Wish For Me (Destiny Jinn Series Book 1)

by Yumoyori Wilson

  Focusing once more on my food, I proceeded to finish the third plate with no trouble. Luke got up and got me a bottle of water to wash the food down and then settled between Jeremiah and Owen again. Cole was finished with his food as well, so we decided to just relax in the breakfast lounge.

  "What time is it?" I wondered, seeing as no one else had come to the lounge for breakfast.

  "About three in the morning?" Owen replied, glancing at his black watch on his wrist for confirmation.

  "Three in the morning? Doesn't feel like I slept for a few hours though. Today's Monday?"

  The boys stared at me for no longer than thirty seconds before Luke gave me a sympathetic look. "It's Wednesday, my dear. You were knocked out."

  "Two days?!" I shrieked.

  "48 hours. We had to rotate watching you, but even when we tried to wake you to drink something, it was impossible."

  "Hmm. Why don't I feel like I need to pee?" I pondered more to myself.

  Jeremiah chuckled. "Magic, Pinky. It's pretty awesome."

  "Are you allowed to say that out loud?" I asked. "Actually, what are you guys?"

  "Guess that counts as being a part of the introductions, right?" Owen mused.

  The others shrugged, and Cole sighed. "We're Jinns, Destiny."

  "You're my relatives?" I asked blankly, and the other three guys snickered.

  "Oh, I hope not. I think that would make it weird to be cuddle buddies." Jeremiah chuckled.

  He did have a point.

  "Jinn as in genie? Like the one from Aladdin?" I questioned.

  They all groaned.

  "You see? I told Dad it was a stupid idea to let Disney go through with that movie. Even after all these years, people still compare us to that blue guy." Jeremiah huffed, putting his head back to rest on the sofa.

  "We weren't even Jinns back then, or we so would have opposed of it." Owen shrugged.

  "He wouldn't listen to us," Luke pointed out.

  "He'd listen to Cole," Jeremiah noted.

  The other two nodded. "True."

  "Your dad is a genie? So, was your mom a genie and they had genie babies? Wait...that wouldn't work. You guys are all from different backgrounds, so you can't have the same dad. Hmmm."

  "I think we should actually introduce ourselves properly for you to understand, Destiny. We'll answer any questions you have after we explain. Does that sound easier?" Luke suggested.

  Yes. That would help a lot," I admitted with a sheepish grin.

  They nodded and exchanged looks.

  Luke sat up and started, followed by the others.

  "Luke Jinn the Humble."

  "Owen Jinn the Adventurous."

  "Jeremiah Jinn the Magnificent."

  "Cole Jinn the Vengeance."

  I frowned and tilted my head in confusion. "You're all Jinn and you add titles to your name when you introduce yourselves?"

  "When you become a Jinn, it will be your surname for the rest of your years serving as a genie," Owen explained.

  Luke continued. "Every Jinn will have the same last name and be blessed with a title by our father."

  "He isn't our REAL father, but he's the Father of Jinns across Fantasia," Jeremiah clarified.

  "Fantasia is where all Jinns reside and receive wishes from across the worlds. Sometimes we grant them, other times we ignore it. Depends." Cole shrugged.

  "In summary, the four of you are Jinns, aka genies, from a place called Fantasia. You all have the same last name and the titles were appointed to you by the Father of Jinns and you guys get to decide whether you grant a wish or not. Does an individual need to rub a lamp? Like the one Grandma left me? It was her most prized possession, and she said it gave her a lot of memories."

  I really wanted to know more about my grandma’s lamp, but I was also intrigued by all this new information.

  "Sometimes yes, other times no. The majority do need a lamp to summon one of us, but if they're an owner of a lamp and don't have it on them at the time they desperately make a wish, we would still be summoned to aid them," Owen elaborated.

  "Seeing as your last name is Jinn, it could mean you’re from a line of Jinns and the reason your grandma passed down her lamp to you… but..." Luke trailed off, looking deep in thought.

  My eyes drifted between the other two on the couch, noticing their troubled gazes. I turned to peer at Cole, who also looked a bit concerned, though he masked it the moment my focus landed on him.

