Borrowed Ember (8 page)

“Thank you. I appreciate it.” Ari grinned at him and then smiled hopefuly back at Jai. He gave her a smal nod, clearly trying to make up for his earlier preoccupation with her by acting a little more cooly towards her. Ari didn’t care. He’d kiss her behind closed doors later.

“Jai and Ari wil stay with my family.” Michael turned to Charlie. “Jack says you’re welcome to stay in his home with him, Charlie.”

“Great.” Charlie smiled and then winked at Ari. “Fresh start, bestie.”

Ari laughed. “You know for someone who almost died yesterday, you’re in an exceptionaly good mood.”

“I escaped the jaws of death. It does something to a guy.”

Jai grunted and Ari noticed how suspiciously he stil eyed Charlie. “Yeah, wel let’s hope that something hasn’t made you any stupider.”

Charlie flipped him the bird causing Jai to mutter under his breath about immature kids and death wishes. A tight bal of anxiety developed in Ari’s stomach. Charlie was chipper because he stil hadn’t given up on his revenge? That’s what Jai thought, right?

“Interesting,” Michael murmured, his eyes flicking between Jai and Charlie.

Falon waved her father’s interest off. “They’re like this al the time. Don’t be put off by it. It’s actualy quite entertaining.”

“It’s a headache,” Ari growled. “So quit it.”

Charlie held his hands up in defense. “Hey, I didn’t do anything.”

“Yet.” Jai cocked an arrogant eyebrow at him.

Jai,
Ari admonished, her own need to believe in Charlie smothering her instincts,
you know what it’s like to have no one believe in you. Let’s give him the

benefit of the doubt for now.

He shook his head.
You’re setting yourself up for a fall. I don’t want you hurt.

Look, let’s just give him a chance to fall in love with The Guild. If he’s happy, he might not want to jeopardize his new life.

How can you still be such an optimist?
he asked in amazement.

Ari wrinkled her nose.
You make me sound soft. I’m not soft. I’m… hopeful.

“What are they doing?” Michael asked.

“Oh, they’re talking telepathicaly,” Falon answered lazily, “They do that a lot.”

“Yeah, it’s annoying,” Charlie added.

Ari flipped
him
the bird.

Michael groaned. “Why do I feel like I’ve just adopted another Falon Roe? One is enough.”

Laughing, Ari shared an affectionate smile with Falon. “I’l take that as a compliment.”

A while later, after being introduced to Falon’s mother, Caroline, and shown to the room across the hal from Falon’s, Ari finished washing up and quietly took the stairs down to the second floor of the fairly large house Falon had been raised in. Jai was staying in the guest bedroom along from Michael and Caroline’s suite. Dinner was waiting for them downstairs, but Ari wanted to see Jai alone. They hadn’t been alone since what happened with Yasmin at Luca’s.

He opened the door at her telepathic message to let her in and Ari lost her breath.

How could he do that to her stil? She saw him every day. But those eyes, so green and pretty with their dark lashes, were a hot contradiction to the chiseled jaw-line and cheekbones, and the sulky hardened pout of his mouth. He was beautiful, powerful, loyal and mature. Wel when Charlie wasn’t in the vicinity. Sure, he wasn’t the chatty type, but everything was in Jai’s actions. He was good. He was good and true and she trusted him like she trusted no one else. Every time—
every time
—she looked at him… yeah… he took her breath away.

She smiled a little tremulously, suddenly overwhelmed by the depth of her feeling for him. “I just wanted to check in before dinner. I haven’t felt Ms. Maggie yet. I’m a little worried.”

“I wouldn’t be. She’l turn up. Maybe you could get her to show herself this time.”

“I
am
getting curious about her.”

“Finaly.”

At his dry tone, Ari shifted uncomfortably. “We’re okay, right?”

Checking the hal to make sure they were alone, Jai took her hand and led her inside. His room was bigger than hers. So was the bed.

Hmm.

Jai’s hands on her shoulders drew her attention back to his face. He stood so close she had to tilt her head back to meet his gaze. “What happened with Yasmin? I mean, I know what happened but why couldn’t you control it this time?”

Bowing her head in mortification and shame, Ari sighed. “I don’t know. It was like this time I got angry so quickly I didn’t have time to feel the darkness take over.

One minute I was me and the next the Seal was controling me.”

“Why?”

Ari made a face at him, her cheeks stil flushed with embarrassment. “Because it was you.”

He scowled. “What does that mean?”

