There.
Once he drank it, he wouldn’t be able to lie. All I had to do was sit back and wait.
My pocket glowed warm and I snatched up my mirror. When the fog cleared, I couldn’t see Nadia and momentarily thought that it was malfunctioning again, but then Nadia moved and I saw her shimmering outline.
“Is Zafir with you?” she asked eagerly.
“No, he’s taking a bath,” I told her. “It looks like the potion worked. Did you get out of town?”
“No, the streets are all blocked. But I made it to the worship center. Father Eldridge and his wife are hiding me, and they said that I can use their ingredients to make more of the potion if I need it. Apparently Rahil did send that donation, so they have plenty of supplies.”
“Good,” I said with a sigh. “Just stay out of sight until I get back. We can report Rahil for the murders and?—”
“No,” Nadia said immediately. “All the officials are in Rahil’s pocket. The judges, the guards…he’s paid off everyone to be loyal to him.”
I sat, stumped, for a full minute. If we couldn’t prosecute Rahil… Then my mind cleared. “Then I’ll have to wish for the genie to kill him.”
I didn’t need Nadia to be fully visible to know the exact facial expression she was making. “That’s a little extreme.”
“And putting up wanted posters so he can kidnap his ex-wife and her sister to murder them isn’t?”
“When will Zafir be back? I wanted to thank him and ask him what to do. He seems smart.”
“He is,” I admitted. “But things are complicated with him.”
I heard Nadia give a wicked chuckle. “What, did you kiss him?”
“Nadia!” I spluttered. “No, we just… He’s… it’s just complicated, okay?”
“Okay, okay. I was just wondering. He seems like he’s your type is all.”
“I don’t have a type.”
“Yes you do. You always said that you wanted someone who loves potions as much as you do. And didn’t you say he’s rich and can give you a return voyage if you flirt enough?”
“No, you’re thinking of Julian, and I’m supposed to go on a date with him tonight. He’s the rich one. Zafir isn’t rich.”
The door to the washroom rattled, and Zafir entered the room.
“So then is Julian your type?” Nadia asked. “You need to give me some sort of gossip or I may die of boredom.”
“I have to go,” I said in a rush. I had no interest in discussing my love life, or lack thereof, around Zafir. “I’ll talk to you again later.”
“But—”
I turned the mirror over and sprang to my feet. “Nadia wasn’t able to get out of town, but she made it to the worship center,” I reported. “She said to tell you thank you.”
“I’m glad she’s in a good spot.” He crossed to his desk and sat, pulling over a sheaf of papers. “I have a few things to do before we start our lessons.”
“Just as well. I have some reading to do,” I said, snatching up a book and burying my nose in it.
Zafir raised his cup to his lips then paused, staring at the drink cross-eyed, then slowly lowered it. I pretended to be absorbed in the book about genies I had up to my nose, but I could see him swirling it around, examining the drink closely.
“You’ve been busy this morning,” he said, amusement in his voice.
I delicately turned a page. “I figured I ought to learn about genies if we’re going to hunt one down.”
“Intelligent women shouldn’t play dumb. It doesn’t suit you.”
