Borrowed Ember (21 page)

Ari ran toward them, pushing her energy out at White to knock him back from her, but he moved again, this time taking Sala with him, and as Ari spun to get her bearings…

… she was too late.

His bloody fist was already appearing out of Sala’s chest cavity, her heart dying in his hand, and her empty body crumpling to the ground.

“NO!”

Ari heard the below, she felt it vibrate through her as her knees gave way. Red hair streaked across her vision folowed by blue.

Her blurry gaze froze on her mother’s body, on her wide empty eyes that stared directly into Ari’s. Ari’s own body crumpled in on itself in agony. Grief, regret, wishes— they al slapped against her like a gang of youths beating her up before pick-pocketing al the promise of the future she’d had inside of her. The promise of having a parent who loved her.

It was gone.

Sala was gone.

Hands grabbed each of Ari’s arms and she let herself be dragged back into the doorway of one of the Bitar’s sitting rooms. She turned her bleary eyes up into Luca’s face. His features were strained, a sympathy she didn’t know he was capable of burning in his eyes. “What are you doing?” she whispered in a daze.

“Getting you out of the way of that.” He nodded into the entrance and Ari turned, the sounds of chaos finaly filtering into her ears and connecting with the sight before her.

Red and Glass had attacked White. The entrance hal was a disaster zone—the lower balustrade of the staircase was broken, portraits had crashed to the ground, huge cracks zipped up the sides of the wals where White had been thrown with the force of a wrecking bal. Now The White King was pinned against the stairs under the power of both Glass and Red.

Understanding dawned as she took in the absolute grief and horror in Red’s eyes as he curled a fist in the air and squeezed, the action seeming to magicaly squeeze the air from White’s lungs as he clawed at the invisible hand around his throat.

“Brother,” Glass whispered softly, although he did not loosen his grip on White. “Red… we cannot…”

But Red was far gone, his face mottled with fury. “I wil destroy you,” he choked out. “For what you have taken today, I wil destroy you.”

Ari had barely registered the opening in the
Peripatos
when a tal, dark-haired Jinn strode out in a similar garb to Glass. Another Jinn King. He flicked a look at Ari as he strode towards his brothers. “Not today you won’t, Red,” he answered in a bored monotone. “Two against two, it could go on forever.”

“Get out of here, Shadow,” Red curled his lip at him. “This is not your fight.”

“Actualy it is.”

The Shadow King. Ari let out a slow breath watching the four Jinn Kings together. It was frightening. They could destroy everything in their paths, and no one would be able to stop them.

“Red.” Glass pressed a tentative hand to his brother’s shoulders. “I know what you are feeling. You know I do. However, this is pointless. You know you wil never kil him.”

The air was heavy as they al waited for Red’s decision.

With a growl of disgust he stepped back and Glass folowed suit.

White choked and spluttered just as Ari had done only minutes before when he’d attacked her in the same manner. Throwing Red a sinister look, White stood to his feet in one graceful motion. As smart as he was, Ari was unsurprised when he took a step back up the staircase, letting the flames engulf him into the
Peripatos
.

The Shadow King grunted. “Thank you, Shadow,” he mimicked White, “For coming to my aid. Oh, you’re so welcome, brother.” He roled his eyes. “Ungrateful

swine.”

Noticing he’d drawn the attention of his furious brothers, Shadow gave them a taunting smile before turning his head to stare at Ari. “So this was the Seal. You look just like your mother.”

And before Red could retaliate to that snide, cruel remark, Shadow disappeared into the
Peripatos
.

Silence slunk around the room as if it knew there was no time for it to be there, but couldn’t leave for it was magneticaly drawn to the grief that thickened the air.

Finaly, at the tightening of Luca’s hand around her arm, Ari took a tentative step towards The Red King. He stood gazing down at Sala in disbelief, with The Glass King by his side, his hand on Red’s back in offer of comfort. The tears started to spil down Ari’s cheeks as she took in the sight of the mother who loved her, a mother she had never gotten to know, and her uncle whose overwhelming presence only made his grief seep into everyone around him.

Her doubts over whether a Jinn King could realy feel were buried by the obvious love Red had had for Sala.

Lips trembling, tongue zinging with the taste of salt from her tears, Ari opened her mouth to speak and when no words came out she had to clear her throat. The noise drew Glass’ gaze and he offered her a sympathetic nod. Despite the distance between them, Ari had lost Sala too.

That only made her tears fal faster and she had to brush them quickly aside in order to face Red. “Red,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

He didn’t look at her. Couldn’t speak.

Did he blame her?

