Page 38 of The Void

Its arched domed ceiling had a large circular hole cut in the highest spot. The ceiling was smooth, as if it had been carved out of solid stone with magic. A bright light shone through the perfect hole in the top.

Bright daylight flooded in, turning the sandstone room a warm golden hue, almost as if the walls themselves were made of the precious metal instead of stone.

At the center, underneath the bright light from the opening, sat a hundred-foot tall golden statue of a woman with long hair. She was sitting down on a massive throne, much like the one for Mia that sat in the rooftop garden. Actually, it appeared as if it was an exact replica.

The dress the statue wore was like the ones Mia had been wearing since her arrival. It was obvious to him that this was Mia’s ancestor. The similarities were uncanny.

The light was shining on it, and the gold was so bright it almost blinded him.

“What’s a genie without a magic cave?” he said under his breath.

Mia stepped forward. “Feng?” she called out, her voice echoing in the space.

“Yes, you and your companion are welcome here,” Feng answered.

“Thanks,” he said under his breath. Mia jerked her gaze towards him.

“You can hear her?” she asked.

He smiled and nodded. “Apparently.” He shrugged.

“What is this place?” Mia asked.

“My home and my prison,” Feng answered.

“Why does my brother want in here?” Mia asked.

“He seeks to destroy this place,” Feng answered. “To destroy me.”

“Why?” Mia asked, moving forward a few steps.

When she did, Lucas frowned as the hairs on the back of his neck tingled. Reaching out, he stopped her from entering too far. For all he knew, this was only an illusion.

His instincts were usually spot on and so was his gut, and something was telling him they didn’t belong here. Not yet, at any rate.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Feng replied. “He seeks the power of the djinn. Your power. If he can’t have it, destroying me will destroy the power once and for all. You must fight him. You must win,” Feng responded.

“How?” Mia asked. “Are you asking me to kill my brother?”

“You must win,” Feng answered. “Even now, he is at the entrance and seeking a way inside.”

“He can’t get inside, can he?” Mia asked.

“Only the power of the djinn can come and go freely,” Feng answered. “Soon, when the suns and moons align on this world, it will be time. Only then can the power be taken or received.”

Mia turned to him and frowned. “I… remember the elders talking about that now. How everything had to be in alignment. They were talking about the moons and suns on this world?”

“It is the reason every djinn is born and dies here,” Feng answered.

“Then just as long as we keep my brother out, we should be okay,” Mia said to Lucas.

“No,” Feng answered sharply. “He still holds some power. Eventually, he will break through the magic keeping him out. Even now, the barrier weakens.”

“Then show me how to make it stronger,” Mia said.

Suddenly the entire room shook.

“It cannot be done. You must destroy him before he grows too powerful.”