Queen of Shadow and Ash, page 18
“We’ll crash here for a few hours, plan our next move. But we have to leave soon before someone checks out my father’s safe-houses.”
Ari’s glass slipped from her hands and shattered into the sink as she heard the familiar hiss of flames behind her. She spun around, heart pounding, eyes wide with trepidation as they watched the White King’s face burn at her through the flames of the peripatos. He didn’t even step out of it and Ari had no time to think, let alone act, before his long hand reached out, clutched hold of Jai and wrenched him into the flames with him. “Too late.” He glared at her, her roar of disbelief following in the wake of their disappearance.
Silence reigned in the cabin except for the echoes of her own scream throbbing in her ears and the thud, thud, thud of her racing heartbeat.
White had taken Jai.
Tears spilled down Ari’s cheeks as she bent over, trying to catch her breath. A strange keening noise escaped her as rage tried to take over. He knew. White knew about her and Jai.
He knew.
She collapsed to her knees, trying to draw breath, trying to shove the panic attack down. A panic attack would do her no good. It would do Jai no good.
Hands clenched into fists, Ari looked around for inspiration. Think. Think. Think!
White had Jai. He would use him to get to her. He would hurt him. And there was no saying how long he’d take to make his move. Ari had to get Jai back. She would not sit around waiting for White to come to her. No fucking way! No matter what, she would Jai back.
RED! She screamed telepathically. I NEED YOU!
She waited.
Nothing.
Shit.
Was Red not talking to her? Was she truly on her own? How could he not talk to her? He was the one who had betrayed her?
RED! She yelled harder, pushing more energy into the call. HELP! I NEED YOU! NOW!
Seconds.
Minutes.
Nothing.
Furious tears pooled in the corner of Ari’s eyes and she thrust all that emotion into her energy, sweat rolling down her forehead. RED! I NEED YOU NOW!!!!
The crackle of fire brought Ari to her feet, the sight of the Red King stepping out of the peripatos a far more welcome sight than she’d thought it would ever be again.
“Ari.” He sighed in relief as he came to a stop before her. “I’ve been looking for you.”
“Yeah, well, your brother found me first,” she spat out her hatred and was satisfied by his look of surprise as he took in her violent expression.
His lips pinched together. “What happened?”
Her mouth trembled, belying her fragility. “White took Jai.”
“He found out about you,” Red whispered, seeming almost sympathetic.
Ari didn’t trust him for a second. “Was it you? You knew about me and Jai. I know you did. So did you tell Azazil? Did he tell White because he was bored?”
Red’s face darkened and he took one menacing step toward her. “You’ll remember who you’re talking to, young lady. I kept your secret love affair with your guardian to myself. I even kept it from my father, and believe me, he is a little displeased to know I’m keeping things from him.”
Not sure she believed him, and feeling stupid for the niggling tickle of hope she felt at the thought of Red as an ally, Ari shrugged. “You or someone else, the result is all the same. White knows. And I can’t promise that I won’t do anything he wants to get Jai back—so we have to steal Jai back. And then Jai and I need to run.”
“Run?” Red’s brow furrowed in confusion.
“All the jinn know about me now.”
“No. No, they don’t.”
Her heart lurched. “What do you mean?”
“The jinn that attacked at the school and the jinn that attacked the Roes—”
“Attacked the Roes? What are you talking about? Charlie? Trey—”
“Are fine.” Red held up his hands in a calming gesture. “Everyone is fine. The Shadow King and White set the attacks up as a distraction so that Jai would lead you somewhere White could take him without fear of interference. He needed to get in and out with Jai before you could use the seal against him. I imagine the attack was also meant to piss off me and my father.”
“So the jinn don’t know about me.”
“No. There are still those curious about you, but as far as I’m aware, you’re still safe from them. For now, at least.”
Ari wished she could enjoy the feel of relief, but all her thoughts centered on Jai. “I still don’t trust you. But I need your help.”
