The Jinni Key Read online

  “This can’t be happening,” I whispered to myself.

  Our plan depended on Rena—the girl who only did something if it benefited either her or the one person who’d just utterly scorned her.

  I dropped my head into my hands, unable to think or move past this moment. I was crushed. Beaten. Broken.

  I’d tried to have hope for everyone else, but if I was honest, I didn’t know if our plan would work anymore. I was terrified I wouldn’t be able to save Arie.

  “Let me try to talk to her,” Bosh spoke up. “Maybe there’s some way I can convince her to stay.”

  “Go.” Gideon moved to perch on a nearby log, looking defeated as well. If Rena had left already, then he wouldn’t get the Key he wanted so desperately.

  Bosh disappeared back over the hill.

  “What do we do?” I asked into the shocked silence. “Can we move forward with our plan without Rena? Will you be able to overpower Enoch on your own?”

  “Honestly,” Gideon hesitated, “I’m not sure.”

  Chapter 38

  Rena

  I STOOD HALFWAY IN the ocean with the water surging and hitting me in the stomach, gathering the nerve to leave and face my sister. The waves drenched more and more of my clothes as I watched them break, over and over again.

  I was trying to find the nerve to go home. To abandon Arie, who’d become my friend. To face my sisters and admit the truth. That they’d been right all along.

  Love wasn’t real.

  Tears flowed down my face, falling into the sea and melding together. This was where I belonged. I lifted my hand to the shell around my neck that would change me back.

  “Rena, wait!” Bosh called. He waded out next to me, ignoring how his clothing got soaked. “Please, wait,” he begged, stopping only when he stood in front of me, between me and the empty horizon. “Before you go, at least hear me out.” He spread his hands in a helpless gesture. “I don’t know if it was ever really said out loud, but Arie needs you—we all need you—desperately. We can’t save her without you.”

  “I understand.” I wavered. “But I can’t stay here.” Not now. My fingers brushed the top of the water with one hand, while the other gripped the shell harder.

  “I know. Well, I don’t know, but I can guess what happened,” he said.

  Shame heated my cheeks. Now Gideon had told everyone?

  “I know Gideon didn’t mean to hurt you. He always tries to do what’s right and he probably didn’t want to lead you on, but that doesn’t mean he hates you. You shouldn’t give up on us so fast, you’ve only been here a month. Maybe... maybe there’s still a chance—love takes a long time.”

  “Love takes a long time,” I repeated. “Love is about giving,” I quoted Kadin. “There certainly are a lot of rules about love and it doesn’t seem all that worth it to me.” I let go of the shell momentarily, turning to face him. “How do you even know I told him I loved him?”

  He lowered his gaze.

  “It was you, wasn’t it? That night?”

  Bosh nodded, twisting to pull something from his pocket, which was drenched with each new wave that crashed into us. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know what to say and then you started talking, and I couldn’t find a way to tell you without making it worse. And I tried to tell you again this morning, but I didn’t know how.” He held the object in his palm, stretching it out toward me. “I’m sorry,” he repeated.

  It was my shell. The one I’d given Gideon as a promise of trust. I wondered if Bosh knew the significance of his offering.

  “As a way for you to always remember you can trust me,” he said, repeating the words I’d thought I was saying to Gideon. So, he did know.

  I considered his face. Softer than Gideon’s. Younger. A fuzz of a dark beard coming in. Kind brown eyes, squinting in worry. He really meant it; he’d been trying to help, even if he’d only made things worse.

  I took the offered shell and gazed down at it, running a finger across its ridges with the other. “This doesn’t change anything.”

  Bosh moved unexpectedly, picking up the cerith shell from around my neck, wrapping his fingers around it. “What would happen if I took this? Will you have to keep your legs?” he asked, his voice husky as he looked ready to snap it off the necklace.

  I crossed my arms, frowning. “If you put much more distance between myself and that shell, then you’ll bring my tail back yourself,” I warned him. He let go immediately. “Besides,” I added, “even if you took it, I couldn’t go back now.” I’d been hurt and humiliated.

