Magical Redemption

by Nicola E. Sheridan

  Jinx blanched. Omar was a very strong magician. She was a comparatively young, weak genie. Beheading was one of the few ways one could permanently kill demon spawn. The situation was not looking good.

  As Omar stalked around the perimeter of her shield, he conjured an evil-looking, Ottoman-style kilij sword. It glistened, long and curved, in the tropical sun. Lucian looked down at her. “Don’t worry about me,” he grunted. Pressed close to him like she was, she felt his body burn against her.

  “You called me Yasmina, again?” she asked dumbly but was silenced in an inferno of Omar’s magic. The man was rabid with rage.

  Omar’s magic hammered against Jinx’s smoke like hail against a car’s windshield, each strike cracking and weakening the glass just the tiniest bit. She fell back against Lucian and struggled to contain her shield. “I can’t hold this much longer,” she wailed. The magic of a genie, although powerful, was a one-task-at-a-time operation. She’d have to drop the shield for just the briefest of moments to escape, yet that would be enough for Omar to hit them. She felt herself slump a little as her magic drained away. Lucian suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist and held her body to his. The warmth of his unique power provided strength and stability. Heat roared through her, and she found herself standing a little straighter.

  “Omar, stop it,” Antigone shrieked as she hurtled from the house with Lugh and Phil the manticore hot on her tail. “Don’t!”

  Much to Jinx’s amazement, Antigone threw herself in front of Jinx’s magic shield.

  “Don’t,” Antigone cried, again.

  Omar paused his systematic attack of the shield. He let loose a groan of dismay and utter heartbreak.

  “Oh God. No,” he whispered. Through the smoke, she saw Omar’s face contort with utter bewilderment, wiping out the rage that was there. The kilij sword clattered to the ground.

  “No, Omar,” Antigone whispered and reached out to him. “It’s not like that. I’m not under his power, now. He won’t do it, again.” She hazarded a wary glance at Lucian and Jinx within the smoky shield.

  “If he’s not controlling you, why are you defending him?” Omar snarled, confusion replacing the hurt in his expression.

  “I…” Antigone said, rubbing her stomach restlessly. “I saw something different in him...”

  The manticore rolled his eyes and muttered. “Oh, I’ve never heard that one before.”

  Omar reddened angrily. “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t know, just that there is something different.”

  “He was making you crawl to him,” Lugh said. “He can’t have changed all that much.”

  “I was fighting him...that’s why I crawled,” Antigone whispered. She caught Omar’s hand and squeezed it. “He didn’t make me crawl, and believe me, he could have.”

  Omar’s face didn’t soften; in fact, the hard, sculpted angles of his face sharpened even more. Jinx saw him utter something under his breath.

  “Please, Omar. Be the better man.” Antigone’s voice was urgent.

  Omar’s power mounted. Jinx knew she should whisk Lucian away right now while she still had the power, but Lucian gripped her hand and held it. He muttered quietly, “Hold on.”

  What could he see that she couldn’t? Beyond her weakened shield of magic, Antigone stared imploringly at her infuriated husband.

  “Omar,” she whispered, “trust me.”

  Omar dropped his shoulders in response and softened his gaze. “I do,” he murmured. The mounting magic in the air receeded.

  “Speak, demon spawn, or be gone,” Omar growled. He stared at Lucian.

  “Get rid of the shield,” Lucian ordered. Jinx could do nothing but obey. Lucian dropped her hand, and she felt absurdly empty without it.

  Antigone turned and walked into the protective arms of her husband. She kissed his dark skin softly and whispered something Jinx could not hear.

  “Omar, Antigone,” Lucian began, his voice unusually soft and careful. “I need―no we need―you to remove the Family’s pledge. My genie cannot do it alone. Antigone, I know you have the strength...I know you can...”

  Antigone licked her plump lips and looked at her husband and back at her former handler. Jinx could clearly see in her eyes that no love was lost between them. Despite Antigone’s apparent willingness to help, there was no mistaking the dislike glimmering in the depths of her eyes.

  “Why should she?” Omar hissed, wrapping his hands possessively around Antigone’s burgeoning belly.

