by Claire Marta
The time was right to make amends. He knew he would have to wait. Longing for her verse logic warred inside him. She was already suspicious. Jasmine was more than aware he was not a true Jinn. But was his identity still safe?
“You’re awake.”
Carbrey’s voice drew Jasmine’s attention to the doorway. The old man was leaning heavily on his cane as he limped in and halted at the foot of the bed. Behind him was Dane carrying a bundle under one arm. Benedict and Ella followed.
“You look a lot better than before, Red.” The bard told her huskily. His eyes did a slow wander over her blanket covered form.
Aware of how naked she was beneath, Jasmine’s hand tightened on the sheet against her breasts. Kaysin abruptly stood. With long strides, he put himself between them; every line of his leather clad muscled body rigid with tension. Jasmine felt the whisper of his magic. Heavy like smoke, it coiled unseen around her senses. Carbrey’s eyebrows rose slightly at the action but made no move to intervene.
“What the fuck is that doing in here?” Dane growled. The cables in his snow white dreadlocks withered to life as his magic rose.
“Kaysin was unaffected by the coven’s spells. He is still loyal to me,” Carbrey reassured him quickly. “I had him guard Jasmine while she healed and slept. Please, there is no need for violence, Dane.”
“Kaysin, it’s all right, they’re friends,” Jasmine murmured, trying to defuse his mistrust. “We can trust them, it’s ok.”
A slight turning of his head acknowledged that he heard her words. Slowly and obediently, he slunk back to his corner. Dane’s magic receded. Lips pressed tightly together, his gaze remained narrowed and fixed on the Jinn.
“How am I not covered in cuts and wounds?” Jasmine asked, trying to draw away the tension that persisted.
“We healed you in the spring which flows beneath this building. It has the most wondrous healing properties, and it looked like you needed them,” Carbrey informed her with a kind smile.
Heat spread from Jasmine’s neck, up her face, and into her hairline. Had Twitch’s grandfather seen her naked? The thought left her mortified. She was pretty certain she had just turned crimson.
“Damn. If I’d known I would have helped out,” Benedict told her with a suggestive wink. He leaned against the wardrobe, his arms folded over his brawny chest.
“Do not feel embarrassed child.” The old man continued, ignoring the bard’s words. “It was Kaysin here who bathed you and saw to your needs.”
“The Jinn?” Benedict grumbled. “What a fucking waste. It’s not like that would have gotten anything out of it.”
Jasmine felt her cheeks glow brighter. Kaysin had seen her naked, bathed her. It left her feeling strangely excited and vulnerable. A fragmented echo of the dream she’d had of Eric played through her head. Shifting uncomfortably, she pushed it away. Did none of them know that Kaysin was not a real Jinn? Still feeling embarrassed, she kept her gaze on anything but the black, leather, clad figure.
“We also filled in Grandfather about what you saw on your mental walk-about. We couldn’t find anyone else. The bitch squad has them all locked up tight in the council building. The place is like a damn prison.” Dane’s voice was filled with frustration. He was still standing in the doorway with Ella at his side.
“I cannot believe such evil has been living here, festering and growing right under our very noses,” Carbrey muttered, as he absently stroked his white moustache with his free hand. He had paled so much that the scar on his cheek was more prominent.
“How long has the coven been on the Island?” Jasmine asked. She could feel Kaysin watching her; the touch of his gaze sending waves of awareness over her skin, which she was trying hard to ignore.
The old man tilted his head enquiringly. “Over twenty three years. They purchased one of the larger buildings the day they arrived, why?”
“I think Teasag has been here a lot longer than that.”
“You mean walking around as a regular magic wielder?” Ella asked, moving further into the room.
Jasmine shook her head, focused still on the old man. “Carbrey, did your ancestors kill the evil King you told me about in your story?”
Carbrey frowned, his expression darkening. “I do not understand why you would want to know, but that is where the tales become confused.”
Jasmine sat up straighter, her curiosity piqued. “How?”
