"I'm only your thrall if I make three wishes."
Lova chuckled but said nothing.
I sighed. "Carpet. Take us down to ground level."
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
WE LANDED NEAR THE CAVE, not far in front of Amesh and my father. There was no sign of Spielo. I couldn't see Darbar but felt he was near. Hell, he was practically on top of us, and it was the djinn who was holding my father in place, not Amesh, not even with the threat of the sword. The instant we landed, before I could roll the carpet up and put it away in my backpack, Amesh pushed my father forward.
"You're late," Amesh said. "I didn't think you'd come."
"You knew I'd be here," I told him, before turning to my father. "How are you doing, Dad?"
I hardly recognized the man. Not because he was hurt, although he had been roughed up. It was the two emotions I saw on his face—confusion and fear. I had never seen him show weakness before. To me, growing up, my father had always been so sure of himself. And of course I had never seen him frightened of anything.
Yet for my sake, I think, he tried to project steadiness.
"I'm doing okay. It's been an interesting night." He stopped and peered at me more closely. "What's that bruise on your face?"
"It's nothing important. Do you feel like you're in the grip of a large invisible hand?"
He nodded. "How did you know? What is it?"
"It's a djinn. For the moment, it's under Amesh's control."
"For the moment!" Amesh repeated. "I command Darbar! He obeys me!"
"For how long?" I said, keeping my voice calm. "You know he's about to fulfill your third wish."
Amesh grinned. "Poor Sara. You think I'm a fool, don't you?"
"I think you're in pain and I think you'll do anything to stop that pain. But hurting the people you've trapped inside that cave isn't going to ease your suffering one bit."
Amesh poked my father with the sword, hard enough that my father winced. "It isn't just those inside who hurt me. Your father was one of them. Imagine that, Sara—all this time, I thought he was trying to help me. When he was the one who ordered the attack on me."
"Who told you this lie?" I demanded.
"You know who. And he doesn't lie, not to me, not to his master."
I turned to my father. "Dad. Did you order an attack on Amesh?"
My father sighed. There was so much guilt in the sound, it broke my heart. "Sara. There are things I never told you about last summer. Things I'm responsible for. Amesh has a right to hate me. I lied to him."
I hesitated. "Are you lying now?"
"No."
"Did you give the order to have his hand chopped off?"
"Of course not." My father looked to Amesh. "I knew the boys were guarding the cave. I hired them to guard it. I knew you and Spielo and some of the other young men were curious about the underground temple. But what happened that night—when you lost your hand—none of that was planned."
"Liar!" Amesh said. "Darbar says he lies! He was behind it all!"
"Amesh, think of how much pain you were in last summer," I pleaded. "Who came to the hospital to see you every day? Who found the best doctors for you?"
"He did it to cover up what he had done to me!"
"He did it because he cared about you!"
There followed a silence as our words echoed into the vast pit behind us. Once again, I noticed the area looked as if it had been struck by a meteor. The image was uncanny.
"I did it for both reasons," my father said. He saw the shock on my face and tried to explain. "Sara, I've been living something of a double life here in the Middle East."
I shrugged. "I know about your interest in the djinn."
He was amazed. "You do? Then you must know—I've been standing here with my head spinning. I saw you fly in on that carpet. It's a real flying carpet! Where did you get it? I've been searching for one all my life."
"I found it near here. It's amazing. It's called the Carpet of Ka."
My father forgot all about the sword in his back. All about the djinn that held him in place. He tried to take a step forward. "The Carpet of Ka!" he gasped in wonder. "So the stories are true!" But then he was suddenly thrown to his knees and let out a cry of pain. "Ahh!"
Amesh chuckled softly. "It's not like we can let Daddy go for a ride on the carpet, now can we, Sara?"
"What will it take for you to release him?" I asked.
Amesh was amused. "Have you come to bargain? That's so unlike you. When you bargain you have to give up something, then you get something in return. But from what I've seen, you like to talk about giving but in the end that's all it is—talk."
