The Jinni Key

by Bethany Atazadeh

  I smiled to myself. We may have had a fight, but we’d worked it out, and everything was back in line with the current of my plan. I felt almost like I was floating downstream, as if the weight of my desires had pressed me down for so long, and now that I’d let them loose, I was so light and happy.

  After a peaceful minute had passed, I opened my eyes and rolled over to finally face him, only to find that he was gone. I spied his dark form all the way down at the bottom of the hill, a small dot in the distance making his way back to the tavern.

  I could join him, but instead I lay back down with a huge smile. I wanted to savor this moment of victory. Everything was finally working out. Just like I’d told my sister it would. Just like I’d hoped.

  “WHERE’S GIDEON?” I ASKED from where I sat atop my horse. The sun wasn’t even up yet. The air felt cool and damp in the predawn air, reminding me of home. Reminding me of the alarming number of days left in my deadline. Only ten now.

  We’d already eaten breakfast, packed, and checked out of the tavern, and I still hadn’t seen Gideon. Bosh had helped me mount when I first came outside, and despite my desire to go back in and find Gideon, I didn’t want to go through that again if I could avoid it. So, I waited, horse tied to the hitching post, while Bosh and Kadin roamed around me, packing the saddlebags in a hurry.

  “He’s going to meet us,” Kadin said in passing, walking toward the inn and disappearing inside before I could ask questions.

  “Don’t worry,” Bosh said quietly. He was in a strange mood today. “I’m sure he’ll be back before you know it.” He untied my horse to lead it, swinging up onto his own with ease, while I kept both hands on the pommel.

  When Kadin came back out, he spoke quickly. “We have almost half a day’s ride back to Hodafez, and we need to get there before noon.” Without another word, he swung up onto his horse and we set off down the dirt road. I understood him wanting to get back to Arie, but shouldn’t Gideon go with us? Didn’t he still want the Key?

  “Rena,” Bosh spoke up again after a few minutes of silence, pulling his horse back until it was side-by-side with mine. He fiddled with the reins in his hands. “Kadin and I were talking yesterday, and... we’d hoped you might play a role in the rescue. That you might be willing to distract Enoch long enough for Gideon to have an opening.” He cleared his throat. “Gideon says Enoch is strong, and he isn’t sure he can defeat him without an advantage. We’re afraid we won’t be able to save Arie without your help.”

  Gideon needed me? I perked up. “Of course I’ll help.”

  Kadin didn’t turn around, but he sank back in his saddle, visibly relieved.

  I smiled at the thought of helping Gideon. This might help bring us closer together.

  Bosh’s horse moved ahead of mine, and Kadin rode in front of him, so I took the opportunity to pull the Key out from around my neck and whisper my own name over it. The inky vision floated in the air, moving along the road with us.

  Gideon stood before me, relaxed, smiling. “Hold this, could you?” he asked, handing me his cane as he sat to pull his boots off. We were in a small, cozy home, reclining in the common room. “It’s been a long day. I have so much to tell you. But first, happy anniversary, my dear.”

  In the vision, he kissed my cheek and I smiled. For some reason, watching it made tears prick my eyes.

  “How many years has it been?” he asked absently as he took my hand.

  “Ten,” I told him. “And only just beginning.”

  The vision ended and I let it fade away. My throat felt tight. The long road passed without my seeing it; the vision playing over and over in my mind instead. I wanted to prove Yuliya wrong, yes. But even more, I desperately wanted this desire to come true. I would do anything.

  I tried to stay quiet and not to bother them anymore, but my unanswered question bothered me more than a jellyfish sting. “So, where did Gideon go?”

  “He’s just scouting ahead.” Bosh sighed. He wouldn’t meet my eyes. If the Mere were as bad at lying as the humans, we’d be extinct by now. “Know any good road games?”

  “Road games,” I repeated flatly. He was trying to distract me. The road stretched on for miles, and Gideon was nowhere in sight. Maybe a game wouldn’t be so bad. “Okay, teach me.”