Pursing his lips, he took a moment to answer as he gathered his thoughts. “Some say he was beheaded. Others say after he was beaten and dying, our people entombed him.”
Jasmine nibbled on her bottom lip. Pieces were starting to slide into place, but were her suspicions correct? She could have all this completely wrong.
“There’s more.” A grim tone laced Ella’s sweet voice. “It looks like they’re preparing some kind of altar in the town square.”
“It’s for Twitch…I mean Morgan. Teasag is planning a ceremony,” Jasmine explained, trying not to let her worry over her friend rise again.
“Human sacrifice...” Carbey looked shocked. “They were forbidden centuries ago.”
“No…Teasag is planning a public sex event...he wants to take Morgan’s virginity.” Jasmine plucked at Excalibur’s scarab which lay across her lap. Twitch was going to be ok. Whatever happened she was determined to get him out in one piece.
“Morgan’s still a virgin? Shit and we weren’t even invited to see him pop his cherry.” Benedict complained indignantly.
“Can you be serious for five fucking minutes?” Ella snapped. Stomping across the room she smacked a hand against his chest.
With a pained expression, he rubbed at the spot with metal fingers. “You really need to stop hitting me, woman. That’s twice in one day. I will spank your arse if you do it again, and don’t think Dane is gonna stop me!”
One of Ella’s fine eyebrows rose in challenge at his words. She didn’t look impressed.
Jasmine had a plan. She just hoped it worked, and everyone was willing to go along with it. “We need to take out Teasag. He’s the one controlling the coven. I am fairly confident without him they won’t be a problem.”
“How confident?” Dane asked gruffly. He was still in the doorway, his stare locked on Ella with possessiveness and pride.
Jasmine tried not to wince as she replied. “Seventy percent.”
“That’s not a lot. You seriously want us to take on all the Jinn and fight our way through a herd of enslaved woman for that percentage?” Benedict was smirking, his silvery gaze on her breasts.
Jasmine looked down to discover them still covered. He was just being a jerk. That did not stop her from readjusting the blankets. His chuckle in response was irritating.
“Not all of us, no,” she said slowly with a glare. “Someone’s got to free the other magic wielders. Teasag will have them watching. He is going to want to show off, and we need them for back up. That will work to our advantage.”
“And how are we supposed to do that?” Ella jumped in. One hand was toying with the beaded crystals around her neck with agitation. Her bracelets tinkled with the action.
Jasmine’s hold on the sword tightened slightly. Its magic whispered against her senses, ancient and waiting. “The same way we get rid of the Jinn.”
“Red, did you hit your head or something? You’re not making any sense.” Benedict asked, moving a little closer to the mattress.
Jasmine rolled her eyes and ignored him. “With this.” Carefully, she smoothly tugged the blade from its sheath. Excalibur. The words embossed into the metal glittered in the dying sunlight. Power hummed from it as if their presence had somehow awakend it further. Jasmine did not miss the collective gasps of those in the room. Unable to stop herself, she grinned like an idiot.
“By the Gods, where did you find that?” Carbrey asked incredulously, his eyes wide with disbelief and awe. Leaning on his walking stick, he hobbled closer for a better look.
“In a cave with a giant squid.” When the ol
d man’s eyebrows rose in surprise Jasmine shook her head. “Please, don’t ask, you wouldn’t believe me.”
“Fuck me, it really is the sword. That’s what you’ve been carrying all this time?” Dane asked in amazement.
Jasmine nodded.
“Red, you’re absolutely amazing.” Benedict praised, as he raked his blue spiky hair with his metallic hand.
“We just need to get close enough to use it.” Jasmine caressed the weapon. With it, she knew they stood a chance at defeating Teasag.
“I thought of that already.” Dane finally stalked over the threshold of the door and dumped an armful of material on the bed.
“What’s this?” Reaching out, Jasmine prodded the swath of coloured cloth.
“What the witches are wearing. We found two spare robes while we were creeping about,” Ella told her, eyes lighting up with mischief.
