How does he know I have Jinni-blood? Can he sense me the way I sensed him?
Panic flooded my senses, and despite the sweltering heat, I felt ice-cold.Does that mean he knows ofmyGift too?
I waited for those surrounding us to turn and stare at me in horror, until a more rational part of me reminded myself that he hadn’t spoken aloud. No one else had heard it. When I turned toward the ‘sound,’ I found him immediately. Staring at me.
Tall and thin, he stood still amongst the sea of people, hands in his jacket pockets. He had a hook nose, clear, sky-blue eyes beneath dark black brows. His pale, almost-translucent skin was so clear his veins showed beneath, giving his pale skin the slightest hint of blue. His tall forehead spoke of intelligence and his long black hair, almost to his shoulders, was swept back. His stance was casual. Un-hurried. He allowed me to take it all in, with eyes wide and my mouth open, before he continued his internal conversation with me,I wish to buy your lamp.
I didn’t know whether to think my response back to him or speak it out loud.
In my indecision, I simply stood there, planted in place.
Kadin approached me from the side, while we still stood staring. “Well?” he asked. “Did it–”
“Kadin!” I interrupted him. “Did you get what you wanted? I got what I wanted, so I’m happy.” It sounded like I was a rambling fool.
As smart as he was, Kadin somehow didn’t catch on. “Are you okay? Did you spend all that coin just because you thought it was pretty?”
Without warning, the Jinni stood next to us, joining our conversation. “I don’t mean to intrude.”
Kadin jumped as if he hadn’t seen him until he spoke.
I smirked ever so slightly.Nowhe caught on. There was no mistaking a Jinni now that I’d seen one.
“I would like to speak with the lady regarding her latest purchase.”
“Of course,” I agreed.
When he turned to Kadin, patiently waiting for him to depart, my smirk turned into a full-on grin. I wiggled my fingers at him as he turned to go.
“Very good,” the Jinni said, facing me. He held a cane. He seemed too young for a cane, only a half-dozen or so years older than myself. Was he older than he appeared? Some legends said the Jinn lived forever. His eyes did seem ancient. Then again, he held the cane more like a weapon than something he needed for support. “How much for the lamp? I can pay you double what you’ve purchased it for.”
“If you can pay double, why didn’t you keep bidding?” Kadin called from a few feet away, eyes narrowed.
“I prefer not to draw unwanted attention to myself,” he replied, turning to Kadin with one raised brow, waiting.
Kadin’s scowl deepened, but he took the hint and moved back until he was out of hearing distance.
“I don’t believe I caught your name,” I said, curtseying and giving him my most charming smile that usually gave me a thought or two. “I’m Arie.”
The silence from his mind felt almost intentional. I had no way of knowing for sure, but my instincts had me wondering if he was capable of hiding his thoughts? Who knew what the Jinn were capable of? Maybe he could hear all my thoughts right now.
He sighed. “Gideon.”
It fit him. “Nice to meet you, Gideon.”
He nodded at my effort to start with pleasantries, but only said, “I’m waiting expectantly for your answer.”
I knew for sure Kadin wanted a chance to speak to him, which was the next step in his plan. The next step in mine had been different. I’d wanted to ask him to describe this so-called “Severance.” I’d wanted to know if he would sever my Gift. And I’d wanted to ask if he would also sever King Amir’s. Then the king would never have the upper-hand in Hodafez again.
But on the spot like this, the enormity of my request hit me and I couldn’t bring myself to ask.
I needed more time to think it through and form the right words. To get to know this Jinni a bit better first. After all, a Severance was a lot to trust a stranger with. Especially a Jinni. “Maybe we could meet somewhere quieter and discuss it?”
Gideon sighed again, long and drawn out. Would he agree?
The Jinni culture was full of rules that they strictly adhered to. A code of honor. A true Jinni would never steal, no matter how easy it might be for him.
At least, that’s what we’d been taught in stories growing up.
