Briar was tall, nearly able to look Jinn straight in the eye. Her affinity being fire and earth, she looked to be made of stone. Her body was strong and 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 preferred dark clothing.
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 warriors didn’t wear clothing that flailed in the wind. Even her hair would be braided and pinned up in times of battle.
“You are correct in your assumption.” Jinn gave a slight nod and a raised brow to 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 can I 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. They marked the entrance to 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. “You can’t be serious.”
“This is as serious as it gets. I’m here to see Alesea.” He jabbed his thumb in the direction of the golden doors once more.
“That’s a bold move. Even for the big bad djinn.” She nodded her head at the guards standing by the door. The gesture 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?”
“She and I, we had a deal. A trade, my help in exchange for information. I’ve recently been informed 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 guards at the door, acknowledging their presence with an indifferent lift of one brow. “You and I both know the weight that comes with the promise of the queen.”
“You think she would lie to you, knowingly?” Briar squared her shoulder clearly taking offense to the accusation.
“I think she, like so many others, would stop at nothing to get what she wants. She wanted something from me, and I provided it. If I find out that it’s true 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? Before you answer, let me be clear that with or without your cooperation I will get what I came here for. The real question here is are you prepared to explain to your people why their palace was destroyed in the process?”
“You know there is a procedure for this.” Briar nodded to the blue-haired fairy on her right, who smiled at Jinn before walking off down the long hall leading to a secure room.
“By all means, please 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 his tense body and tight jaw caused a different response from her.
“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. He wanted to see the fear in her eyes as she wondered if the pressure would be capable of suffocating 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 that 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 closer to 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 dare come into my home and threaten me?” Alesea lifted her hand and the air moved in the room. “I will not stand here allow you to disrespect my position. I am the queen now!”
With that the air was stripped from Jinn’s lungs. Alesea worked her affinity to suffocate the man who stood before her. Her chin lifted and a smug look touched her features as he stumbled. His struggle to breathe was her victory, but it was shortlived. Without as
much show, Jinn turned Aleasea’s magic back on her. His footing steadied and as his lungs filled with oxygen, hers expelled it. She fell to her knees clawing at her throat and face as she tried without success to move the air into her body.
“Stop,” she managed to croak out.
“Will you do as I ask?” Jinn glared at the broken queen who could do no more than nod. With her show of compliance, he stepped back and allowed Alesea to breathe once more.
“You’ll only implicate yourself!” She gasped for air and issued 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 throne 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 be necessary 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, things are far from okay. 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 to 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 referenced 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 the 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?”
“No, no. I didn’t mean for it to seem that way. We aren’t following you. In fact, no one knows that I am here today. My name is Alesea. I am Fairy.” She held out her hand to shake his, an offered gesture he refused. With a nervous smile she dropped her hand back to her side.
“Obviously.” It wasn’t often he was approached by fairies, but he recognized the scent. They drew their power from the sun, and it left them with the smell of summer, no matter the season. That was the difference between her kind and the kind of the girl he found himself becoming attached to. The fae, though powerful, were strongest during the night—the moon the anchor to their power. “What do you want, and why are you here?”
“I need help, the kind that I believe only you can provide.” She lowered her voice, stepping further into the shadow of the trees. Not a soul in the park was concerned with them or their conversation, but she felt the need to shadow her words from the joggers, playing children, and old men who sat on nearby benches feeding enthusiastic birds.
“What kind of help is that?” He leaned against the side of the tree, ready to make his bargain. If she wanted something desperately enough to come to him for aid, he would get something in return. “I’m sure there are many out there who would bend over backwards for a chance to help someone such as yourself.”
“Many may be willing, yes, but capable no.” She lowered her voice with shifty eyes. “I need the kind of help that can bring down a queen,” she whispered as she scanned the area surrounding them.
“You want to bring down your queen? Why? I thought you fairies were loyal.” If he admired nothing about the fairies, he appreciated their devotion. Almost to a fault, they would stick by their queen’s side, trusting in her choices, never questioning her decisions on what was best for their people.
