Leaning back in my chair, I let out a sigh, my shoulders slumping and my eyes finding the genie lamp again. It’s very shiny, and honestly super pretty.
I don’t like that I like it.
I don’t like the timing of receiving it.
I don’t likeanythingswirling around in my head right now.
Chapter Four
ARMAN
As I enter the market store, my eyes instantly find her—Pinky. She’s looking through some egg cartons, studying them so closely she seems oblivious to the world around her.
I can’t help but appreciate her figure. Her curves go on for miles, making my mouth water. She has the most perfect physique, a form no one else can even try to compete with.
I walk toward her, my footsteps alerting her of my approach. When she turns, those big, perfect eyes stare widely at me. Gods, she’s so beautiful.
My only wish is for her to be mine—and with the help of her best friend, hopefully, one day she will be.
When I got a text this morning from an unknown number telling me I should go to Harmony Market in the afternoon today, I just knew that it was the shadow demon giving me a nudge in the right direction.
How she got my number, though, remains a mystery. I’m not going to dwell on it. Shadow demons are known to be sneaky, so I’m not overly surprised.
There was a second text saying that if I want her help, I owe her agenuinewish—not some trick. While it pains me to think of such a thing, I sent back a text of agreeance.
Raya is worth it, I can tell.
“Pinky, I’m so glad I ran into you.” I smile at her.
Her eyes flick over me quickly, and her lips thin. “Go away—I don’t have anything to say to you.”
“That’s fine, you can just listen then. Let me explain what happened the other day,” I practically plead.
She takes a deep breath, her shoulders falling as she sighs. “Fine.”
Wait, really? That easily? I wasn’t prepared for this, though I should’ve been.
“I guess there’s more to explain thanjustthe other day.” I rub the back of my neck. “How much time do you have?”
She rolls her eyes. “Notthatmuch. You have about thirty seconds until I walk away.”
All the alarm bells are going off in my head—if I don’t say the right thing, right now, getting her to trust me will only bethatmuch harder.
“I have a habit of taking wishes too far,” I admit, my shoulders falling as I let out a breath. “It’s why I left the last city I was in—I made a few too many people angry, including this particularly threatening incubus, and had to leave while it cools off.”
She stares at me, gripping the egg cartons tightly in her hands. Much to my surprise, she doesn’t bolt away. She remains in her place, lips straight and eyes wide.
Taking the chance, I keep talking, the words leaving me quicker than my brain can process. “Wish granting is my job, but it’s more than that—it’s part of me. I can’t just stop doing it, and somehow, I take every wish too far, even if I don’t want to.”
“And did you want to take that man’s wishthatfar?” she asks, still staring widely at me.
My insides feel…a way they never feel. My stomach hurts, but I haven’t eaten anything strange. There’s a slight tightness in my chest, and my heart feels like it’s picked up pace a bit.
What is this?
I try to ignore it, forcing out my answer, “I did in that case—but I swear, there have been times I didn’t.”
“Well, I would hope so,” she scoffs, tossing her head to move some of her hair. “Otherwise, you’d be a prettyshitgenie.”
