“We’re fine,” Cadmus interjected.
Arim silenced him with a look.“You’re finefor now.One of our most trusted men infiltrated the Djinn stronghold and informed us this world has been compromised.”
I scowled.“Compromised?By whom, and for how long?”
Anger radiated from Arim like a heat wave.“The Djinn.Apparently, they’ve been aware of your transport since you arrived.”
What the hell?I let out a bellow of disbelief, conscious my brothers joined my dismay.What had been the purpose of being forced to live in a world devoid of magic if the Djinn knew we were here?
Even Aerolus, the most even-tempered of the bunch, had questions.“How do you know this to be true?If the Djinn were here, we’d have been attacked by now.Since our arrival, we’ve been on our guard but have detected nothing beyond the other magic creatures here.But none from our plane.If they’re really here, how have the Djinn survived?Especially since they can’t tolerate daylight?”
“I’m not sure…yet.”Arim didn’t look happy at the admission.“But it may be the light from this world isn’t strong enough to combat their darkness, or perhaps they only venture out when the sun is hidden.At any rate, I’ve been discussing this issue with your mother.”
When he didn’t say more, I did my best not to set his robes on fire.“And?”
“And she still thinks you’re safer here than at home.”
Unable to stop myself, I lashed out in a rage.My anger found the coffeepot, shattering glass over the counter.
With a narrowing of his eyes, Marcus cooled the glass with a sudden mist but made no mention of my outburst.“Mother thinks we’re safer here, but what do you think?”he asked Arim.
“For once, I disagree with her.You’re in a greater danger here.Despite the lack of magic on this plane, enough exists to support the Djinn’s presence, thus enough magic exists here to hurt you.”
Aerolus interrupted.“But what about our affai?”
I rolled my eyes.Aerolus just had to ask.
“They are here.I wanted to give you more time to court them properly and test their mettle before you brought them home.But I fear we no longer have that luxury.”Arim retrieved a necklace bearing a diamond-like crystal from inside his tunic.
Aerolus caught his breath.Marcus stared in amazement.I sneered.How typical of Arim to make things as difficult as possible.
“A Knowing Crystal,” Cadmus murmured.
“A tool that would have helped us when we first landed here a year ago.”I glared, displeased more than ever with our new uncle.“Why the hell would you have kept this from us, knowing how much we’re needed at home?”
Arim nodded at Cadmus, ignoring me as if I hadn’t spoken.“Yes, a Knowing Crystal.I’m not sure how well it will work here, but it still contains the energy and memories of all the Storm Lords before you.Simply wear it around your neck, and when you have found your affai, you will know.”
“But with only one crystal, three of us will be in the dark concerning potential mates,” Aerolus pointed out.
I accidentally set nearby curtains on fire, uncaring of Arim’s displeasure.“Why didn’t you give us this before we left, you bastard?”
Arim stilled.And frowned—a very bad sign.The temperature in the room grew ice cold, extinguishing my fire.“Watch your tone with me, Darius.Kin or not, no one talks to a Valens like that without severe repercussions.”
Beyond care, I stepped forward, only to be held back by my brothers.
“This isn’t helping,” Marcus murmured in my ear.“He won’t kill you, but he can make your life miserable.”
“More than it is now?”I growled.But I wasn’t completely around the bend.I saw the danger in Arim’s stance, understood the need to curb my temper and deal with the situation we now faced.I’d brood about his deception later.
Nodding a forced apology to my uncle, I knew a sense of relief when the room temperature returned to normal.
Arim’s expression firmed.“Aerolus, in response to your worry about only having one crystal, I have an answer.”He dangled the crystal, and we all watched as it began to rotate, spinning faster and faster the longer Arim held it.
His eyes grew dark as he muttered an incantation.I felt the power run from Arim to me, the sensation of tiny pinpricks of magic sinking a toehold into my body both thrilling and unnerving.The crystal pulled at me, seeking something I couldn’t define.But I was helpless to look away from its crystalline beauty.
After a timeless pause, my gaze slid to Arim, the sorcerer’s black stare leeching my will until I swayed on his feet.
Only when Arim blinked did my frailty pass.
