No, we would not be hunting down her grandmother. We’d have to find another way for Ty and her friends to get their memories back.
“And how exactly do you plan to fight her if you have no magic?” I turned the attention back to her. Hurt crossed her face.
“Gabe, that’s not nice.” Melissa put her arm around Liv, misunderstanding my intentions. I didn’t mean to hurt her, but I didn’t want to talk about Bast. I wanted to talk about Liv.
“Sorry,” I said. “Tell us about your other classes.” I wanted to know what it was they taught her there.
Liv swallowed. “Weapons, which I totally nailed the first week. Self-defense which I kinda sucked at. Just put a knife in my hand, and I’m golden. You know, when I was at the school, we thought for sure I’d had some other kind of training because I was so good, but I’ve never picked up a knife before I went. I wonder why.”
“Bast was a warrior goddess. That may have something to do with it.” Bast had been many different types of goddess. It made sense that her descendants took on different aspects of her magic.
“Maybe,” Liv said, but she didn’t look convinced.
“Did you have any fancy parties? I always imagined the goddesses parading around in gorgeous dresses all the time.” Melissa sighed.
“Yep. Oh my gosh. I like dresses now.” Liv shuddered. “Plus, I can rock a pair of heels, so I guess the school was good for something.”
“Personally I prefer you in your jeans and Chucks,” I said.
“Well, yeah, me too, but I don’t mind dressing up now and again. We should all dress up and go to a fancy restaurant or something.” She laid a hand on my arm. “You look good in a suit.”
Ali gagged. “Please spare me. What’d they teach you about us?”
“Honestly, not much I didn’t already know. You like to kill poor girls, and it’s our job to stop you. But you guys don’t do that. I’d probably lock up any other Jinn I found though.” She gasped and dropped her fork.
“What?” I asked.
“I just realized why I was able to trap a Jinn when I shouldn’t have been able to. You taught me with Samir. Remember? There’s nothing special about me after all.”
I met Ali’s eyes. There was something very special about her. She could kill Jinn, but she didn’t know it. Liv didn’t seem to notice our silence.
“Speaking of,” she said. “Where is he?”
Ali shrugged. “We don’t know. Probably lying low. I think I’d rather have him attacking and knowing where he is, but no one has heard a peep from him. We saw him skulking around Glen Arbor a few times, but then he’d disappear. It was weird.”
“That’s scary. So what now? Are we just going to hide out here in the middle of nowhere forever? Because that sounds boring as hell.”
“No,” I said. “Just until we figure out what we need to do. Now that you’re back, we can refocus our efforts. Though now we have to worry about Natalia as well.”
Ali grimaced. “And Bast.”
I nodded. “Maybe we should just hide here forever. Too many people out there want to kill us. We were pretty well ignored until Liv brought us to their attention.”
“Oh, Natalia would’ve been hunting you anyway once she found out you were back. She really wants your head.”
She’s been wanting my head for years. Over the last several months, I’d come to realize what all this meant. The goddesses wanted us dead. They were seeking genocide. A sick feeling settled in my stomach.
“Heaven forbid they figure out how to kill us. She’ll slaughter us all,” I said.
As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I realized what I’d said. They did have a way to kill us. They just didn’t know it. Both Liv and I were deadly.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Liv
Three weeks later, I was going absolutely stir crazy. Ali and Gabe had tried to teach me magic, but I was no good. Gabe had stopped acting like I was about to snap, and things were more comfortable now than they were before we left Grand Haven.
“Can we go somewhere?” I whined. “Anywhere. I’m so bored.”
“Yes!” Melissa said. “I want to go shopping. Please, we need to get out of the house.” She and I had become pretty close. I missed Josie, but at least I had someone.
Gabe shared a looked with Ali. “I guess we could go to the market in Luxor, but we have to keep a low profile. No wish granting or anything.”
“Promise,” I said. “We just want to get out.”
He sighed and nodded.
“Thank you,” I squealed and threw my arms around him.
The market was similar to the one I’d been to in Cairo. Full of bright colors and bustling with people. Throughout the day, I didn’t really do that much shopping. I just enjoyed people watching. By noon Melissa was laden with bags, and I chuckled. She could give Josie a run for her money.
