Djinn

by Laura Catherine

  I noticed his eyes weren't on me, but focused on something in the distance. I turned to see Mia and Pyke approaching through the veil of rain.

  Dad clasped my shoulder and shook me like a rag doll so I would focus. "Kyra!" he said. "Get to the car."

  I ran to the old blue Ute, watching Mia and Pyke with sharp eyes. Pyke leaned over and said something to Mia and she nodded.

  I glanced back at Dad. Pyke had his eyes set for the attack, while Mia's were on me. I slowed my run, stopping metres from the car.

  Mia moved with a casual stroll that made me think she had something up her sleeve. Rain dripped from her hair and onto her face, yet her make-up seemed unharmed. The only thing marring her complexion was the cut across her right cheek, which dripped with rain and smeared blood.

  Mia's chest rose as she took a deep breath. I didn't know what I was expecting, but it definitely wasn't what happened next.

  Mia opened her mouth like she was about to speak but, instead of words, an ear-piercing screech filled my head. I clasped my hands around my ears, but I couldn't stop the sound coming in. I felt blood trickle from my eardrums and I dropped to the ground, screaming in pain. The disorientation was affecting my vision too; everything was blurring, in and out. When I tried to focus on Mia, the skin around her eyes appeared blue and veiny. I must have really been losing it.

  I turned my attention to Dad who was in hand-to-hand combat with Pyke. They seemed to be moving fast, but I could see the strain on Dad's face mixed with something more primal, more dangerous. He punched Pyke knocking him to the ground.

  "Stop playing around, Pyke," Mia said, though it sounded like a muffled hum to me against the intense ringing.

  Pyke wiped some blood from his lip and smiled. He slammed his hand to the ground, splashing water that quickly froze on his hand. The water between him and Dad turned to ice, as if by his will.

  Dad stepped back, but the rain was too heavy. There wasn't anywhere for him to go that wasn't covered in water. The ice grabbed his boots, freezing him in place. He tried to free himself, but the frozen water only attacked his hands when they got close with needle sharp spikes. Pyke's skin was showing the same blue tinge around his eyes as Mia's had.

  "Dad!" I screamed, or at least I think I screamed. My ears were still ringing from whatever Mia had done to me.

  My mind was blown, to say the least. Mia and Pyke had supernatural powers, actual supernatural powers. I think I might have gone into shock if I wasn't so worried they were about to kill my father. I crawled toward Dad, but a swift boot on my back from Mia had me pinned in place.

  I looked up at her and, though I couldn't quite hear what she was saying, I did my best to read her lips.

  "Stay down," she said. "It's better for you if you do."

  I had no clue what Mia was talking about and, really, I didn't give a damn. All I wanted to do was save Dad and get the hell of this town, but I couldn't move under Mia's weight and I could barely focus on anything.

  I turned to Dad. Pyke was moving toward him with a devilish smile. I wanted to scream or fight back, anything, but I could only watch. Pyke pulled the blade I had used against Mia from his belt and held it, ready to strike. I thought I was crying but it was hard to distinguish whether the wetness on my face was rain or tears. Pyke drew closer with every step and Dad remained motionless. I couldn't believe he would just stand there and let someone kill him.

  Dad moved his hand to his throat and pulled a long chain up from around his neck. The chain had a small vial of something red inside it.

  Pyke's face flooded with colour at the sight of the red vial. He bolted toward Dad with all haste, but Dad had already tipped the contents down his throat and swallowed. Flinging his hands out, a sudden gust of wind erupted from Dad's hands, blowing Pyke clear across the yard and into a tree. Dad turned his focus toward Mia who was about to take a breath when he shot a gust of wind at her, too. She flew backward, straight into the Ute's side window, shattering it. As she fell to the ground, glass showered down on her.

  Dad thrust his hands at his feet and wind tore away the ice binding him to the ground. He ran toward me, reaching down to help me up. My eyes were locked on him and he must have seen how clearly afraid and confused I was.

  "It's okay." I read the words from his lips. Though Mia wasn't screeching anymore, I still couldn't hear. "I'll explain later."

