Djinn

by Laura Catherine

  "Mrs Greenwood, if I may. I might be able to help."

  I glanced at Ivan, still standing by the fireplace with his arms crossed. He made a grunting sound under his breath that everyone chose to ignore. What was his problem?

  "Very well," she agreed, letting him take the floor.

  "Djinn are a race of beings with supernatural powers who have been around as long as the human race," Will spoke as though he were a student, giving a speech in class. "Djinn live all around the world in communities ruled by kings—"

  "And sometimes queens," Isabelle added, cheerfully.

  "Not for long," Ivan mumbled.

  "These communities are in isolated places to hide from those who wish to hurt us."

  "And who wants to hurt you?" I asked, actually interested.

  "Enough of that," Ivan interrupted. "Kyra can't learn everything about who she is in one day."

  "You're so right," Isabelle said. "Will, you seem to explain yourself well. I would like to hire you as a tutor for Kyra."

  "As you wish, Mrs Greenwood." Will bowed.

  "Really, Isabelle," Ivan began to argue.

  "Darling, she really does need a tutor. And you were just saying Kyra might need protection for a little while, and Will is the best we have."

  Ivan frowned. "Very well," he said. "But you will do as I say from now on. Down to the letter."

  "Of course, Mr Greenwood." Will bowed again.

  "Will is doing what now?" I interrupted. "I don't need a tutor." Escaping would be a lot harder if Will was constantly around.

  "Will is Guardjinn, but he'll teach you all that later. He'll be looking out for you and making sure you learn everything you need to be a part of society," Isabelle said.

  "Wonderful," I sighed.

  "It is wonderful, isn't it?" Isabelle clearly didn't understand sarcasm.

  I rubbed my temples and closed my eyes. All this pretending to be nice and understanding was giving me a headache. Djinn, pfft, like that was believable. And yet my mind couldn't help but remember Pyke throwing ice, Mia screeching and Dad blowing people away.

  I shook my head. Tricks and lies, I told myself. I wasn't a magical creature.

  "Look, I'm feeling kind of tired," I said.

  "Oh, of course." Isabelle jumped to my side to stroke my hair. "You should get some rest. We'll talk in the morning. Will, would you show Kyra back to her room?"

  "Of course, Mrs Greenwood."

  Isabelle handed me off to Will and he led me out the door. We walked slowly up the stairs and down the hallway, though I barely noticed as I was passing it. My mind was occupied with even more questions than before. It felt like nothing had been answered, just skipped over and hidden deeper in more lies.

  "How are you doing?" he asked.

  "Fine," I lied. "I just want to go to sleep."

  "No one expects you to understand everything at once. They'll give you time to process."

  We'd reached my bedroom door and I spun around to face Will. I didn't want time to process. I wanted to get out of there, as soon as I could.

  All my life I thought Dad was running from something normal, like a gambling debt or tax evasion, but this? Magical genies, superpowers and kidnapping? I think they could have come up with a better lie. I mean, anything else would have sounded believable—which was what worried me most. Why make up something so insane if it wasn't true?

  "Kyra, I am sorry for everything that has happened to you," he said.

  "Like stabbing me in the back." I knew it was a low blow as he had apologised, but I realised that he didn't just mean what had happened yesterday. He was sorry for everything that had ever happened to me. I looked in Will's eyes and saw nothing but concern, which angered me more.

  "I just need sleep," I told him and slipped through the doorway, locking myself inside.

  I waited until Will's footsteps faded down the hallway before I truly let myself relax. It was the first time I'd been alone since the whole mess started. I double-checked the door was locked before going into the bathroom.

  I stared at myself in the bathroom mirror, inspecting every inch of my face. They had my eyes, and Isabelle looked so like me. The thought made me want to throw up again. They couldn't be my parents. Dad would never have stolen me. I was his daughter. Every inch of me believed that.

  But why, then, did I continue to stare into the mirror?

  I tore my eyes away from my reflection. "They are not my parents," I told myself. "They're doing this to you on purpose and you're falling for it."