  “I don’t know what to do,” he said and his voice broke a little. “Rena, what can I say to convince you to stay?”

  “You just want me to stay so I can help rescue Arie,” I accused him, though deep down I knew this was a good reason.

  “It’s more than that,” Bosh argued, running a hand through his hair, getting it wet and slicking it back. “I want you to help, yes, but I want you to stay afterward too. Stay with us.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I like you.” Simple. Straightforward. I liked him too, but what difference did it make?

  “Goodbye, Bosh.” I held out my hand to shake in the human farewell.

  He took it with both of his, clasping my hand in his own. It felt different than the other night. Maybe because I knew it was him. It felt warm and safe.

  “At least come back and visit?” Bosh said with a weak smile that made me miss his real one.

  I only stared back at him. There was no visiting. I should never have come. I could only hope that by going back now, my deal with Yuliya would be null and void.

  His hand squeezed mine tighter, but I pulled it away. I waded further into the sea, not looking back, and murmured the spell over the shell in my grip.

  My tail came back in sharp spasms as I sank below the surface. A few powerful kicks took me a dozen paces away before I allowed my tail to surface briefly and wave in the air, knowing Bosh would see the red scales in the sun. No doubt he would think it was beautiful. To Gideon, though, I was the enemy. I’d thought when I met him in his state of delirium that he could accept me, but now I knew better. The Jinni had never liked the Mere, and Gideon was no exception.

  My tears were invisible now, merging with the ocean as they always had in the past.

  I swam further out, waiting for a long minute, and then a bit longer, half-expecting Bosh to be gone by the time I finally resurfaced, just enough to see the shore. His tiny form still stood there in the distance, peering out over the water, hunched over and dejected. Guilt tore at me. I tried to ignore it.

  Dropping back under the water, I swam a short distance further and found a little underwater island with coral all around. It created a colorful shelter for me to weep in peace. I wasn’t ready to go home yet. I still wore the human dress, though it swirled strangely in the water. If I hadn’t been in such a mood, I would’ve laughed at the way my tail looked sticking out from underneath.

  After adding more tears to the ocean, my sobs slowly subsided and a strange depression fell over me. I’d never felt this way before.

  I lay there on the ocean floor, staring at the coral around me. Two little clownfish swam in and out of a beautiful orange anemone in front of me. I’d missed these vivid colors and the constant activity of the sea.

  It looked like the clownfish were bringing food for each other. I rolled over, placing my back to their relationship.

  This gave me a view of a pufferfish outside carefully crafting circles in the sand for the female looking on, perfecting his design for her approval. It looked nearly complete, which meant he’d been at it for at least a week, if not longer. I’d always thought this mating ritual to be romantic. Now I fell onto my back, staring up at the ripples of sunlight on the ceiling of water above, only to find a pair of seahorses, dancing for each other.

  For each other.

  Not for themselves.

  This time I didn’t turn away, watching the way the male and female twirled and pra
nced. It reminded me of dancing with Bosh. One of many things he’d done for me. What had I ever done for him? For any of them? Even for Gideon? Besides offering him the shell, nothing.

  I bit my lip. Rolling back onto my side, I stared out at the pufferfish as he finished his project. The female inspected it carefully. If she approved, she would give him her eggs. If not, she would find another pufferfish’s circle.

  I didn’t know why this made me think of Bosh. It should remind me of Gideon’s rejection. Instead, it felt like my eyes were opened to how I’d just done the same thing to Bosh. The boy who no one had loved. He deserved someone to love him, even if only in a small way, even if it was only staying a few extra days, helping, being there for him. He deserved someone willing to do something for him.

  So did Arie. She’d been my friend when I didn’t deserve it. If the situation were reversed, I felt confident she would’ve tried to help me.

  I clenched my teeth. If I went home now, before the deal was finished, I would have to give Yuliya the Key. But then life would otherwise go back to the way it was before I left. Tortured occasionally, but mostly ignored. It wasn’t the worst life ever. I could forget about the human world and about Gideon.

