by S. Young
“Oh, the socks you’re wearing definitely are. Have you heard of detergent? A shower? Hygiene?”
“I shower, you militant, glorified fucking babysitter.”
“Watch it, kid.”
“I am this close to taking a swing at you, you overblown piece of—”
“Oh, for the love of God!” Ari cried, throwing her hands up. So much for their strained peace treaty. “Shut up. Shut up. Shut up!”
Charlie and Jai slammed their lips closed in unison and glared at one another. Ari heaved a sigh of relief as she pulled a chilled can of soda out of the refrigerator. She took a refreshing swig and turned toward her male companions. Jai's countenance was nothing short of frosty, while Charlie looked fit to be tied. Ari spilled into the chair between them and Jai sunk back down into his.
“So what will I command you?” she asked, ignoring the way her fingers trembled as she played with the tab on her soda can.
When no answer was forthcoming, she glanced up. Jai’s face was red, the veins in his head popping.
“Dude, what’s wrong?” Charlie frowned. “Is he choking?”
Ari’s heart flipped in her chest at the thought, and she reached across the table to grab his arm. “Jai?”
His eyes widened and he waved a large hand at his throat and mouth and then pointed at her.
What the hell?
“Jesus Christ, he can’t talk?” Charlie asked. “Is this a joke?
Ari, your power! Jai’s voice blasted into her head in a shout, probably born from his frustration. It knocked her back in her chair. You commanded me to shut up!
“And it worked?”
Charlie blinked in confusion. “What?”
“Telepathy.” She gaped at Jai. Curious, she reached out and brushed her fingertips across his throat without thinking. He raised his eyebrows and, as quickly as she'd reached out, he trapped her hand in a tight grip and shoved her away. Hurt, Ari dropped her tingling hand to her lap.
Guess it works. His voice sounded quieter, more subdued.
She nodded, at once creeped out and unsure of herself. I can really command jinn to do anything?
Looks that way.
Her mouth twisted. I am so screwed.
Looks that way.
She shot him a dirty look. You want to speak again or not, jinn boy.
Watch it.
She smirked. What? I think Charlie came up with a super nickname.
When his lips quirked at the corners, Ari felt relieved. I think Charlie better watch his mouth.
Why? No matter what he says, it’s not like I can command him to shut up.
Shame.
You really should try to get along.
Hmm. That’s as likely as humans rediscovering the lost city of Palmyra.
I have no idea what that means.
Jinn thing.
Ahh, what else. The bitterness must have been apparent in her eyes and tone because his entire demeanor changed.
Ari…
Noting his concerned look, Ari smiled, weary. I can never tell with you, Jai… do you actually care or not?
He froze. I’m your guardian. I care.
Because you’re my guardian?
Why else? And why do you care if I care? He cocked his head, his eyes narrowed in thought. You’re in love with the kid, right?
I… I—
“Okay, this is getting old,” Charlie snapped. Ari jumped, startled, her heart racing. She was pretty sure she was blushing.
What the hell did that mean?
Did Jai…
Oh my God, what did that mean? She eyed him, frustrated as hell when his gaze dropped.
Can you reverse your command? He asked, the monotone back.
She huffed in annoyance at the interruption, not only at Charlie, but at herself for being annoyed with Charlie. Ari nodded. “Jai, I command you to talk again. Or whatever.”
He made a face at the ‘or whatever’ part and cleared his throat. “I… great, I can talk again.”
“Well.” Charlie shrugged. “Good times only lasts so long, right?”
Ari cuffed Charlie across the head as she rose from the table. “Be nice.”
“Tell him to be nice.”
“I can’t.” She snorted, glancing over her shoulder at them. “If I did that, he’d actually have to be nice. It would be like re-writing his entire personality.”
Jai grunted. “Funny.”
Charlie chuckled. “I thought so.”
Ari strolled out of the kitchen, not surprised to hear them following her. Jai was still contracted to be glued to her hip, and Charlie had taken up residence in her home and life as a guardian in frickin’ training. Not for the first time, Ari wished she could have one moment of alone time so she could gather her thoughts and work out what the hell was going on with her and how she really felt. About everything.
