I took an involuntary step back. “Of course not.”
I caught myself. I couldn’t afford to appear defensive.
Lowering my arms to my sides, I shook my head and smiled, as if it were obvious. “Don’t you know anything about the race you seek? You can recognize a Jinni by their pale skin, paler than any human.” I quoted my mother’s book as I held up my arm, gesturing at the warm tone, far darker than any Jinni, although much lighter than my father. “But more importantly,” I added, as another detail from my mother’s book returned to me, “Theyalwayshave blue eyes. As you can see—” I gestured to my face. “—my eyes are brown.”
“It could be a trick,” he replied.
He had me there.
Could they disguise that feature?
My knowledge was limited; I’d only just begun to read the book when I’d left home.
But I needed him to believe he needed me, so I lied. “No,” I shook my head. “Not possible.”
“How do I know you’re telling the truth?” he asked. So candid.
“You don’t,” I said, choosing to be equally direct in return. “But you can test me, if you’d like. I can find a Jinni.”
The truth was, I only knew limited bits and pieces of the methods; the book had been extremely vague.
I needed him to help me with the rest.
Including survival.
“Hire me, and I’ll help you track and find a Jinni in under a week’s time.”
A bold statement. I had no idea if it was true, but I needed work, I needed coin, and I needed time to plan.
“There’s something odd about you,” he replied. “Tell you what. Come to dinner.” Though he didn’t mean for me to hear it, I caught the thought that followed.At least we can give her something to eat before we make any decisions.“If you can convince my crew, then you’re hired.”
“Your crew?” My stomach wanted to ask more about dinner, but I made myself focus.
“There’s six of us total.” Those warm golden eyes watched me closely. He still didn’t quite buy my lie. “Thought you would’ve heard that when you were making inquiries.”
Best not to reply to that.
“Do you promise I’ll be safe?” I asked. I didn’t mean for my voice to come out so high and shrill.
“I give you my word,” he replied.
I listened for his thoughts.
No sign of deceit. No ulterior motives. He meant it.
I let myself relax, just a little. My feet ached, my stomach still pinched me as if to say one meal was not nearly enough.
Once I let my guard down, weariness overcame me. I could’ve slept right there in the street.
“Okay,” I said. “Dinner it is.”