“I don’t know where White is, Ari. It could take weeks to find him.” Red sighed, his eyebrows drawn together in displeasure. “Your best bet is to wait it out—wait for him to send you his demand. And we all know what that will be—that you willingly come to him on Mount Qaf, and in return he’ll promise Jai will come to no more harm until you’ve done whatever it is he wants you to do.”
A rainstorm of anger lashed inside Ari. “And what about Jai? In the time we take to wait here like puppets, what will he do to Jai?” She shook her head. “No. White will get part of his wish. Me on Mount Qaf.” She glared up at Red, energy crackling at her fingertips. “Take me to Azazil. He’ll know where White is.”
“You understand what you’re asking me to do?”
She nodded, fully aware that Azazil would want something in return.
Her uncle opened his mouth as if to argue and then slammed his lips shut into a pinch, glowering at her. Then he sighed, nodding in acquiescence.
“Take me there now.”
“Ari.” He reached out to touch her arm, an almost affectionate gesture. “If I do this, you must promise me to remember that you have nothing to fear from Asmodeus or my father. No matter what they say or allude to, they won’t hurt you. They can’t.”
Confused and suspicious of Red’s cryptic plea, Ari jutted her chin out defiantly. “What are you talking about? What aren’t you telling me?”
He shook his head, his mouth curved in a bitter smirk. “I can’t tell you what you want me to tell you. You must understand, Ari. I am bound in loyalty to my father, but I promised Sala that I would do whatever I could to protect you. So all I can say is that you can walk into my father’s palace without fear that he will harm you… personally.”
“So he could still hurt the people around me, right?” Ari answered sadly, wearily. “He could still hurt you?”
Red blinked, astonished. That astonishment transformed into a slow smile that lit up his handsome face. “No, kid, he won’t hurt me. But does that mean you care?”
Shrugging enigmatically, Ari replied, “About as much as you do.”
With a very unroyal snort, Red took her hand and whispered to her to prepare herself.
Chapter
Twenty
There are Toys Willing to be Played with, And Others Would Rather Remain in the Box
The urgency had dissipated; their kisses lazy, comforting. Charlie held Fallon loosely, his hands on her hips, her legs wrapped around his waist as she sat on the pool table in her parent’s library. She felt warm and lithe, incredibly alive and sweet. She wore a floral scent, but it must have been from her shampoo, because Fallon couldn’t be bothered with things like perfume. Not like Ari, who always smelled faintly like vanilla.
Charlie tried to push Ari from his thoughts. Only seconds ago, he’d felt calm, as he had done since Fallon had returned home, safe and sound. Fallon had that effect on him. It had been an immense relief to see the team she was with pull up at the house after driving directly home from Connecticut. Thankfully, they’d survived the attacks unscathed. Announcing that she’d promised Jai she’d wait for them, Fallon hadn’t wanted to leave the house in Connecticut until he and Ari returned. Then Red had shown up to give her the news and Fallon fled to Jersey to break the news to the Guild: the White King had taken Jai and in a bid to get him back, Ari had fled to Mount Qaf to seek help from Azazil.
Days later, and there was still no word from her.
The Glass King stuck around, but what with Fallon sneaking into Charlie’s room at night and Trey constantly blocking any attempts Glass made to speak with him in private about the labartu, there was no progress in that department. If Charlie was honest with himself, he’d admit that a part of him was enjoying the reprieve. After the turmoil, those tumultuous emotions he’d ridden through after using the Mount Qaf emerald, he was scared. Scared of himself, his response, his disregard for… everything else but the power it provided.
“Mmm,” Fallon murmured, pulling back from their languorous kiss. “Where did you go? I lost you there for a minute.”
“Thinking too much.” Charlie shrugged apologetically.
“About Ari?” she asked quietly, a veil covering her expression and ironically giving away her vulnerability.
