Borrowed Ember (4 page)

Best to disabuse him of the notion then.

“Ari herself may be pure but twice now I’ve witnessed the Seal trying to infect her with its power… the darker half of its power.”

The Sultan stiled and Red had to hold in a smug smile. Bingo. The thought of Ari being ‘pure’ meant something to his father. Something important. And the Seal’s infection was a problem. “Realy? Wel… isn’t that… interesting.”

“Master?”

Shaking himself, Azazil smiled nonchalantly and took the glass of wine back from the Shaitan. “Al the more reason to observe her this evening. Asmodeus is

convinced there is something between Ari and her guardian. If this is true, I need to see for myself. It could be useful.”

Trying to ignore a strange feeling he didn’t want to label ‘panic’, Red decided ignoring Asmodeus’ suspicions was the best way to deal with it. Instead he thought about Charlie and discovered that also incited his anger. He unclenched his jaw, so his father wouldn’t see. “And the purpose of Charlie?” he asked softly, furious that Charlie had been used and seemingly for nothing. The games Red played always had a purpose. That’s how he was able to deal with some of the more distasteful things he’d had to do since he’d gotten to know Ari.

“White unexpectedly saved him.” Azazil grinned, completely entertained by how things had panned out. “It doesn’t matter. The point was for him to kil the

Labartu—a ful-blood. There’s no saving him from that. He either dies trying or he succeeds and we kil him for his crime. Either way I stil want him out of the picture.

We didn’t
use
him needlessly.” His smiled turned sharp and caustic. Knowing. Red shivered, once again wondering for the eight milionth time if his father was a mind reader. “Charlie must die of his own stupidity. Remember, Ari must not have reason to blame us.”

“So you realy are alowing them to leave tomorrow?”

“Of course. Why rush this? It’s the most fun we have al had in quite some time.”

“Well, look at
you.” Asmodeus purred, his beautiful dark eyes filed with cold detachment. Ari shuddered, struck mute, as he began to circle her, his gaze running the length of her.

Just as quickly as she’d been struck with fear, the feeling of being trapped ignited the dark coiling heat in her chest. It unfurled at his lengthy perusal and al of sudden Ari’s tensed muscles relaxed. Asmodeus stiled as if he caught the change in her and Ari tilted her head back to meet his gaze. Their eyes locked and that inexplicable feeling of familiarity washed over her again.

An ache coalesced within, squeezing her heart. She felt drawn to Asmodeus. As if…

… as if she knew him somehow.

“You’re different,” Ari whispered, the hush of her words drawing his sharp gaze.

“What do you mean?”

Disorientated and confused by her own behavior, Ari shook her head. “I… I don’t know why I said that.”

Glowering at her, the dangerous Marid stopped inches before her, his height causing her to crane her neck back. The smel of leather and spice enveloped her and Ari hated that it wasn’t an unpleasant scent. “Is the Seal trying to take control of you, Ari Johnson?”

His perceptive question made her choke on a gasp and she took a step back. She wished she knew if it was from his question or his proximity. “It does that when I feel I might be in danger.”

Asmodeus smirked at that and cocked his head to the side, his silken hair faling from his shoulders like a sheet of pure black ice. “You think you have something to fear from me?”

“I think, being what I am, I have something to fear from almost al Jinn.”

He tensed at her response, seeming surprised. “Wise answer.” And then scowled. “But almost? You mean the Ginnaye? You think you have nothing to fear from Jai Bitar? Because… you what? Love him?”

Icy stalactites formed under Ari’s heart and began to drip freezing, frightened drops into her stomach. It churned from the cold and Ari took another step back from the Lieutenant. How did he know that? “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

His glower turned into a glare so arctic Ari’s breath caught again. “Don’t lie to me.”

This man. This Jinn… Somehow, Ari feared him above al the others, despite the pul of him. Despite his draw. Despite the feeling that above al the others, this was a Jinn she somehow
knew
. Surely she wasn’t attracted to him? The thought filed her with horror. Sure he was gorgeous… but he was utterly terrifying.

As Ari drew out of her own thoughts and back to Asmodeus, the look in his eyes, the chiling anger began to register, and instead of the fear she’d felt only moments before, a strange sense of melancholy took over her. The awful anger he directed towards her made her feel like she’d lost something. That
he’d
lost something.

Like he was no longer himself.

Ari took a tentative step forward, not even aware of her own body as she remembered her dreams about Lilif and Asmodeus. In al of them Asmodeus had seemed

rational, wise, and almost…
kind
. He had been incredibly patient with his sister—with the exception of that first dream Ari had had of the two of them trying to pummel one another. Or more precisely when Lilif had been intent on destroying Asmodeus. Why? And what? What had changed Asmodeus into this… this wicked, cold

Marid like al the others were famed to be?

