Borrowed Ember (23 page)

Ari was glad for the feel of Jai’s hand in hers as they walked down Michael Roe’s staircase towards his office. She’d felt so helpless these last few days, so useless—her position among the Jinn so unstable. She needed a sense of purpose.

Going back to school, starting her education might have been an option. Ari wasn’t sure she could go back to living a normal life, being a normal colege girl. The fact was that it might not even be an option for her yet.

Al she had was her love for Jai, and although they were crazy about one another and Ari was so grateful for him, the two of them weren’t stupid enough to think they didn’t need something else in their lives. Especialy Jai, who was used to being in action al the time.

Ari glanced up at his strong profile and felt a familiar kick to her heart. She was worried about him. It was taking him a while to get over what his father had done to him, and no matter how much he tried to pretend that it was irrelevant because he had Ari now, she knew he was stil hurting.

She squeezed his hand and he gave her a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

She understood.

He was concerned.

Ari was too. There was stil so much up in the air.

After Charlie had disappeared, leaving Ari a bubbling mess as she tried to come to terms with losing her mom, Falon and her best friend al within a twenty four hour period, Jai had insisted they return to The Guild. They both knew that the Charlie who’d kiled Akasha, who had looked back at her before stepping into the
Peripatos
, wasn’t her friend anymore. Like Dalí, Charlie had been poisoned by the emerald’s power.

He’d had a substance abuse problem. How could Red possibly have thought someone with an addiction to dangerous coping mechanisms would be able to handle

that much power? No. Charlie was gone. She didn’t know if she’d ever see him again. The Guild was the only place that was familiar and safe to her now. Michael hadn’t exactly welcomed them with open arms, especialy after discovering Charlie had succeeded in kiling Akasha and had in his possession a rare piece of Mount Qaf emerald that apparently could make Jinn explode at wil.

But Michael had let them stay.

Trying to be useful, to be helpful, Ari had wanted to be there for Caroline in any way she could. But she was surrounded by family and friends from The Guild who helped with Falon’s funeral arrangements and taking care of the house. Ari was pushed to the side. She got it. They were closer. They were family.

Before and just after Falon’s funeral the house had been filed to the brim with people coming and going.

Today was the first day it was empty. Today was the first day Ari could realy touch and taste the thickened air of grief that clung to every wal, every door…

Trey was keeping an eye on Caroline, making sure she was functioning, cracking jokes, wiping her tears, and constantly checking his celphone. Was it for Glass?

Ari wondered, her suspicions about those two growing deeper the more and more she thought about it. She hoped if Trey heard anything from Glass he’d let her know.

She stil hadn’t heard a word from Red and had no idea where her mother had been buried. If she’d been buried.

Then there was of course the matter of Asmodeus and The White King who stil had unfinished business with her. According to Jai, who’d had word from Luca that Yasmin had been bitching about waking up to find out she could talk about what Ari had commanded her to do, this signaled the possibility of a new threat. It might be that everyone she’d commanded was no longer under that compulsion. The Ghulah. Pazuzu. Would they come after her for revenge?

Ari blew out her breath between her lips as they entered Michael’s office. He was waiting for them, absentmindedly staring into the fireplace. The room must have been toasty and warm with the flames roaring to life for the first time since Ari had come to stay with him. Everyone kept complaining about the cold snap that had blown into New Jersey, but as per usual, Ari and Jai couldn’t feel it.

Another aching pang lit up Ari’s chest at the sight of Michael, his strong face so drawn with sadness. Did Michael blame her? After al, if she’d never entered The Guild’s lives, bringing Charlie along for the ride, Falon would stil be alive.

“Sit down, please.” Michael gestured to the two seats before his desk.

Feeling unexpected gremlins start to eat the butterflies in her bely, Ari swalowed hard, awaiting his decision on whether he was alowing her permanently back into The Guild.

“You keep looking at me, Ari, as if you expect me to suddenly throw you out of the house.” He frowned at her, seeming so exhausted and a little annoyed.

Ari winced. She hadn’t realized she’d been so obvious.

“As a member of The Guild, we are aware that a short life is a possibility. My daughter was aware of this and I’m trying to accept it, knowing my daughter died in service to a friend.” Bitterness sprinkled over the word friend. “I’ve already spoken with Jai and offered you both a place in The Guild along with Trey.”

