An Old Street, NewSidewalk
Lilif had summoned White away from the noise of their attacking army to the eerie quiet of his palace in Zubair. She sat across from him, her fingers tapping slowly against the arm of his square-cut, straight-edged black chair. It was made of cool glass, a coolness only matched by his mother’s appearance. For once she wasn’t pacing back in forth with a disturbing frenetic energy.
The White King found her contemplative mood perhaps even more alarming. It was much too like him … much too like him when he had a dangerous but intelligent strategy brewing.
“Your business did not go well, then?”
Lilif looked up at him, face blank.
“I went to recruit your daughter and she was unmoved by my promise to keep her and her Ginnaye safe once The After claims us.”
White had not expected anything less. “Is she still alive?” he asked with affected boredom.
She nodded tightly. “For now. You created a strong daughter.” She quietly told him what had occurred in the graveyard and White felt a strange feeling wash over him.
Was it pride? For Ari?
No, he scoffed inwardly at the thought and turned back to his mother. “What now, then? It is obvious we are not going to get into the palace.”
“I know.” Lilif lifted her dark eyes to his. “We must force Azazil to us.”
“And how can we accomplish that? We cannot use the Seal against him until he is within your grasp.”
She rose casually, her fingers trailing along the edges of the items in his room. She did that a lot. As though she needed a reminder that she now had a tangible connection to the world again. “When Ari asked her favor of Azazil, his power would’ve left a signature on those affected by the change. Of course, there will have been many affected by the change, but there will be one or two in particular whose destinies were the focus of the change. The signature left on them will be particularly hefty.”
White froze, instantly understanding where his mother was going with this.
It was true that when Azazil changed a destiny, the person whose destiny he changed was left with a trail of Azazil’s power in their blood for a number of months after. Blood was a powerful element in enchantments, especially for tracking or drawing a being to you. If Lilif got her hand on someone who had enough of Azazil’s power in their blood, she could use it to pull Azazil through the Peripatos to her.
As soon as he realized this was her intent, White began telepathing their conversation to his brother.
“Do you know whose blood might be particularly affected?”
White gazed at her dispassionately, as though he cared not a whit. In truth he didn’t care for the boy he was about to turn into a target, but he cared about their world, which made protecting the boy important.
Get to Charlie now, he told Red, his gaze still blank. Lilif is after his blood.
“Well?” she asked somewhat impatiently.
His blood?
Red asked impatiently. Why?
He shrugged. “It could be a number of people,” he said, attempting to stall her.
“Names, Son, I want names.”
To pull Father to her, of course, he snapped at Red. Just do it!
“This could be a complete waste of time.”
I’ll contact Ari at once, Red assured him.
She took a step toward him, a small smile playing on her lips as she reached up to brush her fingers down his cheek. “Give me a name, White … or you will force me to do something I will truly regret.”
He flashed her a look to tell her he wasn’t afraid of her. She smirked, patting his cheek affectionately, urging him to speak. “Charlie Creagh,” he told her stonily. “A human called Charlie Creagh.”
“Ah, yes. The boy. That destructive little ingrate. I find it rather poetic after all the trouble he’s caused that his blood, his death, will have a hand in aiding us. Is he back in Ohio?”
White shrugged. “How would I know?”
“You’re a Jinn king. You are all-knowing.”
And with a grunt, White nodded.
“I’ll have Rabir look into it.”
***
When Jai returned from taking down the Labartu, he’d been outraged to discover Ari had come up against Lilif without anyone there to protect her, and that when Red did turn up, Ari had put his life before hers.
Jai understood Ari had done the right thing, but hell … he’d told her not to go off alone. And did she listen?
No. Stubborn didn’t even cover it. He’d barely had a chance to check her for injuries, to get the full story out of her, before the Red King showed up and warned them that Lilif was going after Charlie. His warning was quick as he had to return to his father and brothers, but from what Jai could make out, apparently Charlie had traces of Azazil’s power in his blood—like a signature.
