Now was the moment of truth.
“So be it,” Gideon finally replied. Rubbing the bridge of his nose, he asked, “Where would you like to meet?”
CHAPTER 12
Kadin
THIS IS FOR YOU,little brother,I thought, watching Arie speak with the Jinni.
My plan had worked. Finally. After months of searching for a Jinni, this strange girl had shown up and we’d found one at the very next auction. I’d never admit it, but I hadn’t been sure it was possible. A small part of me had wondered if the Jinni were just a myth like everyone thought back home. But now, this tall, soft-spoken, formidable member of their race stood in front of me, in the flesh.
And he’d just shoo-ed me away.
I ground my teeth, waiting from an appropriate distance, until Arie beckoned me to rejoin them.
I hurried to do so.
My men all watched anxiously from their concealed positions within the crowd.
“The lady wishes to speak somewhere private.” The Jinni skipped small talk in a strange mixture of bluntness combined with impeccable manners. “Lead on.”
“Right this way.” I made an effort to hide my reaction, but I felt elated. The hard part was over. The Jinn weren’t nearly as terrifying in person as the stories made them out to be. He’d even called Arie, our girl in rags, a lady.
“His name is Gideon,” Arie said in a hushed whisper as she brushed past me.
My skin tingled where we’d touched, but I didn’t reply. She was already five paces ahead on the road.
I gestured for this “Gideon” to go ahead of me, and waited until he turned his back before I signaled my men to follow.
We stepped into a small clearing just two blocks down on the outskirts of town, where no one would overhear our conversation. My men were careful to stay out of sight, peering out from buildings and trees. No telling if the Jinni might spook easily. I snapped off a piece of long grass from the side of the road, chewing on it out of habit.
“Now,” Gideon faced me, placing his hands atop his cane. His quiet voice carried in the little clearing. He stared at me with those sharp blue eyes as if he saw more than I would like. “About my lamp.”
“You mean our lamp,” Arie corrected him, crossing her arms. I had to give her credit for her gumption.
“We’re willing to part with it,” I amended her statement smoothly. “For a price.”