Taken aback, Ari glanced over at Jai and he offered her an apologetic smile for not teling her before now.

“Jai has purchased a property in the area for himself and Trey to live in. It’s in the neighborhood so they can be close at hand for me. I am grateful to have them in The Guild.” He nodded respectfuly at Jai and then when he looked at Ari his gaze turned knowing and almost… fatherly? “He also made me aware of the true nature of your relationship with him. I know you’re eighteen but you have no parents and I would feel remiss in my duties as your Guild leader if I didn’t urge you to consider staying here with me and Caroline instead of moving in with two older men. But Mr. Bitar wants you to have the choice.”

Wide-eyed Ari turned to face Jai, her mouth faling open slightly. Unexpected excitement started to swat at the gremlins in her bely.
Move in with you?
She telepathed.

He smiled softly.
If you want.

The gremlins started to swat back at the excitement as the thought of living with Jai sank in. it was fast. They’d be living together like a real couple. She was only eighteen. They hadn’t even slept together yet, and Trey would be their roommate. Or would they al just be roommates—as in she’d have her own room? Or—oh crap.

She felt a little dizzy.

Suddenly Jai took her hand, his eyebrows drawn together in worry. Ari peeked at him through the curtain of her hair and felt something punch her in the chest when she found more than worry lurking at the back of those gorgeous eyes of his. She saw fear.

Fear that she didn’t want him?

Ari tightened her hold on his hand.

They would be living together. She’d get to see him every day. To know he was safe.

They’d get to make-out without any interruptions.

Hopefuly.

Trey would be there too, and she cared about Trey. The two of them made her feel safe.

They were family.

The excitement swung at the gremlins with a basebal bat. “I’m going to stay with my family. I want to move in with Jai and Trey.”

Michael didn’t look at al happy. “People might talk.”

“Then let them talk.” Ari shrugged, completely unbothered by the thought. “There are worse things in life than gossip.”

Heaving a sigh, Michael finaly nodded, his eyes growing heavy with grief again. “Yes. There is. Which brings me to my next piece of news.”

Jai’s hand tightened in hers almost to the point of being painful and Ari felt the excitement inside her die—death by dread. “News?”

“Your last assignment was taken over by my uncle’s son, Aidan. You may remember him from Phoenix.”

Ari nodded. She hadn’t realy gotten to talk to him much.

“Aidan posed as a supply teacher and discovered that the art teacher, a Mr. Sam Shepherd, had a Qarin.”

“A what?”

“A double,” Jai explained. “A person’s dopplegänger. They usualy try to turn their human double to the dark side, or in some cases they just want to mess up their human double’s life. Not al are bad. But most are.”

“Yes,” Michael agreed. “And this one was. He posed as the art teacher and would grant wishes through a student’s painting. He’d get them to paint what they

wanted most.”

That made sense, Ari thought. When she first felt the power of the Jinn in the school hals it must have been the Qarin she’d encountered. Then when she met Sam, he was the human counterpart.

“Aidan discovered a locked closet filed with paintings. The four missing kids. They were trapped
inside
their paintings. Aidan said it was one of the most bizarre things he’s seen. There was a kid trapped in the painting of,” he shot Ari an apologetic look, “an ‘adult’ movie scene. For Christ’s sake.”

Jai did not just snort? Ari made a face at him before turning back to Michael. “So what happened?”

“The Qarin knew he’d been busted and he fled with his human double. We’re tracking him but we’d like to put you on notice. If he starts up shop somewhere new and somewhere under our jurisdiction, we want you and Jai out there to stop him. He’s a number one priority and from now on—seeing as I have three ful-bloods in my Guild—any priority hunts are now priority kils. Jai told me Red said something about ful-bloods not being tried.” He smiled humorlessly at being privy to the truth about the Law.

Ari nodded a little dumbly. She knew it echoed the promise she had given Michael in the speech she’d used to convince him to let her become a hunter, but to hear it so bluntly put…

Michael was asking her, Jai and Trey to be his personal assassins.

She shot a look at Jai but he seemed calm. He seemed ready.

Be a grown up, Ari
, she chastised herself.
You wanted a purpose.

“Okay,” she agreed.

