The Seven Kings of Jinn

“Hey guys.” The Red King grinned cheerfully. “How’s it going?”

As if sensing her fury, Jai gripped Ari's arm tight, his fingers biting into her skin as he stopped her from launching herself at the jinn king. She knew attacking him was a moronic move, but right then she wanted to tear the red-head to shreds for making her suffer this long.

Jai cleared his throat. “We’ve been waiting. We’re eager to help Derek.”

The Red King nodded sympathetically. “Of course you are. Sorry about the delay, but Azazil doesn’t exactly jump when you say ‘jump’, you know.” His blue eyes sparkled brightly at Ari in the dim light. “Have you worked on your magic?”

Clenching her teeth to control herself, Ari nodded tightly.

Once again Jai spoke for her. “Ari’s got a handle on telepathy and she’s been conjuring, using her magic for everyday things.”

“Good, good. What about enchantments or using the peripatos or the cloak?”

“No.” Jai shook his head. “I think it's much too soon. She did a few basic enchantments: turned a cushion to ash and locked Charlie in the bathroom but—”

“I knew that was you,” Charlie huffed, disgruntled, and Ari bit back a nervous laugh.

“And the seal?” The Red King took a few steps toward them. He seemed to pulse with energy and power. “Have you used your powers as the seal yet, Ari?”

“I commanded Jai to shut up. It worked.”

Her uncle burst into laughter, slapping a hand against Jai’s biceps. “Oh, man, that’s hilarious.”

And just like that, Ari relaxed, sensing the tension ease in her companions too. Smiling, Ari explained, “I didn’t mean it. These two were arguing and I told them to shut up and Jai literally couldn’t talk until I reversed the command.”

Blue eyes sparking like electricity, her uncle stared at her in awe. “So it is indeed true. That’s crazy! Well… we better put Derek back together again then, huh?”

Her knees almost buckled with relief at that pronouncement. “Did Azazil tell you who did it?”

And just like that, the air around them changed, compressed, as the Red King’s expression darkened. He retreated a few steps and shook his head. “He wants to meet you first.”

“What?” All three of them asked in unison. She could feel Jai and Charlie bristling at either side of her. Her pulse increased in tempo and this sick, wary feeling toyed with her gut.

“Azazil wishes to speak with Ari directly.” Noting their worried countenance and the way Jai eased his body in front of Ari’s, the Red King narrowed his gaze. “Ari will come to no harm. Azazil’s just curious. And he wants Ari to know that he’s doing what he can to protect her, even if it is just to piss off my brother. So, you meet Azazil and he’ll give you the scoop on the jinn that hurt Derek.”

“No way—”

“You gotta be kidding—”

“I’ll do it!” Ari raised her voice over Jai and Charlie’s protests. They both glowered at her. Shrugging away from Charlie's touch, Ari moved toward her uncle as she addressed her protectors. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m doing this. If meeting Azazil will save my dad, then I’ll do it.”

Charlie threw his hands up in frustration. “What part of this doesn’t say ‘it’s a trap!’ to you?”

“Hey!” The Red King’s voice thundered around the room. There was an otherworldly glow to his eyes. Ari blanched. For the first time since she’d met him, he looked truly dangerous, frightening even. “Are you questioning my word of honor?”

“Say no,” Ari commanded her friend.

Charlie crossed his arms over his chest, and Ari’s heart fell, recognizing his defiance. Before he could say anything, Jai thrust an arm out, pushing Charlie back. “No, he’s not. He’s just a kid worried about his friend. But if you say Ari is safe to go to Mount Qaf to speak with Azazil, then we believe you.”

There was a tense moment as they all waited for Charlie to agree or not. However, to Ari’s everlasting relief, he remained silent.

“Good.” The Red King skewered them with another severe look. Ari knew this was a reminder that he might seem like a friendly, easy-going guy, but he wasn't a guy. He was a powerful jinn who could kill them with a snap of his fingers. Drawing the moment out, his demeanor slowly transformed from scary to cheerful again, which was, in itself, sinister. Ari shivered when his blue eyes alighted on her. “When I ask you to repeat these words, I need you to truly mean them. No being enters Mount Qaf under duress.”

“Got it,” Ari agreed.

“Okay. Repeat after me: I, Ari Johnson, wish to request an audience with Azazil, Master and Sultan of the Jinn.”

Feeling stupid, like a lost cast member of The Wizard of the OZ, Ari blushed but repeated the words, infusing meaning and belief behind them. “I, Ari Johnson, wish to request an audience with Azazil, Master and Sultan of the Jinn.”