by JDCLANDICE
***
The Grand Marid stepped inside the house; his eyes darting around like a cat in search of its prey. His walk was slow and methodical, his bare feet glided across the shiny floor.
To Stone he looked hungry. He stood before The Grand Marid and a second later, bowed to the ground, mere inches from kissing the Grand Marid’s feet.“Do you have what I came for Stone of the Ice Rings,” The Marid smiled, revealing two long canines, like snake fangs. His grey eyes were stern, the lids lined with kohl. He could pass for a handsome woman or very, very attractive thirty year old man. Although he was perhaps thousands years old.
“She’s sleeping. I took most of her essence-“
“Most!” The Grand Marid’s voice shook the entire mansion, Stone saw Sugar Rocks leap up the stairs as if fire was chasing him. “Do you want your powers back or not? The request was for a whole soul and you found her. A perfect match!”
Stone’s hopeful thoughts were dashed away. “She has suffered enough, Grand Marid. I took all of what I could possibly take.”
“You could die tonight. I suggest you think happy thoughts of your life and hers right now. With one word I can have her killed.”
“Wait!” Stone held out his hand, daring not to touch the Grand Marid for fear of that same hand being cut off. Literally. “I can get more from her. Tonight. I have a plan.”
“Ah. You wish to make a temporary pet of her.” He tapped his long, black talon along his cheek. Seconds ticked by. “Alright. All I can promise is that you may suffer. Just not at this hour.”
Stone thanked the Grand Marid for his “kindness” and watched as he simply floated through the window and beyond the trees. Those who saw it would think it were smoke from the chimney curling up into the sky and how wrong they’d be.