  He guided me to the Ute, tossing Mia aside, and opened the passenger door. Two spears of ice struck at the door, missing my head by inches. They shattered on impact, shards of ice leaving small cuts over my arms and neck.

  I looked out over the yard and spotted Pyke crouched in a kneeling position, teeth barred and a look of fury in his eyes. He lunged into a sprint and Dad, in turn, dashed toward Pyke. I was left standing in stunned silence, holding onto the Ute's door frame for support.

  Pyke shot another two spikes of ice at Dad's head, but with a punch of his fist they shattered in the gale-force winds erupting from his hands.

  The ringing noise started to subside. I could hear the pounding of the rain and the crack of thunder from the storm, but everything was still slightly muffled. I rubbed my ears, clearing out the blood in an attempt to hear better.

  I saw Mia stir into consciousness, her head lolling about. I didn't want her screeching at me again so I bent down and gave her a swift blow to the head. She stopped moving.

  I looked up just in time to see Dad punch Pyke in the face. It must have been a punch wind power combo, because it knocked Pyke back with such force his heels left a trail in the mud.

  Dad turned to me. "Kyra," he said.

  "I know. Get in the car," I replied, almost smiling. We'd actually fought them off. I had no clue how everyone seemed to have magical powers, but the important thing was that Dad had stopped them.

  I slid into the passenger seat and watched Dad walk toward me through the windscreen. The raindrops blurred my vision so I leaned over to start the car and turned the wipers on. I sat back up, catching sight of Dad, mere metres away—but he wasn't the only one I saw. Standing in the driveway was another figure, not Mia and not Pyke.

  Terror rippled from my body, making it difficult to scream as the figure came up behind my father.

  Chapter Eight

  "Dad, look out!"

  I didn't think he heard exactly what I said, but he knew something was wrong. Dad turned to see what I was screaming about, but the figure was already behind him.

  It was a boy, older than me, maybe nineteen, with hair that shone blond despite being drenched and a face with an amazing chiselled jawline. He was scary angelic, and I hated that I thought he was hot.

  He grabbed Dad from behind in a bear hug, pulling Dad's arms back so he couldn't use them. Dad flicked his head back to knock the boy in the face with a headbutt, but the boy simply let go of Dad so as not to get hit.

  The pair circled one another, watching and waiting for the other to make a move. Dad punched out several gusts of wind, but the boy dodged them with elegant ease.

  Their standoff seemed to go on and on. Dad attacked, and the boy dodged like a dancer with nimble feet.

  "I know what you're doing."

  My hearing had improved significantly after clearing the blood away. It was still muffled a bit, but I could make out Dad's words.

  "Just give it up," the boy said, sidestepping to dodge another gust of wind. "You couldn't keep her forever. You must have known that."

  Dad paused, off guard, and the boy took the opportunity to strike back. He moved swiftly and struck at Dad in the stomach and sides, dozens of punches performed in a blur of precision. Dad fell to one knee, but continued to punch wind in desperation.

  I wanted to help, but I wasn't sure how. All I knew was that I had to save Dad.

  Then I remembered my blade. It lay in a puddle of water next to Pyke's ice slick. I kicked open the car door with a rusty creak and dashed toward it. I stumbled a bit, not completely on balance yet, but managed to reach the other side of the
yard and grip the handle and pull it from the water.

  Dad was beaten and bloody in the face as the boy circled him, like a predator stalking prey. I trod carefully, keeping low, until I was just behind him. Perhaps if I'd had time to think about the situation I would have contemplated the act of stabbing someone, killing them, but sometimes you just have to let instinct kick in and deal with your emotions later.

  The boy knocked Dad in the jaw and he fell backwards in the mud. I knew then it was time to strike. I lunged at the boy, taking him by surprise with a tackle.

  "Kyra!" Dad shouted, but the boy and I were already flying through the air, sliding through the mud like it was just some football game and I was stopping the touchdown. The force of my tackle sent us skidding across the yard at extreme speed and I gripped onto the boy's shirt for security. Funnily, I felt his arms on my shoulders too, holding me close.

  We finally slowed to a stop. I opened my eyes to see the boy staring down at me. His face was like an angel, perfect pale skin and golden eyes.

  My golden eyes.