“I am loyal, to my people. Our queen, Ida, she has become a problem for us. She deals in dark magic. I’m afraid that her dealings will begin to affect our people.” She sighed. “As you know, all of our magic is linked. If she continues to corrupt herself, I fear we won’t have much longer until that corruption and darkness reaches the rest of our people. Some have already started to become sick, ill with something that we’ve never seen before. They don’t realize that the root of what’s wrong is our Queen. Even if they do, as you said, that blind loyalty will stop them from doing anything about it. That kind of damage could be irreversible.” She stopped talking as another jogger passed by. When the man was out of earshot, she continued. “Once the darkness takes hold, there is no going back.”
“That’s a huge accusation you’re just tossing out there. Do you have proof of anything that you’re saying, or is this all just speculation?” Jinn stayed neutral, but when that chance arrived that he could make a deal in his own favor, he was always open to hearing the terms. Still, his conscience had to be clear. If he was to help her, he needed to know that she had proof of her claims. He needed to know that the queen was truly corrupted. Djinn or not, the guy had morals!
“If I can get you the proof you need, will you help me?” She looked at him with hopeful eyes.
“In exchange,” the mischievous grin spread across his face. He had her right where he wanted her. “There has to be something in this for me, after all.”
“Yes, of course. Anything that I can do, I’m willing. I’ll do whatever I need to in order to protect my people.” The woman had sincerity in her voice and her eyes. She meant it, her people were important enough for her to come and make a deal with a man once described as an extension of the devil himself.
“All I ask for is a bit of information.” He looked out at the scene in the park where life unassuming, played out in front of him. “Since my return, I have been looking for someone. Someone I have not yet found. I need to know where she is. You will find her for me.” His request seemed simple enough, but considering who he was, and that with all his power, he had been unsuccessful, the request was in fact a daunting demand.
“She? Who?” Alesea looked at him with a confused expression that irritated the djinn.
“My wife, Nitara.” His response was a frustrated grunt.
“Nitara?” she scrambled for recognition of the name but found none. “I’ve never heard of her.”
“Tell me how you know about me, but not her?”
“I’m sorry, no, I do not.” She shook her head.
“Well, do your research, little fairy. Then come see me again.” He turned, moving deeper into the line of trees, and vanished in a puff of smoke, with only the sound of his voice lingering. “That shouldn’t be too difficult for you.”
“You seem pretty confident that she will give you what you want.” Praia stared at him from the kitchen table of his home. They’d left Vilar just as peacefully as they arrived with a hasty escort from Briar who was only t
oo eager to get the fae out of her home. There weren’t any real problems between their kind, just a general underlying repulsion. The aversion had been contributed to the natural repulsion of the sources of their magic. The sun and the moon never possessed the sky at the same time, and when they did, they blocked one another out. Jinn often imagined that the two species felt that they would cancel each other out if they mingled, and neither wanted that to happen. He also wondered what that would be like. His mind produced an amazing display of power and destruction.
“It's easy to be confident when requesting a favor if you know the other person has no choice but to give you what you want.” He dropped the plate of food in front of her. “Eat. It’s getting late, you’ll stay here tonight.”
“Is that an order?” The corner of her lips lifted as she pulled the plate closer to her, so she could dig in.
“No, not an order, let’s call this a suggestion. It’s not safe, you can’t travel alone.” After the move he made by waltzing into Vilar, he couldn't be sure the once timid woman hadn’t changed her ways since becoming queen. There was always a chance that she could be a vindictive bitch who would target Praia to get back at Jinn who, in many ways, had disrespected her in her own home.
“I’m fae, I can handle myself.” She stretched her arms, flexing barely visible muscles. “Besides, the night is when I’m at my best.”
“Though I’m sure that’s true, I would still feel better if you stayed here for the night.” Praia was strong and a worthy opponent, but if a hoard of fairies jumped her, strong or not, she would be in trouble and he couldn’t have that on his head.
“Whatever you say!” She bit down into the meat and moaned. “God, I love steak!”
“Something is really wrong with you.” He laughed as he sat down to his plate of grilled chicken. He was a fan of a good T-bone as well, but a guy could only have red meat so many nights in a row before continued ingestion of saturated fats made him sick to his stomach. Praia reminded him so much of his Nitara, perhaps that is why he allowed her to remain at his side. She was inquisitive, hardheaded, and could eat enough for four grown men and still look for more.
Djinn Rebellion Boxset (Books 1 -30: A Post-Apocalyptic Fantasy Page 4