  Jinx felt her heart squeeze and envy flattening the adrenaline in her veins. She hated Antigone at that moment. She hated her more than the bomoh, the Pater Rex, and every depraved, perverted master put together. She hated her, because Antigone was tall and beautiful. She hated that Lucian screwed her, no doubt many more times than just once. She hated that Antigone had a man who clearly, devotedly, loved and cherished her, because Jinx would never have any of these things. While Antigone had a long life with a child and the man she loved ahead of her, Jinx’s future remained in the disgusting hands of the bomoh. There would be no one to cherish and love her, and there never could be.

  Jinx tore herself away from her thoughts. She heard Lucian speaking.

  “Why should Antigone help me?” he asked. “I helped you both escape from the ballroom that night not so long ago...”

  Antigone was nodding her head, but Omar still looked angry and unconvinced. His expression mirrored on the faces of Lugh and Phil.

  “Omar, let me try. It’s been ages since I’ve used my powers. I’m out of practice.” Antigone smiled at her husband. The transformation was astonishing. If Jinx thought Antigone beautiful before, she now realized she was gorgeous.

  “If we have time, I could try and free your genie,” Antigone added. “You’re clearly attached to her.”

  Again, Jinx wondered what Antigone saw.

  Lucian said nothing for a while. Jinx didn’t dare glance at him, for fear of what she might see, or not see as the case may be.

  “I would appreciate that,” Lucian said softly. Jinx jerked her head in surprise.

  “There are rules,” Omar suddenly said. A flying insect swooped past lazily.

  “I didn’t doubt it,” Lucian said with a tilt of his head.

  “You will both be bound, so that you may not touch or harm my wife or my child. You are probably aware that any malevolent magic is warded against here. You will not be able to use a magical assault against us; however, Antigone must be protected from any physical violence.”

  Jinx noticed the strange formality in Omar’s language and accent, and she wondered how old he was.

  “Omar, they aren’t here to hurt me. I don’t think it’s necessary. I can see their souls. Although we have one very jealous genie in our midst, Lucian intends me no harm at all. I can sense it.”

  She can see my jealousy? Jinx blushed. Lucian’s gaze cut through her.

  Omar looked slightly relieved, but not much.

  “Could you free Jinx?” Lucian asked. He caught hold of her hand, again. She wanted to melt at his touch. It was like a chocolate button—one was never enough. The man was truly addictive.

  “If I have her trust and her lamp, I probably could,” Antigone replied carefully. “I cannot promise, however.”

  Jinx jumped at the mention of the lamp, and guilt boiled in her guts.

  “We have her lamp in my bag,” Lucian said. “I cannot vouch for her trust, but I’m sure she’ll do her best.” His tone was an order.

  “You have her lamp in the bag?” A deep groove creased Antigone’s brow as she gazed with sparkling blue eyes at the bag tucked between Lucian’s feet.

  Oh no! Jinx’s worry roared back to life.

  “Yes, of course I have the lamp,” Lucian replied cautiously. He stared at Jinx for a moment. />
  Jinx felt herself flush.

  “What about Lucian’s pledge?” Jinx interrupted. “Do you think you can get rid of it?”

  Antigone’s attention left the bag and scoured Jinx once more. “I felt it once before. I would need his trust and a bit of time...but I think it’s possible.” She assessed Jinx with renewed interested. “Omar?”

  “I’m not happy about this at all,” Omar grunted and turned toward a gazebo overlooking an elaborate lily-covered koi pond. “Antigone, you can try it there. They are not welcome in our home.”

  Antigone snorted. “Okay my big, angry husband.”

  Lucian picked up the bag and followed them. Jinx lagged behind, tailed by Lugh and the manticore. She had a bad feeling about this.

  The heat in Kuching was as oppressive as it was in Kuala Lumpur. Sweat prickled under her arms and beaded between her breasts. Antigone and Omar were remarkably unaffected by it. Lucian typically looked hot, both metaphorically and literally. His broad shoulders were stiff. She wanted to use a swathe of magic to cool herself and him but remembered his order earlier. She was not to use any unnecessary magic, so she wouldn’t.