  Bosh only half-smiled, but he cheered up as the game went on. The first one involved naming as many plants and animals as you could spot while we moved at a snail’s pace. I quickly grew bored. Not only because there were only a handful of foliage and creatures around, but because it soon became clear I didn’t know the majority of their names. If we’d played this game in the sea, the tables would’ve been turned, and I made sure he knew it.

  “Alright, alright.” Bosh laughed finally. “Let’s try another. Why don’t we make you a better rider?”

  I was skeptical that this was really a lesson masquerading as a game, but I agreed. Soon we were both laughing at the different competitions that I felt quite certain Bosh was making up as he went along. Who could ride the furthest distance without touching the pommel? Bosh. Who could do so without touching the horse’s mane either? Ha! Bosh, of course. Who could hold on, but ride with their eyes closed? I lasted longer than I expected, but eventually my horse tripped again and I couldn’t help myself. Still, I was proud of my progress.

  Bosh waved his hands as he chattered, holding the reins for my steed in one hand as he led us along, leaving his own reins hanging over the pommel. He didn’t even seem to notice that at any moment his horse could run away with him and there was nothing he’d be able to do about it. I just shook my head.

  “See,” he was saying, as he did something invisible with his body and his horse began to veer to the right. “It’s all in the knees, you just have to apply a little pressure.”

  I snorted. “Can’t we play a game that I can win?” I complained, rubbing my legs, which were still saddle sore from the last time we’d ridden. “I guarantee that I’ll never use this information again in my life if I have anything to say about it.”

  Bosh laughed. Kadin rode too far ahead of us to hear our conversation, seeming to want space. But Bosh seemed perfectly content to ride beside me. It was a pleasant way to pass a long day of travel. He smiled over at me when he found me staring. I smiled back, then faced forward, shaking off the strange fluttery feeling.

  “Ok, I’ve got it,” he said, pulling me from my thoughts. “Let’s play a guessing game.”

  I clapped my hands together in excitement. “I love guessing games.”

  “Okay,” Bosh said, puffing out his chest and grinning. “I call this one, ‘Guess Who.’ To win, you just have to listen to my story and guess who it’s about.”

  “I will definitely win this.” I shifted in my saddle, trying to face him more. “I’m ready. Begin!”

  Bosh tapped his lip thoughtfully. “Hmm, okay. Once there was... a child who grew up an orphan.”

  “That’s it?” I asked when he stopped. “Well, I know it’s not Arie.” I tapped my lip just like Bosh had a moment ago, mocking him. “I’ll guess Kadin,” I threw out my decision. “Because he definitely seems like he grew up unloved.”

  When I glanced over at Bosh to see if I’d guessed correctly, I caught him wincing instead. “What’s wrong?”

  “Oh, nothing,” Bosh said, stretching his lips in a smile. But it wasn’t one of his real smiles. I could tell.

  “What is it?” I asked again. “What did I say? You have to tell me. I’m so tired of the way humans tiptoe around what they really mean.” And Jinn, I added to myself.

  “Um, well...” Bosh fiddled with my horse’s reins. “I was just trying to trick you, you see, by starting with someone you wouldn’t think to guess.” He didn’t look up. “The orphan was me.”

  Oh. I reviewed my words in light of this new information. Grew up unloved. I cringed. Swallowing hard, I leaned across the space between us, clinging tightly to the pommel though I still nearly slipped from my saddle, and tapped him lightly on the kne
e to get his attention. “Bosh.” I never humbled myself like this, but I knew I needed to say the words. “I’m sorry. Truly, I am. I didn’t mean it.”

  “That’s okay,” he said, shrugging with another smile, but it still wasn’t quite his real one.

  “May I ask what happened to your parents?” I tried to be careful, seeing the irony as I tiptoed around his feelings just like I’d mocked the humans for doing earlier. But some people were worth tiptoeing for.

  “I don’t really know what happened to them,” Bosh said. “It used to bother me. I guess someone found me wandering in the woods when I was really young. They dropped me off in a village nearby and then moved on. No one wanted responsibility for a brat that wasn’t theirs when they had mouths to feed in their own household and barely enough to go around. So, the villagers took turns. ‘Who will take the kid tonight?’” Bosh huffed a laugh as he mimicked the villagers. “‘Not me,’ they’d say, ‘You take him.’”