"Amesh—"
"I'm not finished!" He shook with pain as he tried to hold his right hand down. He was having another spasm. "I've learned a lot in the last year, more in the last week. Nothing in this world's free. But a girl like you—who has the nerve to say she loves me—would never sacrifice a lira to help me."
"How does your hand feel?" I asked.
"Don't ask about my hand!" he yelled.
"It's hurting pretty bad right now. Darbar won't do anything to fix it. He gave you that hand knowing full well it would hurt you. Don't tell me he's your ally. He's your enemy. Not me or my father. Yes, I know my dad got involved with some bad people. And I know he tried to protect these people by hiding certain facts." I paused. "You have Mr. Toval and Mrs. Steward inside that cave, don't you?"
Amesh shrugged. "They testified against me at the trial. They lied so the others could go free."
"I know. I read the transcript from the trial."
"You did?" Amesh asked, surprised.
"Your grandfather shared it with me. It was filled with lies. But if you think about it, Amesh, my father was the only one who showed any guilt. It's because he's the only one with a conscience. The only one who cared about what you were going through."
"Sara, you don't understand. I am guilty," my father said.
"Not the way the djinn says you are," I replied. "You have to listen closely and trust that I know more about this situation than you do. If not, Amesh's djinn will take your head with that sword, and Amesh will end up a thrall for all of eternity."
Amesh snorted. "Talk, talk, talk. That's our darling Sara. Do you have anything else to say before Dear Dad does lose his head?"
"Why is Spielo here? Is he here to be a thrall in your place?"
My remark caught Amesh off-guard, but his surprise quickly changed to anger. "I'm not a traitor like you. Spielo's here to witness the revenge that's his due. That's all."
He spoke with conviction. I realized then he might have been telling Spielo the truth, or at least as much truth as a possessed person could. I saw the loneliness Amesh's pain had brought him. Still, it was hard to trust a guy with a sword in his hands.
"I hope so. I hope you're not about to put him through the same pain you're going through."
"No one knows what I'm going through!" he shouted, and his damn hand wouldn't stop flapping. He was right, in a way. I had to shut up and deliver. Fixing his hand wouldn't save him in the long run, but at least he would know a moment of peace.
Also, even more pressing, if I healed Amesh's hand, my father would probably get to keep his head. It was possible Amesh might try to return the favor and stop Darbar from harming my father. But I doubted anything would keep the djinn from collecting his ultimate prize.
I just wished I could order Lova to kill Darbar and end it. But if she killed him, it would be equal to two wishes. Then I would end up the thrall!
I stepped forward and took Amesh's wounded hand.
He tried to shake free but I wouldn't let him.
"I can stop your pain," I said. "I've brought my own djinn with me. Darbar knows she's here and he knows she's more powerful than he is. That's why Darbar's afraid to kill my dad. He knows I'll take revenge." I paused. "I told you, I'm willing to bargain."
Amesh finally showed interest. "What are you offering?"
"My djinn will heal your hand. Make it like it was before you were attacked. When it was strong and you were whole."
Amesh stared at me a long time, the moon bright in his black eyes. He was not aware but the sword in his hand began to lower.
"Will that be your first wish?" he asked.
I shook my head. "My second."
"It will cost you."
"I don't care."
"Why?" he asked.
"Because you're in pain."
"Why?" he repeated.
"Because you're right, there's no love without sacrifice." I paused. "I'm going to prove to you that I do love you."
His voice trembled. "You don't know what the price will be."
I turned to Lova. "What will it cost?"
She spoke quickly. "The Carpet of Ka. I fix his hand, you give it to me. Agreed?"
I turned back to Amesh and my father and repeated what they had been unable to hear. "She'll fix your hand in exchange for the carpet," I said.
"But you love that carpet," Amesh said.
"Not as much as a certain Turkish boy."
