Burning Hearts

by Melanie Matthews

  SINISTER SIBLINGS

  “You’re nothing but a damn liar!”

  “I didn’t lie to you. And besides, she wasn’t really my girlfriend.”

  “You just said she was!”

  “I didn’t know what other word to use. Fatima and I’d been together ever since she found me in England.”

  “That was the Jinniyah who found you? Unbelievable!”

  “Jenna, baby—”

  “Don’t you baby me!”

  They were in her bedroom, having kept deadly silent (her insistence) ever since Malcolm had driven her home (she’d threatened to walk and he’d threatened to follow), but once she’d passed the threshold of her room, she’d let him have it. Fortunately, her parents were out, but sadly, it was to arrange Holster Black’s funeral.

  Jenna and Malcolm were standing on opposite ends of her room. Her arms were folded over her chest. His were hanging limp by his sides. He looked worried, wondering how badly their relationship had been damaged.

  She sighed and turned, facing her window with rosy curtains separated down the middle. She heard him take two cautious steps forward.

  “I never feared telling you about my past, but I didn’t want to tell you about her. I want to forget Fatima. She was a bad influence on me…made me think and feel such hateful things.”

  The sorrow in his voice made her turn around and meet him, but only halfway, with a small distance she wasn’t yet ready to cross.

  “Has she come to get you back? Because she still loves you?”

  “Fatima’s incapable of love, only jealously and possession. She feels that she owns me.” He hesitated, nervous, and then said, “I have another confession: the Jinn who came here after my arrival…they came under orders. They’re trackers, sent to find and drag me back to her. I kept that from you because that would mean telling you about Fatima. Jenna, I’m so sorry.”

  She wanted to hit him, but she forgave him. Love was a crazy thing.

  “I understand, Malcolm.”

  He seemed relieved, tense muscles relaxing, and took another step toward her.

  “Jenna—”

  “So,” she cut him off, still wanting answers, “when I started killing off her retrieval squad, she came to do the job herself?”

  He simply nodded. And then he smiled. “She could’ve never guessed that a powerful Mage would oppose her plans so much.” Softly, he added, “And that I’d fall deeply in love with a demon slayer. My true soul mate.”

  Confession.

  Flattery.

  Declaration of an unbreakable love.

  He was really trying to win Jenna back. But he’d never really lost her to begin with.

  She gave him a warm smile, but kept her distance, still in interrogation mode. “If she’s so bad, then why were you with her?”

  “She was always by my side. When I was younger, having just lost my mother, she took care of me. And when the others would look at me as an abomination for being half-human, she defended me. I was grateful to her, but she had an evil side as all pureblood Jinn do. She’d try to get me to do things, hurt people. I never did. Her brother, Saladin, was equally evil, but he never pushed me, never paid much attention to me, really. To him, I was a ‘half-breed’ and he hates those as much as he hates humans. He tolerated me because of his sister. Being with her protected me…but not now. If he’s here, in Oasis, it’s not to bring me back to Egypt. Fatima wants that. Saladin wants to rip my heart out.”

  She finally bridged the gap between them and locked her arms around his waist, resting her head against his chest. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”

  He kissed the top of her head and stroked her arms. “Don’t apologize. I held that part of my life back because I didn’t want to relive it. I never loved Fatima. I thought I did…until I met you. Then I realized what true love is.”

  She looked up into his fiery blue eyes. “How can you love someone who was born to kill you?”

  He lifted his lips in a half smile. “How can you love someone who’s part evil?”

  “Even humans are capable of evil.” She smiled. “At least you have an excuse.”

  “Hmm. The sins of the father.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “My father, Ishmael, was half-Jinni. My mother told me only good things about him, but he was still part evil, and that Jinni blood transferred to me in my mother’s womb.”

  “We’re back to this again, aren’t we? That you’re gonna turn or switch or let go and revel in your dark side.” She tugged on his T-shirt. “I won’t let that happen.”

  “I hope not. If I ever become that way, I want you to kill me.”

  “No, no!” She held onto his shirt, pulling it down, anguished. “That’s not what I meant.”