  Her feet scuffed on the pavers. It was refreshingly cooler under the gazebo. The breeze danced over the pond, making the air marginally less oppressive.

  “Sit,” Omar barked as he eyed Jinx critically. She felt decidedly uncomfortable under his black-eyed stare.

  “What is your name?”

  “Jinx,” she replied, unable to hold his unreadable gaze.

  “No, your real name?” he asked, again.

  Jinx hesitated, unwilling to divulge her true name.

  “She doesn’t say,” Lucian snapped. Omar glared at him. “She is Jinx, and that is all you need to know.”

  “Defensive again, Lucian?” Antigone teased and crinkled her eyes with amusement. “You always were a prickly one.”

  Omar frowned as he looked at Jinx. “Not a really appropriate choice of words, considering your past history,” he said coldly. Antigone just giggled.

  Yep, I hate her, Jinx thought once again.

  “Lucian, are you ready for Omar to bind you?” Antigone asked, clearly excited to be using her power.

  “I’d rather you attempted Jinx first,” Lucian said, surprising them all. “We don’t have much time. Her lamp is a liability that I’d rather us be rid of.” He paused. “Contrary to her belief, I’d rather like to see her free.” His expression was unexpectedly gentle.

  Jinx felt bewildered. One minute, he was angry that they had sex, and the next, he was looking out for her.

  “How much time do you have?” Antigone asked. She looked from Jinx to the bag and back, again.

  Lucian glanced at his expensive watch. “Twenty hours, no longer.”

  “Hmmm,” Antigone hummed, clearly considering. “Jinx, I need your lamp.” She paused and frowned in deep concentration. “Can you trust me?”

  Jinx couldn’t answer.

  Lucian rooted in the bag for the lamp. The thick knot of worry swelled in Jinx’s guts. Antigone was a Nephilim; once she saw the lamp, she’d know there was no soul, no life force in it. She’d know it was fake.

  Then, Lucian would find out.

  Chapter Fourteen

  It was like watching a crystal vase fall from a table and shatter on the ground–without being able to catch it.

  Disaster in slow motion, Jinx thought, feeling sicker every achingly long second.

  Lucian curled his long fingers around the shining, porcelain lamp. Jinx saw his face reflected its glossy finish. She saw the gentle flare of his nostrils as he inhaled the scent of her magic exuding from the lamp. He closed his eyes for a moment, as if enjoying it.

  Jinx tore her eyes away from him and hazarded a glance at Antigone and Omar. Both were staring at the lamp with complete bewilderment.

  Lucian stood straighter and proffered the lamp to Antigone.

  “Here,” he said. “Free Jinx first.”

  She wanted to crawl into a hole and die.

  “Uh...” Antigone stared at the lamp. She looked between Lucian and Jinx through clever, blue eyes. Jinx recognized a look of uncertainty there and maybe a little compassion, but it was quickly gone. “Lucian?”

  “What is it?” Lucian’s tone was curt. Antigone’s breath caught in her throat, and Omar emitted something sounding like a warning growl.

  “Ummm.” Antigone ran her hands over the smooth porcelain. Her nails were lovely dove mauve and perfectly kept.

  Don’t say it! Jinx mentally prayed.

  “What?” Lucian barked irritably. Omar lurched forward and shoved him, taking him by surprise, and knocking him backward. Lucian scowled as Jinx caught him quickly.

  “Do not speak to her in that tone,” Omar growled, his eyes flashing. Lugh and Phil surrounded them. Jinx was just about to conjure a protective shield when Antigone spoke.

  “Whoa. There’s way too much testosterone around here. Calm down, boys.”

  Lucian straightened his shirt and glared over Jinx’s head at Omar, who seethed in the deceptive tranquility of the garden.

  “Apologize,” Omar barked.

  Lucian lifted an eyebrow but didn’t refuse. He turned to face Antigone. “I apologize.”

  Jinx felt him grip her waist, as if touching her made his apology somewhat less galling. She fought the urge to lean back and press her body down the length of him but remembered–he made it painfully apparent they were only genie and master no matter what transpired between them.

