Page 66 of Perfectly Perplexing Zombie

I didn’t want to. I wanted to keep staring at his broad chest. That seemed far safer.

“Wendall. Please.”

Maybe my heart didn’t still beat, but it was capable of feeling, and right then, it caved under the sweet tone and gentle plea. I looked up, and my gaze caught with Ray’s.

“I know it is difficult, but put Arie Belview’s words from your mind. His opinion means less than nothing. He is not even good enough to be the bacteria consuming your flesh.”

I cringed. It wasn’t exactly poetry, but the sentiment was…kind. Maybe.

“Thanks, Ray.” I offered what I hoped was a grateful smile.

“Hellfire is correct,” Aurelia spoke up. “Djinns can see to the heart of another’s soul, and that werewolf’s is as black as any I’ve ever seen, and believe me, I have seen some of the worst the earth has to offer.”

I leaned around Ray and said, “I didn’t know djinns could do that.”

“Nor I,” Ray agreed.

“It is not something others generally ask,” Aurelia answered as if it weren’t that important. “Those who desire ourservicesrarely care about the state of another’s soul.”

“That’s…” I didn’t know what that was except, “probably true.” I shot a glance in Ray’s direction, but his attention was now on Aurelia.

“It has come to my attention that Stover has developed an interest in my homeland.” Ray didn’t exactly sound accusatory, but he didn’t sound friendly either.

Aurelia shrugged him off. “Arthur has many interests. I do not pay attention to them all.”

Ray’s passive face grew a little tighter. “No? While that is understandable, I would think such wayward interests would have given you pause.”

“Why would I care about Fairy?” Aurelia sounded truly perplexed. “It means nothing to me.”

“Spoken like a true djinn,” Ray deadpanned.

“I am what I was created to be.” Aurelia didn’t exactly sound like she was defending herself, only pointing out a fact that should have been remembered. “I am assisting you now because I loathe my current master, just as I have detested all who’ve come before him. I have no wish of my own to harm others. Mostly, I am indifferent to the whims of others. But I tire of the control. I did not lie when I told you that I wish only for peace and sleep.”

“I know the feeling,” I said with a sad grin. “I mean, not since I was reanimated. I don’t get physically tired, but emotionally… Yeah, that’s still a thing, and when I was alive, I felt both. It sucks, and I wouldn’t wish what’s happened to you on anyone.”

Aurelia cocked her head. Her eyes were impossibly blue and lit from within. I got the feeling she was staring right through me, or maybe more accurately, into me.

“You are a rare specimen, Wendall Galen. Your soul remained intact when you were reanimated. I can see it clearly, and it is…different.”

“Bad different?”

“I am uncertain, but I do not believe so.” Aurelia kept staring, and I began fidgeting. Trinket shifted so she didn’t fall off my shoulder.

Quiet filled my small apartment until, finally, Ray said, “Given your disregard for Fairy, I assume what prompted your visit is not associated with Stover’s newest obsession.”

“It is not.” Aurelia’s body quickly shifted, and her gaze thankfully swiveled away from me. “Stover has done something to my object of attachment.”

“Done something?” I took a step toward Ray, subconsciously seeking him out. “What does that mean?”

She shook her head. “I am not completely certain, but he found a witch to do something to it.” Aurelia said the word,witch, with unfettered loathing. “He used a large chunk of his ill-gotten gains to pay for a protection charm—something layered over the already attached spells.”

“Do you know what this charm does?” Ray’s tone was cold.

“As I said, it is a protection charm. None may touch my object of attachment that mean him harm.”

I sucked in an unneeded breath. “Anyone that means him harm?”

Ray’s body tightened and went deathly still. When I questioned, “Ray?” he remained there, staring straight ahead. Warmth filled my apartment as the temperature steadily rose. “Ray?” I said again, this time using a little more force. Thankfully, he snapped out of it.

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