  That was a lie. I would never forget.

  It would be much riskier to stay in the human world—for one thing, no matter how long I stayed, I was guaranteed to lose the deal I’d made with Yuliya. Gideon had made that extremely clear.

  If I stayed to help, I’d not only give up the Key but also be forced to go home as a failure.

  Plus, they might have already left to rescue Arie and were probably furious with me. Bosh might never forgive me. But I had to try.

  I swam without thinking any longer, picking up speed as I went, until my gills fluttered heavily, gasping for air. I leaped out of the water every few feet, taking deep breaths, and pressed on. There was no time to waste.

  When the shore came into sight, I forced my weary muscles, unused to swimming for so many weeks, to carry me forward even faster.

  STEPPING OUT OF THE ocean on two legs once more, suffering through the spell for the second time that day, I stood there for a moment, readjusting and recovering from the pain, dripping wet.

  I leaned over to wring out my skirts as best I could, and then lurched into an awkward run, muscles trembling. If swimming had been tiring, then this was a monumental effort, especially being sore from riding. I stumbled in the sand, but pushed on, onto firmer ground, up the hill and through the grass, until I found the campfire.

  It was empty.

  I let out a yell of frustration. Here I was trying to do the right thing, and I was too late. Or was I? Breathing hard, I ran down the hill, through the trees, until I found the road.

  Left was back the way we’d come. The quiet backroad was deserted.

  To the right was the road to Hodafez. Also empty.

  I threw up my hands, grabbing my wet hair, wanting to pull it out at my options.

  I’d never thought I’d wish for a horse in my entire life. I almost wanted to cry for my poor legs, as I began to run once more, down the road toward Hodafez. At this pace, how would I ever make it in time?

  “Wait!” A voice called before I’d even run two paces. I nearly fell over in surprise. Catching myself, I swung around to find Gideon standing there at the edge of the road.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked, frowning, “Everyone else already left.”

  “Me?” He shook his head in disbelief. “What are you doing here? I was told you left.”

  “That’s very judgmental coming from someone standing right next to me,” I said, crossing my arms. “And I did. Leave, that is. But now I’ve come back.” I could explain my epiphany to him, and any other time I would have, but this time I only lifted my chin. I didn’t want to explain anything to him. Didn’t even want to talk to him, really. I smiled at the realization. It was very unlikely that I was in love with him if I could hardly stand to speak to him. “What are you doing here, anyway?”

  Gideon toyed with his cane as he stared at me, looking equally reluctant to explain. “I took Kadin and Bosh into Hodafez to wait for the signal. Bosh asked me to come back here to wait for you—begged, rather. Just until it was time. I agreed for his peace of mind, but was about to leave when you came barreling through the camp like a mindless fool and ran right past me.”

  I glared at him and he was quick to add, “I apologize. I’m in a state. I didn’t mean that last bit. I’m sure you were simply in a hurry.”

  My lips parted. Gideon was apologizing to me? What was the catch?

  The Key dangling on the cord next to my heart. Obviously.

  I pulled it out. “I suppose you want this.” It swung back and forth in the air.

  Gideon’s gaze followed the path of the Key. He closed his eyes and drew a deep breath, before meeting my gaze. “I apologize, regardless of the Key.”

  I considered him. Tucking it back under my collar, the corner of my mouth tilted up. “Good. Because I’m not ready to give it to you.” I didn’t bother to explain, turning to face the road and start walking. Over my shoulder, I added, “If you still want to get into Jinn more than anything, we can talk about it after we save Arie.”

  A few long strides and Gideon reached me, holding out a hand.

  I considered it.

  Not one part of this experience in the human world had gone the way I’d wanted it to. It probably never would. Still, these were the first beings I’d met who put others above themselves. And I found myself wanting to be like them.

  I reached out a hand toward his, and accepted.

  Even as he began to fade out of sight, he returned, letting go of my hand. He exhaled deeply, as if at the edge of his patience. “Rena. Your spells.”