  I was taken aback. I'd never met anyone with golden eyes before. How could this boy have the same unique eye colour as me?

  "Are you alright?" he asked.

  I couldn't speak, couldn't move. Was I alright? Why would he care? Why do you have my eyes?

  I glanced away from his face and then I saw what I'd done. My knife was lodged in the boy's torso, my hand still on the blade.

  Was I alright? You've got a knife in your stomach!

  I glanced back to his angelic face. He didn't even seem to feel it; there was no reaction. He only stared at me with concern. I pulled the blade out again, but even though it was nearly as long as my forearm, his wound was barely more than a tiny cut.

  "What …" I breathed, dropping the blade.

  The boy's eyes never wavered from my face. He reached up and pulled a lump of mud and leaves from my hair.

  I stabbed you. I stabbed you and you're acting like nothing happened.

  My mind was reeling, and yet I couldn't tear my eyes away from his face. He was barely distinguishable, mud and water streaked across his face like war paint. His body was warm, despite being soaked with rain, and his arms felt safe around me.

  Dad's screams filled the air.

  "Dad!" My head whipped up.

  He was on his knees, Pyke standing over him with an ice spike in his hand. Dad was bleeding, small stab wounds in his chest, and his face was a bloody mess. While I was here staring at that boy, Dad was being beaten up by Pyke.

  I pushed the boy away, avoiding looking at him, and squirmed through the mud in an attempt to stand.

  "Dad!" I screamed again, as if hearing my voice would be enough for him to take action once more, but I could see it in the way he looked at Pyke. He was defeated.

  "You deserve to die after what you've done," Pyke said.

  "I'm sorry." I saw Dad mouth like he couldn't speak, blood dripping from the corners of his mouth.

  I raked my fingers through the mud. I had to get to him. I had to save Dad.

  Pyke held Dad by the throat, an ice spike in his other hand. The point of the icicle just skimmed Dad's neck.

  "No!" I screamed, finding my footing and running toward Pyke.

  Pyke's eyes were locked on my unconscious father. I lunged at him but he tossed me aside like a doll. The blow winded me, and I could hardly breathe or move. Pyke raised the spike up ready to strike and I was frozen in place, literally, the power of Pyke rendering my feet useless.

  The boy swooped in and grabbed Pyke's arm before he could strike.

  "Don't do it, Pyke!" he shouted through gritted teeth.

  Pyke struggled against him, but the other boy was clearly stronger.

  "Let me go, Will," Pyke demanded. "I have to."

  This Will character twisted the ice from Pyke's hand and held him in a headlock. Why did Pyke want to kill Dad so badly?

  "I won't let you do it," Will said. "Calm down and stick with the mission."

  Pyke struggled, but Will wouldn't give an inch. Eventually, Pyke had no choice but to give in.

  Will released Pyke, who fell to his knees. The ice around my legs receded into water.

  He glanced over at Mia who was beginning to stir again.

  "You good?" he asked.

  Mia had a half-confused, half-angered look in her eyes.

  "I'll be fine," she said, standing up.

  "Grab Kyra."

  I wanted to move, but my legs just wouldn't work, or maybe it was the mud slicking me to the ground like glue. Either way, I was frozen in place. Mia glanced down at me with burning fury.

  "Get up," she said.

  I couldn't move, so she bent down and lifted me to my feet. She pulled my arms behind my back, enough so it hurt a little. I winced and looked to Dad, his eye already swollen and his lip cut deep.

  "It's okay, kiddo. I love you," he said and I wanted to cry.

  The boy punched Dad in the jaw, knocking him unconscious. I watched as his body fell to the ground. I'd never seen Dad like that before, bruised, bloodied and helpless. I thought with all the training he'd put me through no one could beat him, like he was untouchable.

  He was supposed to be untouchable.

  "Dad!" I screamed, hoping he would wake up and we could still get out of this mess.

  I struggled against the Mia's grip but she only twisted my arm more.

  "Mia, you're hurting her," the boy said.

  I was surprised at how sincere he sounded and it reminded me of our moment in the mud.

  "Relax, Will," Pyke said. "We have to be careful with this one. She's got fighting skills."