“Ari…” Michael cleared his throat, suddenly looking incredibly uncomfortable. “The Roe Guild has been given another priority assignment, orders from Mount Qaf.”

His gaze darkened and his eyebrows dipped in fierce thought. “We’re to aid the Law Makers in a hunt. This one is considered extremely dangerous and impossible to find. That’s why we need you on it.”

Her heart was suddenly pounding in her chest and she felt her palms begin to sweat. Feeling her tremble, Jai squeezed her hand. She let go of the breath she was holding, salt stinging her eyes as she tried to fight her emotions in order to be able to take what he was about to say.

“He’s a half-blood. Sort of. So this is a track and kil order.”

“Why me? Why do you need me?” Ari needed him to say it.

“Because you know him better than anyone. You know his habits. His haunts.”

“Track and
kill
…?” she choked, disbelief wrapping its hands around her throat.

“If we don’t take him out, someone else wil.” Michael shook his head, his eyes surprisingly ful of sympathy. “I can’t imagine how hard this is for you, Ari, but he is gone. That’s not him anymore.”

“Just say it,” she hissed furiously. “Just say his name.”

Michael nodded, his expression grim but determined. “It’s Charlie. Our next target is Charlie Creagh.”

To be continued…

….the story continues in ‘Darkness, Kindled (Fire Spirits #4)’. Coming Fal 2012!

Acknowledgments

First of al another huge thank you to my beta readers and my wonderful editors Alicia Cannon and Ashley McConnel of Ashley’s Freelance Editing. It’s amazing to have professional editors who are also awesome fun to work with.

I also want to take the time to thank my parents again for being such a huge support and for listening to me ramble incessantly about my writing. That leads into my massive thank you to one of my best friends, my family - my sister realy - Miss Kate McJennett. Congratulations hon! I’m so proud of you! And thank you so much for cheering me on and providing me with some much needed perspective. Love ya!

A tremendous thank you to Claudia McKinney (digital artist) and Teresa Yeh (photographer) for putting together the stunning cover art for Borrowed Ember. Being a part of the entire process was a huge deal for me and I absolutely love the final result. You guys rock.

And finaly I want to thank you. Thank you for continuing the Fire Spirits journey with me and I hope this latest instalment left you hungering for more.

You’re kind of awesome. You know that, right?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born and raised in Stirlingshire, Scotland, Samantha Young has been dreaming of other worlds and realms since she first picked up a certain classic novel by C.S.

Lewis when she was seven years old. It was only after graduating from the University of Edinburgh in 2009 that Samantha decided to pursue her writing career.

Currently, she is the author of ten novels and one novela.

To enter Samantha’s world of paranormal and fantasy adventure visit her blog/website at http://www.samanthayoungbooks.com

Index of Terms (Fire Spirits)

Aissawa Brotherhood -
A human tribe from Meknés in Morocco. They are paid to exorcise Jinn.

Asmodeus -
Often referred to Prince Asmodeus, he is Azazil’s first lieutenant and the very first of the Marids. Asmodeus is Lilif’s twin brother but his loyalty lies with Azazil.

Azazil -
The oldest of the Jinn and their Sultan, the ruler of al Jinn.

The
Cloak
-
The Jinn term for using the enchantment for invisibility.

Ghulah -
A flesh-eating Jinn that targets travelers.

Ginnaye -
Human living, ful-blooded Jinn. The Ginnaye is the term for guardian tribes. They guard and protect the lives of humans with important destinies. They often supplement their living by setting up security companies, acting as paid bodyguards to the rich and famous.

Harmal -
A herb that is used as a Jinn repelant.

Hybrids -
Half-human, half-Jinn. Many hybrids are unaware of the Jinn. Those who are, are split into two categories: Sorcerers and The Guild.

Sorcerers
-
Sorcerers are among the rare half-breeds who connect naturaly to their magic. Most are usualy unable to handle the strength of the power within them without it turning their minds. They use talismans, seals and inscriptions to channel their power and in most cases theirs is considered ‘ilicit’ magic.

The Guild
-
Tribes of hybrids who grow up learning ‘licit’ magic that is used to hunt down sorcerers and prevent any harm befaling human from sorcerers or evil Jinn.

