Queen of Shadow and Ash, page 13
“Now?” she asked casually, glancing between her father and Jai.
An ugly, inky hand suddenly wrenched itself out of Ari’s chest and choked her, its anger at the situation burning through her entire body, trying to bully her into taking a stand. Command them not to, it whispered to her as Jai slid Ari a surreptitious look, the tense line of his shoulders telling her he felt more than a little awkward. Power crackled at Ari’s fingertips as those words made sense. She didn’t want Jai kissing other girls. She should command him not to. It was her right. He belonged to her. His lips belonged only to her. Her gaze flipped to Fallon, and she thought it might be a better decision to command Fallon to stop breathing. She’ll hold her breath and die, and that way you’ll never have to worry about this.
Shock and horror buried its way out from under those thoughts and Ari held in a gasp of terror. She had to get out of this room. Now.
The seal. It was its first appearance in weeks. She’d hoped she'd garnered some control over it. Obviously, she was wrong.
Ari trembled with fear as she mentally pushed that inky black hand and its wicked thoughts back down inside her chest until it curled up into an aching fist. It didn’t disappear entirely. But at least it had shut up. But Ari knew she couldn’t watch Jai kiss Fallon. She knew it was just a stupid little kiss, but the idiot had to use tongue and Ari didn’t want to see that. If only because the seal might wake up again.
“I’ll just step outside.”
“Me too,” Michael said hurriedly, and followed her out of the room.
Thankfully, Jai and Fallon stepped out only seconds later, but Ari couldn’t look at either of them. Her boyfriend’s tongue had just been in someone else’s mouth. And she’d almost killed that someone because of it.
“I’m going to let Charlie know we’re leaving. You want to say goodbye to Trey?” Fallon asked, her eyes wide and searching as she directed her question to Ari.
Ari nodded, still not really able to meet her eyes after the horrible thoughts the seal had pushed into her mind. “Yeah, of course.”
As she moved to follow Fallon, she felt Jai fall into step beside her, his fingers brushing deliberately against hers.
Do you know how much I hate doing that? His voice penetrated her terrified thoughts.
What? Kissing pretty girls? She answered absentmindedly. Should she tell Jai? No. No, he’d just worry. She’d fought the seal off. She just needed to keep doing that.
Having to kiss girls whether I want to. I’ve always tried to shrug it off as part of the job. Until now I’ve been able to do that. I don’t enjoy doing that to you.
It’s just part of your job, Jai. I get it. You did it to me, too.
Then why can’t you look at me?
Ari sighed as they stepped out of the house, following quietly in Fallon’s wake as she headed down the sidewalk towards Jack’s house. She had to lie. She couldn’t tell him the truth. Because you’ll see my irrational jealousy burning in my eyes and think I’m psychotic.
His soft chuckle echoed around in her head, and she smiled at the wonderful sound. Ari, I’d feel the same way. If it had been you and some other guy.
Taking a deep breath, Ari forced a smile into her eyes and finally looked up at him reassuringly. I know. We’re cool.
I want to kiss you.
She grinned, feeling a little better. Soon.
Chapter
Fourteen
Sometimes Switching on the Light Only Brings the Nightmare to Life
It had come to this. Forced into another’s bidding in order to get what he wanted. Rabir, his most loyal servant, gazed at him blankly. There was no judgment, no acceptance. Just as it should be. But White judged himself. It had been weeks. Weeks of coming up with new plans to coerce Ari onto Mount Qaf, to stand by his side and help him take what he needed. But every plan ended with an innocent hurt or him appearing untrustworthy. Damn his daughter and her morals. Honor, White understood. But morals? Indeed.
So he was doing the one thing Ari had asked of him as a sign of faith.
With a sigh of regret that Sala’s punishment should be over so soon, White let his magic around the purple vase in his bedroom die a silent death. When she didn’t immediately appear, he fisted a hand over the opening of the bottle and pulled. The smoke poured from the bottle and into a silhouette beside it. Slowly, it evaporated, leaving a weakened ifrit swaying before him.
Ice flooded White’s veins as her pale blue eyes begged him for mercy.
Blue eyes.
Not the eyes of changing color.