  I was angry with myself and Will and the rest of these Djinn people. But mostly, I felt confused. I didn't want to think about it anymore; it was making my head ache, and draining my energy emotionally.

  I opened the bathroom cabinet. It was full of cosmetics, bobby pins, a hairbrush, and other girlie products. I rummaged through the endless make-up until I came across a box of aspirin. I thanked the heavens; it was just what I needed. I turned the basin tap on and scooped up the cool water in my hand, shovelling it and the tablet down my throat.

  Back in the bedroom, I ripped all the pillows off the bed, except for one. I lay down, only for a moment, to settle my nerves. I needed to decide what to do. I'd told myself to find out the truth, but I flew into a rage, and by the time I'd remembered to behave they had already put doubt and confusion in my heart.

  I wish I hadn't flown off the handle like I had, but it was all too much for me. I could feel the aspirin kicking in and soon it became hard to keep my eyes open.

  * * *

  I lay on the bed wearing pink baggy genie pants and a silk top. My stomach was exposed and my hair tied in a bun. The room looked the same as it had when I first closed my eyes, but somehow my clothes had changed completely.

  I rose from the bed and went to check the door was still locked, only to find there was no door any more. It had been replaced with a wall.

  I launched myself at the wall, scratching at it and feeling every inch in the hopes of finding the door. I dragged my nails across the plaster, searching for the slightest opening.

  Nothing.

  I dashed for the window, pulling back the heavy blue curtains with difficulty. Finally, I moved them aside to reveal not a window, but another wall. My breath came out as uncontrollable shudders and I could feel my heart pulse in my fingertips. I rushed around the entire perimeter of the room looking for a way out.

  Nothing.

  I was sealed in.

  "What the hell?" I shouted. "Will? Isabelle? Can you hear me?"

  I circled the room calling their names for several minutes until finally I got desperate.

  "Ivan?"

  Still nothing.

  I sat on the edge of the bed again and let loose a deep sigh. A vibration rose through the floor to my feet. The sudden movement caused me to jump up, but it wasn't just the floor—it was the entire room. It was shaking, more and more violently. The photo frames and pillows went sliding around as the room tipped about. I clung for dear life to the bed as a swirling vortex appeared above my head. As hard as I tried to hang on, I felt my fingers slip from the bedpost and I flew into the air. I squeezed my eyes shut as I was sucked into the abyss.

  I was hesitant to open my eyes, but I forced myself to look. I was outside, in a big open space, but it clouded in mist, making it difficult to distinguish much else. Will was there, shirtless and more muscular than I'd ever imagined he would be. He looked at me with wonder, like I was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

  "It worked," he breathed.

  "What worked?" I asked. This Will was indeed handsome, but he didn't seem like himself.

  "I rubbed it and you appeared," he said.

  "Rubbed what? What are you talking about?"

  Will held up a pink bottle with beautiful swirly patterns engraved on the sides. It was like the pattern was all one interconnecting line that intertwined like rope.

  "The magic lamp of course," he said. "I rubbed it and you popped out."

  I st
ared at him like he was crazy, because he sounded like a crazy person.

  "I just popped out, did I?" I replied sarcastically.

  "Yes. Look at you."

  I looked down and stifled a scream when I realised my legs were missing. From the waist down, I was nothing but a cloud of smoke.

  "What the hell?"

  I twisted my hips in all directions and the misty cloud followed. I wanted to faint right there and then.

  "What did you do?" I accused Will.

  "Me?" he said, pointing to himself, like I might have meant someone else in the deserted area. I still couldn't make out anything except the endless mist and the bright white light that illuminated the space. "I didn't do anything. You're a genie. That's what you look like."

  "I am not a genie," I told him firmly. "I am a normal girl, who is just caught up in something weird."

  Will didn't seem to be listening. "So, do I get three wishes?"

  "I'm not a genie!" I shouted.

  "Are you sure?" he replied. "You look like one."

  "I'm normal!" I was ten seconds away from reaching for stupid Will's neck and strangling him.