And Lilif was going to use that signature to draw Azazil to her.
Michael had just been asking how the hell Red knew this when the Jinn king disappeared, throwing one last look of concern in Ari’s direction.
Blowing Jai’s mind with her utter strength and determination, Ari rose from her seat as though she wasn’t completely exhausted. “We have to take him and his family somewhere to protect them.”
Staring into her concerned and weary eyes, Jai wished they could be allowed a moment, just a moment, to take a breath before having to jump into the next disaster. Ari had just battled Lilif—not exactly a stroll in the park. “Ari, we’ll take care of it. You need to rest.”
She gave him a soft, sad smile.
“Jai, there isn’t time to rest. This isn’t just about Charlie. Lilif may be targeting him, but there are other people affected by the change, most prominently Derek and Fallon, and Lilif might come after them if she can’t get to Charlie. If Fallon is a target, then the entire Roe Guild is.”
Understanding the magnitude of what Ari was saying, Jai turned with a heavy heart to Michael. The Guild Hunter had been nothing but supportive and loyal to them, and they’d brought him nothing but upheaval and danger. “Michael,” Jai shook his head, not even knowing where to start, “I’m sorry, but Ari’s right.”
Michael waved him off with an impatient grunt. “Don’t. I see the guilt in your eyes and I don’t like it. We are Jinn, and we are Hunters. We face danger every day. You didn’t bring this upon us, it was thrust upon us.”
Fallon, who’d been unusually quiet, suddenly sat up from her armchair, her cute nose wrinkled in consternation.
“Would someone like to catch me up? I’m totally confused.”
Michael gave his daughter a tender but worried look. “The Guild needs to scatter to our safe houses.” He turned back to Jai. “We have them all over.”
Ari stepped toward their Guild leader. “I suggest we keep Fallon and Charlie together, which means Jai, Trey, and I will be with your family, Michael. Where’s your safe house?”
“Bridge of Allan. It’s a small village in Scotland.”
Ari raised an eyebrow and gave a half smile, affection warming in Jai’s eyes. She was excited at the prospect of going to Scotland, even under the dire circumstances. “Scotland. Cool.” She nodded. “Okay, here’s the plan: Jai, you’ll accompany Michael, Fallon, and Caroline on—”
“And Gerard and Megan,” Michael interrupted. “My brother and his wife share the safe house.”
“Okay, Jai, you’ll accompany all of the above on the flight to Scotland since they don’t have access to the Peripatos, and I’m the only one who can take someone with me into it. Trey,” Ari spun around and gave him an apologetic smile, “you’re coming with me to convince Charlie and his family they need our help.”
So far, Jai wasn’t liking the plan, mostly because it meant he and Ari would be separated for twenty-four hours. “I’ll come with you. Trey can accompany the Roes.”
“Baby,” Ari sighed, “not to be mean or anything, but you aren’t as charming as Trey.”
Trey’s grin widened and Jai
squinted in warning before he could say anything cocky.
“I mean, you are charming …” Her lips twitched. “But only ever to me.”
Fallon coughed in an obvious attempt to mask her laughter.
“Trey will be better at helping me convince Charlie. You might just—”
“Scare the crap out of them?” Trey offered.
“Yes.”
Scare the crap out of them? Jai glowered. He would never scare the crap out of them. He could be a pretty friendly guy when he needed to be.
“That, right there,” Fallon made a motion with her palm toward his face, “that’s the glower that will scare the crap out of them.”
He looked to Michael for backup and found him hiding a smile as he shuffled “paperwork.” Jai gave in. “Fine. Trey with you, me with them.”
Ari nodded militantly and shot a questioning look Michael’s way. “Can we get some protection enchantments put up around Derek? I don’t think they’ll go after him, but just in case?”
Michael nodded, his eyes glimmering with more amusement as he watched Ari take complete control of the situation.
He seemed proud of her, not at all insulted by her ousting him from leadership.
Frankly, Jai was proud of her too.