Not the face of a great beauty either.
Not Sala!
The ice crystalized into rage, and with that fury he sent an impulsive blast of energy into this stranger, this ifrit who had replaced his prisoner. Her eyes rolled back in her head, blood trickling from her nose and ears. Her slim body hardly made an impact as it hit the floor.
The taste of Sala’s essence faded now the bottle was open. Fading as it returned to her wherever she was.
How had she done it? How had Sala escaped him?
“Master?” Even Rabir was wide-eyed.
Retribution hardened White’s features as he turned to his servant with one name. “Ari.”
“I’ve heard word from my contact in the Braemar Guild,” Jack said as soon as Charlie strolled into the large extension on the back of his house that he’d turned into a school of sorts for Charlie.
Only seconds ago, Charlie was feeling tired and foggy. Now his heart raced, his adrenaline pumping. Jack had been searching for the Guild that hunted the labartu that killed Mikey. It took him a few weeks to find any trace of guild activity in and around Sandford Ridge at the time of Mikey’s death. He’d finally found out that the Braemar Guild had been in Ohio, and after speaking with their leader, discovered they were in fact chasing the labartu. Her name was Akasha, and she was a particularly old, evil bitch from hell. To Charlie’s disappointment, the Braemar Guild had lost track of Akasha seven months ago, and was in the middle of trying to retrace her whereabouts. For a bonus, the Braemar Guild would let Jack know where Akasha was when they found her.
Was this it, then? Charlie’s gut churned at the idea of it all being over. It was strange. What would he do once he had his vengeance? What would his purpose be, then? If he killed Akasha and escaped trial?
Jack shook his head. “The last lead was false. I promised them extra if they’d put more men on it.”
“Jack, you didn’t have to do that.”
Jack shook him off. “It’s nothing.”
As Charlie opened his mouth to protest, Trey sauntered in with a wide smile on his face. “Morning, all.”
Charlie nodded hello, frowning as Jack glared at Trey. Ever since his arrival a week ago, Trey had dogged their steps. He’d spent nearly every minute in this room with them as Jack educated Charlie on the use of magic through talismans, precious stones, and metals. Used to more physical activity than that, Trey cracked inappropriate jokes all the time until Jack finally gave in and let Trey take over, teaching Charlie physical defense. Although Charlie liked Trey, he got the distinct feeling he rubbed Jack the wrong way.
“Great. It has returned,” Jack murmured, turning his back on them to open a cabinet. He pulled out the crystals he’d promised to show Charlie yesterday.
“Look, you need to stop with all the love,” Trey replied dryly. “I told you, I’m not going anywhere, so get used to it. Withhold the excitement.”
Jack raised an unimpressed eyebrow at him. “You don’t trust me with Charlie.”
“Oh, I think not,” Trey answered, his steel-gray eyes alight with suspicion. “I think you’re both hiding something.”
Trying not to shift uncomfortably, Charlie walked over to join Jack for his lesson on crystals. “What could we be hiding? You’ve been with us every day.”
“Yeah, which is why I know you go all quiet when I step into the room.” Trey smiled at Jack, but it was a little menacing. “I’m warning you, if you’re helping him do something he shouldn’t, I will hurt you.”
Sighing, Jack shot him a weary look. “I think you already gave me that memo. To the lesson… please.”
Trey held up his hands, as if to say he was backing off, and stood to the side as Jack began explaining the healing properties behind the white crystal.
Trey smashed a porcelain bowl he’d been fiddling with an hour later and received another scathing look from Jack. Until Trey apologized with so much charm, he even drew a reluctant smile from Jack. That had surprised him. Charlie got the feeling Trey was convinced he could make anyone like him.
He probably could.
The sound of the front door opening and shutting halted Jack in his tracks and they waited patiently as footsteps echoed through the house, growing louder as they neared the messy extension. Finally Jai, Ari, and Fallon appeared in the doorway. For a moment, Charlie’s wistful gaze lingered on Ari. He had seen little of her these last few weeks. Her strange eyes sparkled with vivacity, and her whole being seemed to pulsate with vibrant energy. Today she looked locked inside her own thoughts. Frowning, Charlie caught sight of Jai’s brooding expression and wondered what had happened. Charlie glanced at Fallon, catching her eye. She looked juiced up, too. He gave her an affectionate smirk, silently asking what the hell was going on.
