by Jessica Cage
“Yeah, right, Mike. Sure.” He turned away from the man and headed off toward his bike, which waited completely covered so it wouldn’t get tarnished by the wastelands.
“Where are you going?” Mike called out behind the djinn.
“I got some people to talk to, and if you know what’s best for you, you will refrain from following me.”
“Jinn!” Mike started to run after him but slid to a stop, nearly falling, when Jinn turned on him. He held his hand out and called flames that lifted from the ground. A toxic green touched the edges, the effects of the chemical in the earth. “Don’t do this man!” He was surrounded, trapped by the flames until Jinn was too far out of range for him to follow.
The city of Vilar was one of the most beautiful that existed. Surrounded by lands devastated by war, it retained a beauty that seemed alien. The fairies used their magic to retain the life of their home through the war. None of the toxic flames ever made it through their shields. Gone were the iron structures made by men, the buildings that scraped the sky had been torn down. Every building grew from the ground, having its own pulse as life still coursed through limbs of trees and magically reinforced vines that were woven together to craft structures of strength.
It wasn't just the buildings, or the few skyscrapers that stood tall and proud; it was the minor things, the plants and flowers lining every path. It was the wildlife that roamed the streets and lived in perfect harmony with the fairies. This was what the world imagined it would be like after the humans lost control. Only, Vilar was an anomaly in the new world order. A family of langur monkeys swung above him as his bike rolled along that pathway, the engine disturbing the tranquil atmosphere as he passed.
“Are you sure you want to go there?” Praia asked, joining him after he’d parked his bike. They walked down the street headed to Vilar, the epicenter of the fairies’ territory. Jinn had asked her to meet him, so he could give her an update on everything that was happening. She knew it meant he needed to vent before doing something really stupid. Never one to say no to the man who conjured her steaks, she agreed. “Nothing good can come of this.”
“If they have the information I need, then yeah, I’m sure.” As usual, every person they passed by looked at them with questioning gazes. It was no secret that Praia was friends with Jinn, but it wasn’t often that they were seen together in public. Hell, it wasn’t often that Praia was seen amongst the fairies at all, and Jinn … well, he was nothing more than an apparition.
“What exactly are you willing to give them in return? These aren’t the same fairies you may remember, they’ve changed. You know that. Anything you have to request from them, they are going to want a trade, they’re going to want to bargain with you. You gotta think about that, Jinn.” The short fae struggled to keep up with his long strides but succeeded in not falling behind.
“Yes, I’m well aware. I also know that they lied to me. In exchange for my help they were supposed to provide validation of what happened to Nitara. They were the ones who told me she had passed.” He marched forward as he spoke, his temper rising. “They were the ones who fed me false information! All these years, she has been out there, and I haven’t been looking for her. She is trapped in a cage somewhere and I just allowed it! I held up my end of the bargain, it's time that they did.”
“I’m just saying, you may want to rethink things, sleep on it for a bit.” Praia skid to a halt as Jinn turned on her. They stood, statues on display for the fairies to gawk at.
“Look, Praia, I didn’t tell you about this so that you would feel a need to come with me. I understand if you don’t want to do this, but I need you to understand that I have to go in there. You can’t expect me to turn away from this. All this time, I thought she was gone, I thought she was dead. Now I find out that it was a lie. Hell, I don’t even know if this photo is real.” He took the picture from his pocket and held it up. “I need to do this. I have to find out, regardless of what fucked up fox trap I may be walking into right now. I have to know the truth.”
“Nitara, she meant that much to you?” Yeah, she knew about Nitara, but Jinn had never spoken to her in depth about his love for the woman, or how much he would put on the line to save her. Jinn would walk through fire for his wife, and for the first time he was really allowing the world to see what his love for her meant.
