From the tiny fraction of information I had on jinn, I knew they possessed foresight, scanning the ever-changing future to see a multitude of possible outcomes, which could change depending on the choices made by those involved. But according to the texts, they didn’t usually interfere in free will – fate – whatever you want to call it.

This jinn had seen something which forced it from the desert. It had wanted to eliminate me … but now it was stepping back again. What it did here would change the future it had seen. I wondered what path had opened up now.

Its scare-the-shit-out-of-me talk wasn’t done yet. “I won’t kill you, but I will also not make it easier for the king. It is time for you to demonstrate your ability to live. I will let the fates have you.”

What the freak did that mean? Something bad for sure, something very, very, very bad.

Screwed. I’m so screwed.

The winds swirled around us, those unblinking black eyes still locked on me. It was next to impossible for me to read a creature so doused in magic, with the most alien of features. Hell, trolls and ogres were easier to glean information from.

The pressure was building, but I held my ground, feet as solidly planted as I could get them.

“Jessa!” The bellow was the only thing since stepping into this clearing that really threw me. Sure I was scared, but I was not thrown … until Braxton’s voice broke through the magic.

For the first time the elemental jinn tore its gaze from me, and after about two seconds of scanning, focused on a spot to my right. I did not turn to look – enemy in front of me, friend at my back.

The jinn moved, gliding back, its words just audible. “I do not know how you have broken the ancient energy, but fate has intervened. There are three paths for you both now … one is … survival. Good luck.” It disappeared into the other side of the swirling energy mists.

Arms surrounded me then, Braxton’s heat and scent engulfing me.

“Hold on to me.” He had to yell to be heard over the jinn’s increasing enchantment. “This is going to hurt.”

That was the last thing I heard before there was an inward ricocheting of energy and the circle of power surrounding us suddenly imploded. I couldn’t be more grateful that Braxton was with me. I wasn’t even going to question how that was, not yet anyway; it was time to prepare for … for…

The strike of the energy was direct, and no matter how hard I fought it, I was forced to surrender consciousness.

Everything went black.

Chapter 6

Chapter 6