  "Is it bad that my last name is Jinn? Am I a genie?"

  Cole crossed his arms over his chest and answered. "We don't know for sure. It's not bad that your last name is Jinn, but there's a huge problem with you being here."

  "Here as in..."

  "Here as in among humans. You would have been born on Fantasia to have that last name. I'm surprised you made it to adulthood without any other Jinns confronting you about it. We don't live in this world, but we come often enough and scan governmental profiles all the time."

  "You said your family recently told you that you're adopted. That means your last name wasn't originally Jinn?" Jeremiah questioned.

  "It was Destiny Alexa, but when I got my real birth certificate, it read Destiny Alexa Jinn. I didn't have a chance to tell anyone else about it," I admitted.

  They exchanged glances once more and nodded.

  "Why? Is that bad?" I pressed.

  Luke put his elbows on his knees and rested his head in his hands as he looked at me. "It's complicated, Pinky. See, there are only two ways of being a Jinn. Either you're born as one, which is what we suspect is what's going on in your case, or you're chosen to be one."

  "How are you chosen?" I asked.

  No one answered, which made me grimace, and I slowly looked at Cole. He must have anticipated my gaze because he spoke the moment our eyes locked.

  "You’re chosen when your soul is at the border of judgment."

  "Border of judgment?"

  Owen relaxed in his seat and lifted his leg to rest on the other. "Heaven and Hell. The Good Place or Bad Place. The Light Side or Dark Side. Those are the few terms humans categorize it as, but the first one is the most popular."

  "That means..." I trailed off and took a moment to look at each of them before I continued. "You guys...all of you have died before?" My voice was low and was the perfect presentation of my shock.

  Jeremiah nodded his head but was still able to smile. "Yup. Two years since my death."

  "Two for me as well," Luke replied.

  "Three for me." Owen raised his hand.

  Cole didn't say anything, and I looked over to see his blank expression. If he didn't want to reveal it to me, I didn't mind. His eyes met mine and he lifted his hand, all five fingers remaining up.

  "Five years?" I confirmed.

  He nodded, lowered his hand, and looked away.

  I swallowed past the lump in my throat and dropped my gaze.

  Just to see the people around me gather and mourn my apparent death hurt to the core. I couldn't imagine waking up as a Jinn and realizing you'd died.

  As tempted as I was to ask if they remembered their deaths, I held my tongue. We barely knew each other and that was something you asked when you'd developed a trusting relationship. It would be offensive if I asked now.

  "I guess that means I may be the first option, but wouldn't I be in Fantasia then?"

  "That's another issue. You should," Owen stressed.

  "The fact that you summoned all four of us is also something we need to look into," Luke added.

  "Four isn't normal, is it?" I asked hesitantly.

  They shook their heads.

  "Not even close, Pinky," Jeremiah commented.

  "When someone makes a wish that's strong enough, it's always been one," Owen pointed out.

  Cole decided to join the conversation. "There have only been a few VERY rare occasions for two Jinns to be summoned at once, but that was decades ago and before our time as Jinns. Summoning us four is unheard of and when we go back to Fanta
sia, we need to go straight to our father and see why this happened."

  "I'm going with you to this Fantasia place?" I asked.

  "You could if you want," Owen replied with a smile.

  "There aren't many female genies, so we'd have to mask you as a slim male until we get to Father," Jeremiah noted.

  "Is it that bad?" I canted my head to the side and waited for the answer.

  "Think of a world where the ratio between men and women is 50:1," Cole presented.

  "Oh shit..." I swore and tried to calculate in my mind. "Why is that? I mean, if you're chosen during judgment, why wouldn't there be an equal number?"

  "Women have fewer regrets than men." Luke shrugged.

  "That can't be true. It's sexist." I crossed my arms and frowned.

  "It's been researched, Pinky. Women have fewer regrets than men and pass over a lot faster. Could also be the water mass in our bodies weighing us down, but it hasn't been confirmed," Jeremiah replied, trying to lighten the mood.

  I grinned and nodded. "I guess I wouldn't mind coming with you guys. Well… that’s if you'd be okay having me travel with you? Not like I have much to bring anyway." I mumbled the last part.