  "And if I'm a genie, then so are you," I corrected him, hoping he'd realise I was normal then.

  "Oh, you're right," he replied. He looked down and his legs had disappeared too, replaced with blue smoke.

  "Can genies get wishes from other genies?" he asked.

  I smacked my forehead. "Djinn can grant their own wishes," I said through gritted teeth. "We have free will."

  "Oh, so you are one, then."

  I stared at him. "One what?"

  He glided over on his smoky tail. "You said we have free will."

  "No I didn't," I protested.

  "Yes, you did. Now, what should I wish for?" Will scratched his head.

  "I am not a Djinn," I said, but he wasn't listening, or just couldn't hear me anymore. "I'm not. I'm not. I'm not!"

  Chapter Thirteen

  My eyes burst open as I woke from my horrible dream. I sat up, trying to shake its memory away.

  "I am not a Djinn," I whispered in the darkness, holding my head and a tangle of messy hair.

  I was wet with sweat, and the cool air made me shiver. I rolled off the bed, landing awkwardly on my feet. I had no idea what time it was. I flicked on the bedside table lamp, flooding the room with light. The room looked the same as it had before I fell asleep, but no matter how hard I tried, the dream lingered in my mind. Or was it a dream?

  My eyes widened at the thought, and I rushed over to the door. It was there, in all its oak-carved and panelled glory. I ran my hands over it, feeling every etch in the wood.

  "It was just a dream," I told myself, but I knew there was some truth to it.

  The door may have been there, but I was still a prisoner in a bottle. I couldn't leave here; they wouldn't let me. My fingernails dug into the wood, as if I was trying to cling on to something stable. I retracted my hands and reached for the handle. I unlocked the clip and turned the knob until the door opened. I let out a sigh of relief. I guess part of me was still a little worried my dream was real.

  "Can I help you?"

  I jumped back, startled by the sudden voice breaking the silence. Will sat on a chair opposite my door, reading a book.

  "Will?" I said, reaching to cover myself up before realising I was still wearing the jeans and tank top from earlier.

  "What are you doing up still?" he asked.

  "I couldn't sleep. Bad dream." I wasn't sure why I felt the need to explain myself.

  "I'm sorry to hear that." He stood from his seat, placing the book on the chair. I took note of the front cover.

  "You're reading Arabian Nights?" I said in surprise.

  He glanced down at the book, and then at me. "It's yours, actually," he confessed.

  "Mine?"

  He picked it up and held it out to me. "I found it in the school bag you left in the middle of the street."

  "Why did you get my school bag?" I asked.

  "I had to take the bag so no one would raise alarm."

  "And how did you know it was mine?" I cocked my head at him.

  "I'd seen you with it before," he said like it was no big deal that he'd been spying on me. "I found the book inside and thought you might like it."

  "You were watching me?" I suppose that shouldn't have surprised me much. Mia and Pyke were watching me. I guess Will was just better at not being seen.

  "I was going to give it back to you, but you were sleeping. I thought I'd read it before I gave it to you tomorrow."

  "Why would you do that?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

  "You're the only Djinn here to have been taken and returned to us. You know nothing about, well, anything. I know this must be hard for you and I thought it might make it easier for you if you had something of your old life."

  I didn't know what to say. He was being thoughtful, and yet he'd still kidnapped me. He held the book out to me, but I pushed it back.

  "You keep it. Finish it. I'll just go back to sleep."

  He held it close to his chest. "Thank you. Was there a reason you came out here?" he added.

  "I …" Well, I was hoping to make a run for it, but you're kind of in my way now. "No, not really." I turned to head back into my room, but Will touched my arm sending tingles through my whole body.

  "Hey, Kyra. I just want to apologise again for everything. I never wanted to hurt you or freak you out." His eyes watched me, a fiery golden glow burning in them. "I hope, one day, you'll forgive me."

  I tried to tear my gaze from his, but it was like he was hypnotizing me with his gorgeous eyes. His words were sweet and kind and they made me want to believe him, but I couldn't. I wouldn't, and yet I couldn't look away.