Ari so wanted to ask him but asking him would mean teling him she’d been dreaming of his past with Lilif—and she was sure it was their past. The dreams felt like memories. But whose memories? Lilif’s or Asmodeus’?

And how the hel had they gotten inside Ari’s head?

Am I some kind of psychic now?

Nowhere in the book that Jai gave her did it say anything about the Seal having prophetic powers or whatever. She was weird enough as it was… she didn’t want to get any weirder.

Shaking herself from her thoughts, Ari realized Asmodeus was just standing there. Glaring at her. She crossed her arms over her chest defensively. “You stil wear the Seal. Wel, you pretend to.” She nodded at the ring hanging from a piece of leather rope around his neck.

Asmodeus touched it without breaking her gaze, his long, masculine fingers brushing the ancient-looking ring. “Azazil wishes it so. He does not want others hunting you.”

Ari immediately thought of Dalí. Had the sorcerer told anyone else about her? “That might be too late.”

Asmodeus’ eyes flashed with violence and his voice lowered into a deep rumble, “Oh it is.”

Fear shot through her, igniting the dark mass in her chest again and Ari felt her skin grow unusualy hot. Growled words tumbled out from between her lips before she could stop them, “Are you threatening me?”

“Advising you.” He shrugged, death in his eyes.

Fury at the threat embraced her entire body and the heat was unbearable. She lashed out, the power of the Seal crackling at her fingertips. The air in the room grew electric and a phantom wind swooped around them, blowing Ari’s hair back from her face. “Your kind of advice is unwanted and unwise, Asmodeus.”

Shock transformed Asdmodeus’ features, his face paling, his eyes widening. “Lilif?” he whispered, a hand reaching out towards her.

As suddenly as the Seal had taken control, the darkness was puled back under, sucked in by the vacuum of Ari’s own control. Her whole body trembled as she

tried to reassert dominance over her own mind and body. She blinked, shuddering and heaving. Asmodeus’ shocked question had brought Ari back in control. “What?”

she breathed in utter confusion.

“Your eyes,” Asmodeus growled and strode towards her threateningly. “They changed.”

Ari stumbled back and held her hands up to ward him off, the darkness already awakening at the new threat. To her surprise he stopped and so did the darkness.

“Changed?”

“They turned dark. Dark brown.” He moved again and Red’s warning took hold of her as Asmodeus crowded her against the wal. His hand wrapped around her

throat to hold her in place, his eyes blazing with furious questions.

Terrified his attack would cause her to use the Seal again, Ari pushed the telepathy, searching for Red.
Red, I need you! Asmodeus is in my room!

Asmodeus squeezed her throat, cutting off her air supply. And then just as suddenly he loosened his hold. “Tel me what you know.” He pushed her a little and her head smacked against the wal. “Tel m-”

Fire erupted behind him and Ari sagged in relief as Asmodeus let go of her to turn around and face the intruder. Not intruder. Ari met Red’s angry gaze and she slid along the wal away from Asmodeus only to stil at the sight of Azazil. He towered beside The Red King, eyeing Asmodeus carefuly. His gaze shifted to Ari and he smiled politely. “You look lovely, Ari.” And then he turned back to his Lieutenant. “Come, Asmodeus. You know it’s ungentlemanly to pay a cal to a maiden’s room alone. Let us leave Ari to gather herself before dinner.”

Asmodeus looked down at her like he was considering disobeying the Sultan. Ari stared back at him warily, completely bemused by his aggression towards her.

Finaly he nodded and with one last piercing look, Asmodeus turned and folowed Azazil out of the room.

Ari sagged against the wal as the door closed behind them. “He seriously doesn’t like me.”

Her uncle nodded. “I want to find out why.”

“Can you?”

“Not if my father doesn’t want me to know.”

Ari’s face fel and she gave him a nod of understanding.

Red sighed. “But I can try.”

Thanking the heavens for her uncle, Ari gave him a grateful smile. “Thank you.”

He smiled back at her and held out an elbow for her to take. “You look beautiful by the way. Just like your mother.”

Ari blinked at the mention of Sala. “You knew her?” she asked softly as she took his proffered elbow.

Red’s expression smoothed out to perfect blankness. “A long time ago.”

4 -
Feast on these Words Before the Plate is Removed from the Table

Stil shaken from her encounter with Asmodeus, and desperate to keep how unnerved she was under wraps so that Jai and Charlie didn’t suspect she had been

accosted, Ari tried to keep her expression serenely blank as she approached them. They stood together at the end of the halway at the exit to Red’s quarters in the palace. Standing by a window, the air of thick tension around them was obvious; Jai gazed outside at something that had caught his interest while Charlie stared determinedly at the floor.

I must say I don’t think I’ve been quite as entertained by a love triangle since Meyer’s novels.
Red chuckled, throwing her a sarcastic look.

