The Seven Kings of Jinn

Wait. What is Staci saying?

“Rachel?” Ari frowned.

“Yeah.” Staci smiled pleadingly. “I think if you call her again, she’ll talk to you. She sounded kind of excited that you were going out with us today.”

Ari grunted. “She wrote on Twitter that I treat our friendship like a one-way street.”

“Oh.” Staci batted the words away with her hand. “She was just upset. She didn’t mean it.”

Guessing now was not the greatest time to alienate her friends, Ari nodded. “You’re right. I’ll call her, smooth things over.”

“Good. It’s stupid to fight over something so silly.”

Grinning, Ari shook her head at her friend. Staci was the old-fashioned kind of sweet that made you smile no matter what mood you were in.

They pulled into the parking lot at the movies and Nick got out real quick so he could open Ari’s door. The smile she gave him was almost feral and he frowned a little, puzzled.

Do better, Ari. Do better.

It was hard, though, especially when he put his hand on her lower back to guide her across the lot. She just couldn’t get it out of her head that there was a being inside Nick, controlling him, using him… and all to get into her pants! Trying not to shudder and give herself away, Ari relaxed into his touch and gave him a soft smile. His eyes glowed back at her and she had to look quickly away before her expression fell.

“So, what are we watching?” Nick asked as they strolled inside.

“I vote Vampires of Doom 4,” A.J. growled mockingly, baring his teeth.

Staci huffed. “And this from the film student. I vote The Apple. It’s supposed to be beautifully shot—it’s mostly hand-held, oblique angles, blue filter, with some great location shots. They filmed it in Budapest.”

Nick looked at Ari. She didn’t particularly care what movie they saw because she would not be watching it, but if she was going to be watching the movie, a cheesy vampire horror film and a pretentious love story were not her thing. Her eyes flicked down the schedule and then lit up. “Ooh, they’re re showing Hunger Games.”

A.J. scowled. “You’ve seen it a million times.”

“So?”

“You’ve made us watch it a million times with you.”

Ari made a face at him. “Like watching JLaw is such a chore for you.”

“It’s got my vote.” Nick shrugged.

Staci nodded, smiling sweetly up at A.J. “Mine too.”

They bought tickets for the movie, some popcorn and drinks, and wandered casually into the screening. Ari’s heart raced as she talked the guys into taking seats near the aisle so she wouldn’t have to shimmy by people when the time came for her to leave.

Which should be pretty soon.

Sure enough, just as they were settling in and Nick’s arm was casually sliding along the back of her seat, Ari’s cell beeped and she opened it to see the text she’d been waiting for.

I’m outside. Bring Emily Rose.

Charlie

Here goes.

Pulling on her best acting chops, Ari muttered a curse and turned to Nick with big wide, soulful eyes. “It’s Charlie.”

“Charlie?” Staci squeaked, leaning over Nick. “What’s wrong?”

“He’s outside. I told him I was coming here with Nick. He’s upset. He wants to talk.”

“Oh God, no, Ari.” Staci shook her head. “You know I like Charlie, but…” she glanced at Nick meaningfully. “Not now.”

“I have to.” Ari grabbed her bag and then looked back at a scowling Nick. “Will you come with me? I just… I don’t want to leave him out there but I don’t want to go alone.”

Nick’s expression cleared and he smoothed a hand down her back. “Of course. Let’s go.”

As they walked across the cinema foyer, the sickly scent of popcorn made Ari’s already nervous stomach turn. She couldn’t believe they were doing this. They were actually doing this.

“So what do you think he wants?” Nick asked, trying to appear casual, but there was an aggressive energy rolling off him.

Ari shrugged. “I don’t know. He just said he wanted to talk, but last time we spoke, we had a huge fight. I just don’t want to deal with him alone.”

“You’re not alone.” He gripped her hand tight in his and she had to force herself to not jerk away.

Charlie waited way across the thankfully empty lot by Nick’s SUV. She noted his eyes flicker down at her hand clasped in Nick’s and he scowled.

“What do you want, Creagh?” Nick dropped her hand, striding toward him, chest puffed up.

Great, he’s being an asshat.

Charlie nodded at her over Nick’s shoulders and she pulled the pouch that Jai had given her out of her purse. While Nick squared up to Charlie, Ari opened the pouch and scrunched it open on her palm, revealing the glittering black dust inside. “Nick, don’t,” she said, tugging on his shoulder with her free hand.

“Ari—” He turned and as soon as he faced her, Ari blew onto the pouch. The black dust flew out and coated Nick’s face. He flinched and then stiffened, his eyes rolling back in his head just as his legs gave out. Jai hadn’t explained what the dust in the pouch was, only that it would incapacitate someone leaving no physical trace of injury. The incapacitating also only lasted on a possessed human for five, ten minutes, tops. They had to move fast.