And on a far more intimate level, he was finding Ari in take-charge mode incredibly hot. He buried that thought, realizing now was definitely not the time.
“I’ll put the call out to the Guild, get them moving to safe houses, and asking those on assignment to pull out and go to their nearest safe house,” Fallon offered.
The five of them looked at each other and then Ari clapped her hands, trying to force away her exhaustion.
“Let’s do this.”
After handing Ari the address to the Scottish safe house, Michael left the room with a “be careful” thrown their way. Fallon followed him out. Jai caught Trey’s eyes. Give us a minute?
Trey nodded. “I’ll be outside, Ari.
Whenever you’re ready.”
She gave him a grateful smile and as soon as the door closed, she rushed into Jai’s arms. He leaned his chin on her head and stroked her back, thinking how much he loved the way she nuzzled her face into his throat when they embraced. “You’re going to be careful,” he told her, unable to keep the command out of his voice. When he was worried, it translated to bossy. He couldn’t help it. And right now, with his heart slamming against his chest, Ari had to know how worried he was.
“I will be,” she promised and then raised her head. “I better go. We can’t lose any more time.”
Before he got too overbearing and demanded she not do this, Jai pressed a hard kiss to her mouth, one that she instantly melted into. His kiss softened and he held her face in his hands.
When they finally pulled back, they were both a little breathless. “I’ll be checking in on the trace,” he reminded her of the trace he’d put on her with his kiss, “making sure you’re all right.
If I think you need me, I’ll be there.”
“You have to take care of the Roes first and foremost,” Ari shook her head.
“I will protect them,” he told her gravely, “but if it comes down to choosing …” He grimaced as he realized how awful that sounded. However, Ari seemed to understand. She gave him a tender look followed by another kiss.
“I love you,” she whispered.
Emotion choked him and he held her tight for an extra second. “I love you more.”
She grinned and gave a tiny shake of her head. “Not possible.”
And before he could say anything else, she disappeared out the door.
***
“You okay?” Trey asked quietly as they stood on the Creaghs’ porch and waited for someone to open the door.
Ari shook her head. No, she was far from okay. She was still feeling as though her muscles were made of jelly since her showdown with Lilif. And she was so close to upchucking at the thought of seeing Charlie again, it was embarrassing.
“Maybe—”
Whatever her friend was about to say was cut off by the sound of the door opening. They stepped back as the screen door pushed outward. Standing before them, a quizzical smile on her face, was Mrs. Creagh. She looked a million times better than the last time Ari had seen her when she’d called her out for being a sucky mom to Charlie. Ari was grateful the words had penetrated. Not that it’d done much good for Mrs. Creagh since Charlie had promptly disappeared.
Mrs. Creagh was a pretty woman but the death of her youngest son had aged her. Now that the reality was changed, Ari was happy to find Charlie’s mom looking healthy and young for her age.
“Can I help you?” she asked, stepping out toward them as she dried her hands on a dishtowel.
Ari swallowed, hoping this wasn’t about to get ugly. “Mrs. Creagh, my name is Ari—” she cut off, realizing she wasn’t Ari Johnson anymore. In this reality, Derek had never been a father to her. She scrambled trying to think of a surname. “Ari Redglass,” she finished, her cheeks flushing at the sound of Trey swallowing a chuckle. What? she snapped at him. There’s no way I’m calling myself Ari White. I wouldn’t give the bastard the satisfaction.
Trey chuckled in her head, I didn’t say a word. I think it’s cute, really.
She ignored him and forged ahead with the plan. “This is Trey Harman. We’re friends of Charlie’s. Colleagues.”
Now why did she add that? Idiot!
Mrs. Creagh frowned. “You work with
Charlie at Breicher’s?” She eyed them both and smiled.
Ari attempted to control her reaction to the news that Charlie worked at Breicher’s. It was the local mechanics. Remembering the conversation she’d overheard between the Creaghs earlier, she wondered if Charlie had dropped out of college to help his mom, or if he was, as she hoped, only working part time while going to school. “Right. Trey is the new mechanic and I’m the receptionist.”
