I could summon him and ask, but that felt like I was being needy. I didn’t want to force him to come to me. I stewed all the way through Spanish and lit and slammed my books down on the table in chem. It made a satisfying thud.
Dylan raised his eyebrows. “Problem?”
I rubbed my forehead. “It’s not a big deal.” Except it was. But I couldn’t tell Dylan that.
“Your boyfriend is MIA again.”
I rolled my eyes. “I know.”
“You wanna talk about it?”
I shouldn’t be all grumpy with him. It wasn’t his fault Gabe disappeared. I squeezed my eyes shut and opened them again.
“Not really. Sorry, it’s just been a crappy day.”
He nudged my shoulder with his. “If you need anything, I’m here, kay?”
For the first time in my life, I actually wanted something quieter. I was tired. I loved Gabe. But he was gone again with no explanation whatsoever, and this was wreaking havoc on my emotions. My poor heart was working overtime. I wondered what it would be like to go back to a life before I knew supernatural creatures existed.
“Lab today, come get your supplies,” Mr. Harding called just after the bell.
I groaned. Can’t anything be quiet in life? Even school had to go and be all interactive.
“What?” Dylan asked.
“I suck at experiments. Plus, I was looking forward to a nap.”
He grinned. “Well, I don’t suck at experiments, and I’m offended you’d rather sleep than talk to me.” He stuck his hands in his pockets and sauntered up to the front of the room. He was so carefree. His life was totally normal. No murderous genies or witches protecting his house.
A few people in the front already had their Bunsen burners on, and an acrid smell filled the air. I watched the flames so I wouldn’t watch Dylan. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach.
This was ridiculous. Gabe was gone for less than twenty-four hours, and already I was thinking about another guy. Though Dylan was easy to think about. Those piercing blue eyes. They were enough to make even the most devoted girlfriends flutter their lashes. Oh gosh, I was a mess. I was just mad because Gabe was gone. Dylan was my friend. That was all. I shouldn’t be thinking about Dylan in any other way.
He came back with a box filled with who knows what and handed me a pair of glasses. I took them but didn’t put them on.
He pointed to his own. “You first.”
“No way.” I wasn’t doing any of the experiment, so there was no need for me to put on the stupid glasses.
He pulled out his phone. “Together. And then selfie. Unless you’re afraid Gabe will get angry.”
I looked over at Kole, who was glowering at us. “Gabe is not Kole.”
I shoved my glasses on my face, and he did the same. I stood close to him and slid my arm around his waist, with a tinge of guilt. Friend. Dylan was just a friend.
I walked home by myself and enjoyed the June sun. Two weeks until summer. I could finish the year. Though Gabe had me all tied up in knots. He’d abandoned me when I needed him most. When he came crawling back, I was going to rip him a new one. He could not leave me like this.
I rounded the corner to my house and spotted Gabe on my porch. I slowed, not sure how to react. My insides melted at the sight of his gorgeous face turned up to the sun, his dark skin glistening, and eyes closed. I was mad at him though, right? He promised he’d never leave my side again. He had a lot of explaining to do.
I tripped on the sidewalk, and he opened his eyes. So much for sneaking up on him. He didn’t say anything or move toward me. I settled next to him.
“Liv, I’m sorry.”
“For what?” I mumbled, still unsure of what was happening. I wasn’t ready for him to be so apologetic. I wanted to be angry. To yell and holler, but the way he just apologized like that. I didn’t know how to respond.
He took my hand in his. “For leaving you without a word. I should never have done that. Sometimes, things come up in my world that I have to deal with, and I might have to disappear from time to time, but I promise, from now on, I will tell you before I leave.”
He was so sincere. I liked this.
“Thank you. I am mad, but I’ll get over it.”
He put his arm around me and dropped a kiss on the top of my head. “I love you, Liv.”
“I know. Ali didn’t know where you were. I assumed this was something different.”
“I don’t tell Ali everything.”
“Does this have to do with Samir?”
“No, that I would tell Ali about. Things are just complicated right now.”
“How so?”
“Liv, not now. I don’t even know how to explain it.”
I crossed my arms. “We’ve got all night. Try.”
He shook his head. I rolled my eyes. This wasn’t over. I turned and stomped into the house. I sniffed.
“Smells like Gran is making chocolate chip cookies. Shall we go raid the dough?” It would give me a few minutes to think of how to get answers out of Gabe.
“Dough?”
“You’ve never had cookie dough?”
He shook his head. I loved that there were things I could show him.
We traipsed into the kitchen, and Gran glowered at Gabe.
Gran not having a voice affected a lot of my life. If she could talk, she could tell me things I did wrong when we worked on the glass instead of me having to guess. She could talk to the stupid animal control people.
Ty could go off to Colorado, and Gran could stay here and take care of me. There were so many possibilities.
That was it. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of it before.
I sat up straight. “You know, Gabe, I wish my Gran could talk again.”
He creased his eyebrows and fiddled with a spoon on the table. Was it possible he couldn’t actually grant that wish? It seemed so easy. Certainly easier than a broken leg or snow in May. He was procrastinating. Why?