It was the stalemate. The waiting.
Where’s a jinn king when you need one?
If there was one thing being an immortal jinn king had taught him, it was patience. For days, the Red King awaited news from his father after requesting an audience with him. His father, the all-seeing, all-knowing, powerful Sultan of the Jinn, Azazil, was most assuredly aware of the Red King’s reason for requesting an audience. Azazil enjoyed drama, conflict, tragedy, destruction—he liked to manipulate a situation into place, then draw it out and glory in the carnage that resulted from frustration and impatience and misunderstanding. It came as no surprise then to the Red King that he'd heard no word from Azazil for seventy-two hours. And now he was summoned while he sat in a darkened movie theater in Stockholm watching a re-showing of a Swedish horror movie that made Interview with the Vampire look like Nosferatu. Disgruntled at the call during an especially chilling scene, the Red King stepped into the cloak and descended into the peripatos. Unlike his brothers, the Red King was still quite enamored with the mortal realm. He liked the movies and technological gadgets they were forever inventing. Their science and creativity was magic even they themselves did not appreciate.
He thought them rather clever.
He even (although he would never admit it to his brothers or father) liked some of them.
Granted access to Azazil’s compound in the farthest reaches of Mount Qaf, the Red King appeared in the receiving room with grace and aplomb. He conjured robes and hand-sewn leather trousers more befitting to this realm and his father’s tastes. His hair he let loose and he strode toward his father’s throne at the farthest end of the room with his red robes and hair billowing out behind him like a flickering flame. He was an impressive, intimidating sight, and he preened a little as he relished the awed looks that crossed the faces of the hundreds of servant jinn who stood in formation, one after the other, on each side of the room. They were garbed in white pants and loose white shirts, with no accessories adorning their bodies. They were all shaitans, immensely powerful, but completely under Azazil’s command. Despite their power and their subjection to the Sultan Azazil, the sight of one of the seven kings of jinn still thrilled them. The Red King remained expressionless as he passed them. Stretching an impressive few hundred yards, the receiving room had a glass ceiling and floor broken up by precious stones that reflected in a beautiful chaos of lights and colors that often befuddled those who were not jinn. The ceilings arched high above him, and the dais that housed Azazil’s throne was enormous. The receiving room was as vast as an airplane hangar, designed to confuse the unworthy and intimidate the ignorant.
Using enchantment to silence the sound of his bare feet slapping on the glass floor, the Red King swept along, eager to discuss Ari’s predicament with his father.
Finally, he drew to a halt before the throne. The throne itself was constructed entirely of black flawless marble, the hard, harsh lines undisturbed. There were no arabesques or curlicues or chiseled reliefs. Its high back rose a good ten feet in the air. Azazil narrowed his black eyes as he gave his son a small nod. The Red King walked up the steps of the dais with ease and c
onfidence. His father held out his hand and he took it, bowing over it to place a respectful kiss on the sultan's knuckles. Approving, Azazil waited for his son to retrace his steps down from the dais before he waved a hand across the air in front of him. The Red King felt the heat of the enchantment at his back, crawling on his robe like little spiders.
“We have privacy now, my son.” His deep voice, so like the White King’s, rumbled around the room like the thunder of a snowy avalanche. “You need my help? It is time?”
“My brother ordered a shaitan to place an enchantment upon Ari’s human father Derek Johnson.”
Light glittered in Azazil’s black eyes and he smiled. Although the smile was sinister, Azazil’s power was such that his smile made you warm and eager to stretch your own lips into a matching expression. “Clever. It seems my son has played into my plans every step of the way.”
The Red King gave a sharp nod. “Yes, Father. It appears he has.”
“His arrogance will be the death of him. It pleases me. His arrogance. As does your loyalty to me.”
“Yes, Father.”
Azazil abruptly burst into raucous laughter, the harsh and unearthly sound making the Red King wince. “Is it not humorous, son? The White King believes my greatest lieutenant would be fooled by an ifrit?”