Ari roled her eyes and gave him a friendly nudge with her elbow.
Why am I not surprised you read paranormal teen fiction?

Because I read everything. I was particularly delighted by the one about the girl who fights in the arena with the other tributes from different

districts… like gladiators of ancient Rome. It was blood-thirsty and very entertaining.

Grinning, Ari shook her head. “Again, I’m not surprised.”

“Not surprised by what?” Charlie asked, and Ari turned to look at him only to feel her cheeks redden at his gaze. He was staring at her as if he’d never seen her before, his eyes seeming to penetrate the soft fabric she was wrapped in. Again, Ari fought the urge to cover herself up. Instead she shot an anxious look at Jai who was no longer gazing in boredom out of the window. His vibrant eyes were traveling the length of her, his jaw clenching as they came to rest on her face. He noticed her flush and jerked a swift glance at Charlie, his scowl deepening.

“I didn’t ask to be dressed like this,” Ari hurried to assure him. “Apparently, Azazil insisted on it.”

Jai didn’t appear to be listening. He was stil glowering at Charlie who had finaly realized he’d been caught blatantly checking her out. He shot a wary look at Jai and then gave Ari a careful nod. “You look nice,” he told her hoarsely.

Ari scowled as Jai crossed his arms over his chest, his biceps flexing threateningly. He was wearing a t-shirt. And jeans. So was Charlie. “What the hel?” she grumbled, gesturing to their attire. “Why aren’t you guys in some ridiculous get-up?”

The Red King cleared his throat. “It was not required of them.”

“Just me?” Ari sneered, feeling naked and picked upon. “Why?”

“Don’t take it as an insult, Ari. It was meant as a compliment. It suggests Azazil thinks of you as one of his own people. It was not meant to insult you. Although,” he cast another look over her appearance and gave a fatherly frown, “On second thought it is a little revealing.”

“A little?” Jai snapped.

At the sound of disgust in his voice Ari shot him a hurt look of angry dismay. “I look that bad?”

His eyes narrowed. “No. That’s the opposite of the problem.”

“Dude, she can wear what she wants,” Charlie interjected, frowning at Jai’s proprietary attitude. “You’re not her keeper.”

The guardian Jinn slanted him a dangerous look. “Just keep your eyes glued in your head, Kid.”

“Kid-”

“Oh dear God,” Ari whisper-shouted at them. “Now is not the time or the place. I am dressed like an extra from
Cleopatra
and even though I can’t feel the cold, I’m freezing with vulnerability, so can you just be my friends here and shut up, go to dinner and be on your best behavior so we can get the hel out of here and I can get back into my jeans.”

There was stunned silence for a moment and then Red sighed. “Wel said. Let’s do this.”

Jai stepped aside as Red led her past them, coming up the rear and acting guardian as always. Ari shivered, feeling his gaze on her back. Part of her was annoyed at him for acting like an idiot when she already felt so exposed… but she guessed she’d be put out if someone was parading him around shirtless in front of lots of other women.

If it makes you feel any better, I really wish I wasn’t dressed like this too.
She telepathed back to him, as her eyes wandered out of the windows they kept passing. Outside, a huge marketplace was lit up in the dark of the lowest level of the outer grounds of the palace. There was hardly anyone there as night had falen on Mount Qaf but Ari could stil see selers wandering around amongst their stals. It was so normal for a place so… weird. And creepy.

She heard Jai sigh in her head and relaxed a little at the sound.
I know. That’s partly why I’m pissed off too.

And because of all the leg and cleavage right?

He grunted.
Only because we’re not alone. The dress isn’t really you but…

But?

You look really beautiful.

Ari’s insides melted, her muscles relaxing as they approached a large entranceway and four Shaitan’s guarding the talest double doors she’d ever seen in her life.

Thank you.

You’re welcome. Sorry. About before.

Don’t be. I’d be pissed too if it was the other way around.
She gave Jai a soft smile as he came to stand beside her. He eyed her appreciatively, seeming a little surprised by her understanding.

“Ahem,” Red cleared his throat deliberately, drawing their attention back to the doors. Ari avoided Charlie’s quizzical gaze and waited as the double doors swung slowly inwards, the icy confusion of the great hal becoming clearer and more vivid as the entrance widened. Since the last time she’d been there, warm, blood-red tapestries had been thrown up in the middle of each wal, the lighting had dimmed into romantic candlelight, and a long dinner table now sat center of the room, piles of food awaiting them. Ari’s stomach growled a little and she realized she hadn’t eaten al day. Standing beside the head of the massive table was Azazil. With the exception of hundreds of Shaitans who stood guard on either side of the room, the Sultan was alone.

No Asmodeus.

Ari breathed a sigh of relief.

“Welcome, guests,” Azazil’s voice boomed around the room. “Come, be seated. Let us feast in celebration.”

