The Seven Kings of Jinn
The Red King said Jai couldn’t tell her the truth but that didn’t mean he couldn’t hint at it. Right?
Chapter 10
Easing you cut me
Jai hadn’t said a word to her when she announced she was going over to Charlie’s. He had followed her out of the door, past the now empty driveway (she’d put her own car in the garage before she’d been whipped into the genie realm), and down the sidewalk that would lead her out of her neighborhood and into Charlie’s. An awkwardness still hung in the air after Jai overheard the argument between her and her dad. Ari kept shrugging, as if that would somehow rid them of it. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, wondering how she could talk him into helping her.
When he sighed, she realized he was going to break the uncomfortable silence first. “You know you can’t tell Charlie anything, right? Nothing about me, you, or any of the jinn.”
Ari drew to an abrupt halt, staring up into his dark, handsome face as if he’d gone mad. “Are you kidding me?”
A muscle in Jai’s jaw twitched. He leaned down so their faces were at eye level. “No,” he replied sternly, before straightening. “I don’t kid.”
“There’s a surprise.”
“So are we clear?” he ignored her jibe.
Ari reached out to pull him to a stop, feeling how hot his skin was under her hand. Fire spirits seemed to run at a higher temperature than everyone else. She wondered if she’d also start radiating abnormal amounts of heat if she were to tap into her jinn abilities. It was ironic because she was much more of a rain and water person than a sun and fire person. The rain made her feel better, new, refreshed. “No, we’re not clear,” she argued. “I’m telling Charlie. I have to tell Charlie. He deserves to know that he isn’t responsible for his brother’s death.”
“Look, that’s very noble, but the fewer people involved in that part of your life, the better for everyone.”
“You can’t talk me out of this.” Ari swooped past him, her long hair billowing behind her like a banner in the wind.
“Your uncle would be pissed.”
“Don’t call him that.”
“The Red King then.” It was now Jai’s turn to reach out to her, his large hand clasping around her upper arm. His calloused palm caused sensation to shiver across her skin. Ari stopped, jerking her arm out of his hold. She met his stubborn look with one of her own. “Ari, the king might come across all cool and human and nice, but he has his own agenda. And you do not want to cross the Red King. You don’t want to cross any of the Seven Kings of Jinn.”
She nodded. “I get you’re doing your job. I get I can’t get rid of you. But, other than making things right with my friends, I want nothing to do with the jinn world. I’m going to pretend that none of it exists until I have no choice but to. Because I don’t want that world, Jai. I want this one. I want my friends to be okay.”
Disgruntled, Jai shook his head but didn’t argue. He fell into step beside her and despite what she’d just said, she was kind of glad to have him there now that she knew there were jinn out there actively trying to destroy the lives of the humans of Sandford Ridge. Nick was next on the to-help list.
When they reached Charlie’s street, Ari pulled Jai to a stop again. “You need to hide for now.”
He shook his head belligerently. “I’m never leaving your side until ordered by the Red King.”
“Question: what happens when I need to pee?”
Jai narrowed his eyes. “You’re so juvenile.”
She smiled sweetly. “Go away.”
“No. I’ll go into the cloak.” He tried to appease her.
Ari shook her head. “After Ms. Maggie, it freaks me out.”
“Fine.”
Before she could question his resigned sigh, Jai surprised her by glancing surreptitiously around. He strode away from her, slipping in behind a large tree that hid him from the rest of the street. Ari frowned. “What—” Flames flickered in reds and oranges and yellows, peeking out from behind the tree. Just like that, the flames disappeared and a huge Great Dane padded out from where Jai had been standing. Ari gulped, remembering the Red King told her that the jinn could take the form of different animals. “Jai?”
He barked at her, and she took that as a yes.
Eyeing him as he found step beside her, Ari had to curb the urge to pat his head. He was a white Dane with black spots all over him. His soulful black eyes still contained a hint of disdain and Ari snorted. “Trust you to choose a Great Dane.” Walking, Jai came up past her waist. She imagined when sitting, his head would reach her shoulder. Ari had only known Jai for a few hours, but she already knew he exuded one word. Intimidation. She tutted. “How am I supposed to explain you to Charlie?”