Djinn (37 page)

"You don't understand," I tried to explain. "I have to find out the truth. Pyke died trying to save me."

The memory of Pyke's snapped neck filled my mind, replaying over and over, like a broken record.

"Oh god!"

Celeste's desk and everything on it flew across the room and slammed into the wall opposite us. Pencils and letter openers stuck into the wall like deadly weapons. I was doing it; I'd lost control of my ability again. Pyke's face was all I could see.

Will embraced me in a hug.

"It's okay," he said. "Just calm down."

But I couldn't. I couldn't stop it. Plants and furniture slammed against walls and the wallpaper began to tear like someone was stripping it. Will grabbed my face and turned it toward his.

"Look at me," he said.

I didn't want to. He was so beautiful and I was the scum of the earth.

"Kyra. You need to calm down. Just breathe." He placed my hand on his chest. "Match your breathing to mine."

I felt his chest rising and falling rhythmically under my hand, and I focused on copying it. It was hard at first; my breathing was too quick and short, but the more I focused, the easier it was, and soon we were breathing in perfect sync.

"That's better," Will said.

"I can't do this," I said. "I can't do any of it." I pulled away from Will and sank into the chair.

"Kyra I know it's been hard. You just need to rest."

I shook my head. "You're wrong. I want to go back to my old life. I want my dad and our crappy Ute. I want to move from town to town, so I don't have to care about anyone. I want you to stop hating me."

Will froze, holding my gaze.

"You think I hate you?" he said.

"You do. You avoided me and said awful things. I thought you cared about me. I thought … I don't know anymore. I could have been with Pyke. Maybe I should have, and he could have died thinking I loved him. I didn't, though. I couldn't be with him because I love you. Despite what you said to me, and how you've treated me. I love you, Will …"

I didn't know what I was saying. It must have been the concussion. My train of thought was all over the place.

"Kyra …"

Suddenly I felt warm lips pressed against mine. The sweet taste of tears filled my senses. Will pulled me in close as he kissed me softly. His kisses traced the edge of my face, my eyes, my nose. He wiped my tears away with his thumb.

"Kyra, I care about you more than anything," he said, pulling away, but still staying close enough so I could feel his breath on my face. "I love you."

"Then why did you push me away?" I said, voice cracking.

"I'm sorry about the things I said, but I needed to push you away. Guardjinn and Djinn can't be together."

"I don't care. Surely, after everything that's happened, you can't still think that. Guardjinn and Djinn are the same."

"I think it more now than ever," he said. "The Djinn are in danger, and they need the Guardjinn to protect them. I can protect you, but I can't be with you."

I groaned and wanted to shake Will until he saw sense, but I didn't. I didn't care what he was saying, I just wanted him to kiss me again. I leaned in and smothered him in kisses, until he stopped trying to talk and kissed me back.

His kisses were sweet and powerful and I wanted him, all of him, but Will pushed me away.

"Kyra, we can't."

"I can change your mind. I know I can," I said and leaned in to kiss him again, but he stopped me.

"You can't."

"Fine. Then let me kiss you now. One last time and then you can go back to ignoring me."

I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him deep. He pulled me onto his lap and ran his fingers through my hair as I trailed kisses down his neck. He wanted me, I knew it, but his sense of duty wouldn't let him.

I knew then that I could wait. I could wait until I found a way for us to be together. My new resolve only made the kisses more perfect.

I didn't want to leave this moment; this perfect moment with him and me and nothing else mattering. I wanted him to keep kissing me, because I knew once we stopped I'd have to face reality. A reality where Will and I couldn't be together, where Blooders wanted to kidnap me for some reason, and where my parents were hiding things.

There were too many questions, but in my heart I knew I wanted answers. I've always wanted to know the truth above all else. I knew my place was here, amongst the Djinn; but I was going to make sure things changed.

About the Author

Born in Melbourne, Australia, Laura Catherine loved dreaming up stories from an early age. Her imagination took her on many adventures which lead to many notebooks filled with ideas. It wasn't until late High School that Laura decided to take her writing seriously and spent two years in a Professional Writing and Editing course. It was the best decision she could have made learning more about writing than she could have imagined. Still honing her craft whenever she can, Laura spends her time day dreaming about her next story, people watching in coffee shops and taking notes in her trusty notebook.

To find out more about Laura Catherine and her books visit:

www.quillwielder.com

Thanks

It's that time of the book to thank all the people who helped make Djinn possible. There are so many people to thank hope I can remember them all.

First off I have to thank my amazing editor Lauren McKellar. I am so grateful to have found you. You worked magic with Djinn making it better than I could have ever imagined. You are thorough, honest, and I will always be in your debt.

My mum, Michelle; my partner, Lyall; and best friend; Ritu. You three have always supported my writing and encouraged me to do what I love with complete confidence in my abilities. I don't think I could have come this far without your love.

I can't forget my Beta Readers either. You guys took a chance reading Djinn and gave me invaluable feedback. I hope to work with each of you again on my next million novels (yes, I'm striving to produce a million novels now). So Kim Clark, Sarah Gray, Donna Harms, and Karra Ormsby thank you.

Lastly I can't finish this without thanking you, the reader. Thank you so much for purchasing Djinn and thank you reading it. You may never know just how much this means to me that you thought my work was worth your time. It really makes me so unbelievably happy and excited like I really have chosen the right path in life. Writing is a part of me, not just a job, but an extension of my soul. So thank you and I hope you'll read some of my future work.

Coming Soon...

Blooders

Book Two in the Djinn Trilogy

Kyra knows a lot about herself:

She is a Djinn, a magical genie-creature.

She can move things with her mind, but only when she's emotional.

She's in love with Will, but he is forbidden to her.

But there are things Kyra doesn't know:

Why are the Blooders after her?

What is her mother hiding?

Why is her best friend avoiding her?

The closer Kyra gets to the truth, the closer she gets to danger and devastation.

But nothing will stop her.