Azazil asked a lot of questions. Banal, every-day, probing questions that he knew was making them squirm uncomfortably, fearful that the next question would be even more personal than the last. Ari was barely looking at the food in front of her and had only started to nibble at the delicious chicken tapas after Red had given her a pointed look.

Seeming done for the moment after griling Charlie about what he thought was the best beer, Ari tried to steer the conversation. “Your trials are so different from human trials, Your Majesty. It was ful of surprises.”

Azazil smiled at her. “Yes. They’re most entertaining.”

“How does it work exactly?”

Red frowned at her. “What do you mean?”

“Wel how can you possibly know when someone has broken the law? You said you knew when someone had done so, and you track them down and drag them

back here. I don’t understand how that works?”

“I see.” Her uncle nodded. “There are Jinn in this realm whose sole power creates the law. The Law Makers. The magic is complex…” He frowned in thought. “I’m trying to think of a way to describe it to you… Okay… think of it as a barrier, a barrier created by the Law Makers that is attuned to what we consider right and wrong. Anytime someone breaks the law it’s like they’ve slammed into the barrier and the Law Makers feels the vibration of the impact. They can trace that vibration to the law breaker to within striking distance of where he committed the crime. From there it is a case of trying to trace the criminal through their power or finding another Jinn that knows his whereabouts. That’s why it is harder to chase down a half-blood, especialy a sorcerer with an emerald, because the magic is diluted and also drawn from a piece of rock, rather than being a part of them. Jinn magic is like a signature. The less Jinn you are, the fainter the signature. Half-bloods are more of a priority to the Law Makers. Despite what everyone has been told, ful-blooded Jinn are rarely tried for kiling one another, but the threat of the law has decreased in-fighting. If-”

“I hear you had trouble in one of your vilages, son?” Azazil interrupted.

One of his vilages? Ari’s curiosity over Red’s information quickly transformed into curiosity over Red. As if sensing her questioning gaze, Red smiled at her. “Every Jinn King has his own State in Mount Qaf. I rule over the State of Madani.” He turned back to Azazil. “There was a Jinn who thought to quarry emerald from the Mountain without license. I believe some thought my preoccupation with Royal business and my absence meant I was somehow unaware of everything that happens on my land.”

His father grunted. “Simpletons. What happened to the thief?”

“I stole a large portion of his essence and banished him from the realm.”

“Stole his essence?” Ari interrupted, quickly adding, “Your Highness?” Her uncle couldn’t hide his smirk at her pretense of polite deference toward him for Azazil’s benefit, but Ari was in no mood to laugh. Whatever Red had done, it didn’t sound like a light punishment, and the thought of him being cruel and autocratic in anyway made her feel sick. She needed him to be different from Azazil and her father. How different, was something she stil hadn’t realy worked out in her head. Was she able to trust him even when he did crap like steal a person’s essence? “His essence?” she asked quietly, needing more information.

Red grew thoughtful and serious. “A very powerful Jinn can draw the essence of a less powerful Jinn from them. Their essence… as in their power and that which connects them to life and to the balance. We can keep the essence locked in a bottle or place the essence within another Jinn.”

“How is that possible?” Ari shot Jai a worried look.

He shrugged. “I don’t know. I didn’t even know it was possible.”

“As I say,” Red sighed before taking a sip of wine, “Only the very powerful can do this. Sometimes it even takes two very powerful-”

“I’m bored,” Azazil cut in, in his booming petulance. “Let us move onto dessert.” He waved a bejeweled hand at the servants who rushed to clear their plates, and Ari fought down the scowl that was determined to mar her expression. She wanted to know more about the essence stealing deal. “So Charles,” Azazil murmured as Awamet was put in front of him. He paused for a moment as he eyed the donuts like a child seeing his very first sweet. Ari had never met anyone so contradictory in her entire life. Smiling a little, Azazil glanced back up at Charlie. “How does it feel to have blood on your hands?”

Yup, that was more like it.

Ari curled her fingers around the handle of her spoon, biting her tongue in the hopes that it stopped her from insulting the Sultan. Watching Charlie carefuly, she was impressed to see that he didn’t even flinch at Azazil’s question.

Instead he shrugged, chewing on a donut and swalowing it leisurely. “I imagine that’s a feeling you’re quite familiar with, Sultan Azazil.”

As thick silence fel over the table, Ari froze, her heart lodged in her throat as she waited to see how Azazil would react to Charlie’s impertinence.

Finaly, after what seemed like forever, the Sultan boomed out a forced, unnatural laugh that made her shudder in fear. His dark eyes narrowed on her friend as his laughter abruptly cut off. “I think I like you, Charlie Creagh.” His look turned calculating. “Indeed.”

Ari tried to relax but for the rest of the meal she sat tense, curbing her natural instinct to grab Jai and Charlie and get them the hel off Mount Qaf.