“My emotions are little high strung right now okay… because of you. And she was saying al these things about you, about us… I wanted to hurt her because they al hurt you and I guess the Seal used that against me or something. I don’t know, Jai, I don’t know how it works. How can the Seal be like a sentient thing, you know?”

Trembling so hard, Ari sunk into Jai’s solid hold as he cupped her cheeks in his large hands and kissed her forehead. “I don’t know,” he murmured against her skin.

“Maybe we should think about training you. Sparking triggers and training you to push the Seal back down.”

“Do you think that’l work?”

“It’s worth a try. Right?”

Sliding her arms around his waist and sinking into his embrace as his own arms wrapped around her shoulders, Ari nodded. “Yeah. I don’t want to feel that way again. Or have you feel that way about me again.”

Shoving her gently back, Jai frowned at her. “Feel what way?”

“You were… mad. Disappointed.”

“No. I was upset. I don’t like feeling helpless, and not knowing how to help you makes me feel like crap, okay.”

“Realy?” Ari asked doubtfuly. “Cause, you kind of had your scary, don’t talk to me, don’t even look at me, thing going on when it happened.”

“That’s my helpless face.”

“Oh. It looks a lot like rage.”

“Yeah, I only have three expressions. Blank. Pissed off. And polite boredom.”

Ari laughed and he smiled softly at her. Self-deprecation was something she hadn’t seen on him before. She liked that she was beginning to see a side to him she suspected only Trey knew existed. “Wel, I balance you out, so don’t worry about it. I’ve been told my face is an open book.”

“I don’t know.” Jai shook his head as he tucked her hair behind her ear and stroked her waist with his other hand. “Not so much anymore. Sometimes I’d love to know what you’re thinking.”

Grinning flirtatiously, Ari stepped into him until their bodies were pressed tight against each other. “Can you guess what I’m thinking now?”

In answer Jai gripped the nape of her neck and puled her up to meet his mouth, his movement surprisingly fast and rough, his kiss overwhelming. Tingles of

excitement shot through Ari as she opened her lips to let his tongue touch hers. The kiss deepened and he groaned into her mouth, and as the vibration of it buzzed through her body, sparks were set off in places Ari didn’t know sparks could be set off in. Their mouths refused to break apart, their bodies taking over and screaming at them that they wanted to meld into one. Ari’s leg was climbing Jai’s, his hands were on her hips, keeping her tight to him, their breaths mingling as they remembered the night before and al the possibilities ahead of them. It wasn’t until Ari reached under Jai’s shirt, tickling her hands along the waist of his jeans that sense seemed to come back to him and he broke the kiss, panting heavily.

Ari’s own pants whispered across his mouth. She felt dizzy and disorientated, her eyes unfocused. Whoa. “You stopped,” she muttered in disappointment.

“Yeah,” he chuckled hoarsely, gently pushing her away from him. “Because we have dinner to get to and I don’t want to look like I just tried to get my client into bed.”

Laughing now at his physical predicament, Ari took a step back. “I see. Wel, if it’s any consolation, you were trying to get your
girlfriend
into bed.” With a cocky smile that smoothed Jai’s scowl, Ari sauntered to the door. “I’l leave you alone to cool off. See you at dinner.”

“You’re learning too fast,” Jai grumbled.

Ari stopped halfway out of the door. “Learning what too fast?”

His frown transformed into a wickedly sexy smile. “How to drive me crazy.”

Grinning, Ari shrugged. “It’s only fair. You drove me crazy for days sleeping on my floor, sometimes without a shirt on. It was a form of torture and I intend to get my vengeance.” Feeling lighter than she had fifteen minutes ago, Ari left Jai staring sensualy after her and took a few smug steps down the halway before she stopped, placing a hand over her racing heartbeat.

Maybe she needed a few seconds to cool down too.

9 -
Giving the Pawn a Name Makes the Game a Little Harder

“I asked you to protect her as much as you could. Not encourage her to seek danger by becoming a hunter.”

Red glared at her, her admonishment raising his hackles. “You forget yourself.”

Scoffing, the beauty flipped her dark hair over her shoulder and eyed him unafraid. “Don’t use that tone with me, Red. You and I are past that.”

“Then don’t accuse me of putting Ari in danger. You’re being overprotective,
Ms. Maggie
.”

She scowled at the nickname. “Are you sure this just doesn’t fit into your father’s twisted plans? Like his plans for Charlie. Fruitless plans,” she laughed bitterly.

“Not fruitless. He stil plans for Charlie to kil the Labartu. As we speak, Glass is tracking the Jinn so he can lead Charlie to it.”