“I can’t wait to see you in it, babe.” Benedict growled seductively, his hand reaching out to touch Jasmine’s short, coppery hair. “I think it’s going to be my new fantasy. You all covered up and ready to be unwrapped.”
“Yeah, well don’t get any ideas or you’ll find yourself dick-less,” Jasmine snapped back, jerking her head out of reach.
His attention was drawn to the sword in her lap. Quickly he dropped his hands to cup himself protectively as he took a step back. “Ouch, by the Gods, woman, don’t threaten a man like that.”
“Then keep your hands to yourself. I’ve warned you more than once. I’m done with men,” she responded with a scowl. “I’m not going to be stupid enough to fall for anyone’s pick-up lines again. You’re all after only one thing and it isn’t going to happen.”
“I think you’ve met your match, Ben.” Dane laughed gruffly. “I’m pretty certain Jasmine would castrate you with that. Some guy’s really pissed her off.”
“I like a challenge. Red’s just playing hard to get, that’s all.” The bard gave her a flirty wink as he released his balls. “Just because you had a bad experience with some douche bag doesn’t mean I’m like that. You can even threaten me with your blade if you want. It’s kinky as hell. I might even let you tie me up,” he murmured huskily, wiggling his eyebrows. “I’m sure I can change your mind.”
Jasmine’s lips twitched. He was an idiot, but he was starting to grow on her, in an annoying kind of way.
“With these disguises you and Ella can infiltrate the rank of our enemy.” Carbrey said thoughtfully, ignoring his kin.
“I’m not sure how Dane and Ben can get close. They’re not exactly inconspicuous.” Jasmine directed the statement to Dane.
A smile cracked his handsome features. “Don’t worry about us. We’re good at hiding.”
“That’s it then, we have a plan. It’s not the best one in the world but it’s going to have to do.” She handed Ella the spare veil and dress with her free hand. “Guess it’s time to prepare.”
“I can help you put that on if you like.” Benedict called as Dane shoved him forcefully from the room. Shaking her head with a smile, Ella joined them.
“Carbrey, can I speak to you for a moment?” Jasmine asked, as the old man made to follow.
“Of course you can, child.” Limping to the door, he closed it with a soft click. Once more leaning heavily on his cane, he turned to survey her enquiringly.
Kaysin remained in his corner. He stood motionless. The only sign of life was the blinking of his golden eyes every so often. Jasmine’s gaze strayed towards the Jinn. He was acting so obediently, so submissive. For some reason she was feeling more and more certain that this was not his true nature.
“He’s not really a Jinn, is he?”
Carbrey’s eyebrows rose slightly, but his mild expression didn’t change. “Why do you say that?”
Jasmine wet her dry lips with the tip of her tongue. “He doesn’t seem affected like the other Jinn…he also acts differently.” Her cheeks heated as she remembered the kiss in the rain.
The old man sighed. “No, Kaysin is not a Jinn...more of a guardian here in our time of need.”
Jasmine’s gaze crept back to the male in black. Kaysin stood passively, watching them. No emotion flickered in his golden scrutiny. Standing tall, he stood patiently, listening.
“Is Kaysin really his name?”
“Yes, Jasmine. I have not lied to you about that,” Carbrey replied in amusement.
Narrow-eyed she stared at the Jinn. She couldn’t explain the attraction she felt for him. It was a complication she didn’t want or need. Her feelings were still too raw after Eric’s treatment. She didn’t want the interest of another male. Not now. Jasmine was going to keep her distance. Whatever Kaysin was, it didn’t matter. Her heart was still tangled in heartache and despair.
“We shall leave you to dress,” Carbrey told her quietly, as he watched the emotions flutter unhindered across her expression.
There had been steel in Jasmine’s gaze. Something Eric had only glimpsed at the few times they met before. A blossoming of inner strength.
“Thank you for keeping my secret,” he murmured softly as they moved down the corridor towards the rest of the house.
Carbrey grunted. “Kaysin does happen to be your middle name. Eric Kaysin Méchant. I did not truly lie to the girl.”
