Gideon flips me the bird.
“If the book is going to be a prude, I guess you’re on solo research duty for now,” I say, wedging myself in beside her on the small piece of furniture. I point to the book. “Is there an index? Maybe you can read any sections that mention talisman magic first, so we can go get that handled for you.”
I know I sound a little blasé. But it’s that or release all of my worries on the two of them, and that wouldn’t be fair. Feigning nonchalance is the best I can do right now.
“No index or table of contents.” Sheena smiles to soften the blow. “Given that they probably assembled this book when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, it’s not exactly organized traditionally. I’ll let you know as soon as I see anything about a talisman. I promise.”
I frown at the book, annoyed that it’s still being difficult. “If it’s so old,” I say. “I’m surprised it’s even readable.”
“Yeah, that’s odd.”
“It’s not readable.”
Sheena and Gideon contradict each other at the same time. We share confused looks, then all together, we look back down at the book. Gideon is right. The only thing I can make out is the word ‘djinn.’ Everything else is completely indecipherable.
“Are you guys messing with me?” Sheena asks, tucking some hair behind her ear and pointing at the page in front of her. “It says, ‘the djinn are a powerful and ancient race with a sacred mission to protect and preserve.’”
Gideon and I exchange a surprised look.
“It may say that, baby, but it looks like gibberish to us,” Gideon says, squinting at the text.
“Maybe you being able to read it while we can’t is just another part of the book’s magic,” I suggest. They both turn to look at me and I shrug. “I don’t have any better ideas. Just keep reading.”
Sheena nods and begins reading in earnest. After several minutes of silence, Gideon starts to fidget on the arm of the couch. He’s so big she gets jostled every time he moves.
Eventually she’s had enough. Sheena marks her place in the book and looks up. “I don’t know how long it’s going to take me to read this, and there’s no reason for you to sit here all day waiting. Why don’t you both go find something else to do?”
“Are you trying to get rid of us?” I ask, smirking at her obvious exasperation.
“Is it that obvious?”
“Yeah, but I get it, baby.” Gideon grins, planting a sloppy kiss on her cheek. “We need to check in with our dads about the latest attack anyway.” He gives me a loaded look, and I groan.
“Yeah, yeah, we’ll go talk to the dads and let you read.” I drop a soft kiss on her lips, smiling against her mouth. “But only if you promise to let us know as soon as you learn something about talismans.”
She nods and waves us off, sinking back into the plush cushions to focus.
SHEENA
After years of hiding out in the middle of nowhere and bussing tables to get by, I’m sitting in an actual mansion, reading an ancient book written in a dead language. No more chipped laminate countertops for me. The tables around me now are all covered in linen tablecloths and crystal vases.
How did I end up here?
I inhale deeply, feeling a dull ache in my heart and head. Curled up on the couch reading in the middle of the day sounds relaxing, but there’s nothing leisurely about it. It’d be easier to enjoy if everything wasn’t a matter of life and death.
With the guys gone, I can finally concentrate on reading. I know they want to help, but their anxiety made it impossible for me to focus.Hopefully, this book has some answers.
I make my way through the introduction and can’t help but groan when I realize it’s basically saying ‘with great power comes great responsibility.’ Spider-Man’s dead uncle already taught me that. I thumb ahead, skimming until I get to a section on tiers.
This is interesting.
Apparently, djinn have different levels of power. The book says some can only affect physical objects.Like wishing for a soda from the fridge.Others can bend minds and warp wills, not just changing opinions but controlling actions as well. Even stronger djinn can modify reality itself, creating and manipulating the world around them and everyone’s perception of it.
The book goes on to say it’s not uncommon for djinn to have some combination of these skills, but the levels of power vary wildly.Which apply to me?I’ve changed some mental and physical outcomes against my will in the past, but it’s difficult to gauge the scope. I rub the furrow between my brows when my headache becomes a persistent throbbing.
Whoever wrote this doesn’t go into how to test your magic, but there is a small section about how all djinn must be assessed by an elder after they come of age. Evidently, the elders are the ones who give djinn their power rankings and placements.
On the next page there's an elaborate table. It takes me a second to figure out what it's showing, but eventually, I realize it's a guideline for djinn community placements. Once I find the djinn's power level column, I can see not only the suggested tithe but also standards for their protection detail. Stronger djinn require more money and more guards.
