“You don’t believe me?”
“I believe in you Jinn. I believe that you believe this story.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
She crossed the room and sat on the bed. Facing him she ran her hand over the side of his face. “You’re saying that in this distant time we were lovers, who were separated by a sorcerer and you were cast into a silver ring.” She looked into his dark eyes, they were filled with intensity as if he was willing her to believe him.
“You think me mad,” he sighed. “But tell me Mia, where is your ring? You have not had it since I arrived.”
A thought bloomed in her mind, a thought that made sense of Jinn’s story. She would have to discuss it with Uncle Albert but she was almost positive that she had worked it all out.
“No, actually I don’t. I think it’s your mind trying to heal itself. I think your brain has mixed up reality, like you and me and dreams and images that you had already stored in your head. You’ve created this fabulous tale but really it’s your mind trying to remember and soon I think all your actual memories will come flooding back,” she said with a reassuring smile. “And as for the ring, well… you know that I lost it. Hell, you even helped me look for it. I reckon your brain has taken the idea of the ring and mixed it in this fairytale.”
“So you don’t believe there is any truth in my words?”
“Yes, I do. I believe in you and me, and I think you’ve projected us into this fantasy world.” She caught and squeezed his hand. “Besides I know that I have never been to Persia, let alone hundreds of years ago. And if you truly came from there, how is it you know how to speak this language so well?”
“I do not know. Perhaps it is the magic of the ring or the power of Kansbar’s spell, I cannot explain it,” he answered with a shrug of his broad shoulders.
“Everything will be all right, babe, I promise.” she stated as she stood up from the bed. “I’ve got to run, there are still things to organize for the auction this weekend. Don’t worry about it. We’ll talk some more tonight. Bye.” Leaning down she kissed him on the forehead before exiting the room.
Chapter Seven
The streets of Ghost Gum Creek were almost deserted as Mia drove to the auction house. She pulled up in the empty parking lot and grabbed her oversized handbag from the passenger’s seat. Pausing for a moment, Mia leaned on the car door as she stared at the distant hills, the sun had just crept over the tree line and air smelt pure and fresh. A new day with limitless possibilities, she thought, optimism bubbling through her. Opening the heavy wooden door, Mia quickly punched in the security code for the alarm. Flicking on the lights the long auction hall was lit up one section at a time. A small smile of anticipation spread across her face as she scanned the antiques waiting for sale. She couldn’t wait for the auction to begin, she loved the excitement and the buzz in the room as her gavel came down on each lot. Making her way to the back room she dumped her bag on the table and switched on the kettle. The café across the street wouldn’t open for another hour, so until then she would have to make do with boring old instant coffee.
The hours sped away and before long, Mia saw that the auction room filling up with people checking out the day’s offerings. She had thrown open the doors at 8.45 am and to her surprise a small crowd had already gathered in the parking lot.
“Morning my dear.”
“Grandad, why are you waiting out here? Where’s your key?”
“Right here,” he said as he patted his coat pocket. “Stop fretting, Mia. I have only just arrived. It looks as if our little auction is going to be a success.”
“Fingers crossed,” Mia replied as she led the way to the back room. “We have several phone bids booked for six of the lots, and apparently there has been a lot of interest on the net.”
“Excellent,” James said as he regarded the kettle. “You know my dear, I think I should nick across the road and buy us a real coffee to fortify us through the next few hours.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Mia grinned.
~* * *~
“Next we have a Victorian 9ct gold engraved locket with chain. From the hallmarks I can tell you that both locket and chain are 9ct, English in origin and from 1876. There’s a lot of interest in this piece.” Mia said as she stood on the podium and scanned the book in front of her. “Okay, I can start the bidding at $275.00. Do I see 280? Looking up she gave the room a large smile and cajoled her audience. “Come on ladies, $280 is a ridiculous bargain. It’s 35grams of solid gold, with today’s gold prices that’s a steal! 280, thank you sir… 290… 300…” she said as her eyes keenly scanned the room. “-310, 320… 330…” The numbers continued to climb as two women got into a bidding war. Finally, with great satisfaction Mia brought her gavel down.
“Sold for $558.00, which is still a steal! Now, we’re going to take a short break. So grab a coffee and we’ll start up again in about twenty minutes.”
Stepping down from the podium, Mia smiled as Jinn came out of the crowd and handed her a bottle of water.
“I thought you might need this after all that talking,” he said as he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.
“Thanks, I’m glad you’re here. I wasn’t sure that you would come,” she said as she hugged him before twisting off the top of the bottle and taking a sip.
His arm wound around her waist and pulled her closer. “I could not stay away. Besides I forgot to tell you how pretty you look this morning. Perhaps we could slip away for a while so I can truly appreciate the vision before me.”
Mia stood on tip toes and breathed into his ear. “As tempting as that invitation is… and it is so very tempting, but I’m working so we will both have to wait.”
Reluctantly Jinn loosened his arms and allowed Mia to slip from his grasp. “I guess we wait then. Is everything running smoothly with the auction?”
“Sure, it’s been great,” she said. Looking up she saw James making his way through the crush carrying a cup. “All the pieces are selling well and nothing has been passed on, fingers crossed. Hi, Grandad.”