  “That’s awful.” An angry lump settled in my stomach at the thought of villagers who couldn’t take this kind boy in and love him.

  “Thanks,” he said in a sarcastic tone.

  “It’s not your fault, you know,” I said, ignoring the way his shoulders hunched, as if he didn’t want to talk about it. “Those humans were selfish and cruel.” The words flowed out of my mouth without a thought, but I heard Kadin’s voice from just the day before, speaking similar words, and paused. Was I really selfish like those people? Would the Mere have been any more likely to take him in? No. They would’ve been even less likely. I blinked, trying to shake the feeling that I’d just seen myself in a new way, and I didn’t like it.

  “Okay, I’ve got one,” I said in a cheerful voice, changing the subject for both of us. “Once there was... a Gifted child.”

  “That’s easy,” Bosh said, perking up quickly. Now, when he grinned over at me, I beamed back, feeling successful. That smile was real. “You’re talking about Arie.”

  “Ha!” I pointed a victorious finger at him. “I meant Gideon. You lose!”

  “That seems a bit like cheating,” Bosh said, “since a child makes me think of a human, not a Jinni. But I’ll give it to you.”

  I smiled smugly.

  Bosh cleared his throat. “Speaking of Gideon, I wanted to talk to you about him...”

  Instantly, I felt defensive. Shading my eyes from the sun, I stared at the road ahead. I hoped Gideon would return soon. Maybe he would flash in and walk beside us the rest of the way. Or maybe he could share my horse with me. I pictured him seated behind me, arms wrapped around me. Bosh wouldn’t have to hold the reins then. Because no doubt Gideon could ride better than all of them, even Arie.

  “Rena?” Bosh said, when I didn’t answer. I’d gotten lost daydreaming.

  “Yes? What about Gideon?” I couldn’t help the sharp edge in my tone, wary of yet another person telling me to let it go.

  Sure enough. “I don’t know if Gideon’s... feelings for you are quite what you hope.” Bosh struggled to get the words out, fiddling with some small object in his hands instead of looking at me.

  How did Bosh even know I had feelings? Was I that obvious? I thought of the night before. The moment Gideon and I had shared. I don’t care what anyone says, there’s something between us. I shook my head, trying to be kind as I told him, “I don’t mean to offend, but you don’t really know him. I’ve known Gideon for a long time. We met over a year ago.” It was technically true. “I think he finds it hard to open up, but I’m patient. I can wait.” At least, for another week.

  He opened his mouth, but then closed it. Glancing away from me, he stared into his hands for a moment, then pocketed the item he’d been playing with. “I guess you’re right,” he said, a small smile that I couldn’t quite read playing across his lips. “I don’t really know. Can I just ask one thing?”

  Curious now, I leaned toward him naturally, until I slipped in the saddle and had to right myself. “What’s that?”

  “Why are you in such a hurry?” Bosh avoided my eyes, staring at the road ahead, making it hard for me to tell what he was thinking.

  I shrugged, patting my horse’s golden mane absently. “I have... a deadline.” I dared to let go of the pommel for a split second like Bosh taught me, grinning at him when I didn’t fall off.

  “What kind of deadline?”

  I hurried to grip the saddle again. “It’s nothing,” I told him. “I’m confident I’ll have time to get to know Gideon well enough.”

  Bosh didn’t say anything to that.

  I didn’t know why I was lying to Bosh. The truth was Gideon and I had had a moment last night, but what did it mean to him? I didn’t even know what it meant to me. Especially when he’d left without saying a word.

  We rode in a comfortable silence for a while. I daydreamed about Gideon getting to know me better and even considered pulling out the Key to see my vision again when Bosh wasn’t looking. When would he get back? I sighed, wanting another distraction. “Teach me a different game.”

  Chapter 34

  Kadin

  I COULDN’T REMEMBER THE last time I’d been this afraid. I tried not to let on. But I was consumed with regret for abandoning Arie. After everyone I’d lost in the past, I’d been a fool to just let her go.