Oh God, if he blamed her…

Deciding then she couldn’t possibly ask for his help, Ari shifted her eyes back to Glass who watched her expectantly. “I need your help,” she told him quietly.

He frowned but nodded at her to continue. She noted he never once took his hand from Red’s shoulder.

“Jai is trapped in a bottle here by his father, but Luca made an oath to White that he wouldn’t let Jai go wilingly.”

“Wilingly?” Glass repeated and then sighed as he began to grasp what she implied. He turned to Red. “I wil help Ari. You should take Sala somewhere. Lay her to rest finaly.”

A sob tore from Ari’s throat before she could stop it and her whole body began to shake with the grief. She hadn’t expected to feel so much. To feel so raw and hurt by the loss of a woman she barely knew. But the utter love she’d had for Ari had been a promise of a real relationship with her mother. Her sacrifice to save her daughter… had it been for nothing? Would White realy have kiled Ari? The thought wracked her body with sobs.

A familiar but surprising presence was beside her suddenly and Ari managed to look up through her tears and pain into the face of The Red King. His expression was stern, his eyes bleak and Ari waited with almost bated breath, her sobs dying out, as he lifted a hand towards her. She stiled. Waiting. The large hand came down and caressed her shoulder and Ari sagged into it.

“She loved you,” he told her in a voice numb with pain. “She would not want you to blame yourself for her death. Nor would she want me to blame you.”

“Do you?” Ari asked warily, batting away the tears, unable to stop her hands from trembling.

“I am trying not to.”

The honest answer was cutting, but Ari accepted it. She understood. She wished she didn’t but she did.

“Go with Glass and Luca,” Red ordered quietly. “I’m taking Sala somewhere I promised I would take her if this ever happened.”

Knowing another apology was futile, Ari alowed Glass to take her arm as Luca led them to the treasure room. Stil in shock, Luca’s words made no sense to Ari as he spoke to the red bottle that held Teruze. Then they were in front of a mottled green bottle and Glass was demanding Luca let Jai out.

Luca’s energy filed the smal room— and then Jai was there—crumpling against Luca who reached out to steady him.

Ari took in the way Jai’s eyes blinked rapidly as if the light was blinding him. His clothing was dirty and rumpled and he’d grown a beard, making him almost unrecognizable.

She flew at him. Careless of what they’d both been through, her arms banded around him tightly as she pressed herself to him, his feet staggering under the impact.

As she cried silently against his chest, Jai’s arms came around her and he seemed to sag against her.

“Ari,” he breathed, his arms tightening until she could barely breath. “Ari.”

26 -
Making Sense of it All Makes no Sense when you Sense it Too Late

“This is getting us nowhere, Charlie,” Falon huffed as she crawled up beside him on the motel bed. “There are no anomalies in this area—none of the morgue

records show an increase in child deaths; there are no records of poluted water supplies like there usualy is when a Labartu is in the area. Maybe she’s gone, or maybe she’s on the other side of freakin’ Houston… or Red and Glass lied…”

“Nah.” Charlie shook his head, lifting his arm so she could snuggle up against him. It had been a long day. Again. “I think the bitch knows I’m on her tail. She could be manipulating the records, or Red might be. He seems to have changed his mind about letting me do this.” He knew he sounded bitter, but he was. The last thing he needed was the Jinn King going soft on him.

“Don’t you think you’re reaching?”

“I think I’m getting pissed off waiting around.” He squeezed her closer so she’d know he didn’t mean he was pissed off at her. The truth was, he was just pissed at everything. He was worried about Ari, wondering if she was okay—knowing that if she were okay, she would have come after him by now. Guilt and shame flooded him. He would be looking for her if it wasn’t for the emerald burning in his pocket. It had become an obsession. Like he’d gone from snorting to free-basing. And right now, he felt like he needed to use that emerald more than he needed to rescue the girl he loved.

That was some ‘effed up shit right there.

Charlie blanched, trying to ignore the burn of the emerald in his pocket. It was becoming that he wanted to use it for the hel of it, just so he could taste its power again.

…The motel manager
had
been rude to Falon…

The ping of Falon’s cel ripped him from his dark musings as she leaned over him to pick it up off the bedside table. She touched the screen twice and then her eyes widened.

“Oh my God,” she breathed.

Instantly alert, Charlie leaned over to see the screen. “What? What is it?”

“It’s her. Akasha.” Pale faced, Falon handed him the smartphone.

I hear you’re hunting me ;-)

Come meet the same fate as your brother, little boy.

Midnight, tomorrow.

Sydney Marone Middle School

High Star Drive, Alief.

