The Law of Stars and Sultans

Yesterday, Jai had stayed by her side the whole day. He needed the reassurance of having her close, and not just because of the revelation about David’s attack. No, he needed her close because he knew that the next morning, he was going to have to leave her all alone to start this thing with Charlie. Ari appreciated him believing in her, believing that she could take care of this. She was proud of him for being able to put his differences aside with Charlie to help her try to save her friend. Especially when Ari wasn’t sure if there was anything left to save.

She was pretty sure he was no longer the boy she’d loved. But for all they’d been to one another, she had to try …

* * *

“Are you really mad at me?”

Ari gazed up at her best friend, feeling her chest squeeze with affection at his wide, pleading eyes. Charlie had beautiful eyes and he was using them to his advantage. Still, he had taken Macy McGuffin to their tenth-grade dance, and although it was partly her fault for not asking him when she should have (it was ladies’ choice), she was still pissed he’d said yes.

Okay, so he’d won some points dropping by her house first thing in the morning, Ari thought, leaning against her front door, but it still didn’t stop her from feeling confused and hurt. Although they hadn’t declared themselves boyfriend and girlfriend, she’d assumed that’s where they were eventually headed. But if he wanted to start dating other girls, well …

Ari shrugged. “Why would I be mad at you?” she asked lazily, not meeting his eyes.

Charlie groaned. “You’re mad at me. You’re definitely mad at me.”

“I’m not,” she lied.

He took a step toward her. “Ari, she asked me last minute and you hadn’t, so …”

“I hadn’t so you went with Macy. That’s fair.”

“You don’t sound like you think it’s fair.”

“Of course it’s fair. I didn’t ask you so of course you’d look for another girl. We’re interchangeable.”

“Interchangeable?” Charlie looked horrified. “No, no, Ari, no, you’re the one who didn’t ask me.”

She scowled up at him. “Did I ask anyone else?”

His face dropped. “Well, no.”

“And I could have. Bobby, AJ, and Stevie B. all asked me to ask them.”

Now it was Charlie’s turn to scowl. “They did?”

“Mmm-hmm. And I said no.”

Her best friend heaved a massive sigh. “I knew as soon as I turned up at the dance last night that I’d made a mistake. I’m really sorry, Ari.”

When he gave her those puppy dog eyes, she found it difficult to resist. “Fine,” she grumbled. “I forgive you.”

Charlie grinned with relief. “Good, because I need to ask you something.” He got down on one knee and it was then Ari realized he’d been hiding one hand behind his back.

Her eyes widened in horror. “Charlie …” If this was a marriage proposal, she was going to die. He did know they were only kids, right? And that it was kind of illegal?

He pulled his hand from behind his back and offered her a corsage in a clear box. “Ari Johnson, will you go to homecoming with me?”

Laughter burst from between her lips as she stared down at him on his bended knee. “Homecoming is next semester. It’s months away.”

“I know. I’m planning ahead so Bobby, AJ, and Stevie B. can’t beat me to the punch. So will you?” he grimaced. “A quick yes or no will work … My knee is kind of on a stone.”

Laughing hard, Ari reached out and took the corsage. She gripped Charlie’s arm and urged him to get up. “Yes, I’ll go to homecoming with you.”

Grinning a little goofily now, Charlie gripped the edges of her doorway and leaned close to her. “Yeah?”

“Yes.”

His expression suddenly changed as his eyes roamed her face. The smile left his lips and regret flashed in his dark gaze. “I’m sorry if I hurt you, Ari. I promise I’ll never hurt you, or let anyone else hurt you, ever again.”

* * *

It was not a promise Charlie had managed to keep.

The hiss of flames brought Ari’s head out of her memories and into the room. Charlie stepped out of the peripatos beside the bottom of her bed. He was wearing faded jeans and a wrinkled T-shirt, and a lot more jewelry than he used to. He wore two silver rings, a couple of copper bracelets, and a number of chains bearing metal talismans. It was all to fuel his power. The jewel that fueled most of his power must be on him if he’d used the peripatos, but it was hidden. Was the emerald in his pocket?

“You look pensive.” Charlie cocked his head to the side, his face expressionless. “Does that mean you’re willing to cooperate or that we’re about to become mortal enemies?”