  He furrowed his brow. “What did you mean?”

  She relaxed her hold. “You said that Fatima tried to influence you into doing bad things, right? Well, I’m not gonna let her or any other Jinn sway you. I hate what they’ve done to Oasis. The destruction was one thing, but persuading Holster Black to kill himself is another; it’s horrible. And I’m not a fan of the Stuck-Ups, but what they were compelled to do at the river today was outrageous.” She shook her head, appalled and saddened. “They could’ve killed each other.” Then she squared her shoulders, determined. “Well, I’m gonna kill all the Jinn in Oasis. That includes Fatima and Saladin.” Especially Fatima, she emphasized mentally. “I suspect Saladin’s some great big badass, right? That’s why he’s their master?”

  “Not exactly; although, he’s more powerful than your average Jinni. Fatima and Saladin are royalty to the Jinn. Saladin inherited the throne after his father died, more than a century ago. Saladin’s their king, and Fatima’s a princess.”

  Jenna rolled her eyes. “Great. I have to compete with a princess.”

  He pulled her close, shaking his head. “There’s no competition between you two. You supersede her in everything. She tried to capture my humanity and destroy it, but failed. You’ve made my humanity, my love, stronger than I’d ever thought possible.”

  Pools of water formed around her eyes, making Malcolm look blurry. She fought the flood, regaining the clarity of his features, but was forced to wipe a rogue tear away from her cheek. “You have a way with words. Much better than Riddick,” she judged.

  “What do you mean?”

  “He writes poetry. It’s not bad, but his poems about me are depressing.”

  “Because he can’t have you.” It was a statement, rather than a question.

  “There’s no competition, you know? I’m with you.” She smiled. “I’ll always be with you.”

  His face fell like he didn’t believe her.

  She furrowed her brow, her smile fading. “What’s wrong?”

  “Come.” He guided her to the bed, where they laid down, facing each other; she snuggled against him. “Jinn live for many, many years,” he reminded, stroking her arm. “Not forever, but longer than humans.” He smiled and tapped her nose. “That’s until a Mage comes along, all stab-happy.”

  She chuckled. “I can’t help it. It’s a destiny thing.”

  He smiled again and kissed the tip of her nose. “I’m half-Jinni. I’ll live a long time, but I’m restricted by my human side.” A veil of sadness covered his face. “I fear that you’ll die before me.” He allowed himself another smile. “Of old age, of course.”

  She didn’t want to have this conversation. She didn’t want to think about her mortality.

  “Do we have to talk about the future now?” She smiled, gently tugging on his earlobe. “I just need to get to tomorrow.”

  He held her hand, caressing it. “The future is all I ever think about. I try to forget my past. My life, now in the present, is with you, and even though I’m beyond happy, I also worry about what’ll happen to us.”

  “Then don’t.”

  “I can’t live without you, Jenna. I’ve already decided that if you were to die, then I’d kill myself.”


  She was speechless.

  He continued talking about his planned suicide. “I could go any of the human ways: overdose, gunshot, jumping off the Empire State Building…that would be a slow death. Or I could do something that would guarantee my immediate death: ripping my heart out.”

  Her face contorted in anguish at the image playing out in her mind of Malcolm’s bloody heart on display in his clenched hand. “No, baby!” She cupped his cheek. “No, you can’t do that. I won’t let you.”

  He smiled, despite the morbid topic of conversation. “How can you stop me? You’ll be dead.”

  She forced a smile too. “It’s simple. I’ll never die.”

  He raised his eyebrow. “Oh, really?” He rolled on top of her, putting his weight on his arms against the mattress. “And how do you plan on accomplishing this amazing feat?”

  “It’s a secret.”

  She had no clue how she was going to prevent her certain death, but she wanted to make him feel better. As he was lying on top of her, smiling, it seemed to work.

  “Oh, keeping secrets from me?” He kissed her lips. “Naughty Mage.”

  As she wrapped her legs around his waist, his fiery blue eyes exploded in delight. He began kissing her lips, then her neck, exploring south as his lips traveled across her exposed chest (she was still wearing her bathing suit under her jean dress, the top two buttons undone). His featherweight warm kisses were gentle against her burned skin.