“It amuses me greatly.”
“I will have to take your word on that since you show no mirth.”
“I laugh inwardly, Father. My brother believes Sala stole the Seal of Solomon from around Asmodeus’ neck when in truth you commanded Asmodeus to let her take it.”
Not without his own conceit, Azazil enjoyed having his trickery discussed so he could glory in his own cleverness and manipulative genius. His humor, however, dissipated as his eyes took on a contemplative look. His moods were as mercurial as the sea. “The White King must never be sultan, son. He is not cool-headed enough to claim mastery over the Fire Spirits. But sometimes I admire his intelligence. Transforming the seal into human form was one of his better notions. Why did I let his plan play out?”
Patience, the Red King reminded himself. Patience is my greatest ally when dealing with the sultan. For perhaps the tenth time, the Red King reiterated Azazil’s words of wisdom. “Many have sought the Ring of Solomon over the centuries. If one of those seekers were to be successful in finding the seal, they could command us all and rip chaos from its master’s hands. But if the seal is a child, if the seal is Ari, you can manipulate her, you can sway her, and her loyalty to you can be won.”
He smiled, pleased with his son’s passionate oration. “Such fine words I weave.”
“Yes, Father.”
“So.” He straightened, his huge seven and a half feet tall frame moving sinuously on the throne. “The next phase is in place. Circumstances have forced Ari into using the powers gifted to her at birth?”
“Yes, Father. And I promised I would ask you to help her find the shaitan who has hurt her mortal father.”
Azazil nodded. “She has begun to trust you?”
“I believe so.”
“Good.”
“If Master would see fit to do this for her, I believe Ari would also come to trust you.”
Like a serpent slithering across Azazil’s face, a smile slid into place. “Excellent.”
Chapter 21
The realm of truth and lies
Charlie had a way of taking Ari’s mind off things. Jai might not like that, but he accepted it as he watched the two of them laugh through a foreign movie without the subtitles, translating for the actors on screen and coming up with ridiculous lines that even amused him. Sitting together on the couch, close, their arms brushing, Ari’s chin tilted up as she laughed into Charlie’s face, Jai could suddenly see the years of friendship between them. They were comfortable, in sync. Jai was still suspicious of Charlie and his interest in the jinn, but it hadn’t taken him long in close quarters with the two of them to see that the kid genuinely cared about Ari. Probably loved her, even.
Right now she needed that familiarity, and the comfort Jai was unable to provide her. All he could do was sit back and watch as she grew sadder and angrier over all the changes in her life. It had made him panic, that darkness in the depths of her forever-changing eyes. The last thing they needed was for Ari to spiral into the black, especially when she was just getting a handle on her powers. So it was a relief to see her acting like Ari again. Even if it was this little prick bringing her back to the light.
Keeping his eyes trained on his book, Jai sighed, wondering when and if the Red King would ever show up. Despite his tendency to distrust everything and everyone, there was something about that jinn king. If Jai didn’t trust him, he at least liked the ancient immortal. Had he been wrong about him? Was he going to leave Ari’s dad to die? Sliding a furtive glance Ari’s way, Jai tried not to worry. But what would happen to Ari if Derek died?
Are we irritating you? Ari’s voice echoed in his mind. Jai bit back a smile, keeping his gaze on the pages of his book.
Not at all. In fact, I’m amazed at your ability to rewrite a script on the spot.
Her laughter floated in his brain like champagne bubbles, making his heart throb. Jai slid his hand over his chest on the place that ached, wanting to contain the feeling somehow.
We used to do this when we were kids. She'd grown more than proficient at using telepathy. As she spoke to him with her mind, she still engaged in conversation with Charlie. It was difficult to do. Few could.
Ah, years of practice then.
Yeah. It’s nice. Feels like old times.
You know your boy hasn’t had a drink or a smoke in days. Why did he tell her that? He wasn’t supposed to encourage her with Charlie. Well, you can’t encourage her with you so…
I know. At least one good thing has come out of all of this, right?
