Page 28 of Perfectly Perplexing Zombie

“Oh, sugar.” Muriel’s palm rubbed against my leg in soothing motions. “You think that will be important to him?”

“I can’t see how it wouldn’t. I mean, I can be on the receiving end. I don’t know if I’d enjoy it or not. Some sensation remains, but not all, and none of it’s as potent as when I was alive. It’s eternal, Muriel. And from what I understand, once Ray shares that bond with me, he can’t be with another. That’s… That’s not right.” My back straightened as I pulled my resolution around me. “I can’t do that to someone. If Ray truly wanted me—wanted to be with me—then maybe. But he doesn’t want that. Not really. He told me I had a choice, and I’ve made mine.”

My fingers drifted into Trinket’s fur, and she started cooing again while snuggling into my skin. “I can feel her softness, but even that’s muted compared to how I used to be. I’m not complaining,” I hastened to add. “I’m grateful for the extra time you’ve given me. I’m just saying that the way I am isn’t enough, not for what Ray’s suggesting.”

Muriel remained silent, her gaze distant until finally she asked, “Did you mention this to Ray?”

“No. Not really.” I couldn’t imagine bringing that up with him. It was hard enough with Muriel. “It’s a moot point and would just be really embarrassing.”

“I think it might not be as moot a point as you believe, but it’s your decision. When you reanimated, and I realized you were different, I vowed right then and there to try to give you as much autonomy as I could. It wasn’t easy. I’m used to being in control of my zombies. It’s more difficult than you know, letting that go. But it was the right thing to do, and I’ve never regretted it. Even if this is your decision, I won’t force you to do otherwise.”

I sucked in unneeded air. I’d never even considered that as a possibility. Muriel did have control over me. It was easy to forget because she rarely enforced her abilities. The fact I hadn’t considered it was one part foolish and another part credit to her.

“Thank you,” I answered, the words barely audible.

Muriel waved me off. “I don’t want your thanks, Wendall. Basically, I’m allowing you to die all over again. It goes against what I want, what I think everyone who knows you wants. But I understand your reasoning, and I’ll respect your choice.”

I started to thank Muriel again but swallowed the words. Instead, I leaned into her, resting my head on her shoulder. Trinket scooted until she was in a more comfortable position. I didn’t fall asleep, but I did drift. My mind wandered down well-worn roads and thorny paths. I didn’t know why, but my mind became fixated on the beautiful female I’d seen in the bar. I wondered what she was.

Curiosity was, in itself, curious. Mine finally got the better of me, and I asked, “Have you ever seen a hairless species with tattooed writing all over? The one I saw was beautiful. Her ears were pointed. Larger than a fairy or pixie—wider and a little flatter to her head, and she had gold hoops and cusps all over them. She said the oddest things too…” My mind and voice drifted with the memory. It seemed almost like a dream.

What wasn’t a dream was Muriel’s tense, hard-as-a-rock body. Her soothing fingers clenched, tugging my hair.

“Um…Muriel?” If she pulled any harder, I’d be missing a chunk of hair I was certain would never grow back.

An eerie, crimson glow leaked into my small apartment. Trinket jumped to my opposite arm, chittering and hissing. Her fur stood up, doubling her size.

“Djinn,” Muriel hissed before she leaped up, heading for the door. A swift “Wendall, come” tugged at our bond, and I followed, unable to do anything less.

* * *

“You have a djinn problem, King Moony.” Two hours later, and if anything, Muriel was more agitated than before. “A djinn!” She paced. Muriel was stout, but that didn’t diminish her presence. “That is unacceptable.” I wasn’t sure if Muriel was speaking to Mr. Moony or to the air in general.

Johnny stood next to my boss, arms crossed and hoof tapping. “I called him earlier this morning before he went to bed. I just learned of it last night, and as far as I know, this was the first incident.” Johnny looked at me and asked, “Is that right, Wendall? Was that the first time you saw her?”

“I…” I thought back and finally nodded. “I think so, but to be honest, it’s all a bit hazy, kind of like a memory that’s hidden behind a bank of fog?” It came out as more a question than an answer, mostly because I wasn’t certain. “I’m almost positive she wasn’t there when I went to clean that section of the bar. And then, when she left, she was gone between one blink and the next.” Forcing the memory hurt a little, but I fought through the discomfort. “I remember thinking it was odd that none of the other customers seemed to notice her. She was really striking.”

“That is the way of the djinn,” Mr. Moony unhelpfully said. “They appear only to those they wish to.”

I rubbed my forehead, trying to wrap my mind around what was going on. “Are you saying I saw a genie? I was under the impression they were more myth than reality, or at least so scarce that few, if any, have seen one in hundreds of years. At least, that’s what Professor Stover said.” Trinket sat on my shoulder. She wasn’t melded against my skin. With her tail wrapped around my upper arm, she was alert, and her gaze remained sharp.

“I believe they prefer the term djinn. Is that correct, priestess?” Mr. Moony asked Muriel.

“Yes, yes.” She waved him off. “Genie, djinn… It’s all the same, just semantics at the end of the day.”

“I think those semantics might get your ass lit on fire,” Johnny grumbled under his breath.

“The point is”—Muriel pointed a finger in my direction—“she approached Wendall. She allowed him to see her. I’d daresay she wanted him to see her.” Waving me into motion, Muriel said, “Tell them what she said.”

Mr. Moony’s and Johnny’s gazes bored into me, their attention fixed. I hated being the center of attention and shifted from foot to foot. Trinket moved with me, flowing with my motion.

“Well, it was kind of confusing. I’m not sure I remember directly, but she said something about being sorry, that she hadn’t wanted what happened to me, and I got the feeling she felt the same way about what might happen in the future. She said something about wishes and that they weren’t her own.” I could have slapped my forehead. “Wishes.”

“She used that exact word?” Mr. Moony asked.

“Yeah, she did. I’m an idiot.”

“Not even close to one,” Johnny defended my questionable intelligence. “You’ve never met a djinn before. Neither have I, for that matter. At least not that I know of.” He scratched his cheek. “Funny thing. It’s possible all of us have met one sometime or another and had no idea. What might be the most interesting thing is that she showed herself to you as she truly is.”

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