My father was worried. "Sara, I know you're trying to do the right thing. But I've researched flying carpets, and if this is in fact the Carpet of Ka, then you mustn't hand it over to the djinn."
"Why not?" I asked.
"They could use it to destroy mankind."
Lova came forward so she stood by my side. "We would only use it to defeat the Anulakai," she said.
I knew what a skilled liar Lova was, but I sensed that she was telling the truth. The djinn wouldn't waste its power turning against mankind.
"I'm sorry, I can't let Amesh suffer any more," I told my father. "I have to surrender the carpet."
"Sara, no. It's too important," my father pleaded.
"I'm sorry, my mind's made up." I sat down across from Lova, who seemed more than pleased to sit near me. For a while I meditated, letting my mind settle. Then, when I was ready, I started my wish.
"Trakur Analova La," I said firmly. "It is the wish of your master, Sara, that you fix Amesh's right hand in exchange for the Carpet of Ka. You are to use all the powers you possess to make his right hand whole, free of pain, strong, like it was before it was severed from his body. In exchange, Trakur Analova La, I'll turn over the Carpet of Ka to you. This is my second wish with you, Trakur Analova La, and it is binding in so far as all wishes between humans and djinn are binding—as specified in the ancient laws governing such contracts." I opened my eyes. "Agreed?"
Lova hesitated. "You put extra conditions on this wish."
"Only the conditions that have existed since humans and djinn began to exchange services. You know the laws as well as I do." I paused. "Do you agree to fulfill my second wish?"
"Yes. Give me the carpet."
"Fulfill my wish and I'll give you the carpet," I said.
Lova did not argue. Standing, she walked toward Amesh, but he raised the sword and stepped back. Naturally, he couldn't see her. I wasn't sure what his problem was. Then I realized that Darbar was doing everything he could to interfere.
"Relax, Amesh, listen to me," I said. "Stand still; let her heal you."
Amesh seemed to hear me. He relaxed somewhat and put down his sword.
Lova was near Amesh when she suddenly raised her hand and struck out to the right. I saw blue sparks and smoke in the air. "Darbar is trying to hinder me," she said calmly.
"Can he stop you?" I asked.
"He lacks the power. And he is spread thin."
I could only assume her last remark related to Darbar's control over the others inside the cave. Lova acted unconcerned about the interference. But she raised a hand and shot out more sparks.
I heard a faint telepathic message pass between the two djinn.
"This is the Carpet of Ka. We must obtain it at all costs."
It was Lova lecturing Darbar. He heard her and backed off.
The message was chilling. The djinn must want it a great deal.
Was my father right? Was I making a mistake?
I glanced over at my father and he was focused on Amesh. I could see that Lova had lifted his transplanted hand into her hands. Now she was gently stroking it, all the while humming a hypnotic melody, a song that needed no words. Even though Amesh could not consciously hear it, I suspected that her song and her touch were having a profound effect upon him.
Lova signaled for me to approach.
I stood and walked over. "What do you want?" I asked.
"Sara?" Amesh whispered, confused, his eyes closed.
"Shhh, relax, everything's okay. I'm talking to the djinn," I said.
"Your hand," Lova said.
"My hand?" I asked.
"Your touch transmits your energy, and Kalas are powerful. It will help with the healing."
Lova was flattering me. It made me wary.
"You're changing the deal," I said. "You're supposed to heal him on your own."
"It requires tremendous energy to offset the wish of another djinn."
At least she wasn't asking for blood. I offered my hand, and Lova gripped it tightly. I immediately felt slightly dizzy.
I spoke to Amesh. "You didn't hear what was said, but I'm giving my djinn some energy to help fix your hand."
"The pain's going away," Amesh whispered, his eyes still closed. I stroked his hair with my other hand. He had laid down the sword.
"That's good, that's all that matters," I said.
"Sara," he gasped.
"Shhh. Don't say anything. Let the healing continue."
"I'm so grateful."