“Let’s get some lunch.” Ali carried at least four more of her bags. He didn’t seem bothered by the load. Gabe held one small bag because I bought Josie a small snake statue.
We found a nice restaurant with outdoor seating on the outskirts of the market. An umbrella covered us. The people were so alive. I loved it here. Maybe we could move to town. Then I wouldn’t be so stir crazy.
A squeal on the other side of the restaurant caught my attention. I looked up, and Josie ran for me.
“Oh no,” I said, my stomach tightening. This was not good. “Gabe, Ali. You have to go. Now. You can come back for me later.”
Gabe jerked his head up, but he was too late. Josie crushed me in a hug. “Oh my gosh, girl, I was so worried about you. Are you okay?” Her skin was flushed, but she looked good.
I looked around her. “Josie, are you alone?” I asked, searching the square for the other goddesses.
“No. I’m doing my test.”
“Gabe,” I hissed. “Go now.”
He shook his head, but Ali and Melissa disappeared. Why couldn’t he see that this was serious? They wouldn’t hurt me, but they could hurt him.
“Wait, you’re a Jinn.” Josie took two steps back and looked back and forth between the two of us.
She reached into her pocket and pulled out her vessel, but I snatched it away from her. Hurt crossed her face.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “But you can’t have this one. He’s my boyfriend.”
“No way.” She backed away.
“He and I were together before I went to the school. Please, Josie. Just go. I know this is your test, but you’ll have another opportunity.”
Josie gripped my arm. “You mean, you got your memories back?”
“Yeah. Please, go before the others find you.” She shook her head. I clenched my fists. I didn’t want to hurt her, but I would.
“Well, well, well. Look what we have here.” Lianna stood on the edge of the restaurant with two other goddesses and Chantel.
A lump formed in my throat. This wasn’t good. I stepped in front of Gabe. “Get us out of here,” I hissed, but he was rooted to the spot. Why wouldn’t he leave? I followed his line of sight. Natalia was just behind Lianna. Oh crap. We had to leave. Now.
But it was too late. Within seconds Natalia was in Gabe’s face. She stroked his cheek and met my eyes. “Thanks for finding him, dear, but it’s time I took back what is mine. I won’t let him go again,” she said, a wicked glint in her eyes.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
She snaked an arm around his waist. “Oh, you believed that sad story I told you. I just wanted him back. He belongs to me, not some silly little girl like you. Come, Gabriel, we have a lot of catching up to do.”
Gabe fought against her, but she must’ve had some magic pulling him away. I lashed out at Natalia and found myself holding her life force in my hands. How odd. Natalia gasped, and she let go of Gabe.
Visions of the night I held the Jinn’s life force returned to me. He hadn’t gone back into any vessel. Lianna lied. Or maybe she didn’t understand what I’d done. But I underst
ood now. I killed him, and I could kill Natalia right now without blinking an eye.
“Olivia, please,” she croaked. “Let me go.”
I held tight and got in her face. I had power over them, and I had every intention of using it. “You stay away from Gabe, do you hear me? Or I will end you.”
“Let go,” she rasped. “Please.”
“Not until you swear upon the gods that you will not hurt or take Gabe.”
“I swear,” she whispered.
I let go of her life force, and she stumbled back.
“Leave now, all of you,” I said.
Natalia glared at me and disappeared. I stared at my hands. I couldn’t do magic, but I could kill them. All of them.
Josie looked at me, confused. “What did you do?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. You should go back to the school with Lianna and Chantel.”
She nodded slowly and gripped my hand. “I miss you.”
Lianna cackled. “Do you really think we’re going to let you go?”
I spun on her. “I can kill any of you. You are in no position to make threats. Go now.”
She raised her eyebrows. “I don’t think so. You and Gabriel are going to come with me.”
I wiggled my fingers at her and teased her life force. This was far easier than it should’ve been. She heaved and gripped her chest. Without a word, she and the others, including Josie, disappeared.
Gabe didn’t move. “What was that?”
I leaned forward. “Did you know I could kill Jinn?” I hissed.
He let out a breath. “Yeah.”
“And you didn’t think to tell me?”
“Uh, that’s not a skill I want you to be aware of.”
I crossed my arms and glared at him. “Apparently, I can kill goddesses too.”
