Chapter 39

The bed inside the hut was just as nice as the one outside of it, only better, because the one outside now contained one not-so-nice girl genie, who I was pretty sure wanted to get into my man's magical pants.

If I just stay in here, I won't have to talk to her.

That theory worked for the first twelve hours, with eight of them spent sleeping. Or, at least, she slept, I tried to rest in between crippling anxiety and thoughts of whether or not Brady was okay.

The other four she spent outside, seeming to have the same idea as me.

But she ruined it.

I watched as she sauntered inside, straight past me and into the kitchen. I heard her rummage around, running the water, opening and closing cabinets before eventually walking out with a bowl in each hand.

My brow furrowed as she stepped up to the bed, sat them on the floor alongside it, then walked back outside, all without speaking a word.

I peered over the edge.

She fed me like a dog! There on the floor sat one bowl of water, and one with a sandwich inside it. I was surprised she hadn't gone the extra mile and just given me dog food. My blood boiled, and the same insecurity I'd spent the entire night with bubbled to the surface.

Fuck this! I'm not a dog. I'm not small, and I won't be treated like I am! I needed to put a stop to it. What was I thinking? Sitting around feeling sorry for myself, feeling weak. I wasn't weak. I'd spent my entire life being tormented by a monster and still made it into college. I spent years holding in fear so others wouldn't think I was crazy. I suffered it all, alone.

A sense of pride flooded me, and I clung to the feeling as I jumped from the bed and ran after her.

Desirae was once again perched on the side of the bed outside, seeming bored as she stared out at the ocean view. "What do you want?" she asked without looking at me, her tone dryer than the miles of sandy beach.

"What the hell is that?" I pointed back towards where the bowls still sat.

"Brady will get upset if I don't feed his pet." She met my gaze. "Run along now. Go eat."

"Fuck you!"

Her eyebrows lifted. "You're either very brave or very stupid." She extended her hand then smiled softly at the burning red light that filled her palm. "What are you going to do about it? You have no magic. You have nothing." She closed her hand and the light disappeared. "Now go away, you're annoying me." Her eyes once again moved to the beach, dismissing me.

My anger evolved, going from boiling to steam, heating my face and pricking my eyes with unshed tears. I blinked them away. I wouldn't cry. I couldn't. I needed to be strong, as strong as I could be if I stood any chance at all against her power.

She said I had nothing, but she was wrong. Doogal had taught me some magic. I could do it. My mind struggled to pull the spell I'd used on him from deep within my memories, and I was happy to find that after chanting the words so many times, I could still remember them.

A smile curved my lips. I'll show her who's weak. "Ma olen väga usklik!" I shouted the first part, then added the second, "inimesed on naljakas, ma olen nii müane!"

Desirae didn't move. She shot me a look, brows furrowed and lips slightly lifted in a confused smile. "What are you doing?"

I held my breath. I must not have done it right. I concentrated harder, focusing all the anger I felt at her into the words. "Ma olen väga usklik! inimesed on naljakas, ma olen nii müane!"

Her smile widened further, and a moment later she snorted. It turned into a laugh, loud tinkling sounds that grated against each and every one of my nerves.

"Ma olen väga usklik! inimesed on naljakas, ma olen nii müane!"

She laughed harder, then waved a hand for me to stop. "Okay! I get it!" She gripped her stomach as she fought to contain herself. "Why do you keep saying that? What is it you're trying to do?"

My cheeks heated, and I chewed my lip. "It's a spell. I did it before! It worked! Knocked a grown Jinn onto the ground." God, I'm lame. So fucking lame. Why'd I walk out here? I should have just picked the sandwich up and eaten it. What's wrong with dogs? Dogs are cute as fuck. I could totally rock it as a dog.

Desirae's eyes danced with humor. "Who told you that was a spell? Was it Brady?"

"No." Just stop talking. Go back inside. Why are you still standing here?

"Who?" She leaned forward, her hands gripping the mattress on either side of her as she waited impatiently for me to continue.

"Owen taught it to me when I–"

"Oh," her smile turned wry. "Well, that's not a spell. It's Estonian." She chuckled again. "You just told me you were gullible, that humans are funny, and that you're so fucking dumb."

Somehow, I managed to embarrass myself past the point of feeling it. Instead, I simply accepted what couldn't be changed and resigned myself to what I'd so easily fallen for. "I'm going back inside," I said, already turning to leave.

"Wait." Desirae stood and maneuvered around me. She waved a hand, removing the two bowls, then produced a tray holding a plate and glass. "Here." She held it out to me, still grinning.

I took the offering, confused as to what had changed her attitude, but unwilling to question it out loud. Instead, I muttered, "Thank you," and took a seat back on the bed.

Desirae continued to grin as she nodded her head and walked back outside.

I stared at the sandwich, took it apart and put it back together, sniffed it five times, then tentatively took a small bite and waited to die.

I didn't, die that is. It was good. Turkey and ham, cheese, all the fixings. Definitely a step up from the dog food she could have given me. The moment I was sure she hadn't poisoned me, I devoured the meal in less time than was healthy. The water, thankfully, wasn't poisoned either, because I didn't even bother to check before downing the glass.

I'd just stood and walked to place the tray in the kitchen, when I heard a laugh, a familiar laugh, a laugh I'd longed to hear since he disappeared the night before.

A loud clatter sounded as I dropped the tray into the sink and ran for the front door. Brady stood there, still laughing with Desirae, and the moment his eyes found mine they danced. "Learn some magic, did you?"

My face heated all over again, but I didn't allow myself to linger on the feeling. He was back. He was alive. I rushed forward, disregarding the girl beside him as I wrapped my arms around his torso.

Brady laughed, picking me up and holding me off the ground. "Alright, Desirae. I got it from here." The two smiled at each other, and I was surprised to see her not look as bitchy as she had before. "I'll call you when I know more."

Desirae nodded her head, then in a flash of red, she disappeared.

His eyes met mine, still shining, and the smile that lit his face was enough to rival the sun beating down upon the ocean's waves. "You see what I mean? That's that beautiful aura. You even managed to get Desirae to like you." His lips met mine in a soft kiss that turned into something more. The gravity between us lurched, pulling hard and making it almost impossible to break away. "I want to take you somewhere," Brady murmured huskily.

My breath caught at his tone, and the impending things to come now that he was back. I nervously nodded, and the moment I did, the world exploded into that familiar blue light.

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