“We thought we’d say goodbye,” Ari said slowly, looking from Charlie to Trey. “Fallon and I have an assignment in Connecticut. Jai’s coming with us.”
“You need help?” Charlie and Trey offered in unison, taking a step toward the threesome in the doorway.
Jack grunted, raising a sardonic eyebrow. “I feel so loved.”
Charlie’s chuckle caught short when he saw the quizzical look Fallon shot Jack. She tilted her head; her gaze searching, and Jack scowled until she looked away.
“You okay?” Charlie asked her, glancing at Jack.
She nodded carefully, and then seeming to shrug whatever weirdness had come over her off, Fallon stood on her tiptoes, giving him a brief kiss on the lips. He returned it, although he tensed at the awkwardness of the situation. He shot Ari a look, but she was busy giving Trey a hug goodbye and explaining that their assignment was at a high school in Connecticut and they wouldn't be away for long. Fallon told him that Ari knew about their casual relationship. She even said Ari was cool about it all. To be honest, that kind of pissed Charlie off, considering he still bristled any time Jai stood too close to Ari. Like now, for instance.
“We’re going with a team,” Ari assured them, her fingers brushing against Jai’s as she moved.
As Charlie glared at her guardian, Trey clapped Jai on the back. “Call me if you need me.”
“Will do,” Jai replied gruffly.
“You know I think he’s straight.” Jack cut a mocking look at Trey, eyeing how close he stood to Jai. “Wrong tree you’re barking up.”
Surprise—more like shock—shot through Charlie at Jack’s uncharacteristic commentary. As he looked around, he saw they were all a little taken aback. His tone. The way he said it… it sounded like… no. Charlie shook his head. Never mind.
Trey was the only one who just laughed. “Don’t worry, Jack. I know what trees to bark at.”
Something was going on with Jack and Trey, and Ari wanted to know what. There was a definite vibe there, she mused. Her earlier scare over the seal dissipated as her worry turned to Charlie. Had Trey discovered something? Was Jack helping Charlie do something he shouldn’t?
Just as she opened her mouth to ask, fire erupted into the room in an explosion of aggressive color and noise. The White King strode out of the flames, his dark gaze narrowed on Ari.
“What have you done?” he snarled, prowling toward her with violent intent. “How did you release her?” A bolt of his magic missed Ari by a hairsbreadth.
Before Ari could form a thought or make a move, Jai pushed her out of the way with enough force to send her flying to the ground. She landed on her ass with a painful wince, splinters from Jack’s rough hardwood floor biting into her hands as she gazed up at Jai who had thrown back his arm as if he were pitching a baseball. An enormous ball of ember glowed above his palm and he pitched it with a fierce growl at White. Taken by surprise, Jai’s magic hit White and he stumbled back, wincing as the ember shimmered into him, seeming to freeze him in place for a second. It was enough time for Jai to rush him. Both hands pushed out toward him, his energy pulsating in an invisible battering ram that lifted White off his feet and sent him careening into one of Jack’s glass cabinets.
“Get out!” Jai turned to them all, ushering Fallon and Charlie from the room. Trey strode behind them, his eyes pinned to White until they exited.
Ari stumbled to her feet as White picked shards of glass from his chest and hands, blood staining his silk white robes.
“Ari, get out of here.” Jai grabbed a hold of her arms in a painful grip, shoving her toward the exit. He shot a look at Jack, who stood with his legs braced, staring balefully at White. “You too, Jack!”
The door slammed shut as White stood to his feet, brushing at glittering pieces of glass. He cocked his head at Jai, who shoved Ari behind him. “No one else is going anywhere. First, you,” he pointed at Jai, “Are going to die. And then I'm going to torture Ari until she tells me where Sala is and how on Mount Qaf she freed the bitch.”
What? Ari gasped and tried to push Jai out of the way, but he wouldn’t budge. “What are you talking about?” she demanded.