James nodded as he stopped in front of the couple. “Ah, I was bringing you a drink but I see your young man has beaten me to it.”
“Thanks. This is Jinn, you remember I told you about him.”
“Hmm yes, I remember.” James’ eyes flashed with concern tempered with a little irritation. A somewhat awkward silence settled over the trio for an instant. Both men sizing each other up. Jinn seeing a disapproving parent who could try to keep Mia from him, And James, wondering if this man was merely using his beloved grand-daughter. In between both was Mia.
Mia was about to try and turn the conversation back towards a safe subject, like the auction when a man bumped into James’ back. It pushed him forward and the contents of the coffee cup splashed down Mia’s front.
“Oh!” Swiftly she pulled the wet material out from her chest, as the scalding liquid began to burn her delicate skin.
“Mia are you alright?” Jinn said as he started to pull her jacket off.
“I’m so sorry, my dear!”
“It’s okay, really. Thanks Jinn,” she said as she managed to slip the jacket off whilst still holding the material of her shirt away from her body. “Look, I’ve got a spare shirt in the car.”
“Do you want me to get for you?”
“No, I can get it. Just stay here, I won’t be long,” Mia said. She started to move away but hesitated and looked back at the two men. “Oh, and Grandad, try to be nice. It’s important that the two of you get along, so try for my sake.”
As quickly as she could, Mia wove her way through the crowded room until she made to the exit and into the car park beyond. Popping the boot before she even reached the car, Mia swore under her breath as the coffee began to cool, leaving her tender, sticky and uncomfortable. Reaching into the boot, she pulled out a small travel bag and opened it up. Just as she was digging out a skinny black tee shirt; a voice sounded closely behind her causing to jump in fright.
“It looks as if you require some assistance.”
Mia whirled around just to come face to face with Kane Barton. There was still something about him that made her feel uneasy.
“Oh, Mr. Barton, you gave me a fright.”
“My apologies, it was not my intention.”
Mia felt a spark of anger as she watched Barton’s grey eyes drift over her body and come to rest on her breasts. The wet coffee had made her shirt all but transparent and more than the outline of her white lacy bra could be seen through it. Crossing her arms across her chest, she stared at him until he finally had the decency to look at her face.
“No I’m fine, just had a run in with a coffee.”
He took a step closer. Mia tried to retreat but she was already standing against the back of her car, and she could fell the hard metal against the back of her thighs. He reached out and ran his finger down the side of her cheek.
Slapping the offensive hand away, Mia glared at Barton. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? Get your hands off me!”
“Perhaps you truly don’t know, or maybe you are a very convincing actress.”
“I have no idea what you are talking about.” She said as she tried to push past him but he grabbed her arm. She stifled a cry as she felt his fingers bite deep into her flesh.
“Make no mistake, I will not allow you to be with Jinn. You are mine, Shuri and will always be so,” he hissed in her ear.
She felt his hot breath against her neck and suppressed a shudder. The name he called her was familiar... Jinn has called her that. Summoning all her strength she wrenched her arm from his grasp.
“All I know is that you’re bloody delusional. My name is Mia. Now get the hell away from me before I call the Police!”
With amusement dancing in his eyes, Kane Barton bowed before her. “Until we meet again, my dearest little Shuri. Until we meet again,” he said before he turned on his heels and walked down the street.
~* * *~
Mia hurried to back into the auction room. Carrying her black tee shirt she made her way through the crown and into the bathroom that was located next to the back room. Locking the door, she leaned against the basin and looked at her reflection in the mirror. Did she have the face of another woman, a woman who, according to Jinn would have died more than twelve hundred years ago. It was crazy and ridiculous, no way was she going to get sucked in by such a fantastical story.
Jinn believed the tale, but that was his brain trying to heal itself and regain its true memories. Somehow Kane Barton must have found out and is using it for his own advantage… but what? This must be some elaborate trick or scam on his part. Turning on the faucet, she cupped her hands under the stream of cool water before splashing her face. Get a grip girl, there has to be a logical explanation. She looked back at her reflection and into her own green eyes.
There has to be an explanation because the alternative is way too bizarre. We’re born, we live, we die, and that’s that. She muttered under her breath as she yanked off her ruined shirt and threw the tee over her head. The whole idea of reincarnation and being tied to another soul is all very pretty, but it’s a fairytale. But then there was the ring. She had forgotten about it and how it bore a resemblance to Jinn. The ring had disappeared on the night that Jinn had arrived and try as she might, she still couldn’t find the damn thing. But surely that was only a coincidence… wasn’t it?
Straightening the top she reviewed her reflection. Even with her strange altercation with Kane Barton she looked calm. Looking down she saw that the sleeves of the top didn’t hide the shadows of Barton’s fingers. Her arm was red and she could see the faint bruising from where he had grabbed her. At least she still had her jacket, but as she scanned the bathroom she remembered that she had left Jinn holding it. Damn! How was she going to explain the marks to him? Checking her watch she saw that she was already a few minutes late. Exhaling a breath she unlocked the door and went to retrieve her jacket.
