The Seven Kings of Jinn

Jai laughed humorlessly. “I said I don’t want her commanding me to do something asinine, kid.”

Charlie’s grin disappeared as quickly as it had surfaced. “I told you not to call me, kid, jinn boy. I’m what… two years younger than you, asshole?”

“Try four. And that’s only in physical years.”

“What? Are you trying to say I’m not mature?”

“Oh, the socks you’re wearing definitely are. Have you heard of detergent? A shower? Hygiene?”

“I shower, you militant, glorified fucking babysitter.”

“Watch it, kid.”

“I am this close to taking a swing at you, you overblown piece of—”

“Oh, for the love of God!” Ari cried, throwing her hands up. So much for their strained peace treaty. “Shut up. Shut up. Shut up!”

Charlie and Jai slammed their lips closed in unison and glared at one another. Ari heaved a sigh of relief as she pulled a chilled can of soda out of the refrigerator. She took a refreshing swig and turned toward her male companions. Jai's countenance was nothing short of frosty, while Charlie looked fit to be tied. Ari spilled into the chair between them and Jai sunk back down into his.

“So what will I command you?” she asked, ignoring the way her fingers trembled as she played with the tab on her soda can.

When no answer was forthcoming, she glanced up. Jai’s face was red, the veins in his head popping.

“Dude, what’s wrong?” Charlie frowned. “Is he choking?”

Ari’s heart flipped in her chest at the thought, and she reached across the table to grab his arm. “Jai?”

His eyes widened and he waved a large hand at his throat and mouth and then pointed at her.

What the hell?

“Jesus Christ, he can’t talk?” Charlie asked. “Is this a joke?

Ari, your power! Jai’s voice blasted into her head in a shout, probably born from his frustration. It knocked her back in her chair. You commanded me to shut up!

“And it worked?”

Charlie blinked in confusion. “What?”

“Telepathy.” She gaped at Jai. Curious, she reached out and brushed her fingertips across his throat without thinking. He raised his eyebrows and, as quickly as she'd reached out, he trapped her hand in a tight grip and shoved her away. Hurt, Ari dropped her tingling hand to her lap.

Guess it works. His voice sounded quieter, more subdued.

She nodded, at once creeped out and unsure of herself. I can really command jinn to do anything?

Looks that way.

Her mouth twisted. I am so screwed.

Looks that way.

She shot him a dirty look. You want to speak again or not, jinn boy.

Watch it.

She smirked. What? I think Charlie came up with a super nickname.

When his lips quirked at the corners, Ari felt relieved. I think Charlie better watch his mouth.

Why? No matter what he says, it’s not like I can command him to shut up.

Shame.

You really should try to get along.

Hmm. That’s as likely as humans rediscovering the lost city of Palmyra.

I have no idea what that means.

Jinn thing.

Ahh, what else. The bitterness must have been apparent in her eyes and tone because his entire demeanor changed.

Ari…

Noting his concerned look, Ari smiled, weary. I can never tell with you, Jai… do you actually care or not?

He froze. I’m your guardian. I care.

Because you’re my guardian?

Why else? And why do you care if I care? He cocked his head, his eyes narrowed in thought. You’re in love with the kid, right?

I… I—

“Okay, this is getting old,” Charlie snapped. Ari jumped, startled, her heart racing. She was pretty sure she was blushing.

What the hell did that mean?

Did Jai…

Oh my God, what did that mean? She eyed him, frustrated as hell when his gaze dropped.

Can you reverse your command? He asked, the monotone back.

She huffed in annoyance at the interruption, not only at Charlie, but at herself for being annoyed with Charlie. Ari nodded. “Jai, I command you to talk again. Or whatever.”

He made a face at the ‘or whatever’ part and cleared his throat. “I… great, I can talk again.”

“Well.” Charlie shrugged. “Good times only lasts so long, right?”

Ari cuffed Charlie across the head as she rose from the table. “Be nice.”

“Tell him to be nice.”

“I can’t.” She snorted, glancing over her shoulder at them. “If I did that, he’d actually have to be nice. It would be like re-writing his entire personality.”

Jai grunted. “Funny.”

Charlie chuckled. “I thought so.”

Ari strolled out of the kitchen, not surprised to hear them following her. Jai was still contracted to be glued to her hip, and Charlie had taken up residence in her home and life as a guardian in frickin’ training. Not for the first time, Ari wished she could have one moment of alone time so she could gather her thoughts and work out what the hell was going on with her and how she really felt. About everything.

It was the stalemate. The waiting.

Where’s a jinn king when you need one?

If there was one thing being an immortal jinn king had taught him, it was patience. For days, the Red King awaited news from his father after requesting an audience with him. His father, the all-seeing, all-knowing, powerful Sultan of the Jinn, Azazil, was most assuredly aware of the Red King’s reason for requesting an audience. Azazil enjoyed drama, conflict, tragedy, destruction—he liked to manipulate a situation into place, then draw it out and glory in the carnage that resulted from frustration and impatience and misunderstanding. It came as no surprise then to the Red King that he'd heard no word from Azazil for seventy-two hours. And now he was summoned while he sat in a darkened movie theater in Stockholm watching a re-showing of a Swedish horror movie that made Interview with the Vampire look like Nosferatu. Disgruntled at the call during an especially chilling scene, the Red King stepped into the cloak and descended into the peripatos. Unlike his brothers, the Red King was still quite enamored with the mortal realm. He liked the movies and technological gadgets they were forever inventing. Their science and creativity was magic even they themselves did not appreciate.