“So you are going to deny it?” White asked quietly, his soft words just a puttering hiss of a volcano about to erupt. “You deny stealing into my palace and freeing Sala from the bottle? You deny placing her essence inside as a stopper to mask the taste of the ifrit you replaced her with so that it would fool me into thinking it was Sala still inside?”
Yellow, reds, and wondrous golds flickered into the air near Jack, who still stood quietly watching. Out of the flames stepped the Red King and Ari sagged in relief.
“Of course Ari would deny it, brother,” he answered, as if he’d been standing there all along. “She had nothing to do with it. Glass and I replaced Sala years ago.”
This time, White could not mask his fury. “You did what?”
Red smirked. It was cold. It made Ari shiver and Jai grabbed her hand. His fingers intertwined with hers, and he practically melded her to his side.
“Did you really think I would let you keep Sala locked in a bottle?”
White shook his head, as if in disbelief. “You believe that an ifrit with succubus genes can love, Red? That she loved you? You fool. You fool, who would take what was mine.”
“She wasn’t yours,” Red argued smoothly.
“She was in my harem. She was my servant.”
“Yes, well, let’s just say she was unsatisfied.”
Narrowing his eyes, White cocked his head. “How did you do it?”
“It took both me and Glass to penetrate your palace without your knowledge. We found an ifrit with a similar energy to Sala’s. We freed Sala with our combined power, and she let us take a tiny piece of her essence. Then we plugged the bottle with the essence so that when you freed the ifrit, Sala’s essence would return to her.”
Ari gaped in disbelief. Her mother was free. She was out there somewhere. Red had freed her. And hadn’t told her. What the hell was going on?
“I will find her,” White assured them. “I will kill her.” And then he flicked a glance at Ari and Jai. “I will not retaliate against your attack, ginnaye, since I was wrong in attacking Ari. But I will not let another slight like that go again. Do you understand?”
“You’ll never find Sala,” Red whispered as if White had said nothing. “You’ll never find her. I won’t let that happen.”
Something flickered in White’s eyes and then he smiled, a congenial flash of teeth that sent shivers of unease rippling down Ari’s spine. “Ari, did you know Red is the one who sent the marid to Charlie? He’s the reason Charlie is a sorcerer.”
With that, White stepped back into the peripatos, leaving stunned silence in his wake.
Ari felt Jai’s gaze on her face, felt her throat close up at White’s announcement. She gaped at Red, at her uncle whom she trusted, and she shook her head. “Tell me he’s lying.” He could not have betrayed her like that. He could not have plotted to destroy her best friend’s life.
Her uncle’s features smoothed into a blank expression, but she thought she detected a flicker of emotion in them before he got a handle on it.
“Tell me he’s lying!” Ari cried, her uncle’s silence triggering the dark fist in her chest. It flexed its fingers and uncoiled. Her blood boiled and… whispers, wicked whispers snaked through her veins and crawled up toward her ears. Whispers of destruction. Of command.
“He’s not,” Red finally answered, and then he looked at Jack. To Ari’s utter bewilderment, Jack frowned.
“You are sure?” Jack asked.
“She knows too much already.”
“It will displease Father.”
“Then it will displease him.”
“What?” Jai whispered, as confused as Ari. But with Ari’s confusion was the growing darkness within her, darkness only abated by the strength of Ari’s own curiosity.
The air around Jack shimmered. His rugged face bloated and then sunk inward, before bulging outward again, and then snapping back in with horrible popping noises that made Ari steady herself against Jai. Jack’s dark hair grew at an alarming rate, the color shifting, until a main of glorious bright blue hair hung down to his waist. His shoulders widened, his body stretched many inches taller, and a leather vest and trousers replaced his plaid shirt and jeans. Thick wrists were encased in leather cuffs, biker boots replaced by hiking boots. And Jack’s face… Replaced by masculine beauty so breathtaking, Ari could only gape in awe.
“Ari,” Red said quietly. “This is my brother and your uncle. The Glass King.”
“What the hell?” Charlie’s voice ripped through the room, and they all turned to see Charlie, Fallon, and Trey standing in the doorway. Michael stood in front of them as if he’d come to help fight the White King. He probably had, no matter how useless the effort would have been.