Sweet Dreams,

Akasha

“Why?” Falon asked, a shake in her voice as she took the cel from his trembling hands. “Why would she taunt you into coming after her?”

Trying to control the rage and the anticipation that rushed through him, Charlie looked away so she couldn’t see the depths of the darkness he felt gripping hold of him. “Because,” he muttered, “This is what Azazil wants.”
He wants me out of the picture. Just like he wants Jai out of the picture. He wants Ari to have no one
but him to turn to.
The realization made his fists curl into the sheets. His hand brushed his pocket where the emerald was, and the worry for Ari began to dissipate.

That means she’s probably okay though,
he argued with his guilty conscience.

“Charlie…?”

Hearing the tremor of worry in his name, Charlie jolted out of his suddenly perceptive thoughts to shoot Falon a grim look. “Don’t chicken out on me now. This is what you signed up for.”

Instantly the fear on Falon’s face melted into irritation. “Don’t remind me, jerk.”

“You’re free to walk away.”

“You’re free to go fu-”

“Hey,” Charlie cut her off, reaching for her as if she were his personal brand of Xanax. “I know the hard-ass thing is just an act. I mean it, Falon. You should get out while you can.” He brushed her pixie short hair back off her face, his adrenaline stil spiked, but his muscles at least relaxing as he looked into her non-judgmental, beautiful big eyes.

“Nah,” she huffed, tugging on his t-shirt and puling him close. “I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you. Asshole.”

He lay down, puling her with him so she was sprawled across his chest. “I can’t believe this is going to happen.”

“You’re an idiot.”

“I know,” he agreed. “But I feel like I might go insane if I don’t get this out of my system.”
The revenge or using the emerald?
His subconscious queried snarkily.

Falon sighed, her breath warm against his t-shirt. “I realy am afraid for you.”

“I’m afraid for you too.”

“Don’t be. Out of the two of us I have a better chance of surviving.”

Charlie snorted. “Uh, thanks.”

“Come here.” She lifted her head and slid up a little further to stroke his neck. Responding to her instantly, Charlie wrapped his arms around her waist and puled her up until her lips were almost touching his. Her wide eyes were honest for once. She realy was scared for him. “Take my mind off tomorrow, okay.”

Glad that the rush of need he felt for her was managing to overpower that of the emerald, Charlie gripped her by the nape of the neck, his kiss hard and desperate.

Catching on quickly, Falon met him frantic kiss for frantic kiss, their hands brushing one another’s as they hurried to divest each other of any piece of clothing that hindered the feel of skin against skin. They let their bodies take over—using them to say everything they couldn’t quite bring themselves to admit.

Saying he felt
disorientated was an understatement.

Jai felt his father and Ari’s heavy gaze upon him as he tried to compute everything they’d told him. His nerves were jangling and his lungs were stil adjusting to al the extra air, working freely now instead of against his anxiety. He had pretty much been in solitary confinement for two weeks. To someone who was more used to flying than being trapped inside, it might as wel have been two months.

And now this…

… to have to sit and listen to his father apologize for the first time ever in his life; to have to find the courage to be forgiving when Jai stil felt as though he were being suffocated and his limbs were stil heavy with disuse.

And Ari.

She wasn’t the Seal anymore. Asmodeus had almost kiled her. The Red King had saved her. The White King had almost kiled her. Sala had saved her. Sala had

died. Red was in a fury. Charlie was in trouble. Ari wanted to leave right away to help him.

Jai sucked in a deep breath, exhaustion slowing down his thought process.

The first thing that realy pressed upon him was that he needed to push Ari harder in her training now that she wasn’t the Seal. She’d almost died twice, and would have if someone hadn’t been there to save her. She needed to be able to save herself.

Jai shook his head clear. “Charlie is in Houston going after Akasha and you want us to leave now?”

“You’re not going anywhere,” Luca ordered, shaking his head beligerently. He no longer had that humble, regretful look on his face that had made Jai so uneasy.

No. His father was back with a vengeance, the old fire of intimidation back in his voice and eyes. “You’ve been through an atrocious ordeal, Jai—an ordeal that even the strongest Ginnaye would have found difficult to endure. You need a shower, a shave, some food in your stomach and then a few good night’s rest in a proper bed.”

“Father-” Jai tried to argue, but Luca held up a hand, cutting him off.

“Ms. Johnson is no longer the Seal. Your duty to her is over.” He eyed them both meaningfuly and with warning.

Ari had gasped, as if she hadn’t quite realized he was no longer required to be her guardian any more.