  “Wait,” she breathed.

  He stopped. “What is it? Do you think we’re moving too fast?”

  “Did you…did you have sex with Fatima?”

  He shook his head vigorously. “No, I didn’t.”

  “So you’re a…virgin?”

  He smiled. “Yes, like you.”

  She smiled back. “Well, for a virgin, you seem to know exactly how to push”—she pressed him closer with her legs—“my buttons.”

  His eyelids hung low. “And you,” he said in a deep voice, “seem to know how to push mine.”

  She shrugged, smiling. “Beginner’s luck.”

  “We’re made for each other, Jenna Love. It’s Kismet.”

  “Aren’t Luck and Kismet the same thing?”

  “Luck is a word thrown around, but has lost all meaning. True luck, what was meant to be, and what can never be undone, is Kismet, like your path to be a Mage.”

  She ran her fingers through his shiny black hair. “But what’s our purpose?”

  “I don’t know, but whatever it is, it’s good.” He kissed her lips, softly, gently, and then passionately. “You’re so good.” With puckered lips, he lightly swept his mouth across the freckled skin of her collarbone, while his hand slid up the inside of her thigh. “You feel so good,” he moaned against her pink sun-burned chest.

  She threw her head back, immersing in his pleasure. “Are we really doing this?” she panted, staring up at the ceiling.

  He slid the tip of his fiery tongue up her neck, to her lips. “Yes,” he breathed into her mouth, sending a flaming trail of desire all the way to her toes.

  But for the second time that day as he was lowering her bathing suit strap, they were interrupted by a noise, coming from outside.

  Pop.

  Pop.

  She jumped in his arms. “Was that gunshots?”

  He nodded. “Do you have that often, out in the country?”

  “Yeah, but with the Jinn in town, I suspect foul play. And just when I was about to get some!” she fumed.

  Malcolm got off the bed, went to Jenna’s backpack, and tossed it to her. “Duty calls,” he encouraged with a smile.

  She caught the bag, frowning. “Can I call in sick?”

  He lifted up her chin and kissed her lips. “Work first. Play later.”

  She buttoned up the length of her jean dress that Malcolm had somehow deftly opened without her realizing it, and then ran outside with him. But Jenna was forced to hide her dagger. The police, sirens blaring, were flying down the road; they came to a screeching halt at a house across the street. Jenna could only assume that they’d been en route, already alerted to a disturbance. All the neighbors rushed out, curious to know what had happened. The police, guns ready, busted down the door of Jenna’s neighbors, Alan and Alana Jennings. They’d just celebrated their thirtieth wedding anniversary. She only remembered that because her parents were invited to the celebratory bash. They were nice, well-respected people. She hoped that they were safe, but with the Jinn lurking about, screwing with everyone’s minds, there was no telling what horror awaited those cops.

  The ambulance soon arrived, with the coroner right behind, as more neighbors crowded about.

  Jenna scanned the area for pairs of fiery red eyes. “I don’t see them,” she told Malcolm.

  “And I don’t sense them either.”

  “Dammit! Why are they doing this?”

  He sighed. “Because they can.”

  “Well, not for long.” She made sure her blade was well hidden as a few cops started fanning out, interviewing neighbors. “I just wish I knew where their hideout was, and then”—she clenched her jaw—“I’d burn ‘em all.”

  “It’s my fault.”

  Her face muscles relaxed. “What? No, don’t say that.”

  He sighed again. “It’s true, Jenna. If I hadn’t come here, the Jinn would’ve never stepped foot in Oasis.” He gestured at the two stretchers being brought out; the bodies were each covered with a black bag; the sign of death. “None of this would be happening,” he determined.

  She grabbed his hand, holding it tight, but not enough to hurt him. “Don’t blame yourself. If you hadn’t come to Oasis, I would’ve never had my powers and destiny awakened. I would’ve never known who my grandpa was, and what I’m meant to do. And I would’ve never met you.” A tear ran down her cheek; she didn’t bother to wipe it away. “I never thought I could love someone as much as I love you.”