He sank into a chair and ran a hand over his face. “That probably means I can too. Why do you think that is? Or do you think this was always a Djinn power, but no one had ever tried before?”
“I don’t know. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that they won’t be bothering us.”
Gabe sighed. “I hate to break it to you, but they’ll be back once they figure out a way to defeat you. I think you jumped up to number one on the goddesses’ most wanted list.”
This was insane. Our power was combined and magnified somehow. I wondered if this had ever happened before.
Clapping hands sounded behind us. We both spun. Samir stood in front of Gabe. Where the hell had he come from?
“Brava. I haven’t seen a show like that in years.”
Gabe tensed. “You saw what she’s capable of. You should leave.”
Samir cackled. “Oh, dear Gabriel, I don’t think so. See, now I know what she can do, I also know what you can do.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a curved knife. He lashed out quickly and held it to Gabe’s neck. My stomach fell, and I rushed for him.
“Make another move and he dies.”
I stopped. “What do you want?”
“Gabriel.”
Then he gripped Gabe’s wrist and they both disappeared.
The End
Dear Readers,
Thank you so much for going on this journey with me.
Are you ready to kill me yet?
Gabe is in Samir’s clutches and Liv has no earthly idea how to find him. Sure, she could kill Samir, but that’s only if she gets close enough to him and she can’t freaking do magic.
But, Gabe can escape, right?
Sure.
Except, Samir finds a way to threaten Liv from afar and now Gabe has to do everything Samir asks him to. Including killing goddesses.
Download the final book in the series, The Exploding Sky, to find out if they can find one another again and take out Samir once and for all.
The Exploding Sky
Acknowledgments
These get harder and harder all the time.
Suzi and Kelley—You two are truly amazing. Thank you for your continued support of my books and your incredible suggestions.
Jenny—Sometimes I just stare at the covers and marvel. You are truly talented. Thank you.
Brittany—You are still the best proofreader I’ve found. Thank you for everything.
Virginia—Words? They fail me when it comes to you. This has been a wild ride the last few months. Love you!!! Thanks for being my bff.
AJ—I don’t know if you realize this, but you continue to inspire me. Life hasn’t been easy for you these past few years and yet, you still hold it all together. Thanks for being so amazing.
Xandi—You are my bright light. Whenever I’m feeling down, I know I can call you and feel all better. Thanks for being the best daughter a mother could ask for.
Tiffany—I know this took longer than you wanted. But here you go. Thanks for being my biggest supporter. Sometimes, I think you could give Virginia a run for her money ☺.
Mom and Matt—Thanks for being there when I needed it most. Love you both.
Peachy and Ashley—Love you girls so much. Thanks for listening to me.
Will—Holy cow. What an amazing ride. Thank you for being my partner in every way possible. There is no one else I’d rather take this ride with. Love you!!!
Superfans!!! I love you. Thank you for all your support. A special thanks to:
Amber Christiansen, Andrea Hubler, Andrea McKay, Anne Loshuk, Beverly Laude, Brandi Williams, Brianna Snowball, Denise Austin, Donna Wolz, Faydra Fuller, Girlie Garcia, Hanife Ormerod, Isis Ray-Sisco, Jai Henson, Jennifer McIntosh, Kaydrielle Pickett, Laurie Murray, Linda Longo, Mary Martin, Ola Adamska, Patti Hays, Sophie Koufes, Samantha Murphy, Seraphia Sparks, Stephanie Pittser, Tera Comer, and Veronica McIntyre.
A very special shout out to Astrid Rudloff. You’ve been an amazing superfan and I can’t believe I forgot you last time. Thank you for your support and suggestions. You rock.
Also by Kimberly Loth
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The Thorn Chronicles (Young Adult Paranormal)
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About the Author
Kimberly Loth has lived all over the world. From the isolated woods of the Ozarks to exotic city of Cairo. Currently she resides in Tucson, Arizona with her family, including an old grumpy cat named Max.
She’s been writing for ten years and is the author of the Amazon bestselling series The Dragon Kings. In her free time she volunteers
at church, reads, and travels as often as possible.
She loves talking to school groups and book clubs. For more information about having her come speak at your school or event contact her at [email protected].
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The Glowing Sands (Sons of the Sand Book 3) Page 16