Meeting her stricken gaze, Jai sighed. He hadn’t realized that either.

Not that it changed a damn thing.

Standing up slowly, but as steadily as he could in an attempt to convince Luca that he was himself again and at ful strength, Jai braced his shoulders, readying himself to face his father for the first time—man to man. “Ari had an immortal Jinn King literaly rip something out of her body. She almost died. And the first thing she did when she woke up? She chose me. She came here to save me.” He turned to look at her, letting al the love he felt for her shine out of his eyes, deciding then and there that if he was going to hel for loving her, he was going to do it right. “That’s not about duty to one another. That’s about loyalty. Honor.” He looked back at Luca. “And because she loves me almost as much as I love her.”

“Uh, just as much,” Ari corrected, eyebrows raised in warning.

Jai smiled despite the fact that his father was unsurprised but disappointed by this revelation. Wel, it filed him with a sense of relief—relief because he no longer cared that Luca was disappointed in him. It had taken him a long time, but his father’s opinion—it just didn’t matter. What Luca had done to him, even under duress from The White King was, as people would say, the straw that broke the camel’s back.

“I’m sure Ari is a perfectly nice girl,” Luca replied, his words clearly careful. “But you cannot possibly think of giving up your Tribe, your duty to the Ginnaye, to be with her.”

Jai stared at his father in disbelief. This man realy had no clue. “Ari took a hit from an
Haqeeqah
to save me. She jumped in front of it for me,” he emphasized so his father could truly understand the significance of his point. “You stood by and watched Nicki beat me to a pulp for years for something I didn’t do. You even took your turn slapping me around to prove to her that you loved her more. A woman who didn’t even have the decency to stay faithful to you.” He shook his head, suddenly feeling pity for his father. “Ari is more than a
perfectly nice girl
. She’s my family. More than you’ve ever been.”

Luca stared at him, a myriad of unnamed emotions in his eyes.

“So yeah.” Jai nodded, trying to wil the exhaustion out of himself. “I’m going to give it al up for her, even if it means chasing after an idiot who was dumb enough to make a stupid wish.” He twisted his mouth in wry amusement as he shot her a look. The amusement, however, slipped away quickly as he took in her expression. Her face was open and her own heartfelt love for him was palpable in the air for al to feel.

A rap at the door broke the spel between them and Jai turned, surprise jolting through him at the sight of Trey’s tal, familiar figure striding into the room.

“Trey?”

His best friend’s face darkened as he took in Jai’s appearance. Feeling self-conscious for the first time since he was a kid, Jai rubbed a hand over his beard. He needed a shower. He could have magicaly cleaned himself up, as wel as have gotten rid of the beard while in the bottle but it realy had been the furthest thing from his mind.

“You look like hel,” Trey breathed, horrified.

Jai smirked at his image-conscious friend. “Thanks. What are you doing here?”

Trey cleared his throat, casting a quick look Ari’s way. “Uh, Glass came to me. Told me my friends might need me.”

“Glass?” Jai raised an enquiring eyebrow. “You’re caling him Glass?”

He shrugged casualy, like it was no big deal he was on a ‘first’ name basis with an immortal Jinn King. “Ari cals The Red King, Red.”

“Because he’s my uncle,” Ari replied, her nose wrinkling with concern. “Trey, watch yourself. I don’t want Glass taking a shot at you for being disrespectful.”

Trey chuckled throatily as he winked at her. “Don’t worry. I think Glass likes it when I’m disrespectful.”

Ari’s eyebrows rose in curiosity but Jai had grown very stil. Crap. He knew his best friend better than anyone and he knew the look in Trey’s eyes.
Please tell me

you are not fooling around with a Jinn King?
He telepathed, disbelieving Trey’s utter stupidity.

His friend’s smirk slipped but his eyes stil glittered with humor.
Fine, I won’t tell you. Spoil sport. Anyway, you have bigger problems.
“Falon is with Charlie,” Trey announced out loud. “The Roes are heading out after them, but we’l get there quicker using the
Peripatos
. Plus, you have a trace on Falon which we can use if they’re not at the motel.” His gaze clouded with worry as it searched Jai’s face. “You up for this?”

Reluctantly shoving aside his concern over his best friend’s possible affair with The Glass King, Jai nodded and wiped a hand over his face to clear the beard. His magic shimmered around him, cleaning his body and replacing his dirty clothes with clean ones from the wardrobe in his condo. It wasn’t the same as a soothing shower or a calming shave, but it would have to do.

Feeling a little better, he gave Ari a nod to let her know he was behind her one hundred percent. “Let’s do this.”