Marie Harte - Aftershocks

The Djinn in Tanselm. Dark brethren grouping in what looked like the northern lands. Someone spoke to the gathering, where Light Bringers and Djinn stood together, uneasy, yet…accepting?

Lightning flashed and ‘Sin Garu appeared. His mouth gaped wide, sharp teeth and curled talons threatening as he flew over an Ellie Cadmus had never before seen. A woman with a queen’s bearing, wearing flowing robes of brown, who suddenly flamed in truth.… He rubbed his temple.

Jonas poked him in the shoulder. “What?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing, hmm?”

“Just a headache from trying to figure out what the hell you’re doing here so soon on the heels of Ethim il Ruethe’s visit.”

Jonas stilled. “Ethim was here? When?”

“Last night.” Cadmus watched Jonas puzzle over the matter. “Problem?”

“No. What did he say, exactly?”

Perhaps Jonas could shed some light on Ellie’s strained relationship with her father. “He seemed to want to help Ellie with some problems concerning her schooling. But she didn’t look happy to see him.”

“She wouldn’t be. Stubborn woman.”

“Why wouldn’t she want to see her father?”

“That’s really her business, isn’t it?”

“It’s mine while I’m here. I trust her judgement. And if she’d not comfortable with Ethim, perhaps I should take a second look at the man. Could he be a part of ‘Sin Garu’s schemes?”

Truth be told, Cadmus didn’t think Ethim il Ruethe had anything to do with ‘Sin Garu. From what he’d seen of the Djinn leader in his brief stint on Foreia, he knew Ethim regarded ‘Sin Garu as the lowest form of life. But Cadmus wanted to know more about Ellie, and he doubted Jonas would tell him anything by simply asking.

Jonas sighed and sank onto the couch, rubbing his shoulder. “Ethim has nothing to do with the Dark Lord. He and Ellie have never had what you’d call an easy relationship. Ethim has responsibilities that take him from this plane often.”

“So what? He refused to take her with him?”

“Her mother wouldn’t allow him to.”

Surprised, Cadmus shut up and listened.

“Ethim and Amanda, Ellie’s mom, had a falling-out nearly thirty years ago. She’s yet to forgive him and, in her quest to punish him, pulled Ellie into the middle.”

“That’s not right.” Anger on Ellie’s behalf surged, surprising him at how personally he felt her loss.

“No, it’s not. But, much as I hate to admit it, I agree with Amanda’s decision to raise Ellie here. Being with Ethim would only have put her in danger she’s not ready to face.”

“Because she’s not a true Djinn?”

Jonas shook his head. “Because she won’t accept she’s a true Djinn. In our culture, blood doesn’t tell all. Ellie’s half human, but it’s her magic—her very soul—that determines her course in life. The stubborn woman is gifted with great powers of Darkness, powers she refuses to acknowledge.”

“I still don’t get it. She’s Djinn. What more is there to acknowledge?”

“Don’t be so dense.”

Cadmus scowled.

As usual, Jonas ignored him. “Being a Storm Lord is much more than simply being born a Light Bringer, right?”

Cadmus reluctantly nodded.

“You had to accept your elemental nature, to allow it to build and grow within so you’d be able to skewer as many creatures of Dark and Shadow as you possibly can,” Jonas finished caustically.

Cadmus flipped his middle finger, spurring a smirk out of the Djinn.

“Real creative of you. But you get my point?”

“I suppose. I still don’t see why Ellie wouldn’t simply embrace her heritage if it meant becoming closer to her father.”

Hell, Cadmus had done everything in his power to prove himself worthy to his father, a man he would forever love and respect. Faustus Storm had rewarded him in so many ways. Trips into the forest, surrounding his son with Tanselm’s rich earth and hearty magic. Their treasured times together, just Faustus and Cadmus, apart from his brothers, where father and son would joke and pull pranks against the rest of their tight-knit family.

“I think perhaps your growing years were different than Ellie’s,” Jonas said quietly. “Even mine was filled with a closeness I’ve yet to rediscover among the humans. Don’t get me wrong, Amanda is a very loving mother. But her strained relationship with Ethim soured Ellie in a lot of respects.”

Cadmus nodded, understanding more about Ellie, and wanted to comfort her for what he couldn’t change. Wary of his deepening feelings, he shied away from the notion of growing affection and changed the subject.

“Okay, so Ethim isn’t a bad guy. Fine. So what are you doing here? Did you miss me, Jonas?”

Jonas pinched the bridge of his nose as if seeking patience, and Cadmus couldn’t help but chuckle.

“I don’t know how your brothers put up with you. I’m here because my mistress wants to see you again.”

Cadmus hadn’t expected that. He felt more than uncomfortable around the Djinns’ Dark Mistress, though he’d be damned if he’d let anyone see that. Lexa’s energy drew him. In her presence, he had to constantly remind himself not to trust her. The struggle drained and annoyed him, as much as her beauty dazzled him.

“What does she want?”

Jonas shook his head. “You know, when I left you here, it was with the intent of keeping you safely hidden, so that the Netharat wouldn’t find and crush your sorry ass. Yet I find you’ve been shopping all over town, insulting Ellie’s peers at the university, and who the hell knows what else.”

Cadmus didn’t need to read minds to know Jonas suspected the intimate relationship he and Ellie now shared. “What exactly are you trying to say?” Cadmus rested his hip on the balcony ledge and tried to appear innocent, having fun at Jonas’ expense.

When the big man’s face darkened, he had to work hard to suppress a grin.

“Don’t bullshit me, Earth Lord. I’ve seen the way you look at Ellie. And I don’t like it.”

“You mean, as her ‘cousin,’ you find my attentions offensive?”

“I am her cousin, lekharn .” Jonas swept a disdainful glance over him. “Granted, I’m quite a bit older, but our tie is true enough. I won’t have you hurting her, not when she’s gone out of her way to help us. She has no more fondness for the Storm Lords than she does the Djinn.”

Despite a niggle of relief that Jonas and Ellie were related, a twinge of guilt hit Cadmus remembering how devastated she’d looked before he’d left the last time. Even realising she’d deserved some of his anger couldn’t alleviate the notion he’d crushed something just beginning to grow between them. The sex had been indescribable, but the incredible intimacy they’d shared had been wondrous.

“Cadmus,” Jonas growled, “tell me you aren’t sleeping with my cousin.”

“I’m not.” It wasn’t a lie, exactly. Cadmus wasn’t presently sleeping with Ellie. Later when she returned, he’d take her to bed and fix their problems. Sleep would be the last thing on their minds.

“We Djinn take our sexuality very seriously. Play is all well and good, but every interaction creates a bond that strengthens with each touch, each whisper and promise. Ellie might not want to admit it, but she’s Djinn to her bones. Casual sex is not something my cousin can handle.”

“Who said it would be casual?”

In the blink of an eye, Jonas yanked him into the house and slammed him into the wall hard enough to leave an imprint. Cadmus dropped to the ground with a groan.

“Shit. Now look what you made me do?” Jonas snarled in disgust, shaking the Dark energy from his hands. “She’s going to be pissed.”