them a popular fishing choice in Mara and Osmara.
Orcys
Known Tamer: Erin Black (Samu)
Real-world comparison: Killer Whale/Orca
Evolution Line: Orcys > Whallyr
Orcyses are warm-blooded Djinn who breath air through blowholes, setting up spouts that can be seen for almost a mile away in calm ocean water. Their blue and lime green bodies allow them to excel at hunting smaller maritime Djinn. In spite of their size and power, they are easily tamed and non-aggressive toward boats and humans.
Otterain
Real-world comparison: Otter
Evolution Line: Seapup > Lutrotter > Otterain
At this stage, the evolved Lutrotter is large enough for a child to ride on their backs. Their playfulness never leaves them, but Otterains have much more powerful Water-Elemental attacks in their Advanced form. It is said they can create gentle rain storms when a dozen or more gather together to frolic. For this reason, many farmers near streams and lakes will leave out seafood in hopes of enticing more Otterrains to their property.
Malanzee
Known Tamer: Sloan
Real-world comparison: Chimpanzee
Evolution Line: Malanzee > Kabangotang > Garizza > Charkong
Quick to anger and lethal to even the most experienced tamers when in packs, Malanzees create tiny explosions by punching things (includi
ng themselves). Scorch marks in their brown-red fur are commonplace. They seem to find great joy in causing mild pain to other Djinn and humans.
Pegasteed
Known Tamer: Danai Azikiwei
Real-world comparison: Pegasus
Evolution Line: Broncolt > Pegasteed > Unistang
Although they have yet to develop the powerful wings that come upon reaching their Unistang form, Pegasteeds have feathered tufts above each hoof that allow them to glide over distances up to fifty yards. Some of these creatures come in a “painted” variety of red and grey splotches rather than the complete red color. Their fire mane is always black.
Scalant
Known Tamer: Teressa Connelly (Anton)
Real-world comparison: Fire Ant
Evolution Line: Unknown
The red and brown Scalants can move quickly on their six legs. The bright yellow of their legs and antennae make them easy targets for avian Djinn, so these Earth Elementals spend most of their time underground. Their colonies can grow up to miles in size and have been known to collapse human structures if not kept in check.
Sudang
Known Tamer: Brindon Wright
Real-world comparison: Rhino
Evolution Line: Unknown
These fire rhinoceros Djinn live in deserts where the females constantly spar for mating rights. Their maroon hides burn so hot that they often leave trails of glass in the wake of these battles. Similar to Rhinorals, Sudangs channel their Fire-Elemental attacks through their T-shaped horn.
Sycova
Known Tamer: Danai Azikiwei
Real-world comparison: Capuchin Monkey
Djinn Tamer - The Complete Bronze League Trilogy Page 87