“So Azazil kils Charlie and puts Ari forward as a hunter… to die too? What is the meaning of this? What does he want?”

Trying to rein in his anger, Red turned his back on her and stared into the flames in his fireplace. Despite everything that had happened, she was stil able to make him
feel
more than anyone else in this world. Speaking slowly, calmly, Red replied, “Azazil has nothing to do with this. I did this for Ari.”

“Ari doesn’t know what she’s doing. She’s just a child! And after that trial they are al curious about her. Questions have been raised. The old rumors about the Seal are resurfacing and it won’t be long before they come after her.” She cursed vehemently. “I wish I could trust that you care enough about her to put her first… like you put me first.”

“You can’t.” Red whirled around, eyes blazing into hers. “I can’t even trust that of myself.” At the sad despair in her eyes, Red desperately wanted to reach for her.

Instead he shook his head. “I…
you
care about her.
You
do. And you’re strong. Go to her. Protect her.”

Stunned, she took a tentative step towards him. “You said you didn’t want me putting myself in danger. You practicaly forbade it if I remember correctly.”

“Yes, wel…” feeling his throat close with emotion at the thought of anything happening to her, Red couldn’t meet her eyes. “I’m beginning to understand your need to protect Ari. I won’t hold you back from that anymore. You would only resent me if something were to happen to her.”

“Red…” she whispered longingly.

He glanced up sharply, desperate to be rid of her before he broke his tight control. “But remember I wil never forgive you if something happens to you…so stay hidden and only intervene if you absolutely must.”

She smiled sweetly, seductively. “Of course. I’m not suicidal, my love.”

A harsh wind
tore through the State of Zubair, the land in which The White King ruled on Mount Qaf. Fabric snapped inwards from his balcony as the icy torrent tried to blast its way inside, seeking any warmth it found and snuffing it out in cruel triumph. White stared out at the balcony from his seat near the empty fireplace in his bedroom. The wind would find no warmth here—only a companion who understood its desperation and felt none of its brutal cold.

“She has taken you by surprise, Master,” Rabir murmured carefuly from the corner of the room.

White glanced up at his servant, his expression bland and calm despite his inner storm. “Ari changed the game.”

“I was certain the blackmail would have worked, Master.”

“Oh it would have. However, she no longer intends to let her affection for the people in her life rule her actions. My daughter has more of me in her than I anticipated.”

“So what now, Master? I fear we no longer have time to take it slowly. The trial has resurfaced the old rumors. Your people have grown curious and I fear what they may unearth. I fear they may seek Ari out before you have her in your grasp.”

White nodded a little numbly now. Time was running out. He needed a new plan. If only he could make her understand what was at stake. If only he could make her see that her sacrifice would save them al. “I fear you are right, Rabir. I must reconsider tactics. And quickly.”

Catching movement out of the corner of his eye, White glanced up to see Rabir was standing beside the purple bottle he kept safe in his bedroom. Throwing him a very tentative smile, Rabir gestured at the bottle. “And what Ari said about Sala, Master? Is that out of the question?”

His first instinct was to rage at Rabir’s impudence. To even suggest such a thing… White shuddered inwardly, pushing the fury down so he could think more clearly.

Finaly, when he felt calm enough to speak, he shot the bottle that throbbed with the taste of Sala’s essence an unfathomably dark look before snapping his gaze away and back at the storm outside.

“I’l think about it.”

10 -
Without Fear, I Wrap My Shadows Around You

“What are you guys doing?” Charlie asked with laughter in his voice as he eyed Mikey and Ari. They were in the Creagh’s kitchen surrounded by

newspaper, paint and paste. And there was some kind of lump in between them that had their complete focus.

Ari pasted another piece of newspaper onto the lump, biting her lip in concentration. Seeming satisfied that it was wrinkle-free, she picked up another

strip without looking at him. “Mikey’s art project is due tomorrow so I’m helping him.”

Scooting onto the stool across from them, Charlie tried to stifle his smile as Mikey frowned at the plans in front of him and then at the lump Ari was so
busy with. “Uh… and what’s your project, Mikey?”

His little brother looked up at him, a pained expression on his young face. “We had to make a household item but with a theme. I picked space.”

“Oh,” Charlie nodded and gestured at the lump. “Are you making a moon ornament?” A lopsided moon ornament, he added inwardly.

“No,” Ari huffed, glaring at him now.

Charlie tried not to smile. “You’ve got a blob of paste on your nose.”

