“She wouldn’t be. Stubborn woman.”
“Why wouldn’t she want to see her father?”
“That’s really her business, isn’t it?”
“It’s mine while I’m here. I trust her judgement. And if she’d not comfortable with Ethim, perhaps I should take a second look at the man. Could he be a part of Sin Garu’s schemes?”
Honestly, I didn’t think Ethim il Ruethe had anything to do with Sin Garu. From what I’d seen of the Djinn leader in my brief stint on Foreia, Ethim regarded Sin Garu as the lowest form of life. But I wanted to know more about Ellie, and I doubted Jonas would tell me anything by simply asking.
Jonas sighed and sank onto the couch, rubbing his shoulder. “Ethim has nothing to do with the Dark Lord. He and Ellie have never had what you’d call an easy relationship. Ethim has responsibilities that take him from this plane often.”
“So what? He refused to take her with him?”
“Her mother wouldn’t allow him to.”
Surprised, I shut up and listened.
“Ethim and Amanda, Ellie’s mom, had a falling-out nearly thirty years ago. She’s yet to forgive him. And, in her quest to punish him, she pulled Ellie into the middle.”
“That’s not right.” I felt anger on Ellie’s behalf, surprised at the depth of it.
“No, it’s not. But I do agree with Amanda’s decision to raise Ellie here. Being with Ethim would only have put her in danger she’s not ready to face.”
“Because she’s not a true Djinn?”
Jonas shook his head. “Because she won’t accept she’s a true Djinn. In our culture, blood doesn’t tell all. Ellie’s half human, but it’s her magic — her soul — that determines her course in life. The stubborn woman is gifted with great powers of Darkness, powers she refuses to acknowledge.”
“I still don’t get it. She’s Djinn. What more is there to acknowledge?”
“Don’t be so dense.”
I scowled.
As usual, Jonas ignored my irritation. “Being a Storm Lord is much more than simply being born a Light Bringer, right?”
I reluctantly nodded.
“You had to accept your elemental nature, to allow it to build and grow within so you’d be able to skewer as many creatures of Dark and Shadow as you possibly can,” Jonas finished caustically.
I flipped him my middle finger, as I’d seen many mundane citizens insult one another.
He smirked. “Real creative of you. But you get my point?”
“I suppose. I still don’t see why Ellie wouldn’t simply embrace her heritage if it meant becoming closer to her father.”
Hell, I had done everything in my power to prove himself worthy to my father, a man I would forever love and respect. Faustus Storm had rewarded me in so many ways. Trips into the forest, surrounding his son with Tanselm’s rich earth and hearty magic. Our treasured times together, just Faustus and me, apart from my brothers, where Dad and I would joke and pull pranks against the rest of our tight-knit family.
“I think perhaps your growing years were different than Ellie’s,” Jonas said quietly. “Even mine was filled with a closeness I’ve yet to rediscover among the humans. Don’t get me wrong, Amanda is a very loving mother. But her strained relationship with Ethim soured Ellie in a lot of respects.”
I nodded, understanding more about Ellie. I wanted to comfort her for what I couldn’t change. Wary of my deepening feelings, I shied away from the notion of growing affection and changed the subject.
“Okay, so Ethim isn’t a bad guy. Fine. So what are you doing here? Did you miss me, Jonas?”
Jonas pinched the bridge of my nose as if seeking patience, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. I might be on the outs with the woman of my dreams, but I could get under Jonas’ skin. That had to count for something.
Chapter 11
Cadmus
