Page 45 of Perfectly Perplexing Zombie

“Trinket, what the—”

“It is the way all scuttlebutts respond when they sense a threat.” Aurelia stood to Ray’s left. Despite the cold, her long-sleeved flannel was still tied around her waist, leaving a thin tank top as cover and exposing a litany of impressive ink. In the dim winter sun, Aurelia looked even more stunning than before.

Well, shit. This can’t be good.

ChapterSeventeen

Hellfire Rayburn

I was on my feet before I consciously realized the motion. My internal fire flared, rustling to life and easily at hand. Should I wish it, my flaming sword would be within my hand faster than Aurelia could blink. I could burn the entire park to ash in less time than it took to apologize for the act. And yet, I did not think any of that would be enough if Arthur Stover wished it otherwise.

I kept my arms at my sides, feigning ease. My fingers remained tense and flicked here and there. It was one of my common tells, something I’d never been able to train away. My actions were little more than wasted effort.

Wendall’s hand effortlessly slid into mine. His gentle grip was oddly soothing and quieted my fidgeting fingers. His skin was cool against mine but not cold. Trinket’s fur brushed against my neck, making me realize Wendall was closer than I’d thought. I couldn’t afford to take my eyes off the djinn long enough to check on his exact location.

“Whatever happens, Ray. It’s okay.” Wendall’s softly spoken words sliced through my hearts.

It is not okay. That thought rang through my mind, gaining speed and potency. The more time I spent with Wendall, the more I realized the truth of that statement, and not just for my queen’s sake. I did not want to lose Wendall. It was a harsh reality that made me queasy and distinctly on edge.

“Be at ease, Hellfire Rayburn.” Aurelia’s right eyebrow quirked up when she saw our linked hands. The edge of her lips tilted at nearly the same angle. Her response only made me grip Wendall’s hand harder. She would have to come through me to get to him. I had little doubt what that stance would earn me, and yet I found I did not care.

“I was not aware I was anything but,” I bluffed.

Aurelia’s haughty, high-pitched laughter indicated her disbelief. “Maintain your pretense if you wish, but regardless, my current master did not wish me here. I come of my own volition.”

“You can do that?” Wendall shifted at my side.

“The one that holds my object of attachment does not control my every action.” Aurelia’s tone quivered with irritation. “If he wishes me back, then I will have no choice but to obey.” Unbridled hate filled those words.

“I’m sorry,” Wendall softly said. “I can’t imagine what that would be like. No one should be forced to do what someone says against their will.” Tugging on my hand, Wendall finally pulled my gaze from Aurelia, and I found myself staring down into deep wells of blue. “Can’t fairies do something about that? Can’t they break the pattern?”

“Sadly, no,” I answered. “Djinn are witch-made, not fairy.”

“What about the witches then?” Wendall innocently asked while waving a hand in Aurelia’s general direction. “It’s not fair to them.”

No, it wasn’t fair. But no one knew what would happen if djinn were allowed off-leash. What if there was no control or countermeasure to their enormous power? A djinn in the hands of someone like Arthur Stover was a tragedy, but one that could eventually be resolved. An untethered djinn could wreak unimaginable horrors on the world. Then again, so could Queen Silvidia. Was there truly a difference? I wasn’t sure, but I also wasn’t sure I wanted to take the risk.

Aurelia’s amused grin slipped, leaving plush lips drawn into a thin line. “You are unusually kind. Especially for a human. You are also impossibly naïve, but I do not hold that against you. Some would, but not me. It is amusing you believe witches would undo what they’ve done. Even today’s witches who understand their past follies would be reluctant to do so. If it were even possible.”

“Oh.” Wendall sounded equal parts confused and sad.

I decided to step in. “It is uncertain if a witch could even undo the magic. Witch magic is more creative than destructive. If it could be done, most likely it would take the cooperation of a witch and a warlock. However—”

“That is unlikely to happen,” Aurelia said.

“But I thought some witches and warlocks got along now.” Wendall’s nose crinkled in the most endearing way. “Vander and Mattie seem to get along fine.”

Thankfully, Trinket stopped hissing and spitting, and her warnings were little more than low, humming grumbles of displeasure.

“They do, but I doubt they’d find it wise to unleash a djinn,” I answered.

“Hellfire is correct, little zombie.”

Wendall stiffened beside me, and I wasn’t sure if he was opposed to being called little or a zombie.

“I would like nothing more than to be free of my object of attachment, but even I would think the two of them foolish to do so.” Flicking something off her barely covered breast, Aurelia said, “Currently, I am at peace with the world and wish little more than rest. However, times change, and I cannot guarantee my feelings in the future will be that…benign.” Her grin was truly wicked. “I was not created with benevolence.”

Wendall scooted a little closer, and a barely audible “oh” slipped through his lips.

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