She wiped it roughly away and blew her hair out of her face. “It’s a lampshade. A lampshade shaped like an alien.”

Choking back his laughter, Charlie reached for the plans Mikey held out to him. They were supposed to be making a green alien lampshade with three

arms on either side. “This is ambitious.”

“Yes. But we can do it.”

“Charlie…” Mikey begged silently with his eyes.

“Ari, you ever done papier-mâché before?”

“Of course. Remember we made planets in fourth grade.”

“No,” Charlie gently shoved her out of the way and took her seat, “I made planets. You ate paste.”

“You can’t just manhandle me out of this. I’m project manager.”

Laughing, Charlie eyed his brother. “You want to fire her or will I?”

Looking serious and regretful, Mikey turned to Ari who was standing over them with her hands on her hips. “I’m sorry, Ari. You’re fired.”

She made a few spluttering noises before crossing her arms over her chest. “That was so harsh.”

Like always, Ari’s silent treatment lasted five minutes. She hovered over them as they started from scratch, making them snacks and bringing them soda,

and offering commentary and suggestions that were ignored as he and Mikey spent three hours creating a papier-mâché alien lampshade. By the time they

were finished, Mikey’s eyes were drooping.

“Right, it’ll be dry in the morning. You better get to bed.” Charlie steered Mikey towards the hall.

Mumbling thanks to Charlie, his little brother sleepily stumbled his way up to bed, calling a lazy goodnight out to his mom as he passed the sitting room.

Sighing wearily himself, Charlie went back inside the kitchen to see Ari had miraculously cleared everything away in seconds. He smiled at her gratefully as
he pulled his backpack up off the floor.

“I suppose I better get going.” Ari yawned and then eyed him as he took out the math chapter he had to finish for tomorrow’s class. “You haven’t done it
yet?”

Charlie shook his head. “I got waylaid, remember.” At her silence and unwavering stare, Charlie frowned. “What?”

She smiled at him suddenly and impulsively reached over and kissed his cheek. Charlie felt his skin burn hot where her lips had touched him and he

laughed a little nervously.

“What was that for?”

“You’re such a good brother.” She slipped onto the stool beside him. “I’ve finished this chapter. I can help you get it done quicker.”

“You don’t have to, Ari. What I did tonight… it was nothing. It was a stupid lampshade.”

“A stupid lampshade that meant a lot to Mikey. I wish I had someone like you. Admit it.” She nudged his shoulder playfully. “You’d do anything for your

brother.”

Huffing, Charlie rolled his eyes. “Are you helping me or what?”

“Not until you admit it.”

Seeing she was serious, Charlie smirked, giving in. “Fine. I admit. I’d do absolutely anything for the little creep.” He shoved the math book at her. “Now
will you help me or not?”

…
Charlie gazed at the ceiling, light from the street lamps outside casting shadows across it. He watched shadows of the leaves of the tree outside dance in front of him and wished, like he wished every day, that he could dance the shadows out of his soul. Not a day went by when he didn’t have a flashback to some ordinary day with Mikey – ordinary days that had suddenly grown extraordinary now, if only for the fact that they alowed Charlie to talk to Mikey again in his memories.

Part of him kept waiting, like Ari kept waiting, for him to come to his senses. To let this dangerous plan for vengeance go. But the need was just getting stronger. A few weeks had passed since his and Ari’s arrival at the Roe’s home, and Charlie stil hadn’t let go. He was training every day with Jack, learning more and more about power. Tempted every day to take out the emerald Red had given him. So far he’d been strong enough to resist.

Jack had started searching for the Labartu for him and they could both feel the bitch getting closer to them. Jack understood. He knew. He got it. Charlie had spent his young life doing everything for Mikey, looking after him, keeping him safe, keeping him happy. Wel… this was the one last thing he had to do for him.

And it helped having Jack. But it also helped having Falon too. She was like the most non-judgmental person he’d ever met.

Sighing, Charlie sat up in bed and glanced back down at Falon. She was sleeping peacefuly, her hand tucked under her chin like a little girl. A rush of affection washed over him and Charlie tried hard to push it back down. But he couldn’t. It was too exhausting. Reluctant to wake her but knowing Jack would be waiting for him, Charlie brushed her cheek until her eyelashes fluttered open.

“You better get back before your parents notice you’re gone,” he told her softly and enjoyed the sight of her as she sat up, stretching languidly.

She yawned and then shot him a wicked smile that did funny things to his insides. “It’s not even light out. Is that why you’re up so early? To wake me and protect my reputation?”