  He took her in a loving hug, holding her close, as if she might be taken from him. “I thought about leaving,” he confessed, “about saving Oasis from their destruction, but I can’t leave you.” He freed one of his hands to caress her cheek. “I’d die without you.”

  They kissed briefly, mindful of the scene across the road. Then they held hands, fingers interlaced, watching the investigators do their work.

  “Just awful, just awful,” commented one of Jenna’s neighbors, an old widow who used a walker to get around.

  Jenna greeted her as she approached. “Hey, Mrs. Tinsley, yes, it’s awful.”

  Mrs. Theresa Tinsley stood next to Jenna, adjusting her thick glasses. Her back was bent over from years of having to rely on a walking aide. “Never thought it would happen, but strange things have been happening lately. People would say it’s a coincidence, or it’s normal, but no child! No, it’s not! Evil’s having a field day in Oasis, I can tell you that!” The old lady grabbed Jenna’s free hand; she wasn’t being purposely rude to Malcolm, but she wasn’t acknowledging him either, too distraught at the death of her neighbors. “We need to pray more, yes we do! When people abandon God, the Devil comes rushing in, yes he does!” She let go of Jenna’s hand to make the sign of the Cross, reciting a prayer for salvation in Latin. When she was done, she turned to her young neighbor. “We’ll send the Devil away, won’t we, sweet girl?” she asked, entreating a partnership.

  Gently, Jenna put her arm around Mrs. Tinsley’s hunched shoulders. “I’ll make sure he burns.”

  FIRE BURN AND CAULDRON BUBBLE

  The news was out before the Oasis Gazette could print it: Alan Jennings had argued with his wife, Alana. He’d called the cops, saying he was going to kill her, and then he did, before shooting himself. Thirty years of blissful marriage had come to an abrupt, bloody end. The investigators had no motive. Jenna knew who was to blame, but she couldn’t go into the police station and say: “It’s a bunch of demons.”

  She hated that they were going after good people. She didn’t want bad people to die either, but it
was just more heartbreaking when people who always helped others were the first to die. But of course, they’re the Jinn’s main target: destroy the meek.

  “It’s a tragedy,” a voice nearby said sarcastically.

  Jenna turned to see Mrs. Helen White, the Spanish teacher, nine months pregnant, about to pop. Even though she should be at home with a packed bag for the hospital, she didn’t want to miss the performance, having put the play together with Mrs. Thames.

  Mrs. White was explaining why Macbeth didn’t have an upbeat musical number to Daniela and Emma, who were playing unnamed ladies.

  “Well, you and Mrs. Thames wrote it in plain English instead of that confusing Shakespeare stuff, so why can’t y’all throw in some songs or something?” asked Daniela.

  “Yeah,” Emma agreed. “I can sing like all kinds of stuff. Pop…pop-country…well, that’s about it.”

  Mrs. White grunted and ran her hands through her brown hair, once in a tight bun, now loosened to a droopy ponytail. “Just shut up and say your lines.”

  Daniela gasped. Emma said, “We don’t have any,” with a jerk of her head for emphasis.

  Mrs. White just smiled and walked away.

  “Such a bitch,” Daniela insulted.

  “Totally,” Emma agreed.

  They were dressed in conservative attire for ladies of old Scotland, but with cloth cords synched around their waists to make their outfits tighter. Mrs. Thames comprised on that wardrobe choice, refusing to let them wear the matching rhinestone belts that they’d gotten at Target.

  Jenna had yet to put on her wardrobe. She thought playing a witch would be fun, but when she found out the makeup department was going to put a large prosthetic nose on her, along with a hairy mole at her chin, well, the excitement wore off. At least she’d be somewhat covered by the hooded black robe.

  Daniela turned to see Jenna staring. She gave Emma a nudge.

  Emma smiled, forming an insult in her pea-sized brain. “Jenna doesn’t need any makeup, Dani. She woke up this morning already looking like an ugly witch.”

  Daniela laughed. “She’s always looked like that.”