The Gilder King is the founding father of The Guilds. He created them as another measure of ‘balance’.

Ifrit -
Like al Jinn, the Ifrit are telepathic and can converse with other Jinn this way. Like most Jinn the Ifrit can shapeshift, possess, shield themselves with invisibility by stepping into the Cloak, conjure with magic and enchantments, and place curses upon lesser beings — although their magic is not as powerful as the Marid’s. However, each individual Ifrit has one gift specific to them that can even overshadow the power of the Marid. For example, Ari’s mother, Sala. She is an Ifrit with extremely powerful seductive powers. Sala is not to be confused with a Lilif - a Succubus Jinn. The soul of the Ifrit is more ambiguous than the Marid. Although some are evil, some have been known to be good.

Importants
-
Humans with special and important destinies.

Indian Costus -
A herb that repels Jinn from the possessed.

Labartu
-
A wicked species of Jinn whose victims are mostly always children.

Law Makers -
Jinn who live in Mount Qaf. Their power creates the law and thus they know when someone has broken a law.

Lesser Jinn -
Jinn with very basic powers. They usualy live in the mortal realm, living human lives since they tend not to have long life spans.

A Lilif -
Descendants of Lilif, Azazil’s Sultana, the Lilif Jinn are Succubi - they feed on the sexual energy of people.

Lilif -
She was Azazil’s Sultana and mother of the Seven Kings of Jinn. She was an Ifrit but birthed a new species of Jinn, caled the Lilifs.

Marid -
Always evil, the Marid have extraordinary power and are known to live as long as 2500 years, although Asmodeus is far older (his true age remains unknown, although some postulate he is almost as old as Azazil).

Mount Qaf -
The Realm of the Jinn.

Nisnas -
One-eyed, one-armed, one-legged Jinn that is often subject to a master. A Nisnas bite can be healed by the Nisnas’ saliva.

Pazuzu -
An ancient Mesopotamian Jinn also known as the wind demon. An ancient Marid, Pazuzu is pure evil.

The
Peripatos
-
Jinn form of traveling. It takes a Jinn from one place to another within seconds.

Qarin -
A person’s doppleganger. They usualy try to turn their human double to the dark side, or in some cases they just want to mess up their human double’s life.

Not al are bad but most are.

The Seal of Solomon -
A ring of brass and iron. The brass can be used to stamp written commands to the good Jinn and the iron part to the evil Jinn. It was first gifted to King Solomon, but was removed from him when he abused its power.

Secretum -
Created from the wood of a Conessi Tree, packed with Telicherry Bark and Harmal, and treated with Harmal, the Secretum is a box only a powerful Jinn can use to entrap a lesser Jinn within it.

Seven Kings of Jinn
-
The seven sons of the Sultan Azazil and Lilif, the first of the Lilif Jinn:

The Gilder King
– Rules over Sunday and is neutral in the war between the White King and Azazil

The Glass King
– Rules over Monday and is subject to Azazil. The Qarinah jinn are subject to him.

The Red King
– Rules over Tuesday and devout folower of Azazil. His people have a reddish tint to their skin and many dabble in possession.

The Gleaming King
– Rules over Wednesday and believes the White King can restore order.

The White King
– Rules over Thursday and wishes to dethrone Azazil using the Seal of Solomon.

The Shadow King
– Rules over Friday and believes the White King can restore order.

The Lucky King
– Rules over Saturday and is neutral in the war between the White King and Azazil.

Shaitan -
Children and servants of the Sultan, the Shaitan have never been known to be anything but evil and are loyal only to those strong enough to cal themselves their Master.

State of Madani -
The Red King’s Kingdom in Mount Qaf

State of Nusrah -
The Shadow king’s Kingdom in Mount Qaf

State of Zubair -
The White King’s Kingdom in Mount Qaf

Tellicherry Bark -
bark from a family of East Indian trees. It’s used to cure victims poisoned by

a Jinn curse.

Utukku -
Graveyard Jinn. There are two kinds:

Shedu Utukku
are benevolent. They take up residence in graveyards, watching over the dead and scaring off vandals etc.

Edimmu Utukku
are evil Jinn and they haunt graveyards, attacking visitors and plaguing the peaceful rest of the dead.

The War of the Flames -
The civil war between Azazil and the White King.