  "Ivan requested she not be hurt," Will replied. He didn't look at me. In fact, I'm pretty sure he was avoiding my gaze all together.

  "I agree with Pyke," Mia said. "She needs to be hurt a little."

  "You won't hurt her," Will ordered in an authoritative tone. "Either of you."

  "I don't want to hurt her," Pyke said, glancing back down at Dad, but Will gave him a warning look.

  "She cut my face, Will!" Mia pointed to the still bleeding slice on her cheek. "My face!"

  "If you ask me, it's an improvement," Pyke said, and even I wanted to hit him.

  "No one asked you!" Mia snapped.

  "Enough!" Will said. "We got what we came for, it's time to go."

  "What about him?" Pyke gestured to Dad with a disgusted nod of his head. "Let's kill him."

  They stared down at Dad contemplating his death and a sudden panic overtook my body.

  "No!" I shouted. "You can't. Please, I'll go with you, just don't hurt him!"

  Mia pulled me back like I was a dog on a lead. "Darling, you don't really have a choice whether you come with us or not."

  I tried to tear my body from Mia's iron grip, ignoring all the pain it was causing me. I couldn't let them kill my dad. I still didn't understand why they wanted to; none of this made any sense.

  "Stop struggling," Pyke said, his eye catching mine. "Trust us, you'll want us to kill him when you find out—"

  "Quiet, Pyke!" Will snapped. "Ivan requested—"

  "Oooh, Ivan requested," Pyke imitated with a mock high-pitched voice.

  "Grow up." Mia rolled her eyes.

  "Ivan wanted to tell her. We are only supposed to retrieve her," Will said, in a tone that implied it wasn't the first time.

  "Please," I begged, wishing they would just listen. "Don't kill my dad. Please!"

  I tried to lock eyes with Will, as he was clearly the leader. I stared at his face, shadowed by the Ute's headlights, until he had no choice but to look me in the eye. I searched Will for any sign that he might spare him. In my mind I begged, like he might read my thoughts.

  "We're leaving," he said, tearing his eyes away.

  "Will?" Pyke said in disbelief.

  "Leave him." Will turned his back and walked down the driveway.

  "You can't be serious," Pyke called, shaking his head.

  "Will is ri
ght," Mia agreed.

  "You're both idiots," Pyke said. "He deserves to die."

  "We want her to trust us," Mia reminded Pyke, though I had no idea why they thought I would. "If we kill him, she never will. Their bond is too strong."

  "He deserves it!"

  Mia pushed me away into Pyke's arms like she was done with everything, and followed Will. I tried to push away from him, but he gripped my wrists, holding me in place. His eyes locked on mine, so full of anger.

  "Please …" I said. "Please. Don't."

  Something in Pyke's eyes softened, like he saw my desperation, but it was gone in an instant and he spun me around, arms behind my back again.

  "Get moving," Pyke said and pushed me forward, forcing me away from Dad. I tried to turn back, but Pyke kept me marching.

  I thought if Pyke looked back at Dad he might reconsider letting him live, so I stopped fighting. I could only strain my neck, trying to keep my eyes on Dad, knowing it was probably the last time I would ever get to see him.

  Chapter Nine

  Pyke guided me down the driveway and out to the main road. The rain had eased, but it was still a light mist over the world. Not that it mattered; we were all soaked to the bone anyway. I spotted a black car parked on the side of the road in front of the driveway. It was the same car I'd seen at school the day before.

  I didn't want to go with them. I had to get back to Dad, he could be dying. The thought made my pulse race and I stopped in my tracks.

  "Keep moving," Pyke said, pushing me forward, but I wasn't going anywhere.

  I kicked my leg back and hit Pyke in the shin. He immediately let go of me and reached down to his injured leg. I spun around and punched him in the jaw. He stumbled back, running his hand along his chin before charging at me. I tried to land another punch, but Pyke tackled me into the side of the car, pinning my arms to my sides. His body was pressed up against mine, blood in the corner of his mouth where I'd hit him. He was breathing hard, eyes darting.

  "Let me go," I said, breathing equally as hard.

  Pyke's chest was warm against mine. I could feel his muscles moving under his soaked shirt. His face was close to mine, eyes locked with me. He moved his hand and I flinched.