  Aside from my backpack with my personal belongings, which included a few chocolate bars and tampons, I had nothing else. Wait.

  "Do female genies get periods in Fantasia?"

  The four of them were completely silent, causing me to rethink what I'd just asked.

  Hmm. Maybe they're not that comfortable with the female body. But...they were fine helping me bathe? What's the big deal about periods?

  Cole cleared his throat and replied. "They don't."

  "YES"! I fist pumped the air. "Fuck you tampons and taxes!"

  They continued to silently stare at me, and Jeremiah leaned over to whisper to the other two. "I really wish I'd dated a girl long enough to see what the big deal is."

  "If you were bleeding from your cock every month and craving chocolate all the time, you'd understand," Luke replied and patted Jeremiah's shoulder.

  "Don't forget the wine. It's a bonus," Owen added.

  "Ah." Jeremiah nodded.

  "You guys are a bunch of idiots." Cole sighed and rolled his eyes before looking at me. "Yes, you can leave your feminine products here. You won't need them."

  "Does that mean female Jinns can have sex whenever they want without getting pregnant?"

  The poor guys were frozen by my over the top questions, but I HAD to know. The realization of a whole new world where periods and cramps didn't exist made me want to go find a hot genie and enjoy good sex. Not like I didn't have options before me, but I bet they’re already taken.

  "To get pregnant, there are steps that need to be taken and it's too complicated. That's why born Jinns are rare." Cole answered my question yet again, clearly taking the lead role in the uncomfortable conversation.

  "Why does only Cole know these things?" I asked. "Is it because he's been a Jinn the longest?" I asked.

  The other three looked at Cole who stood up. "I need to piss."

  With that, he was out the door. I frowned and slowly turned back to the others. "Did I fuck up somewhere with the periods and pregnancy questions?" I asked.

  "Cole...is complicated. He doesn't like sitting down too long. Don't worry about it." Owen brushed the topic off like it was nothing, but their concerned expressions told me otherwise.

  "Also, we wouldn't know. None of us have dated a female Jinn," Luke added.

  "Cole is the oldest in the group and most knowledgeable, so I wouldn't be surprised if he knew a lot of things we don’t," Jeremiah confirmed.

  "As long as I didn't offend him...I can apologize."

  Luke got up and walked over to kneel in front of me. "You don't need to apologize, Destiny. He's fine." He reached out to brush his hand against my cheek.

  "I can see why you're called Humble. Though you look like a surfer dude." I paused and studied him. "Minus the ginger hair and freckles."

  He chuckled. "I used to surf, and I thought I'd be cool by breaking all the stereotypes by going ginger." He gave his admission before he rose up.

  "Have you had enough of an introduction to allow us to take you away to another world, Destiny?" Luke questioned.

  "Stop being cheesy. It only suits Jeremiah," Owen snarked.

  "It doesn't suit me at all. I'm cool when I say shit like that. Hold on," Jeremiah replied. He stood up and walked over to where I sat, kneeling down before me as he scooped my hand into his. "Destiny Jinn. Are you ready to accept this new fate and journey with four Jinns to a new world of discovery, magic, and wishes?"

  "Now THAT was REALLY cheesy." Luke groaned, and Owen laughed.

  "Oh goodness, that was horrid."

  "Fuck off, the both of you! Destiny hasn't replied yet! Don't ruin the moment," Jeremiah grumbled.

  I laughed this time, which caused all three of them to stare at me. My own ears were shocked to hear the sound. I couldn't remember when I'd really laughed out of pure amusement.

  "Out of the seven days I've been in the miserable hell hole I was in, I really am happy you guys came. I'm so happy it's hard not to cry," I whispered, blinking back tears.

  Jeremiah rose up, tugging my hand gently to prompt me to stand up too. When I did, he wrapped his arms around me and gave me the perfect hug.

  "Don't cry, Destiny. As Jinns, that's what we're here for, and your wish was to find where you belong. You're one of us, and if you want to join us, we'll show you both sides of being a Jinn."

