“Me either, but sometimes—” My thoughts scattered as I straightened and turned around. Mouth slipping open, I stood there, frozen to the core. My heart thundered, and blood rushed through my ears, drowning out all other sound.
“Sometimes what?” Franklin’s voice cut through the static roar filling my head. “Boone, what—shit!” Franklin’s feet didn’t suffer from the same concrete my shoes had evidently been filled with. Three quick strides brought him to me, his body to the side and slightly in front of mine. While the gesture was chivalrous, it was also pointless. I knew where we stood compared to the power of the unknown djinn casually leaning against my kitchen counter.
What she was, was obvious. Tattoos covered every inch of visible skin. Unlike Aurelia, those tattoos also covered her face. Ears enlarged and pierced along their edges, the metal glinted and gleamed in the minimal overhead lighting. Unlike Aurelia, this djinn was fashionably dressed in dark denim, low heeled boots, and a rose-hued blouse. The pink shade brought thoughts of Momma to mind.
“Who…?” Franklin’s words seemed to end with that one burning question.
Her eyes weren’t the Caribbean blue of Aurelia’s. They were deep, swirling shades of gray, as if filled with fog. Those eyes shifted from Franklin to me. Arms crossed, the djinn’s lips curved into a smirk.
“I imagined you to be much taller, necromancer.” Her cadence was deceptively soft and comforting. “But I suppose that is the way of myths and legends. They always seem larger than life and disappointing when confronted in reality.”
I was too unsettled to take offense. No matter how hard I tried, my fingers continued quaking. What I could do was step out of Franklin’s shadow. “You know who I am, but I still don’t know who you are.”
Her bald head cocked to the side. “Don’t you? I heard you desired to speak with me.”
Clarity hit me. “Ajita.”
Her smirk stretched, exposing pointed teeth. “At your service.”
“Christ,” Franklin cursed. When I touched his forearm, I noted he was shaking nearly as badly as me. I didn’t take a lot of solace in our fearful solidarity.
Franklin’s outburst drew Ajita’s attention. “I do not believe the son of the Christian God will be very helpful in this instance.”
Franklin bristled but thankfully kept his silence. Ajita’s attention focused back on me. “Despite your less than impressive physical appearance, you have somehow managed to gain the respect and attention of a djinn. I considered ignoring Aurelia’s request, but I will admit to being intrigued. Other djinn do not typically seek me out.”
I seriously doubtedanyonesought Ajita out. I also doubted many knew of her existence.
Ajita’s caustic grin diminished into something thoughtful. “Aurelia’s current master is far more lenient than most. It is…odd.”
I couldn’t disagree. “Aurelia’s current master never desired to be one.”
Ajita’s eyebrows rose, distorting the tattoos on her forehead. “An interesting and rare occurrence.” Her vicious grin returned.“I have no master.” She fingered an elongated, amethyst crystal dangling from her neck. I could feel her soul pulsing within. Ajita’s fingers tightened around the crystal as her eyes narrowed, their gray lightening with a silver glow. “I can feel you touching it. It is mine, not yours.”
I immediately yanked back my necromancer side. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend.”
“Hmm…perhaps not. I am beginning to understand Aurelia’s interest, although it is a dangerous interest. Perhaps more dangerous than she realizes. Should I do my djinn sister a favor and eliminate this threat before her fascination costs Aurelia more than she bargained for?”
Franklin was in front of me in a flash, pushing me behind him. His fingers twitched, and I knew he desperately wanted to reach for a gun that would be absolutely useless.
“I’m no threat to Aurelia,” I countered. I wanted to tack on “or you,” but considering the situation, that would be a lie. If Ajita continued her threatening actions, I would respond. Most likely, I’d die in the process, but Ajita kept her object of attachment, and therefore her soul, close at hand. Shoving her soul back into her magically enhanced body would be quick. I just wasn’t sure it would be quick enough. Regardless, we were at a stalemate.
Ajita’s eyes dimmed, their dark gray swirls returning. “Perhaps. Perhaps not. I suppose it is Aurelia’s gamble. Not mine. Besides, considering your scope of interest, I doubt I will need to take action. The threat you pose will soon be eliminated.”
My chest constricted, pulling a shocked gasp from my throat. “I… What do you mean? What do you know?” I pushed Franklin aside again.
Ajita gave a disinterested shrug. “Regarding this shadow borne specifically? I know next to nothing. But I know shadow borne. Gaining theirinterestis never conducive to a long life.”
Desperately pushing my fear down, I forced my brain to concentrate on Ajita’s words. Licking my dry lips, I said, “This shadow borne seems to want me alive.” At least that appeared the case so far.
Her eyes widened slightly. “Is that so? I cannot imagine that is a favorable thing either.”
“On that we can agree,” I answered. “Do they have any weaknesses?” I tried to keep the desperation from my voice but feared I failed miserably.
Ajita’s head tilted as her gaze studied me. She briefly glanced at Franklin before quickly settling her attention back on me. “Given your situation, that is a reasonable question. I wonder why you believe I would offer such information to you.”
On some level, I expected an answer like that and was somewhat prepared. “We don’t know what Huxley wants from me.”
“You are a necromancer. The reason seems clear enough,” Ajita answered. “He wishes you to bring a soul back from the beyond.”