Hearing the melancholy creep into her voice again, Jai hurried to reassure Ari. Everything will be fine. I promise.
For a moment he didn’t think she’d answer, but then:
If you say so, then I believe you.
Something in her tone made his heart pound, and he lifted his head to look at her. She gazed back at him, her expression unreadable but serious. Jai gave her a slight nod.
If she believed in him, there was no way he would let her down.
Ari mentally berated herself for her inability to ignore Jai for more than five minutes—using telepathy to talk to him behind Charlie’s back? What was that? She had little time to self-flagellate, however, as her attention was suddenly focused on the creepy dark, writhing shadows making their way across the living room walls. The atmosphere in the room grew charged and the spot in front of the television screen shimmered.
Jai muttered, “Incoming,” and he sprang to his feet to place himself between Ari and the shimmer.
Oranges, reds, and yellows burst before them and this time, Ari barely felt the heat of the smokeless flames as they licked at them. The flames disappeared and in their stead stood the Red King. Relieved, she shot to her feet, stumbling into Jai’s side. Charlie stood behind her and rested his palm on her lower back to support her.
“Hey guys.” The Red King grinned cheerfully. “How’s it going?”
As if sensing her fury, Jai gripped Ari's arm tight, his fingers biting into her skin as he stopped her from launching herself at the jinn king. She knew attacking him was a moronic move, but right then she wanted to tear the red-head to shreds for making her suffer this long.
Jai cleared his throat. “We’ve been waiting. We’re eager to help Derek.”
The Red King nodded sympathetically. “Of course you are. Sorry about the delay, but Azazil doesn’t exactly jump when you say ‘jump’, you know.” His blue eyes sparkled brightly at Ari in the dim light. “Have you worked on your magic?”
Clenching her teeth to control herself, Ari nodded tightly.
Once again Jai spoke for her. “Ari’s got a handle on telepathy and she’s been conjuring, using her magic for everyday th
ings.”
“Good, good. What about enchantments or using the peripatos or the cloak?”
“No.” Jai shook his head. “I think it's much too soon. She did a few basic enchantments: turned a cushion to ash and locked Charlie in the bathroom but—”
“I knew that was you,” Charlie huffed, disgruntled, and Ari bit back a nervous laugh.
“And the seal?” The Red King took a few steps toward them. He seemed to pulse with energy and power. “Have you used your powers as the seal yet, Ari?”
“I commanded Jai to shut up. It worked.”
Her uncle burst into laughter, slapping a hand against Jai’s biceps. “Oh, man, that’s hilarious.”
And just like that, Ari relaxed, sensing the tension ease in her companions too. Smiling, Ari explained, “I didn’t mean it. These two were arguing and I told them to shut up and Jai literally couldn’t talk until I reversed the command.”
Blue eyes sparking like electricity, her uncle stared at her in awe. “So it is indeed true. That’s crazy! Well… we better put Derek back together again then, huh?”
Her knees almost buckled with relief at that pronouncement. “Did Azazil tell you who did it?”
And just like that, the air around them changed, compressed, as the Red King’s expression darkened. He retreated a few steps and shook his head. “He wants to meet you first.”
“What?” All three of them asked in unison. She could feel Jai and Charlie bristling at either side of her. Her pulse increased in tempo and this sick, wary feeling toyed with her gut.
“Azazil wishes to speak with Ari directly.” Noting their worried countenance and the way Jai eased his body in front of Ari’s, the Red King narrowed his gaze. “Ari will come to no harm. Azazil’s just curious. And he wants Ari to know that he’s doing what he can to protect her, even if it is just to piss off my brother. So, you meet Azazil and he’ll give you the scoop on the jinn that hurt Derek.”
“No way—”
“You gotta be kidding—”
“I’ll do it!” Ari raised her voice over Jai and Charlie’s protests. They both glowered at her. Shrugging away from Charlie's touch, Ari moved toward her uncle as she addressed her protectors. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m doing this. If meeting Azazil will save my dad, then I’ll do it.”