She saw Jinn sitting on the base of the podium, her jacket slung over his arm. As she neared, he stood. In an instant she felt her resolve almost crumble, all she wanted was to feel his arms about her, she wanted to feel safe. But she pushed down the emotion, she had to finish the auction. His eyes scrutinized her face and then lingered on her arm.
“Mia, what has happened?” His hand gently clasped her wrist as he stared at the marks on her arm. “Who has done this?”
“Could I have my jacket?” She said as she held her hand out. She wanted to lean against his chest and admit that even though she was angry at Barton for thinking he could accost her – he had scared her. But she wouldn’t, so she didn’t. Jinn helped her into her jacket but as she turned to mount the podium his hand gently caught hers.
“Mia tell me who did this to you,” he said in a gentle voice but as she looked into his dark eyes she saw a fury burning there.
“Please don’t do anything. Wait until the auction is over and I’ll tell you everything.” She placed her hand on his chest and hoped that he would listen.
“Who?” he asked with more force to his voice. “Who dared do this to you?”
“Jinn…”
“Answer me.”
“It was Kane Barton, but he’s gone. We’ll deal with it later. Please Jinn, promise me that you won’t do anything foolish?”
Jinn brushed his lips against hers. “Go finish your auction.”
With a nod, Mia climbed onto the platform and picked up her gavel. “Now, ladies and gentlemen as you can see in the program we are up to Lot no. 75. Shall we continue?
~* * *~
Jinn waited until the auction began to take off and Mia was too occupied to notice him slip out of the building. He felt anger and a small stab of guilt course through his body as he walked out into the bright sunshine. Fury that this man had hurt Mia and guilt that he hadn’t been there to protect her. As his eyes adjusted to the light, his worse fears were realized, he saw Kansbar leaning against Mia’s car.
“You took longer to get out here that I thought you would.”
“Why did you attack Mia?” he said. “She remembers nothing.”
“So you say, but somehow I don’t believe it.” Kansbar said as a smile tugged at his lips. He folded his arms across his chest and tipped his face back to catch the sun.
“You’re wrong, Mia doesn’t remember.”
“Whether she or doesn’t is irrelevant. The fact is I cannot allow either of you to be together.”
“Why not? The spell is broken, why can’t you just leave us alone? We’re no threat.”
“Perhaps or maybe you will seek to destroy it and me. You will see it as your duty, as I have said before you are honor bound and predictable. So you have two options; the first is that I turn you back into a ring; the second is that one of you has to die.”
“So what are you waiting for? Kill me and leave Mia alone.”
“Always in such a hurry to be the hero,” Kansbar said with a shrug. “But you don’t get to choose the day or the time.”
“What do you mean?”
“I choose when you die and I want Shuri there… watching your demise for good this time.”
“Just do it now, we don’t need Mia here. This is about you and me. What are you waiting for? Bind me… kill me!”
For a moment Kansbar didn’t answer a trace of a smile lingered on his thin lips. “You can’t manipulate me, Jinn,” he said as he merely stepped away from Mia’s car. He started to mouth words and his hand circled in the air. The car shuddered and then ever so slowly began to reverse. It gained speed and wove from side to side, and Jinn saw that the movements corresponded with Kansbar’s hand motions. With increasing ferocity the car sideswiped the row of parked cars, and the sound of alarms and crunching metal filled the air.
“No, don’t,” Jinn said as he stepped towards Kansbar.
But as soon as the words fell from his lips, Kansbar whipped his wrist and Mia’s car flew from the ground and slammed into the ne
arest power pole. Kansbar turned and face Jinn, with a look of victory on his face.
“You will obey me because if you don’t I will crush Shuri before your eyes. Will you sacrifice yourself again or no… we shall see,” he said as he moved his arms in an elegant flowing motion and disappeared into thin air.
The sound of the car alarms squealed in the air, it was loud and high pitched and hurt Jinn’s ears. The auction room door banged open and crowd of people spilled out.
“What happened?” A guy asked as he jogged forward.
“I don’t know. The cars were like this when I got here,” Jinn said before he walked back through the crowd to find Mia. He had to make sure that she was all right. With Kansbar’s threats still fresh in his mind, he intended to stay by Mia’s side.
“Jinn! Jinn do you know what’s happened?” Mia asked as she hurried towards him, her Grandfather a few steps behind.
“There’s been some sort of accident in the car park. A lot of cars have been damaged,” he said and he pulled her into a hug. “…Including yours, Mia.”
“I’ll go and ring the Police,”
“Thanks Grandad, that’s probably a good idea,” Mia said. “Come on, show me the damage.”
They made their way to the car park and Mia’s face crumpled when she saw the state of her car.
“How is that even possible?” she said as she walked around her battered car.
Soon the car park was packed with people, Police and Pete the mechanic with the tow truck.
“What the hell happened here?” Abbey asked as she walked up and stood next to Mia who was watching her car about to be towed away.
“No one knows, we were all in the auction and the all the car alarms started to go off and the next thing there was a horrible bang,” Mia said as she leaned against Jinn.
“We all ran out of the building and we were confronted with all this damage, but no one saw how it happened.” Jinn added.
Until the Stars Burn Cold Page 11