Page 35 of Land of Monsters

I choked on my drink.

“The little fuckers ate through it, though it was hanging up, so I have no idea how they got to it.” Aggravation blew from his red lips. “I have to get Andon to set traps.”

“Sorry about that.” I coughed, patting my chest, trying not to laugh. “They can be suchpeskycreatures.”

Maestro took a drink of his soda, looking around the busy room. “Oh. He’s here.”

My head jerked, following his gaze to a table in the far corner. Only an outline of a hooded figure could be seen in the dim light.

“I didn’t even see him come in.” Maestro set down his glass. “Would you like me—”

Pushing off the bar, I didn’t even hear anything more Maestro said, my legs striding toward the man. My focus dwelled on him, noting how easily he blended into the surroundings, his deep hood keeping his features hidden. Blink and he would disappear.

Slipping in the chair across from him, I kept my voice low. “I heard you can help me.”

He stayed quiet; something about him prickled awareness at the back of my neck.

“Can you or not?” I huffed.

“Still short-tempered and hanging out in brothels, I see.”

I went still, his voice pinning me to the chair.

“Though something is vastly different about you.” His hands lifted to his hood, pulling the heavy wool down.

“Holy fuck,” I whispered, staring at the man before me, taking a moment to sink in. “Dzsinn?”

The moment I uttered his name, the shock of the moment dissipated, and a guffaw coughed up my throat. “Of course it’s you.” I shook my head with a scoff. “I should’ve known.”

“My business covers a lot of places, especially now Hungary is not as profitable for me.”

Because Killian was improving living conditions, jobs, and life. Never good circumstances for swindlers and opportunists.

“Yeah, real torn up about that.” I sat back in my chair.

“Yet you keep needing my help.” Dzsinn folded his hands on the table.

I shifted in my chair, hating that he was right and what it meant for me. “I need to get into Bran Castle without notice.”

His eyebrow lifted at the mention of the fortress.

“They are holding someone prisoner.” My throat tightened, her face popping into my head, squeezing my heart. I didn’t notice I was rubbing at my chest, like it actually felt pain, until Dzsinn’s eyes lowered to my swirling hand. I dropped my arm, clearing my throat as I sat up straight.

“She’s someone veryimportant.” I tried to distance myself from my claim, sounding detached.This is the truth, not personal. She was the princess of the Unified Nations, so it made her particularly important. Telling myself it didn’t stop the pounding of my heart.

“Someone who, if they realized who they had…” I tapered off, my gaze on him revealing how serious this was. “Ihaveto get her out.” I could hear the desperation hinting at the edges, the raw truth wanting to knock me on my ass. I had to keep my feelings out of this. Emotions got people killed.

Dzsinn leaned back, rubbing his hands together like he could grant my wish right there. Too bad that wasn’t how they worked. Genies weren’t trapped in a bottle, ready to grant wishes, but they had the influence to get you what you needed. Power of information, resources, money, and connections to spies. With those three things, you could secretly own the world.

“The Bran Castle was designed to be impregnable,” he stated. “And if rumors are true, then she would have made sure it would be impossible to enter.”

“Are you saying you can’t do it?” I leaned forward on my forearms, the challenge lying between us. “That Sonya bested you.”

His lids narrowed. His mouth pursed. “Do not try to provoke me, Ash. I do not fall for little boy games.”

I huffed out my nose, shifting in my seat again. “Can you help me or not?”

“I never said I couldn’t. I just want you to be aware of the price. You still owe me one favor already. You need to be clear on what you are asking me.” His dark eyes peered into mine. It was actually unsettling how common his features were, like you could forget what he looked like while staring right at him. So plain, the chair he sat in had more ornament and interest than him, which made him perfect for what he was. A genie was better off not being found or remembered.

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