Charlie chuckled. “No. Jack likes to train early.” He eyed her thoughtfuly. “You want to train with us today? It was fun last time.”

Shaking her head regretfuly, Falon slipped out of bed and shuffled her short but gorgeous legs into her jeans. “Can’t. Got my own training with Ari. That girl is awesome. Dad’s realy impressed with her.”

Her name made Charlie tense, an inexplicable feeling of guilt chipping at his good mood. He didn’t know what had happened with Ari and Jai but he wasn’t fooled by their pretense that
nothing
had happened. He had a feeling they were keeping their relationship on the down-low to protect Jai. So Ari had moved on. Why did Charlie then feel like he was cheating on her? He’d always felt that way, ever since Mikey… every time he fooled around with another girl, he felt like an unfaithful boyfriend.

Falon sighed and Charlie glanced up at her from under his eyelashes, wary of the heaviness in that sigh. “Charlie, you know you just
think
you’re hung up on her, right?”

“There is no
think
about it,” he replied gruffly, not wanting to hurt her but prickling at the condescending suggestion that he didn’t know his own mind. Confused, he shook his head. “Anyway, you stil had sex with me knowing what the deal was.”

“Yeah, I did.” She shrugged nonchalantly before puling on his
Twin Atlantic
shirt. He should be pissed that she’d borrowed it without asking because it hadn’t been easy to find… but she looked realy hot in it. “You and I have been vibing since we met. You seriously think you can honestly be in love with Ari and stil want to fool around with other girls?”

“She doesn’t want me. I’m moving on.”

“
Right
. That’s why you’ve been flirting with me since the get-go, before you knew for sure Ari didn’t want you.” She shook her head at him, not angry but almost pleading. “Even though Ari and Jai won’t admit to how they feel for each other, Jai hasn’t looked at one other girl but Ari since I met him.”

Glowering now and hating where she was leading with this, Charlie growled, “Your point?”

“I’m saying, when Ari’s around you’re al teasing and affectionate and close. But not like in a needy, have to be with you kind of way. Like a friend, close. When Ari is in the room with Jai, that guy is totaly focused on her. When she’s not looking, he’s watching her. It’s like a freaking Jane Austen novel.”

“That doesn’t mean anything,” Charlie argued. “We’re totaly different guys.”

“Right,” Falon agreed, “You profess to be in love with a girl, then you give up on her without a fight, and then you screw around with her newest bestie. I doubt Jai is screwing around with anyone. I bet he hasn’t screwed around with anyone since he met her.”

“If you’re trying to say I don’t love Ari, then you’re wrong.”

“I think you love Ari. I just don’t think you love her enough.”

It was like she’d slapped him. He blinked rapidly, his heart racing a little too fast as her words brought back Ari’s own words to him. Those exact same words.

“Babe, I’m sorry.” Falon brushed a gentle hand down his cheek as he gazed down at her, lost. “I didn’t mean to go al serious on you.”

He shook his head slowly and brought her hand to his lips, pressing a forgiving kiss to her fingers. “It’s okay. Not many girls would have this conversation with a guy they’d just slept with.”

She grinned mischievously. “Wel, I’m not like other girls.”

“Yeah, I’m getting that.”

“I had a lot of fun last night. Like a lot. Like… more than I’ve had before.”

He grinned back at her now, wrapping his arms around her waist and breathing her in. She smeled like him, and Charlie felt a rush of possessiveness he hadn’t been expecting. “You saying I’m the best you ever had?”

“Wel, according to rumor you’ve had a lot of practice.”

In retaliation he began to tickle her, until their fighting tumbled them back down onto the bed. Charlie pinned her there, his eyes hypnotized by the cute little bow of her mouth. She was so adorably gorgeous, but the exterior hid a sharp mind, biting wit, and openness that he found refreshing. He liked her. Smiling at the realization and feeling a little freer for it, Charlie asked softly, “Was last night the kind of fun you’d want to repeat with me?”

Seeming to enjoy being pinned down by him, Falon made a soft little humming sound before nodding slowly. “Oh definitely.”

As their kiss deepened, Charlie grew even more relaxed. Other than Jack, Falon was the only one he could talk to about his revenge without her flipping out on him—like Ari. No, Falon would just listen, let him talk it out. She was kind of turning into his best friend here. He stopped, puling back to look at her.

“What?” she whispered.

His smile was a little shy as he replied, “I like you.”

Grinning now, Falon nodded. “Yeah. I like you too, Charlie Creagh.”