  “I think we girls need to have a little chat away from you hot-headed guys.” Antigone took a meaningful glance at the fake lamp. “Omar? If you don’t mind.”

  Although it looked painful, Omar inclined his head slightly in agreement.

  “I may mind,” Lucian growled softly. “She is my genie and is to go nowhere without me.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Antigone waved a dismissive hand. “We’ll just be over here.” She gestured to a shaded grove in the garden.

  Jinx hesitated and looked to Lucian for his approval.

  Lucian’s angular face contorted with an angry frown as he bared his teeth. “Go on, then.”

  Jinx followed Antigone to the secluded corner of the garden. The grass was flat and broad-leaved. She felt her feet sinking into its moist carpet.

  “This isn’t your lamp, genie.” Antigone stared at her intently. Jinx felt her throat swell and was momentarily incapable of responding. “There isn’t any soul in it.”

  Jinx said nothing. She chewed her bottom lip, unable to hold Antigone’s blue and gold gaze.

  “Lucian is your master. How have you managed to get your lamp away from him?” There was pity burning in Antigone’s expression. A deep red blush burned up Jinx’s throat. “Has he made you do terrible things?”

  Antigone stared at her with deep sympathy.

  “No,” Jinx muttered, studying her hands.

  “I can see you’re torn up about him. Has he abused you? Is that why you’ve hidden your true lamp?”

  “No.” Jinx’s reply was emphatic.

  “There’s nothing be ashamed of. I know what he’s...like.”

  Jinx jerked her head up to defend him. “No, I don’t think you do,” she said softly.

  Antigone looked startled and pursed her lips. “Hmmm, well I can’t free you if I don’t have your true lamp.” She threw her head over and cast a careful glance at Lucian to ensure he wasn’t eavesdropping. Jinx was suddenly enveloped by the spicy musk of her perfume.

  “I know.” Jinx felt her breath hitching in her throat, again. “Just free Lucian if you can. My lamp doesn’t matter.”

  Antigone returned her attention to Jinx, scrutinizing, checking, and considering her.

  “Are you in love with him?” An
tigone asked breathlessly.

  Jinx looked up and held her gaze. “No.” She gulped at the lie. “Please, please don’t tell him about the lamp.”

  Antigone was quiet for a painfully long moment. “You poor thing,” she whispered.

  * * * *

  Lucian glared into the corner where Jinx and Antigone were talking. He didn’t like it one bit. Jinx’s eyes were downcast, and Antigone was peering at her with what he could only assume was deep sympathy. He felt inexplicably irked.

  I’m not that bad.

  Omar glowered at him, his eyes like burning, black coals in his head. The last time Lucian had the misfortune of seeing him was during a disastrous Mafia ball. Omar was sickened and weakened by poison. For the millionth time, Lucian berated himself for letting Antigone and Omar escape the Family’s clutches. He’d never have gotten into this mess if he did as he was told.

  Then, I’d never have met Jinx. The thought was as unexpected as it was shocking. Ultimately, it didn’t matter how he felt about Jinx, because once they were both free, they could still never be equals. He would always be able to control her in ways no man ever should. Lucian stiffened his shoulders and threw another dangerous glance toward the women. He frowned. Jinx looked to be nearly in tears. What was going on?

  Antigone turned away from Jinx and walked back toward the men. She held the lamp in her hand. Her tunic clung to her rounded body as she swayed with the telltale stride of someone pregnant. Lucian felt uneasy. He directed his attention back to Jinx. She hung back, looking cagey and awkward.

  “I’m sorry, Lucian. I can’t free Jinx,” Antigone said brightly. “I’m not up to it. Maybe it’s the pregnancy.”

  * * * *

  Lucian scowled at Antigone. Jinx shrunk back further. He grabbed the lamp from Antigone’s extended hand. “Why?” he barked.

  “Like I said, I don’t know. I just can’t.”

  Lucian suddenly looked feral and dangerous with his lips curled into a snarl. “Are you lying to me? I may not be Nephilim, but I can sense when something is going awry.”