Leela is the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen. It’s more than the aesthetic she’s somehow pulled off to perfection. It’s the glow that literally surrounds her and Jered. The auras pulse over them in shades of lavender and gold, swirling and quite nearly dancing in a hypnotic way. They can’t keep their hands or their gazes off each other the entire evening, and the bump beneath Leela’s dress only makes her look more breathtaking.
Rook squeezes my hand beneath the table and leans to whisper in my ear, his breath washing over me and causing tingles all over my body. “The energy is beautiful. It makes me want to do this too.”
I can’t help the way my pulse races and my head dizzies in response to his words. I take a gulp of champagne, and at a complete loss for anything else, I stand, clinking the side of my glass.
“A toast to the happy couple!” The room quiets. “Leela, you and I haven’t always seen things eye to eye. But I’ve always envied your ability to express yourself in so many ways, and your bravery.”
Leela laughs lightly, and I clear away the lump growing in my throat. “You are my sister in every way that counts, and if anyone ever tried to hurt you, I would have their head mounted on my wall. Literally.”
Laughter flows from the guests despite my seriousness. But I continue. “Jered has proved his worth, though, many times over. He’s been there for all of us and is, well, part of the family. To family!” I raise my glass in the air, unable to continue without losing my cool, and the room erupts into a chorus of clinking glasses until the happy couple kisses for the hundredth time.
“Aren’t you going to dance, Auntie Mira?”
I look over to find Sophie at my side, her honey-colored hair pulled up into a mass of curls. The outlandishly wide flower girl dress adorned with petals in the skirt somehow suits her. Her wide blue orbs appear innocent, but I still glare at Rook, suspicious.
“I didn’t say a word. I promised I wouldn’t force you,” he says in response to my thoughts.
“The truth is, Taj promised to dance with me if I could get you two out there. Please? I really want to dance.” She tugs at my arm as Rook rises from his seat.
I should have seen this subterfuge coming.
“I promise not to step on your toes,” Rook whispers as he guides me forward with a palm on my back, Sophie still pulling my hand.
I roll my eyes and sigh, purposely trying to be melodramatic since I have to admit the thought isn’t as bad as I’d anticipated. There’s something about the energy in the room, the excitement and the music that combines to soften my resolve.
Being in Rook’s arms, swaying among my family and friends, ignites a pilot light inside me. It’s like a small glowing ember has been rekindled that was long ago snuffed out, and now, here, I feel safe enough to let it shine. No matter what happens, I will protect that tiny light with everything I have.
A tear slides down my cheek and onto Rook’s tuxedo jacket. I hear him in my mind as clear as if he’s whispering in my ear.
I think you are finally beginning to heal, Mira. I’m glad I can be a part of that.
I smile against his chest and lose myself in the song and the moment.
When the ballad ends and the fast music starts, I guide Rook to the sidelines and laugh as Taj and Cal take turns twirling Sophie until she’s dizzy. It takes me by surprise when someone touches my arm, and I glance over to find the little girl’s mother at my side.
“Hello, Elle,” I say in greeting.
She smiles, but it’s strained, and I’m instantly on alert. “May I have a word with you?”
I nod my consent and excuse myself to follow her outside in the cool night air beneath a smattering of stars above the city.
From here, the sounds of the reception are faded and distant to the point they feel more like a memory than something happening in real time. I hug myself and stare out at the scenery.
“What can I do for you?” I ask as she joins me at the edge of the railing to look out into the night.
Elle fiddles with the edges of her lacy sleeves. It takes a few minutes for her to speak, but I’m in no hurry.
“It’s about magic,” she finally says.
I raise my eyebrows but don’t look at her. I simply wait for her to elaborate.
She sighs when I don’t respond. “I admit I was a bit hysterical when I found out. And when I realized Leela, you, Taj, and Cal all had the same eyes, well, it sort of hit me hard.”
It’s my turn to sigh now.
“Then Corrie tells me that she’s known all along and that not only Jered, but my own daughter are infected—”
“Excuse me?” I interrupt, facing her.
She shuffles, having the decency to at least look embarrassed. “I’m sorry, that was a bad choice of words. But you have to understand—this is all out of left field, and not only that, it’s a secret you deliberately kept from me. One that involves my baby. One that’s dangerous.”
I draw in a deep breath, hoping for calm, but turn to look out at the stars in case my eyes glow. I don’t want her to think I’m going to attack or infect her or anything. I grip the edge of the rail a bit too hard to ground myself.