He turned back toward the path that led to the city’s center, pulled his hair up into a loose bun, and took a deep breath. How could he put it to words so the fae, who was still in many senses a young girl, could understand how he felt? His gaze swept over his shoulder to the short woman who waited for his explanation, the thoughts came as best he could phrase them. “She meant more to me than the earth, the sky, and the endless universe beyond. She was my world, my air, so much so that my lungs refused to expand without her. Every fiber of my being is hers to command. If there is any chance that I get to have that back, that I get to love her and feel her life beside me, fueling my own, there is no way that I’m going to let that go.”
“Wow, Jinn. I had no idea.” She smiled at him, tears on the brink of her eyes. “Well hell, I hope someone cares about me as much as you do for her. You know that I’m by your side.”
“As long as I keep you fed with steak.” He smiled and winked at his friend. He knew that she would support him, no matter how insane the cause. She always had.
“See, we have an understanding!” Her laughter trailed behind her as she hurried to keep up with him.
“Wake up, sleepy head.” Her voice was a melody he hoped to wake up to every morning for the rest of his life.
“Nitty.” He spoke the nickname through the blanket of sleep that held his voice hostage. “Why are you up so early?”
“Up with the sun, you know. I never want to miss it rise.” As much as she loved the moon, his wife couldn’t bear to miss the sunrise. He wondered how she ever got any sleep.
“Ah, yes, the sunrise. How was it today?” He stretched his limbs, not wanting to sit up yet.
“It was beautiful, as always.” Finally, she stepped into view, holding the carved stone between her fingertips. She played with the thing all the time, and it brought him such joy to watch it twist between delicate fingers. Their home was small, but it was theirs. He’d worked hard, with Nitara right by his side, to build a quiet life for the two of them. Not far from the village where they were raised, they operated their farm. The home, the sheds, and the shelter for the animals were all put together by their hands. Things were working out great for the newly married couple. The cows were good to them that year, producing enough milk to sell to several nearby towns.
“I should say the same about the sight before me now.” He held his hand out to her, beckoning her to come near.
“You flatter me, as always.” Like a magnet, she was drawn to him, her hand reaching out to his. As soon as their fingers touched, he pulled her to the bed and kissed her lips.
“I speak nothing but the truth to you. These lips could never part to deliver a lie to your ears.” His full lips brushed against her ear, causing her small laugh to fill the room.
“I love you, Jinn.” Her hand rested on his jaw, eyes peering into his as she drank in the love.
“Nitara, you will have my heart for as long as the sun rises to kiss the sky, and for an eternity after it fades.”
“Jinn, what are you doing here?” The head of the fairy guard approached, the heels of her steel-toed boots knocking against the marble floor. She led her command with strength, and those who followed her, trusted in her entirely. Wherever she led, they would follow. She was second only to one, the queen.
“Good to see you too, Briar.” Getting to the lobby of the crown of Vilar was easy enough, but if he wanted to go farther, he would need permission. Unaligned or not, there were certain protocols in place that had to be taken into account. As she crossed the open space, four others joined her, facial expressions ranging in levels of excitement, from completely bored to nearly uncontrollable g
lee. That was the way of fairies—they all had their affinities, which gave them varied strengths and powers. It also affected their personality. In most cases you could tell exactly what their affinity was by their appearance.
“Last time we saw each other, you said you’d never return here. Swore on it in fact.” She nodded and waved a finger at him as she recollected the last time she spoke to him. “So, I assume something extreme has happened to bring you here now.” Bria was tall, nearly looking Jinn eye to eye. She had an affinity for fire and earth, and she looked to be made of stone. Her body strong, toned with muscle built through years of combat training. Her voice was deeper in tone, still feminine but not the trill that Praia had. She had fair skin, and long hair pulled back into a neat ponytail that stretched the length of her back. Unlike most of the fairies he saw, she wore dark clothing, at all times. Never had he seen her in any of the colorful wisps of fabric that those who flanked her wore. She told him once that she was a warrior and those clothing got in the way of that. Even her hair would be braided and pinned up in times of battle.
