Page 17 of Jinn

Alaric tucked a strand of hair behind his ear and cocked his head. “Why do you ask?”

“Because if I ask Xavier, I have a feeling he won’t tell me the answer.”

Alaric cracked a grin. “True, though you might be surprised. But to answer your question, yes. From what I understand, these humans had preternaturals in their family line that gave them this ability. Not all of them. For instance, Ezra’s brother couldn’t see past glamours.” He frowned at the memory and Finn knew he was thinking about how Ezra’s brother had tried to kill him. “But it gives them another ability as well.”

“Soulmates.”

Nodding, Alaric reached for his mug and took a sip. “You think you’ve met yours.”

“I don’t know. I’m feeling something I can’t explain. It’s opened up a whole new can of worms. Is it true that Ezra’s not going to age?”

Alaric nodded, a fond smile crossing his face. “Thankfully. Xavier helped cement that with a spell, but it’s only possible with soulmates.”

“Aren’t you worried people in Ezra’s life will notice that he never gets older?”

“A little. But most of those people are shit outside of his one best friend. Still, we’re very private, and we can always move if we’re worried about it.”

Finn glared at the crumbs on his plate. “Ajax is famous. His face is plastered all over videos and the internet.”

“And?”

“So there’s no way to escape it, unless he retires. Gives up being a musician. The guy is world famous, and he’s worked hard to get where he is. I couldn’t ask him to give that all up.”

“I thought you had no interest in settling down.”

“Never did before. Ajax…is changing my mind. Though, that’s not entirely true. I was already having these feelings. Meeting him just brought everything more into focus. I like him, Alaric. Really like him.” He rubbed at a spot of condensation next to his glass of iced tea. “I’m not sure I’ve ever been this terrified in my life, even as a child. And you know how I grew up.”

Alaric placed his hand on top of Finn’s. “What are you scared of?”

“Knowing what he could be to me and having to walk away. Or having him walk away. How could I possibly ask someone like that to give up everything they’d worked so hard for?”

“That is tough, and you’re right. Someone famous like that couldn’t continue to do what he does once he stopped aging.” Alaric frowned, wrapping both hands around his coffee mug. “Have you talked to Xavier about this at all?”

“No. I will have to, but not yet.” Finn looked at his friend, knowing his expression revealed how…bleak this all made him feel. “I want what you have. Didn’t know how badly I did until I met Ajax.”

“You’re talking about Ajax Craig from Back to Chaos, aren’t you?”

Finn nodded.

Alaric blew out a breath and leaned back. “They’re fucking huge. Ezra’s crazy about them, has all their music. They’re good.Though I suppose Ajax could eventually just back out of the public.”

“And do what? Give up what makes him who he is?” Finn shook his head, his heart feeling twice its weight.

“He’s returning these feelings?”

“Yeah. He wants to basically have a fling while he’s here. We kissed, and it blew my mind.”

Alaric nodded, a small smile playing about his lips. “It’s like that with your soulmate.”

Finn scrubbed his hands over his face and groaned. “I had to be paired with someone whose entire existence is centered around their music. And he’s good. So fucking good. He’s working on entirely different music, and it’s unbelievable. He’ll be just as popular as a solo artist—I have no doubt. He thrives on creating his art, and have you seen BTC’s videos? Because he thrives while performing, too.”

“I’ve actually seen them live. Went with Ivor and Ezra. Yeah, he obviously enjoys being on stage. I wish I had answers for you, Finn. But I will say this. You can’t give him up. Having a soulmate fulfills you in a way that’s hard to describe. And now that you know who he is, now that you’ve touched him, you won’t be able to live without him. Not happily. Can you honestly see yourself trying to go it alone after knowing him?”

Finn shook his head. “No. But I could be with him throughout his natural human lifetime.”

“The fact you’re even considering that says a lot about you, Finn. But then you’d be spending hundreds of years missing him. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy, and you’re my friend.” Alaric folded his arms on the table, leaning forward. “Talk to Xavier. And at some point, talk to Ajax. He may choose you, Finn.”

“It’s his having to choose that’s killing me. Music is who he is. It’s his life.”

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