“May is the receptionist at Breicher’s.”
“Yup, but she’s training me to take over.”
You are really bad at this, Trey sighed. He took a step toward Mrs. Creagh, and gave her his little head tilt and grin. She was instantly transfixed by his dazzling good looks. “Mrs. Creagh, we don’t work with Charlie, but we do know him, and he’s in trouble. Is he home so we can all discuss it?”
She stared at him a moment too long and then flicked her eyes back to Ari, clearly wary since Ari had fumbled with a lie but on the fence because of their innocent appearance. “Trouble how?”
“Mom, who is it?” Charlie’s familiar voice floated out from the house and then suddenly, he was there.
He stood behind his mom, eyes narrowed on Trey before they flicked to Ari, then back to Trey, and then quickly back to Ari. As he looked at her, Ari felt the hair on the back of her neck prickle. Charlie looked even better up close. If their lives had been different … she shook the thought, trying not to stare back when he was so blatantly checking her out.
“They said they know you. That you’re in trouble,” Mrs. Creagh drew his attention back to her.
He shook his head, glancing at Trey and then turning back to Ari with his penetrating gaze. “I don’t know them.”
“Please, Charlie,” Ari took a step toward him and she watched his brow pucker at her familiarity with him. “You don’t remember me but I know you. I really need to talk to you.”
“I don’t remember you.” His dark eyes traveled down the length of her before returning to her face. “And I’d definitely remember you.”
“What’s the holdup?” Another voice joined the fray, and Mikey suddenly appeared at his brother’s shoulders. “Mom, you said dinner was almost ready.” He shot a look at Trey and then turned to Ari, his eyes widening with interest a second before they clouded over with confusion. “Hey, I know you.”
She jerked back in surprise as Charlie and Mrs. Creagh turned to him in unison. “You do?”
Mikey nodded, frowning now. “Dude, how do I know you?”
At the sight of him up close and all grown up, memories flooded her of their childhood together and how much she’d loved him. It had broken her heart when he died. Tears clouded her vision and her voice shook as she replied in a whisper, “From another life.”
Trey instantly gripped her hand to offer comfort, and Mrs. Creagh’s expression grew concerned at the sight of Ari’s tears.
“Perhaps you two should come in,” she suggested quietly. Ari and Trey followed the threesome inside, trailing on the tails of their curiosity.
When they were all standing in the Creaghs’ living room, Ari took a moment to gaze sincerely into each of their eyes before she began. “What I’m going to tell you is going to sound crazy. You’re going to want to throw me out of your house. But you can’t … although this will seem outrageous, it’s also the truth.”
“Why are the hot ones always crazy?” Charlie muttered.
“Charlie Creagh,” his mother admonished. He shrugged back at her.
Ari decided not to react to his comment. It made sense that this Charlie would find her attractive since the other Charlie had. What he found appealing wouldn’t have fundamentally changed.
Still, not the time. Not that there would ever be a time for Charlie to find her hot.
“Okay.” She drew in a deep breath and told them her story. Their story.
Silence filled the room when she finished. Charlie’s face darkened. “Are you shitting me with this? How dare you! The death of a sibling is not some funny little ‘bit’ for whatever sick prank this is.”
“Charlie!” Mrs. Creagh cried. “This is all very strange but that’s no excuse to use that language in front of your little brother.”
“Get out,” Charlie ignored his mother’s rebuke and glared at Ari. “We don’t do crazy people in this house. The last crazy person got kicked to the curb and now he doesn’t pay child support on time. Get out.” He gestured to the door and Trey immediately stepped in front of Ari, protecting her. It didn’t faze Charlie at all. “Man, I will seriously kick your ass.”
“Wait,” Mikey held up a hand to stop Charlie, his face pale, his fingers shaking. Everyone stopped and turned to him but his eyes were on Ari. “She’s really familiar, Charlie. I feel like I know her.”