“What’s going on?” he asked, standing up swiftly.
Ari’s body buzzed with emotion at being the focus of his attention and she licked her lips unconsciously as his power washed over her. For a moment, the panic eased. Exhausted, Ari gave in. “I’m calling a ceasefire."
Jai smirked. “Why?”
She exhaled heavily, her hands and knees trembling. “Because I really need a friend.”
Her skin tingled as Jai took hold of her hand and led her over to the leather sofa. He let go as they sat down next to each other, and she felt the loss of his warmth. “What’s going on?” he murmured, his concern no longer irritating but appreciated.
“I won't make it,” Ari told him, her voice shaking with the confession. “We’re chasing after Dalí and dodging my father, but I’m not going to make it out of this, Jai. Azazil has something planned. And with the power I have, it won’t be long before the entire jinn world finds out about me. And then what? I’m a goner. I’m so dead."
Recognizing the panic attack, Jai grabbed both of her hands, his rough touch drawing her panic out like he was sucking poison from a snake bite. “I will not let that happen,” he promised her fiercely. “You need to believe that.”
“I don’t want you to get hurt.” And she knew she was breaking her own promise, letting her feelings for him shine out of her eyes. But it seemed even after a few weeks of trying to put distance between them, even after the confusion and hurt she’d felt when he’d told her about Yasmin and how he treated the young ginnaye, Ari couldn’t let go. She knew she should. She knew it was the right thing to do.
But she just… couldn’t.
“I don’t want you to get hurt either,” he whispered the confession, his gaze drawn to her mouth. His eyes narrowed as her lips trembled and she heard his breath catch. The air charged between them and their breathing grew shallow, their bodies tense. Jai leaned forward, his grip tightening around her hands.
“There you are,” Gerard called, striding into the room and breaking the moment. Completely oblivious, Gerard stood over them. “We have word. Reports have been coming in over the last few weeks. Get this: missing girls around Ari’s age, all lesser human-living jinn. Eight girls in total. The last two taken from Philadelphia. However, there was an attempt in Columbus, Ohio four days ago, but the girl got away.”
Ari shivered. “He was in Ohio for me.”
Gerard nodded, his countenance grave. “I imagine so. He might still be there. It was his last attempt and it is your home state.”
“Yeah, but his minions attacked me and Jai in LA.”
“But that time there was no magical presence,” Jai mused. “In Sandford Ridge there was.”
“Well, we know what kind of commercial buildings he rents. His preferred locations, the clubs he visits, restaurants, etc. We’ve worked out his pattern. He likes a metropolis, so we’re starting with Cleveland.”
“So you don’t think he’ll be in Sandford?” Ari asked, worrying about the friends she’d left behind.
“No, he hates small towns.”
“So when do we leave?”
Gerard made a clucking noise with his tongue as a regretful look fell over his face. “Well, before we go, my guild leader has asked me to deal with some business in Phoenix.”
Jai frowned, shifting forward. “Business?”
“One of our hunters got in a fight with an utukku jinn he was tracking and the bastard took off for Phoenix. The hunter was wounded but tracked him to St. Francis Cemetery. It’s not too far from here. He needs back up.”
Confused, Ari held up a hand. “Wait a minute. What the hell is an utukka?
“Utukku,” Jai corrected. “There are benevolent ones and wicked ones. The benevolent utukku are called shedu and they watch over the dead, taking up residence in graveyards, scaring off vandals etc, and the bad ones are called edimmu and they haunt graveyards, attacking anyone who dares to enter.” He glanced up at Gerard with a weariness that was becoming too familiar. She wanted to hug her friend, no matter how bitter that word tasted on her tongue. “I’m getting the impression you guys have to handle it before we can leave.”
Annoyance ripped through Ari as Gerard nodded. They’d already been waiting so long (or at least it felt that way) to go after Dalí. She was desperate to be done with it so she could prepare herself for the next challenge that faced her.
“Jai, I’d like you on the team,” Gerard said. “I promised Anabeth she could get a shot at the next big hunt, but she said she’d feel better if you accompanied her when she meets up with our guild member.”
With a horrible feeling rising within her, Ari watched as Jai responded, “Of course.”
“His name is Brett McConnell. He’ll be waiting at the entrance to the cemetery for you. Here are the directions.” Gerard handed Jai a piece of paper just as Anabeth strolled into the room. She looked excited as her eyes sought Jai.