“Did you hear me?” I asked. This was the most important wish I’d made so for. Well, aside from saving Penny and Scarlett.
“Yes. I did.” He met Gran’s eyes, and suddenly a sharp pain flashed across my scalp, and I gripped my head. Gran rushed for me and forced me to look at her.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
I gasped and threw my arms around her. “You can talk,” I said. A few tears escaped. I couldn’t believe it.
“It appears I can.” Then she turned to Gabe, her face darkening. “I don’t like you. You know this. Go home, and if you value your life, never return. Stay out of Liv’s life.”
I gripped her arm. “Gran, no.” Gabe was a part of my life, and Gran would have to understand that.
She kept her beady eyes on Gabe. “Go.”
He gave me a sad smile and sauntered out of the room. A few seconds later the front door slammed. I couldn't believe he listened to her.
“Gran. You can’t do that.” I wanted to be happy to hear her voice, but she was so hateful to Gabe.
“Yes. I can. You are my granddaughter, and I forbid you to see him.”
Tears pricked at my eyes again but for a very different reason. This was not how things were supposed to go. “I love him.” The words were out of my mouth before I even realized what I was saying. Love. I’d never even uttered those words to him. I had the urge to go run after him and shout it from the rooftops. I was in love.
I wanted to rush next door, but Gran... I flicked my eyes from the table to the door.
Gran pointed at the chair. “Sit, child. We have a lot of catching up to do. We’ll discuss Gabriel later.”
This was Gran, and she deserved my attention. I’d summon Gabe later.
I wanted to convince her that Gabe was good for me, but there were so many things to ask her. She couldn’t forbid me from seeing Gabe. He was a genie. Nothing could keep him away. I buried my frustration. We would most certainly be discussing Gabe later. Or Gabriel, as she called him. I’d only ever heard Ali cal
l him that. But only occasionally.
“What happened to your voice?” I asked.
Gran gave me a tight smile. “I don’t know. It’s been that way for as long my memory serves.”
“Don’t you think it’s weird that you can suddenly talk?” I wondered what she thought the reasoning behind her voice coming back was. She had to think it was suspicious.
She sighed. “No, not really. I’ve noticed it coming back over the last several weeks. I’ve actually been talking to the cats. But it’s been in and out. I didn’t want to get your hopes up, but when you said you wished I had it back, I had to tell you.” Was she lying to me? Why would she do that? It didn’t matter.
I reached out and gripped her hand. “I’m so glad.” Gran with a voice was something I’d never before thought possible.
So many questions flitted in my brain. I didn’t even know where to start.
She sat across from me, a cup of tea in her hands. “Where did you grow up?” I asked, now wanting to know everything about her life.
Her eyes got a faraway look. “In the desert. It was beautiful.”
“Arizona?”
She fiddled with her cup. “Yes. Arizona.”
“We should visit your hometown.” Maybe we still had family there. The only family I’d ever known was Mom and Dad, Ty, and Gran. We didn’t even have cousins. Well, that we knew of.
“I like it here.” Her voice was scratchy and low, but carried an air of authority, which made sense. Gran was good at bossing me around even when she had no voice.
“This is so amazing. Now you can teach me without having to mime everything.” There were glass techniques that I couldn’t get because she couldn’t explain them. I wanted to rush right out to the workshop.
“You learned well enough. Except how to dress.” She snorted.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I sat back in my chair. I wasn’t looking for a lecture. So far, talking Gran wasn’t what I’d hoped for.
She raised her eyebrows. “Would it kill you to wear a dress?”
“It might. Besides, all I own is jeans.”
“I can change that.”
Sure she could, but I didn’t want it changed. I hesitated for a minute. I was exploding with questions, and I needed to ask something that wouldn’t end in another lecture.
“Can you tell me about my mom? What she was like as a little girl.”
A slow grin spread on Gran’s face. “She was such a beautiful child, and she was spunky, just like you. In fact, there are times when I forget you’re not her.”
I puffed with pride. The front door opened and slammed. I wanted to race for the door, but I waited for Ty to come into the kitchen. He was going to be so excited.
He raised his eyebrows at us. “It’s a little late for tea,” he said.
“Guess what, Ty.”
“What?”
“Gran can talk.”
Ty sighed and sat down. “I know you want me to move to Colorado, but lying isn’t going to get me there any faster.”
Gran reached over and squeezed his hand. “It’s true, dear. Liv and I will be just fine.”
Ty jumped up and gripped his hair. “No way.”
I giggled at him. His reaction was way better than mine.
“Will you go now?” I asked. This was important. He had to go.
Ty nodded and sank back into his chair. “Unbelievable,” he muttered.
“Liv dear, why don’t you go to bed and let Ty and I discuss his move.”
I gave Ty a big hug and made my way upstairs. Tonight had been the best night I’d ever had. I freed Ty and rescued Gran.
Chapter 20
Gabe
I flung the back door open, and Melissa screeched. She held her hand over her heart and then swatted me with a wooden spoon.
“You are not a beast, Gabe. Open the door like a normal person, please.”
I didn’t respond. I had other things on my mind. “Where’s Ali?”
“In his room, I think.” Her voice came out in rapid breaths.