Charlie felt a spike of guilt and worry that he was hurting her. He was used to sleeping around with girls and walking away. Somehow, it hadn’t turned out like that with Fallon. They’d been together for weeks and he wasn’t bored. He grew more intrigued by her every day. Unfortunately, the ache he felt whenever Ari walked into a room still hadn’t dissipated. He wanted to move on. He wasn’t there yet. “I’m just worried,” he tried to assure her. “But I’m so glad you’re okay.”
Fallon bit her lip, not meeting his gaze, her demeanor so unlike hers, Charlie couldn’t help but tense in anticipation. “Charlie…” her breathing seemed a little shallow. “I think… I think I might really care about you.”
His shoulders dropped from where they’d hunched up at his ears, all his muscles relaxing as her words felt like warm shooting stars across his chest. He eased her chin up so she had to look him in the eye. “I really care about you, too. I don’t know what I would have done without you these last few weeks.”
“Really?” Her smile was cocky again, putting them back on familiar territory.
“Really.”
“Good. Then you’ll be okay with the fact that I’m coming with you when you go after the labartu.”
It was as if she’d thrown a bucket of ice water over all that warmth she’d created mere moments before. Charlie felt the blood drain from his face at the thought of Fallon anywhere near the bitch that killed Mikey. No way. And no way would he allow her anywhere near him when he took his vengeance. He didn’t want her or anyone else witnessing the person he would have to become to do that.
“No,” his voice was icy as he tried to retreat from her.
Fallon locked her legs around him, halting his withdrawal. “Don’t shut me out, Charlie. I can’t stop you from doing this, but I can damn well make sure you get out of it alive.”
“I don’t need you to keep me alive.” He shoved her legs off him and backed away, flexing his hands in irritation. “And I don’t need the pressure of worrying about you and whether the rest of the jinn world will hold you just as accountable for that monster’s death.”
“This is suicide, Charlie! I understand your need for revenge, but what about all the people who care about you? Me, Ari… even Trey! And have you spoken to your mother lately? Have you told her she’s going to lose the only child she has left?”
“Shut up,” he hissed, closing his eyes to the truth, to the pain. “I don’t need this crap. Not from you! You’re supposed to understand. You’re supposed to get me.”
“I do understand. I do.” She was calmer now as she leaped agilely from the pool table. “I just don’t want you to die.”
He groaned.
How could he be mad at her for that?
Softening under her forthright gaze, Charlie sighed and pulled her close, tucking her head under his chin. “Trust me.” He thought of the emerald and told her confidently, “I know I’m getting out of this alive.”
“But then you’ll have to run, you arrogant asshole. I’ll never see you again.”
“Bull. Of course you will. We’ll have clandestine meetings. It’ll be hot,” he promised and grinned when she chuckled, punching him playfully on the arm.
The surge of energy in the room alerted them to another’s presence, and Fallon pulled quickly away so they could turn to face the intruder.
The intimidating Glass King gazed at Charlie from the doorway, his expression bland. Almost bored. “I hate to interrupt, but I’ve found Akasha… I’ve found your labartu, Charlie.”
This was always what Ari imagined when she’d thought of genies. Unlike the cool elegance of the bedroom suite Red had provided when visiting his rooms at Azazil’s palace, the quarters the sultan provided her were a riot of deep jewel colors and sensual luxury. The room was pure decadence. From its size, to the fittings and fixtures, and the wardrobe full of clothes that Azazil insisted she wear during her stay.
The bed sat in the center of the room, low to the ground, covered in silk cushions and taffeta throws. The bronze, Moroccan-style furniture placed elegantly here and there, and heavy, deep purple and gold damask curtains separated the walk-in closet from the rest of the room. Eerie-eyed but strangely beautiful female shaitans saw to her every need, their almost constant presence rubbing Ari raw like rope on the wrist.
Days.
Days she’d been on Mount Qaf.
And many more to follow it, she feared.
It was Ari’s own fault. After days of touring the palace grounds, wandering the market stalls, and dining with Azazil and Asmodeus in the evening, Ari had finally lost her patience. However, in an effort to be smart about her interactions with the sultan, Ari had chosen her words carefully, as she’d politely asked Azazil at dinner two evenings ago if he would mind telling her where White was keeping Jai.