  “Oh, right. Sorry,” I said, hurrying to remove the protection spell so he would be able to take me with him.

  The world blended together, changing in the span of a heartbeat into a quiet, shaded alley in the bustling city of Hodafez. I immediately replaced my protection spells. Kadin and Bosh stood in front of us.

  They stiffened at the sight of us, but then relaxed. Bosh laughed and pulled me into a hug, squeezing so tight I grew concerned my protection spells might go off. “You came back! I knew you would!”

  Kadin crossed his arms, also staring at me. “We thought you left.”

  Ugh. These questions again. I opened my mouth to answer, but then turned to Gideon first. “I’m going to need you to go somewhere else for a minute,” I told him. “I don’t want you to be here.”

  “Excuse me?” Gideon gave a small laugh. “I think not.”

  I clenched my teeth, wishing I had one of my spells that hid us from sight so I could also prevent him from hearing my words. It was embarrassing to apologize in front of him. Facing Bosh and Kadin again, I shaded my eyes, trying to block Gideon from my line of sight. “I decided to help after all,” I said lightly.

  “No.”

  Kadin’s answer was swift and surprising. I glanced at Bosh, but he seemed as startled as I. “I was under the impression that you needed my help,” I said slowly, “I’m sorry for the confusion earlier, but you can’t possibly be willing to let a little misunderstanding keep you from saving Arie.”

  He flinched at that, but stared past me toward the castle. “As much as I might need your help, I can’t trust you. Not after you left like that.”

  “I’m sorry.” I threw up my hands, yelling, “I don’t know what more I can do. If you want to be alone, then fine, but don’t say you didn’t have a choice!”

  A throat cleared. We turned to find Gideon standing there, gripping his cane. “Pardon me,” he said into the small pause. “Might I suggest taking this conversation somewhere more private? Or at the very least not drawing attention to us?”

  “We don’t have time to talk,” Kadin replied. “The signal from the men should be coming any second now.”

  “Gideon,” I said, “Why don’t you go check on the men and wh
atever it is they’re doing?”

  Though he likely saw through my attempt to get him to leave, this time he agreed without argument, vanishing into the air, leaving me alone with them.

  Kadin’s stance was frigid. Bosh was glancing between us, shifting from one foot to the other. It felt like swimming in ice water as I struggled to find the right words.

  “Okay, fine. You were right.” I didn’t bother warming up to it the way the humans did, just went straight to the heart of our problem. “I was selfish.”

  Kadin didn’t say anything right away, thrown off by my admission. “You are selfish,” he said eventually, making his opinion of me clear.

  I stared up at the sky, trying to find the words.

  “But... she came back,” Bosh chimed in, trying to help.

  “Yes!” I waved a hand in Bosh’s direction. “I swear, I’m trying. Don’t you understand what I’m offering? What I came here to do?”

  When Kadin didn’t say anything, I began to pace. “You know, I’m new to this whole thing. But if you insist on going alone and sacrificing yourself instead of letting us help, my gut is telling me the ‘unselfish’ thing to do would be to tie you down so you can’t go anywhere.”

  “Don’t be a fool,” Kadin said, but his tone was less harsh, and a smile played on his lips.

  “Oh, so I’m selfish and a fool now?” I asked, raising one brow but smiling as well to take the edge off.

  Kadin gave a soft laugh. “Definitely.” He shook his head and sighed. “Alright. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but if you swear you won’t disappear again, then I accept your help.”

  “Good.” I grinned at them. “Because I wasn’t going to take no for an answer.”

  Chapter 39

  Kadin

  I HELD BACK A chuckle when Gideon grumbled to me mentally, How much longer do I need to stay out of sight?

  Rena still thought he’d left.

  I only shook my head at him, where he peered out from behind a nearby building. I never told you to hide. If you don’t want to talk to her, then just wait for the signal. Poor Gideon. The Jinn weren’t as supernatural as everyone assumed and they pretended. They were just like us humans. At least when it came to unwanted infatuations.