Page 36 of Perfectly Perplexing Zombie

“Of course. To that human’s eyes, everyone is a danger. Wendall most of all. But I’ve watched that young human, and I can guarantee you he knows nothing. Perhaps he did see my object, but if so, he has no idea of its significance, and as impossible as it seems, even if he did, I doubt he’d covet it the way Arthur does.”

I found arguing impossible and allowed my silence to speak my agreement.

Inhaling deeply, Aurelia’s expression hardened. “Arthur’s mental state is deteriorating. Paranoia sank its ugly claws deep into his chest, poisoning his soul. He is insistent that Wendall knows something and that he is playing coy, waiting for an opportunity to steal me from Arthur.” Aurelia finished with a low growl. “Do you know how degrading it is? To be coveted in such a way. To never be seen for who you are, only what you can do—what you can give. I am tired of being little more than a possession.”

My mind snapped to attention. “What is it you wish for, Aurelia?” I finally turned my gaze from Wendall, focusing on the unhappy djinn at my side.

It was amazing to watch her anger morph into despondent desire. Longing festered deep within her sea-blue eyes. With a lax expression and eyes wide with desperate wonder, Aurelia’s words were soft. “What I wish…if only that were truly possible. My first restriction was that I could not wish anything for myself. But that only means I can’t make it happen. The restriction does not stop the desire.”

“And what is that desire?” I cautiously pushed, knowing this was somehow the key.

“Sleep,” she quietly answered. “I want to sleep, perhaps forever. I never want to hear the words ‘I wish’ again. I want my object of attachment kept somewhere safe, somewhere I never have to worry about another using me for their own gain.”

Over the centuries, I’d fought many battles. My hearts were hardened with blood and fire. And yet, I could understand that longing. There’d been a time when I’d longed for a similar fate. When fairy was at its worst, when war’s bitter wind constantly blew, when my abilities were honed, and the promise of death was my tithe to my queen, I wished for the peace of nothingness.

That peace was finally won, but not without cost. Prince Hanan was one of the greatest losses of that time, but he wasn’t alone. Once Fairy was stable, Queen Silvidia’s attention turned toward Earth, and in one sweeping movement, fairy law was put into place. I wouldn’t call Earth peaceful, but it was better than it was prior to fairy law. My life had slowed. Death was no longer my only calling card. In part, I’d found a semblance of peace.

Aurelia had not.

Silence ensconced our small area. More and more of Dusk’s patrons slipped into the early morning hours. Darkness shrouded their movements, the sun’s rays still a few hours away. Wendall tilted his head back and laughed. Trinket moved with him but remained vigilant. I had no idea what this duplicitous human said, but whatever it was made Wendall infinitely happier than anything I’d said. That thought soured my stomach.

“As I said, he is very clever.” Aurelia picked up on my unease.

“He’s manipulative,” I corrected, although I could also easily concede that the best manipulators were also quite clever.

“It won’t be long before he makes another wish, Hellfire Rayburn. He hasn’t done so yet because Arthur is uncertain if Wendall has revealed his secret to anyone else. When Arthur is certain he can gain no further information from Wendall, he’ll make that wish, and I will not be able to deny it.”

I understood all too well and nodded. “Can you tell me what your object looks like?”

“No.” The word was spoken with a layer of frustrated disgust. “It is one of my restrictions, as is telling you where my object is kept. I cannot simply grab it and hand it over either. As soon as my flesh touches my object, I am absorbed into it. That is where I find rest. It is where I sleep. Whoever picks up my object will have control of my actions. I will have no choice but to see their wishes fulfilled.”

It was a horrible situation. The more I spoke with Aurelia, the more pleased I became that the witches who created djinns were destroyed by their own monstrous creation. Only I was beginning to understand that it wasn’t the djinns that were monstrous, but the ones who’d created and caged them.

ChapterFourteen

Wendall

I couldn’t believe how nice it was speaking with Professor Stover again. I’d loved his class, and I’d loved being his TA even more. I was a total geek when it came to Professor Stover’s archaeological finds. He’d traveled all over the world and gotten to see things I’d only dreamed of or seen in pictures. That was nothing like seeing the real thing, being in the same climate, under the same sun as those responsible for their creation. Walking in another’s footsteps was so much better than sitting in a climate-controlled library, flipping through journal pages.

I fondly remembered Professor Stover’s stuffed office. It was overflowing with books, papers, pieces of artwork he’d found on the dig site, and gifts from archaeological colleagues. Some might say his office made him a hoarder, but I didn’t think so. It simply spoke of a full life.

And now, here he was, sitting in front of me and telling me this was his last year teaching. I couldn’t believe it and said just as much.

“But why? You’re a great teacher.” I started to lean over the bar top, but Trinket hissed at the professor again, and I backed away. I still couldn’t figure out why she wasn’t warming up to him.

Professor Stover gave Trinket a wary eye but quickly turned his gaze back on me, and a smile curved his lips. “Another opportunity has come my way. It’s one that I’d be crazy to pass up.” His smile grew. I typically found Professor Stover’s smiles pleasant, but this one struck me as a little too much, as if his lips were stretched beyond what was comfortable.

“Oh.” I wasn’t sure what else to say and offered up my own smile. “That’s great.” I wasn’t sure if that was true or not. Professor Stover certainly seemed to think so.

The professor’s head tilted ever so slightly, and his eyes narrowed. “New technologies have opened up new exploration opportunities in the Amazon. Innumerable civilizations are waiting to be uncovered. All you have to do is get your hands on the latest maps and head into the jungle.”

I thought that was an oversimplification but didn’t say so. Instead, I went with what I knew of archaeology. “That sounds expensive. I’ll bet you had to work hard to get the proper funding.” Begging for money was part and parcel for most archaeologists.

That over-wide grin contorted Professor Stover’s face again.

I leaned back, trying to place a little distance between myself and that disturbing expression.

“Yes, I suppose so.” The word yes was drawn out like a reptilian hiss. “But I believe you know that’s not a problem for me.”

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