"You never deserved this pain in the first place," I said.
The healing took another ten minutes, with me giving energy the whole time and Lova sucking it up. My dizziness increased, and I staggered. My father stood silent and did not interfere.
Lova suddenly stopped humming and I opened my eyes, which I did not recall closing. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Amesh's right hand had lost its sickly yellow color. Indeed, it was impossible to tell his right hand from his left.
Amesh flexed his fingers, causing my heart to shake with joy. Relief filled his face and he leaned over and kissed me on the lips. Yes, right on the lips, and if a first kiss like that was not worth one magic carpet, then it was pretty close. It was the greatest kiss of my life.
"It's perfect," he kept saying. "Just perfect. There's no pain." He hugged me, with both hands. He was able to hug me hard. And I hugged him back. "I cannot believe you did this for me."
"I only wish I could do more," I said, feeling weak.
Our eyes met and he nodded. Because he knew what I meant. We were not out of the woods yet.
Lova had her hands out. "The carpet," she said.
I reached for it in my pack. "You have promised never to use it to hurt mankind."
"So I have," Lova said, taking the carpet and tucking it under her arm. To the others it appeared to float in midair without support. Lova turned to her invisible partner, then spoke to me. "Darbar says he has business to complete inside."
"My father's no longer a part of this business," I said, then to Amesh, "Tell Darbar to release him."
Amesh turned and tried to do as I said but met with resistance. Once again, I couldn't hear everything Darbar said but it sounded like he was trying to imply that my father was the ultimate authority when it came to the attack.
"How does he know that?" I demanded.
Amesh relayed the question. Darbar replied that if my father was not killed, then the third wish would be left unfulfilled. Amesh took a step back at that suggestion.
"Then we'll leave it unfulfilled," he said.
Darbar screamed at him. I did not hear words—I heard a screech in the ether. Darbar was not going to let Amesh get away on a technicality. Shaken, Amesh looked to me for help. The pain had left his eyes but his fear had not. He put his head near mine.
"Do you have a plan?" he whispered.
"Sort of."
Darbar ordere
d Amesh to pick up the sword and the shiny black djinn lamp, which I had not seen since the island. With Darbar leading the way, keeping a firm hold on my father, and Lova bringing up the rear, we entered the cave.
I whispered to Amesh. "Where did you get that sword?"
"In the Shar Temple." He paused. "But that's not what you really want to know."
He was right, of course. There was another question that had haunted me for a long time.
"When you made the second wish on the island," I said. "And Darbar gave you your hand. What did he ask for in return?"
Amesh looked miserable. "Your full name."
"I was afraid you were going to say that."
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
WE WALKED DOWNHILL at a steep angle for fifteen minutes before we reached the cavern that housed the Shar Temple. It was different from the ones we'd seen on the island. It had marble columns supporting a pretty golden roof. And it was much larger and not enclosed.
The size of the cavern that sheltered the temple was stunning. Modern lights had been brought down to provide a steady source of illumination, but even a dozen high-powered searchlights were not enough to brighten the chamber. I was looking at an excavation job—if Becktar had in fact done the work—that had taken years to accomplish.
Inside the temple I saw a large pool of water that circled an altar. The rear of the pool appeared separate from the rest and it was not a mere hot spring—that sucker was boiling, pouring off layers of steam. The backside of the temple was choked with red-colored fog.
Yet there was an even more intriguing sight.
Along the edge of the cavern were other structures that looked like vaults of some kind. They appeared to be made of a mixture of metal and plastic. It was hard to be sure in the weird light. They were dark blue and had doors that riffled open and shut like those on an elevator. A few of the doors were open and led to dark hallways.
I did not see any lit buttons or control panels per se. However, there were clusters of crystals near the doors. I suspected these were the controls. Frankly, the vaults and the temple looked as if they had been built by two different races.
The exterior of the temple was ringed with torture holes, from which I could hear unceasing groaning sounds.
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