“You are correct in your assumption.” Jinn grinned at the shorter of the fairies who stared at him. He’d never seen her before and could tell she was new to her post.
“So, tell me, what is it that I can help you with?”
“You? Nothing. I need to see her.” Jinn nodded to the top of the stairs to a set of gold doors enamored in flowers. It was the only elevator that gave access to the place he needed to go, the queen’s chamber.
“Excuse me?” Briar looked over her shoulder at the elevator, and shook her head no. “You can’t be serious, Jinn.”
“This is as serious as it gets. I’m here to see Alesea.”
“That’s a bold move, Jinn. Even for you.” She nodded her head at the guards standing by the door. It was a warning for them to be prepared should things get hairy. “Showing up here after all this time, unaligned and demanding to see the queen. What the hell makes you think you deserve something like that? What makes you think she would even see you?”
“Her and I, we had a deal. A trade, my help in exchange for information. It comes to my attention now, that the knowledge she provided me with was flawed. I need to know, Briar, if she was aware of the error.” He looked to the same guards at the door, acknowledging their presence. “You and I both know the weight that comes with the promise of the queen.”
“You think she would lie to you, knowingly?”
“I think she, like so many others, would do whatever it takes to get what she wants. She wanted something from me, and I provided it. If it comes to light that she did not do the same, well, amends will need to be made.” He took a slow, deliberate step toward her, ignoring tensed expressions on the faces of the other guards. “So, I ask you now, please, take me to her.”
“You know there is a procedure to this.” Briar nodded to the blue-haired fairy at her right, who smiled at Jinn before walking off down the long hall leading to a security room.
“By all means, perform as you must, but do know that I’m not leaving here until I have a word with her.” The large plush sofa in the lobby was a welcoming home for the djinn and his fae friend as they waited for the fairies to prepare for him to sit with the queen.
“Jinn, I have to say, I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.” The Queen of the Fairies spoke in airy tones that echoed throughout the cavernous room like whispers of ghosts. Sparkling eyes of blue watched him from the thrown sitting atop a platform coated in diamond dust. The chair itself was made of wood with accents of silver and gold, reaching up to the head where a stone, which harnessed the energy of the sun, was held.
“Considering your current position as queen, I think we both know that isn’t true. You knew that I would be back.” Jinn hid none of his resentment. She’d played him, and while he lived in misery, she sat on a literal throne decorated in gold.
“Briar.” Alesea turned to her second. “Please, give us a moment alone.” She stood from her throne and took the small steps down to meet them. Her dress flowed around her, tones of blues that mimicked the air that was her affinity.
“Are you sure?” Briar bristled. He knew that in most terms the fairy would be happy to see Jinn, but it was his tense body and tight jaw that caused her reaction. Even knowing that, he couldn’t change his demeanor.
“Jinn has always been a friend to us. Nothing has changed in that,” Alesea reassured her. “Please, allow us some privacy for a delicate conversation.”
“As you wish.” Briar nodded to her crew who left the room ahead of her. She shot Alesea a reconfirming glance, and when the queen smiled at her, reassuring her that she would be okay, the head of the fairy guard turned to leave, waiting only for the fae who shot her a smirk. Praia, who had remained by Jinn’s side, waited for her own look of approval before leaving ahead of Briar.
“You’ve returned for information?” Alesea inquired after the doors to the chamber sealed shut. She used her affinity, moving the air to create a soundproof barrier. What they were going to speak about was no one’s concern but theirs. Briar wouldn’t be far … hell, she may even be waiting by the door trying to listen in.
“No, not for that, I received that from you once before. What I’ve returned for is clarification. Understanding. Tell me, how is it that the last time I was here, you gave me information in exchange for my help, and yet now, many years later, I come to find out that what you told me was false?” He expanded his body and his voice, filling the room with his energy. Jinn wanted her to feel his anger as if it would suffocate her. He wanted her to fear what he was capable of. If she lied to him yet again, she would pay the consequences.
