Page 45 of Jasmine's Enchanted Genie

“This might work,” Jasmine said when I’d pretty much given up. The second book, Advanced Spellcasting, hadn’t yielded anything I thought we could use to break Cardia’s spell either. Jasmine read aloud. “A genie can only be freed if another is willing to take their place. I could become the genie.”

“Don’t even suggest doing something like that,” I barked. “I’ll remain a genie forever rather than trap you inside the lamp in my place.”

“I don’t want to be one, but don’t you see?” She looked up at me with complete love in her eyes. “I’d do it to free you. I hate that you have to live like that.”

“You saw my room. My gym. It’s not complete torture.”

“A pretty cage is still a cage if you’re not free to come and go as you please.” She huffed. “Besides, you’d sacrifice yourself for me.”

I would in a flash. “Please don’t ask for that.”

“I’m not sure I can, though the book indicates it might be possible. I wonder if anyone has ever tried.”

“Not in my memory, but there must be other lamps if there are rules.”

We switched books, poring through the contents.

I also watched the minutes tick down on the clock.

“Three left,” I finally said.

“Just in time.” She tapped the open page of the spellcasting book. “There’s a spell we’re going to try before I ask for my wish.”

“You know I don’t have magic.” It still hadn’t returned.

“Not yet but wait.” Lifting her finger, she grinned my way. “I wish . . .”

Power jolted through me in preparation for granting her wish. I hoped that hadn’t left me as well.

Her smiled wavered. “I wish I could have the powers of a witch.”

27

JASMINE

Boshun’s eyes closed, and he released a shudder. As for me, I vaguely sensed something was different inside me . . .

“Did it work?” I asked.

“You wished. Assuming the magic of the lamp still works, I can do nothing except grant that wish.” Why did he sound stunned?

“How do we test it?”

“Close your eyes and think of shifting the book from your lap to the bed. It’s a very simple spell and doesn’t require you to pull in power first.”

“Just like that? Think about it and it happens?”

“Try and see.”

With my eyes closed, I willed the book to go to the bed. It wiggled and flopped over onto the blankets.

My heart came to a halt. “It looks like your lamp magic still works.”

“And you, my lovely one, are now a witch.”

“It’s a good use of my second wish.”

He rose and started pacing. “But it could create problems.”

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