I took the stairs two at a time and didn’t bother to knock. Ali sat at his desk, pecking away at the keyboard.
“Liv’s grandma is a goddess,” I said.
Ali spun around and rubbed his chin. “Interesting.”
“Interesting? That’s all you have to say?” This was a huge deal. Bigger than huge. Liv didn’t know she was a goddess. Her Gran could obliterate us because more than likely she’d been raised as one.
“It makes, sense, right? Liv is.”
“But her grandmother knows she’s a goddess. Liv doesn’t. She knows what we are as well.” Everything made sense now. The way she glowered at me every time I came over, and dismissed me too quickly. I should’ve seen this coming.
“So?” Ali asked, his face impassive. He was being altogether too calm.
“So, she can lock us in our vessels.”
Ali couldn’t be that dumb.
He stretched and yawned. “She’s known about us for a while, and she hasn’t done anything.”
“Only because she didn’t have a voice.” The goddesses’ power came from the words they spoke.
“And she has one now?” He furrowed his brow.
“Liv wished her to be healed.”
“That was dumb. You should’ve ignored the wish.”
I threw my arms up.
“She used the words I wish. I didn’t have a choice, and I couldn’t very well tell Liv I didn’t want to for fear of who her grandmother might be.”
Ali stood up. “If she wanted to lock you up, she would’ve done it the second she got her voice back. It is odd that she had no voice though. It was obviously not a disease. Maybe she got on the bad side of a witch’s curse or something. What did she say to you?”
“She told me to leave and warned me to stay out of Liv’s life.”
Ali chuckled. “Of course she did. Her granddaughter has a Jinn. She may not have locked you up, but, dude, she’s never gonna like you. I’d say you’re safe for now, but we should find out where her allegiance lies.”
“What do you mean?”
“The goddesses have split in the last few hundred years. Some are more…reasonable than others. They are open to working with the Jinn. Others are still searching for ways to slaughter us.”
I shook my head. I had no idea how things had changed, but a reasonable goddess didn’t exist.
“Any luck on your research on Samir?” he asked.
“No, but I haven’t exactly been doing much. I’ve been too preoccupied with the goddess business.”
“Liv and her grandma will work itself out. You need to refocus.”
He handed me another book. “Here, you can read in here for a bit.”
I sprawled across his bed and started to read. What a snoozer.
An hour later, someone pounded on the front door. Ali scrambled up and I followed him to the door.
Bea stood there with her arms crossed. “We need to talk.”
Ali let her in. Why’d he go and do that? Maybe now she’d lock us up. And he thought I was being dumb.
“Do you want to sit?” I motioned toward the couch, not sure what the proper etiquette was in this situation. Every fiber of my being wanted to run.
She shook her head. “I don’t know how my granddaughter came to find your vessel, but I’m telling you now, leave her alone.”
“I can’t do that. I’m bound to her.”
“I can fix that.” Bea glared at me.
“No, please don’t. I care for her a great deal. I won’t hurt her.”
Bea stood there for a second looking back and forth between me and Ali. “You understand that I can lock you up faster than you can say be gone.” Then she got into my face. “I’ll let you stay for now, but you cannot tell Liv what she is. If I hear even a whisper of the goddesses, I’ll lock the two of you up so fast, you won’t even know it happened.”
I let out a breath of relief, but she gave up way too easily. Somet
hing was up. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. I’m doing this for myself. Right now there are no other options.” Her words didn’t make sense. There were a lot of options, but I didn’t care. Liv and I could see each other without the threat of Gran. I didn’t want Liv to find out she was a goddess any more than her grandmother did.
Liv and I were practically inseparable the rest of the week, even with Bea staring daggers at us every time she walked into a room. It took me a bit to get used to Liv’s voice, but once I did, I found myself enjoying the soft musical trill that only Jinn other god-like individuals could hear.
Anytime I wasn’t with Liv, I had my nose in a book. Nothing gave any clue on what we could use to kill Samir.
After Liv went to sleep, I beat the familiar path to the beach. I loved the quiet. The soft lapping of the waves, the sound of my feet crackling against the sand, and the wind blowing against my skin.
Life had taken on a peaceful routine. Samir had all but disappeared. It was the calm before the storm, and I fully intended on taking advantage of it.
Someday I’d have to face my reality as Djinn, but hopefully that wouldn’t be until long after Liv passed on. I might even get a few hundred years before the goddesses knew. After that, I’d be their prisoner, but I did it for Liv.
I ran for two hours and then cut through the parking lot on the way home, and a strange smoky smell filled the air. That smoke only meant one thing. I spun around.
“I thought you’d moved on.” I took deep breaths to try to calm my racing heart.
He cackled. “Ah, Gabriel, you know me better than that. Forgive me for taking some time to understand my surroundings. This is an interesting world we live in, isn’t it? There is absolutely zero evidence that the goddesses still reign. After I’m done torturing you, I’m going to have so much fun. Thousands of children just waiting to be taken.” He sucked in a breath, and a slow grin crawled across his nasty face.
I clenched my fists. I couldn’t allow him to get under my skin. He crept closer and sniffed, his foul breath in my face.
The Blazing Glass Page 10