Azazil had lowered his golden fork and knife and gazed at her with a speculative gleam in his eyes, a gleam that sent invisible warning flags up Ari’s spine.
Sure enough, he wanted to play with her.
“I know where Jai is. I also know that your dear friend, Charlie, has discovered the location of the labartu and has gone after it.”
Ari’s heart lodged somewhere in her throat as she'd stared incredulously back at the sultan. Azazil’s presence still made her feel as if she’d been under water too long, and to look at him was like staring into a too bright ball of energy. His aura pressed against the skin with such force, Ari was surprised it didn't cause her to stumble from him. Her thoughts had been chaotic as she'd looked at the ancient being. Not Charlie, she’d thought. Not yet, when she wasn’t there to stop him. To protect him.
“Choose one.” Azazil had flicked a huge jeweled hand at her. “And I’ll help him.”
Furious did not even come close to explaining how Ari had felt in that moment. Heartbroken. Betrayed. Disgusted. At him. At herself. How could someone be so cruel? And how could it have taken her only minutes to answer? How could she even have given him an answer? “Jai,” she’d whispered, almost choking on her guilt.
Azazil had smiled at her, a slight curving of the corner of his lips. What a cruel young man he’d appeared to be. But a cruel young man could be forgiven for being so young and inexperienced. However, a being as old as the earth? Ari would have thought centuries of watching how love could make people do extraordinary things, would have chipped the cruelty out of him.
But then he’d also spent centuries watching how easily cruelty got its own way by turning love into a weapon.
“Jai it is then.” He had smirked at Asmodeus, who’d gazed at Ari mutely. “I will make a pact with you, Ari. You remain here with me, indefinitely, and I promise to make sure that no harm shall befall either of your young men.”
Her jaw had almost hit the table. “But why…” she’d begun before realizing she already knew the answer to her question. Why had he made her choose if he was going to save them both?
Because it amused him to toy with her emotions.
To watch her rip herself apart with the guilt.
“I want updates about both of them.” She had raised her chin in defiance, her gaze flicking between the two immortals. Azazil had continued to smile benignly, while Asmodeus had sat back with a glimmer of something other than boredom in his eyes.
“Done,” Azazil had agreed.
“Then I’ll stay indefinitely.”
It was a stupid bargain to have made. Ari knew that now. Three days had passed and she’d still heard nothing about Jai or Charlie’s whereabouts.
She laid back on the luxurious bed, staring at the ceiling carvings painted over with gold. For once, she enjoyed a moment alone, away from those insistent shaitans. More like spies, she grumbled to herself, turning to curl up as her heart raced at the thought of Jai. Azazil had promised no harm would come to him. Did that mean he was free? If not, was he being treated well? Time and time again, Ari had tried to communicate with him using telepathy, but it only weakened her. It was useless. He was too far from her. And what of White? He wasn’t hurting Jai, was he?
At the thought of White torturing Jai, Ari shuddered.
“You will give yourself bad dreams if you continue like this.”
Ari flew up into a sitting position, whirling around to find Asmodeus lounging on a chaise. She'd been so lost in her thoughts she hadn’t even heard or felt him enter her room. Tonight he dressed in robes so dark his hair seemed to be lost in the silk as it spilled down his back. His long legs stretched out in black leather, his upper body bare except for a gold torque around his neck. Dark, deadly eyes glinted at her, pinning her to the bed. She hated the way she felt around him. Scared, unsure… intrigued….
“What are you doing here?” She snapped, remembering Red’s promise that Asmodeus could not harm her. Seven days since she’d been here. Seven days in this strange, dark, lonely world. Despite everything, she wished Red would come back.
“Now is that any way to greet a visitor?” Asmodeus purred, reminding her of a large jaguar. Beautiful, but one slash of those claws…
“If I remember correctly, last time we were alone you threatened my life.”