  I nodded into his shoulder and cried quietly. I pulled back slightly to wipe my tears, feeling a pat on my shoulder. I turned to see Owen and he opened his arms in a hugging gesture. With a tearful grin, I gave him a hug before Luke walked over and gave me one as well.

  By the time I was finished hugging Luke, Cole had returned. He noticed my teary appearance, and I worked on stopping the waterworks with my hands.

  He strode over to me and reached out to wipe away the tears that fell from my eyes, and I stared into those softened galaxy eyes.

  "Your wish will be granted, Destiny. All you have to do is say yes," Cole whispered.

  I looked toward the others as I held my breath, thinking about whether they would really be okay with me coming with them. Their supportive expressions helped me make my decision and I turned to gaze directly into Cole's eyes as I answered.

  "I want to find where I belong, and I'd be forever grateful if I could take this journey with you all and for me to have my wish granted. I may be a burden and could bring you guys down, but I'll work hard… and do my best to hold my own weight… Just don't… discard me, okay?" I whispered.

  The idea of starting a new life was thrilling, but I had to remember I had nothing left here. One wrong move and I'd be homeless in both worlds. I'd be alone, and if these men ended up abandoning me, my purpose of living would be nonexistent.

  I was dead to the human eyes. If no one wanted me in the Jinn world, there would be nowhere else but death.

  It was a depressing thought, but I had to be realistic. My eyes grew wide when I was pulled into a hug. Cole's huge body wrapped me up in a gentle embrace that melted my insecurities.

  "We will never discard one of our own." He spoke quietly in my ear.

  I lifted my arms and hugged him back, hoping my returning hug would melt away whatever had been troubling him. Leaving here would be the best, and these four men were the cure I needed to get away from what could have been my real death.

  Cole's words continued to echo through my mind and a smile formed on my lips as a thought crossed my mind.

  One of their own.

  "How does disguising as a guy land me in these huge sweatpants and shirt? I look like I have no fashion sense."

  Jeremiah chuckled. "Totally Cole's idea. If it were me, I would have dressed you to perfection regardless of having to look 'male-like' for our journey."

  "Fuck off," Cole huffed as he looked through the rearview mirror to glare at Jeremiah
in the backseat.

  "Cole's idea of being male-like is having you look completely unattractive." Owen laughed.

  "Which wasn't really effective by giving her baggy clothes. She still looks cute," Luke complimented.

  "Right. I think his main motivation was just to hide her perfect breasts." Jeremiah nodded.

  "And curves," Luke added.

  "Might as well just hide her completely. She's too pretty, even in those hideous baggy clothes," Owen confirmed; the other two nodded in agreement.

  I blushed and turned to look forward as Cole continued to drive us on the quiet highway. "Whose clothes are these, anyway?" I asked.

  "Cole's," Jeremiah, Owen, and Luke replied in unison.

  Slowly glancing to my right, I peered at Cole, but he kept his eyes on the road. He couldn't hide his embarrassment as his cheeks grew slightly red.

  With a smile, I lifted my legs up so that I could curl my arms around them and rest my head on my knees. "Guess I'll keep them. Perfect pajamas."

  "Don't steal my clothes," Cole grumbled.

  "You lent them to me. That's borrowing. I'll just extend how long I borrow them," I replied sweetly and closed my eyes.

  We were on our way to this place called Fantasia. I'd checked out of my hotel but didn't pay a dime since Cole paid before I could get my wallet out of my backpack.

  Owen had disappeared to get a bigger car that would seat all five of us, and Luke explained that to get to Fantasia we'd have to drive into a specific area where it was 'easy to disappear.' Totally freaky sounding.

  I was curious why we couldn't just "poof" to this place called Fantasia, but Jeremiah explained that it wasn't as simple due to me still being human. Whether their hypothesis of me being a born Jinn was true or not, my powers would have to be unlocked by the Father of Jinns.

  Once that occurred, they wouldn't need to do the long way of having to be in certain areas to easily cross the dimensional planes.

  I felt like this Fantasia place would require a full day of lecture for me to grasp the concept, but the guys reassured me that I wouldn't need to learn about the details until I officially accepted my role as a Jinn.

  What would be the requirement? One of them would be meeting the Father of Jinns, which was where we were headed.