“Does it hurt them?”
“Nah.”
Her brows pinched together as her eyes widened. “You mentioned genies are created. How?”
“Through making the mistake of wishing for more wishes.”
“Is that what happened to you?”
I nodded. “Yep. I was a greedy bastard who thought he could beat the system by asking for an unlimited supply of wishes. Next thing I know, I’m a genie complete with my own damn lamp and Sin Demon to rule me.” I ran a hand through my hair. It was the first time I’d ever talked to anyone about what happened. It had me feeling vulnerable and exposed in a way I wasn’t comfortable with.
As though Alayna could sense it, she placed her hand over mine and squeezed. “I’m so sorry that happened to you.”
“I’m sure your story is just as sad,” I said. It was a copout. I was eager to get the attention off of me and onto her. Which, if I was honest, was probably a first. Back in my human days, all I ever wanted was to be the center of attention. It was where I thrived. Even negative attention was appealing. Now, not so much. I’d be happy to blend in with the shadows.
Alayna shrugged. “Yeah, I guess. If I’d known what I know now, I would’ve just chosen to die the day my water demon came to me.”
“Wait, he gave you a choice?”
My jaw clenched. I wished I’d been given a choice in all of this. Forever serving someone else wouldn’t have been what I chose. I’d have rather died, too.
“I don’t know if he would have adhered to my choice of death instead of becoming a siren, though. Demons can be tricky. But I wish I’d have at least said it to see what would have happened. Death would be better than leading people to water and watching them drown while I sing, even criminals.”
My brow arched. Was she some sort of siren vigilante? “Criminals?”
“Yeah.” Her eyes fell to the crumpled sheets on the bed. “I only lead criminals to water. If I have to pick who deserves to die, then I want to pick those who bring darkness to the world instead of light. It’s the only thing that makes what I am somewhat bearable.”
My heart broke for her. She was the only woman I’d ever felt this for. No one had been able to reach me on the level she had.
“I’m so sorry,” I said, meaning it wholeheartedly.
She flashed me a wide smile. “Thanks. I feel the same toward your situation.”
“Thanks.” The conversation probably should have ended there, but there was something else I wanted to know. “How long do you have to serve him? Was a time limit ever set?”
What I really wanted to know was that she wouldn’t always have an invisible chain connected to a damn demon like me. She deserved so much better. The bartender with the dreads was right when he said she’d been dealt shit cards and deserved better.
Alayna shook her head. “No time limit. No amount of people I’m supposed to drown. I guess I’m just supposed to go on being a siren for him forever.” She let out a sigh. “What about you? Is there a certain number of wishes you’re supposed to grant or Charges, as you call them, you’re supposed to work for?”
“Nope. This gig is pretty much until the end of time, too. I guess that’s what we get for working with demons.” I flashed her a lopsided grin.
“I guess so.” She pursed her lips together. “If I could have three wishes right now, I know exactly what I’d wish for.”
“And what would that be?” I asked, because I honestly didn’t know.
For the first time, I had no freaking clue what someone would wish for. It was refreshing.
A sad smile twisted at her plump lips. “Wish number one would be for my freedom so I wouldn’t have to serve anyone anymore, especially not my water demon, and I wouldn’t have to take another life. Wish number two would be for your freedom so you wouldn’t have to serve a Sin Demon anymore or be a genie. And my final wish would be for us to spend more nights like this together.” She leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss to my lips before pulling away. “I’ve had such a great time with you tonight, Ryan. Thanks for making this ball even more magical.”
“I should be thanking you. You’ve made tonight absolutely amazing. I’m glad we both decided to get a drink at that specific bar tonight,” I said with a smile. “And, I wish with everything I am I could make all three of those wishes come true for you tonight.”
No truer words had ever fallen from my mouth.
Alayna was too sweet to serve anyone, especially a water demon. She was too sweet to be forced to kill the way she was, too.
“I know,” she whispered. A slow smile spread across her face. “You wouldn’t make me repeat the night, would you? I mean, I loved tonight as a whole, but I wouldn’t want to live it on repeat.”
“What makes you think I’d do that?”
“Isn’t that what genies are known for? Adding a tricky little spin to the wishes they grant?”
“Not me. I don’t screw with people like that,” I said. “Sometimes, what they wish for will have that sort of effect on its own.”
She pursed her lips together. “I’m sure.”
I leaned forward, wanting just one more kiss. Her mouth moved in perfect rhythm with mine. We were good together. This I was sure of. Too bad all we had was tonight.
When Alayna pulled away, I wasn’t sure why. Until I realized there wasn’t music playing anymore.
“Oh, no,” Alayna whispered. Her face fell, and I knew whatever she was about to say next wouldn’t be good. “The night can’t be over yet.”
“What do you mean?”
“Last year, when the music stopped, it was because the ball was over.” Panic swirled through her eyes. “I don’t want tonight to be over.”
“Me either,” I said at the same time someone spoke into a mic.
“We hope you’ve all found love, even if only for a little while. Tonight was a blast. Thank you all for coming. Please make your way to the roof for the grand finale show!”
Everyone cheered and whistled. I swore I heard a few wolves howling, too.
Alayna’s hand shook as she reached for her heels. I grabbed my suit jacket and then pulled her close, stopping her frantic movements. There was so much I wanted to tell her, but all of it seemed too soon, so I said nothing. Instead, I just kept holding her. I inhaled deeply, memorizing her scent—lilacs—and then I let her go.
We walked up to the roof. It was already crammed full of people, but we found a little space in a corner. Music filtered through the air, surrounding us in a mesmerizing melody.
Alayna intertwined her fingers with mine. Her eyes twinkled when she looked up at me. “You’ll love this.”
I doubted I’d love anything that was about to happen if it meant the end of this night—the end of my time with her. This couldn’t be the last time I saw her. I’d have to figure out a way to see her again.
Fireworks burst through the night sky, startling me. Alayna leaned her head against my shoulder, her face tilted to the sky as she watched the show. I couldn’t look at anything else besides her. She was more beautiful than any firework ever could be.
“Well, it was fun while it lasted, Ryan. Thank you for tonight,” she whispered, her warm lips brushing the outer edge of my ear. “I know it’s a long shot, but I hope our paths cross again one day soon.”
“Me too.” The words had barely made it out of my mouth before white light blinded me to the point my eyes were forced to close. When I opened them again, Alayna was gone.
Everything was.
I was back in the alley beside the casino. The sun was rising, and the pull of my Charge was overwhelming. Had I been standing out here the entire night? Was the ball and Alayna real? I moved to slip my suit jacket on, and as I did, the scent of lilacs floated to my nose. A slow smile tugged at the corners of my mouth because I knew right then it had all been real.
Every second of it. Including Alayna. I’d find her again one day. I could feel it in my bones. We were meant to be together.
An
d my final wish would be for us to spend more nights like this together. Her final wish floated through my mind as I walked back to the entrance of the casino.
“As you wish, Alayna, as you wish.” My smile grew because I knew I’d find a way to make it happen.
The Monster Ball was only their beginning, Ryan and Alayna’s story isn’t over yet!
Find out what happens next in Greed.
Available Now
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About the Author
Jennifer Snyder lives in North Carolina where she spends most of her time writing New Adult and Young Adult Fiction, reading, and struggling to stay on top of housework. She is a tea lover with an obsession for Post-it notes and smooth writing pens. Jennifer lives with her husband and two children, who endure listening to songs that spur inspiration on repeat and tolerate her love for all paranormal, teenage-targeted TV shows.
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As You Wish Page 5