“It was your husband who lied. He was the one to ‘infect’ your daughter and endanger all of you. He was also the one that started this as I’m sure you are now aware.”
In my peripheral vision, Elle lowers her head. “Yes. I am aware. At least that’s the story I’ve been told.”
“Are you accusing me of something?” I ask point-blank. I don’t have time or energy for anything other than truth at this moment.
“No!” She steps back, holding her hands up in fear. I simply continue to grip the banister and wait. “It’s not that. It’s just…the whole world feels upside down, and I couldn’t very well ask Jered or Leela the hard questions. Sophie is too young and wouldn’t understand. And Taj, well, to be perfectly honest he makes me nervous. I get the feeling he’s put spells on me before or something.”
She isn’t wrong about Taj, but she is about Sophie. She’d be surprised what that child can handle.
“So you’ve come to me with your ‘hard questions.’”
She nods hastily, and I wave a hand, conjuring a couple of cushioned seats for us as well as a lit firepit for warmth. I’m sure she must be chilly out here without a coat.
She jumps slightly but sits a moment after I do, folding her hands in her lap.
“How do I know you don’t present a danger to my children?” she asks and then holds her breath. Her pale, trembling state softens me slightly.
I want to be angry and spiteful to this ignorant woman. But I also understand how brave she is being in the interest of protecting her children. I cannot fault her for that. What I have now is an opportunity, I realize. When humans feared me in centuries past, it was because of the manipulation of evil masters. I am a free Djinni now, and if I frighten this woman, it’s because I choose that. And since the decision is my own, I know what I must do.
“I understand how scary this all can seem,” I say, smiling and leaning forward. “It feels like deceit, and while I cannot excuse that, I can tell you that anything we may have done was only to protect you and your family from what you’re going through right now.”
The woman’s shoulders relax slightly, and she offers a weak smile.
“I’m happy to answer any questions you have, and I think you’ll find that Leela, Jered, and even Taj will as well. My brother may be a bit of a jokester, but he understands the gravity of this situation and wants peace more than anyone I know. You may even find that Sophie can have a deeper dialogue with you than you’ve given her credit for. She’s quite the intelligent and talented child.”
Elle sits up straighter in the chair, blinking away her surprise at my last statement. I conjure two cups of coffee and offer her one.
“I don’t suppose it’s spiked?” she asks with a laugh.
“I can arrange that.” I tap her cup and smile as the top fills with a swirl of whipped cream. “Irish cream and coffee liquor.”
“Thank you,” she says and takes a sip. “I really appreciate you being so understanding. I know I’m probably blowing the conversation, but that’s why I couldn’t ask them.” She nods toward the party inside.
“Well, I’d rather you ask than make assumptions.” I sip on my own drink and cross my legs.
She nods and lets out a last stressful breath. “I think Corrie was getting a bit annoyed with me. And my other two children think it’s the coolest thing ever. They keep asking Sophie to do tricks. Is that dangerous? I mean is there a cost to her using her magic?”
“Good question, Elle. No. If it is a very strong spell, then it can drain her energy, but she should recover. If it’s something serious, I recommend asking one of us, but things like small tricks to entertain her siblings should be fine.” I smile, proud of my composure when this conversation could have turned out very differently.
I wonder how many of these conversations are going on all over the world right now. How many times will we have to do interviews like this one in the public eye in order to calm the populace? I’m glad that’s not my job. I don’t envy Leela and Jered being our spokespeople.
“We should probably get back to the party,” I say after a moment.
“One more thing,” Elle says, stopping me with a hand on my wrist.
I settle back into my seat and nod.
“I know about Leela’s history, and I guess your history too. Corrie explained it so she wouldn’t have to. I’m sorry that happened to you. You seem like such a nice woman, so together. I don’t know how you do it.”
I smile again, not trusting words at this point. What I’d like is for her to get to the point.
“Is there any danger of it happening again? I mean, what if someone takes control of you and you become, for lack of a better word, a weapon?”
I wave away the cups and the fire, standing. “Elle, I appreciate your concern, but if you are asking if there is still evil out there, the answer is undoubtedly yes. Will it win? I will do everything in my power to make sure that doesn’t happen. But know that I swear I would never purposely hurt anyone who hasn’t hurt my family first.”
Elle’s mouth drops open as I turn to walk away with a Cheshire cat grin. I have a party to get back to.