  "I guess I'm sorry I stabbed you," I replied, not entirely sure what to say.

  His laughter was like honey, sweet and sticky. "Don't worry about it," he said, like it was no big deal. I suppose it wasn't, he hadn't been hurt at all.

  "Why did it barely hurt you?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

  "My skin is thicker than other peoples," he replied, touching his arm.

  My eyes traced from his feet to his head, lingering a little on the chest area. My mind flashed back to my dream, Will bare-chested. Don't think about that.

  "I don't understand," I said, shaking my head to free the images of Will.

  "I know. You will eventually," he said.

  It was frustrating, I wanted to know right then and there, not wait until everyone thought I was ready, but I was tired and had other things on my mind.

  "Are you just going to sit outside my room all night?" I asked, raised eyebrow.

  He slumped back into his chair, the book on his lap. "Yes."

  "But why? I mean, won't you get bored? Don't you have other things to do?"

  "I'm Guardjinn," he replied. "Guarding you is all I do."

  He said it like that was how normal life was. "You're a guardian?"

  "No, Guar-djinn," he pronounced.

  "Yeah, that's what I said. What is that?"

  He shook his head, smiling. "It's a little late for a history lesson, don't you think?" Will placed his elbow on the arm of the chair and rested his head on his hand.

  I cocked my head. "Is it really that hard a question?"

  Will leaned forward and looked up into my eyes. "Okay, I'll give you the simple answer. Guardjinn are Djinn who spend their lives in the service of other Djinn."

  "What kind of service? Kidnapping and babysitting?" I said.

  "Like I said, you are the only Djinn who had to be brought back," he replied, ignoring my obvious stab

  "So what is the point of a Guardjinn?" I leaned casually against the door frame with my arms folded and a smug look on my face.

  Will was hesitant to answer. "He basically protects the Djinn."

  I unfolded my arms. "Protects them from what?"

  "I think it's time for you to go back to bed." He rose from the chair and ush
ered me into my room.

  "Will, tell me," I demanded.

  "Miss Greenwood, you need your sleep. You father wouldn't like you up this late talking to me."

  "My name is Kyra. I am not a Greenwood, so don't call me that." I'd had enough of Will and his half-answers. I rolled my eyes and slammed the door in his face, which made me feel slightly better, but only slightly. I snipped the lock on the door once more, my only safe haven from intruders—though I suspected Will could simply break down the door, if he chose.

  I stood in the middle of the room, unsure about anything anymore. Will's gesture had been so kind, so thoughtful. I clenched my fists.

  "Stop thinking about how nice he is," I told myself. "Sure he stopped Pyke from killing Dad, but he still knocked him out and stole you away. But all you can think about is "Oh, he brought my book back." Well I'll just forgive him then, shall I?"

  I didn't even know why I was yelling to myself. I must have sounded like a crazy person, but I was still right. I'd let these people get under my skin and cause doubts. They were monsters, and I needed to escape this place as soon as possible.

  "Like right now," I decided.

  I looked back slyly at the door in case Will had been listening, but presumed he hadn't heard anything, or else he'd have broken down the door and tied my up by now.

  All the same, I had to be sneaky. I ran over to the bathroom and turned on the shower, so if anyone came in they wouldn't disturb me.

  I counted on Will being a gentleman. I remembered something Dad told me once: act exactly how you normally would, so no one suspects you. These people didn't know me at all. Will was the one charged with watching me, which meant he would be the one to notice something amiss.

  I peeled off all my clothes and dropped them on the floor while walking to the bathroom. Exactly what I did at home. Only, then I went to the wardrobe and picked out some new clothes. A nice black tracksuit I found near the back was perfect. I dressed, keeping one eye on the door at all times. I found a pair of sneakers, which I laced up tight.

  I realised all these clothes, every single piece in the whole wardrobe, was made to fit me. I became more cautious of my plan. Perhaps they knew me better than I thought. I shook my head and tied my hair back in my usual ponytail, slivers falling down in front of my face.