  When Gideon flashed into existence before me, just down the road and out of the others’ sight, I kicked my horse into a canter. He was early. There was still at least an hour before noon. I couldn’t tell from his expression if that was good or bad. Reaching him, I swung off the horse and hit the ground. “What news?”

  “It seems Queen Arie has invited King Amir to return to Hodafez.” Gideon spread his hands wide, shaking his head.

  Obviously not her choice. Still, my stomach dropped.

  “Naveed heard of her father’s passing and was already at the inn. Daichi and Ryo were on their way back, so it didn’t take long to find them.”

  “Perfect.” I blew out a breath of relief. Things were finally going my way. “Did you tell them the plan?”

  Gideon nodded. “They’re already working on it.”

  “And you told them the time?” I asked, even though I knew I was repeating myself from the night before. “When they see the mid-afternoon sun touch the top of the castle?”

  “Of course.” Gideon smiled patiently. “We’re going to save her.”

  “I know,” I lied, lifting my chin. There was no other option. “Let the men know I’d be there if I could. I don’t want to risk entering Hodafez too soon.” If I was caught, I couldn’t help Arie.

  “I’m sure they understand,” Gideon reassured me.

  I nodded, unable to find words.

  “Gideon, you’re here!” Rena interrupted as she and Bosh rode up. She twisted in her saddle like she might actually try to dismount and greet him.

  “Only for a moment,” he said, mouth twisting down. “To bring news.”

  “Keep going,” I told Bosh, waving them forward. “I’ll catch up.”

  Rena wouldn’t have obeyed, but Bosh led her horse and it followed his, out of her control. She glanced back more than once, staring at us without shame.

  “One last thing.” I cleared my throat, needing to know the answer, but afraid of what it might be. “Is it possible for Enoch to permanently damage Arie’s mind?”

  “It’s unlikely.” Gideon shook his head, and I blew out a breath of relief. “Enoch is much more capable with his Gift than Amir ever was or ever will be. He’s over two centuries old and has served Queen Jezebel for more than half that time. His skills are unparalleled. Depending on how severely Enoch is enforcing his control, however, she may need a few days to recover.”

  My forehead wrinkled, and I didn’t bother to hide my concern from Gideon, rubbing my eyes, exhausted. “Thank you for being honest with me.”

  Gideon clapped a hand on my shoulder for a moment, surprising me. “I care about her, too. We’ll make sure no more harm comes to our Arie.”

  I reache
d out and clasped hands with him. The only words I could get out were, “Thank you.”

  “I’ll check back at noon,” he said. There was nothing else to plan. I nodded as he vanished, climbing back onto my horse and taking a moment to gather my thoughts before I rode after Bosh and Rena.

  “Let’s keep going,” I called out as I reached them at an easy trot. “I want to be as close to Hodafez as possible by noon.” I knew Gideon could flash us up to the city in a heartbeat, but I couldn’t sit here and do nothing. And just in case anything happened to him, at least I’d be close enough.

  “Is everything on schedule?” Bosh asked once I drew up to them.

  “It is,” I said, not adding anything further. “They just need a little more time to get everything into place.”

  When we reached the ocean, it was just a little past noon. We stopped near the beach to start a small fire and cook a light meal while we waited for Gideon.

  “Can I try to see Arie again?” I asked Rena.

  “It’s the middle of the day,” she said, squinting at me. “She’s not going to be there.”

  I knew she was right, but I had to try. “Please?” I begged. “We have to wait for Gideon anyway.”

  She shrugged. “Good point.”

  I thought it’d be difficult to fall asleep so early, but with the dream spell in place, I found myself standing outside the door to Arie’s dream bedroom within a few minutes. I knocked. Over and over, I knocked. But no one answered.

  After trying a few more times, I turned to find Rena walking up to me in the dream hallway. “Told you. She’s not asleep. It doesn’t work if she’s not asleep.”

  I startled. “How did you get here?”

  She shrugged. “I’m always in here.”

  “You didn’t think to tell me that before?” I muttered, my frustration deepening.

  “It wasn’t important. And I wanted to see if you loved Arie as much as she loves you.”

  That gave me pause. “You think... did she say that?”

  “No.” Rena smiled. “But neither did you.”