“I provided the knowledge I had.” Alesea remained calm, her voice as cool as the breeze continuously swirling around her, shifting the thin fabrics of her dress.
“You provided hearsay, not knowledge! You said she was dead, taken out by the warlock while I was away.” The two remained standing, mere feet separating her small frame and his dark form which continued to expand.
“And that was the truth I had to provide.”
“Really? I can hear it, you know, the flutter of your heart every time you lie to me. Please, do not continue.” He stepped closer to her. “Tell me, did you verify these facts? Did you see her death personally? Did you do more than ask a few questions of those you passed in the halls?”
“What do you want, Jinn?” The queen lifted her chin, asserting her own power. If he dared to touch her, she would drop her shield and call for the guards.
“The truth.” He paused. “Either you give me the truth I want, or I will spread the truth you hope none of your people ever find out about.” His voice lowered as he leaned closer to her. He had her and they both knew it. “How would they take it? The knowledge that you, their queen, cut down the last.”
“She was a tyrant, evil, and working with the darkest of magic! You know that I had to do what I did.” Alesea took a step back from the djinn.
“I don’t know that you had to do anything. Yes, all is true regarding her activities, but you killed her, Alesea, and you know as well as I do, fairies are loyal. They stick by their queen no matter what. You betrayed her, which means you betrayed them all.”
“What can I do?”
“Correct the error you made. You have one day. I want to know the truth. Where is Nitara?” He turned to leave the room. “You will bring word, not one of your messengers, you. Or this city that you love so much will burn to the ground, by the hands of your own.”
“You’ll only implement yourself!” She called out the empty threat, her last attempt at swaying his decision.
“Yes, but unlike you, I actually possess the strength to protect myself.” He pointed to the thrown from which she climbed down. “You are nothing if removed from the throne. If disconnected from the source of your power, how many of them would it take to cut you down like you did your former queen?”
“Jinn, please.”
He shushed her,
holding up one finger to her. “One day, Alesea.” He left the room.
“Is everything okay?” Briar reentered the room once Jinn had made his exit.
“No, unfortunately, it is not. The world is about to change, Briar.” She dropped her head back to stare through the glass ceiling that gave her visage to the night sky. “Retrieve the seer, please.”
“Jinn, it’s you, isn’t it?” The small, wisp-like voice came from beneath the oversized hood that cast a shadow so far down the front of her, he couldn't be sure she was really there. He was out for a stroll, minding his business, and once again he was recognized. He’d have to think of switching up his look, hiding his identity better. It would have to be something that didn’t mean cutting his locks, it was becoming a signature look for him.
“You know, in hindsight, it was foolish of me to think I could keep my identity hidden without altering my appearance. Thought all the people who would recognize me would be long gone by now. It's only been a matter of months and the entire world seems to know exactly who I am.” Walking through the park, enjoying the scenery, he’d realized he was being followed. Seven blocks with his new shadow and he could no longer ignore her quick heartbeat, sporadic breaths, or the way every third step landed with less surety than the ones before it. Jinn turned on the woman. She was of average height, and when she removed the hood of thin blue fabric covering her face, he saw that she was of average beauty, but had eyes that were a wintry blue.
“You haven’t exactly been hiding if that was your intent. Did you think no one would question the large, mysterious man who was walking down the streets of Chicago with a fae?” She laughed as she made reference to his first encounter with Praia. “You put a target on your back, one that was quickly removed of course when we realized who you were.”
“Lucky for me, you stopped to do your research.” He gave the woman another once over before continuing. “Who are you, what do you want?” He didn't like being called out on his activities or being informed that someone was watching him. Here they were in unassuming London, and she was questioning him about activities in the windy city. “Have you followed me all the way from Chicago? I’ve been to quite a few places since then, have you been tailing me this entire time?”