Hail to the Queen (Witch For Hire 2)

The corridor stretches out beyond my eyesight. “There are so many.”

“Silly humans. Always thinking they’re all there is to existence.”

“More like praying we aren’t,” I say honestly.

She sneers. “I’ll believe that when I see it. For centuries I’ve watched your kind destroy what you can’t understand.”

“Witches worship nature and do what we can to keep the balance of things. How easily you forget I’m not human.” I let the fire in my eyes come through. I’m not above using my newly gained gifts from the bond to flex some muscle.

“It’s close enough.”

“If you truly believed that, I would not be here.” I’m bluffing, but the confidence I’m faking will never alert her to the truth. I focus on keeping my breathing steady, my muscles loose, and my mannerisms lax. On the inside, I’m close to a mental meltdown. She could laugh as easily as she could lash out.

“Smart girl. I need you to help me decide my position on this matter. Don’t mistake this arrangement for anything more than that.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” I say honestly.

“Familiarize yourself with the hall and explore. You’ll feel the fracture.”

No pressure. I walk the space arms out. Each mirror has a distinct signature of energy. It’s like being in the center of a large airport with an infinite amount of potential gates that lead to different destinations. I feel a tug at my magical core as I approach each one. An oval-shaped, silver-gilded antique runs up a wall, dwarfing me. There’s an old feeling of nobility to this one. I stop a few feet down in front of a small, circular mirror surrounded by metal roses. The impression of light-hearted fun and whimsy bring a smile. I trail my fingertips over the glass. They sink in slightly. Startled, I pull them back.

“Careful you don’t take an accidental journey,” Sebile cautions with a throaty laugh.

I continue my walk. After a time, I feel the sour note playing among the beautiful symphony. I retrace my steps and stop at in front of a mirror with Middle-Eastern roots. The pointed apex rounds out to a curved that smooths into a rectangular shape. Intricate floral designs and interlocking squares line the double border. I run my finger along the edge. The power here isn’t contained. It’s leaking out. I sense a fracture. I use my magical vision and find a crack that’s beginning to form a spider web of smaller imperfections. I’m certain Sebile saw this. Why didn’t she act?

“What’s on the other side of this one?”

“Look for yourself.”

I frown. “When you cross the threshold, do the inhabitants see you?”

“Not if you shield yourself and keep the visit short.”

With a quickly whispered invisibility spell, I push my head inside. The stench of brimstone chokes me. Smoke burns my eyes. I swipe away the saline as I try to take in my surroundings. It’s complete desolation?a ruined landscape of scorched earth dotted with small fires, and an active volcano. Heat engulfs my face. A shiny object flies up into the air, hopping around as if it’s alive. The lid rattles, and as it pops off, I realize it’s a lamp. A smoky figure explodes out of the spout. The gangly creature with pale green skin and ghoulish features is instantly recognizable despite the sinister tone rarely associated with its kind. Djinn. Holy shit. The Djinn turns its head toward me, and I pull out of the mirror.

“Genie.”

“Yes. It appears after a few millennia they’ve found a way to make their move on claiming the earth as their own.”

“Why? How?”

“They are not benevolent mystical beings who live to grant wishes. Djinn are fallen angels who want to not only return but rule and destroy the human race in the process. If they manage to breach the barrier, life as you know it will end. They live for death and destruction and hate … the creation they feel their father revered over all others.”

“You knew. Why do all of this?” I throw my hands up in the air.

“I always choose the winning side, Louella. Right now, I’m not convinced you’ll be the ones who come out on top.”

“Self-preservation?”

“Wars take time, cause casualties, and quite frankly, they bore me. I won’t put my people in the position for petty humans.”

“Why contact us?”

“To tip the scales in the favor I want them.”

I know next to nothing about Djinn. That needs to change immediately.

“We have to go home and prepare.”