“You always know how to bend the truth to your advantage.” Eric countered with a slight smile.
Halting, the old man watched him thoughtfully. “There is something different about you Eric—”
“Nothing that we have time to discuss now if you want to save your home and people, Carbrey,” Eric interrupted him hastily. He was not prepared to share his new found feelings with anyone. At least not yet. “Why did Jasmine call Teasag, ‘he’?”
Carbrey smoothed down his moustache with a finger as he pondered the vampire’s words. “There are things you have missed while you tended to the girl that I must fill you in on. Come, we do not have much time.”
Jasmine stood in the line of veiled women. She was at the front, right next to the massive stone altar. Ella was a few lines back. So far, everything was going as planned. Mingling with the rest of the witches hadn’t been hard. In fact it had been too easy. The red robed dresses and veils hid their identity from view. No one had noticed them.
Dane and Benedict were hiding. Jasmine did not know where, but she knew it had to be close. Dane was now carrying Excalibur. She had been unable to hide it within the outfit she was wearing, and he had assured her of its safety. Jasmine had not enjoyed parting with it. The sword was one of the only weapons she had. It had also been hell to get it.
Carbrey had been convinced to stay behind. If all else failed it would be down to him to stop Teasag. He had agreed, reluctantly. Kaysin had been sent to circulate with the other Jinn. He was their other surprise if anything went wrong. They really didn’t want to be caught with their pants down. That could be disastrous.
Twitch had already been bound to the stone slab. Jasmine had never been so relieved to see him in all her life. Beaten and bruised, defiance still burnt in the eye which was not swollen shut. He had fought the Jinn unsuccessfully every step of the way. They had him dressed in white cotton trousers and a baggy white shirt; the perfect symbol of an innocent sacrifice. Twitch looked pissed. He hated the colour with a vengeance and this had probably just added to his outrage.
The open square, which had once held the marketplace, had been stripped bare of the stalls. Torches lit the darkness around them. They were resting in high metal tarnished stands which had been strategically placed around to give as much light as possible. Their flickering flames sent dancing shadows across the ground which bobbed in the breeze.
In small groups, some of the captive magic wielders had been herded into the area. From the way they were dressed Jasmine guessed these were the heads of the houses. It looked like Teasag wanted them to see his show. The Jinn loped around them like a pack of scavenging dogs.
Their magic was so thick it almost blotted out anything else she could sen
se. It circled Twitch’s kin, binding their magic and rendering them powerless.
Jasmine felt a spike of anxiety. How could these creatures be so powerful? Was this really going to work, or had she persuaded everyone into a suicide mission? When had any of her plans ever gone smoothly? Fuck. This was going to end up being another big cock up.
The orb which kept them under Teasag’s orders was resting on a metal bird claw stand by the altar. Mystical energy, very different from the tranquillity of Excalibur, oozed from its swirling mass. Again, Jasmine could feel it crawling against her over-sensitized sixth sense. It reeked of death, just like its creator. So foul, it gave her second thoughts about approaching it. Destroying it was not going to be easy. Something like that would not just shatter into pieces. No. Jasmine was sure it would demand a heavy price for its destruction.
Heads swivelling in unison, the strange leather clad Jinn stared towards Teasag as he approached with Melinda at his side. He was still garbed in deep red robes. The veil firmly in place, hiding who he truly was. His long, shiny, brown hair was the only thing that could be seen. That and his red painted mouth.
A pair of beige aviator goggles covered Melinda’s eyes. She was once more immaculately dressed in a frilly black shirt, matching heels, and a tan knee-length skirt. Her tidy reddish locks had been brushed to a shine. Jasmine could see no sign of the fear or abuse that he had given her earlier. Twitch’s sister hid it well.
With a wave of a hand, Teasag signalled the Jinn back. Shoulders hunched and heads down, they obeyed. A tiny thread of their bitter, seething rage scraped against Jasmine’s mind. The Jinn were not as emotionless as she had thought. Biting on her lip, she wondered if they could use that against their master. Would they help?