Page 34 of Jinn

“This was over fifty years ago, and he was older then, so I doubt he’s still alive. He’s the one who’s had me not sleeping and wondering if I missed my chance.”

“I hope that’s not the case, Dax.”

“So do I. I long to have someone in my life. Whatever issues you have with your bond with Ajax, you need to fix them and—” He broke off as someone yelled by the front gate. He scowled. “It’s that one fan with the demo again. What a complete asshole. Did you see he actually set up a tent?”

“I did.” Finn needed the distraction, so he grinned at his friend. “Let’s go scare him off.”

Dax returned his grin. “Yes, let’s.”

Chapter Twenty

Ajax

Ajax sat beside the pond, staring at the small ripples of water as the koi fish swam about. The sun was setting, throwing a pretty haze over the woods around the house, but he barely paid attention, too caught up in what Finn had told him. As he had been for days.

There was no doubt he was completely in love with Finn Kelly and couldn’t see not being with him forever. But part of him was terrified over the thought of what that would do with his music. It wasn’t the limelight Finn had talked about. Mostly. He did love performing. Being on stage. Mostly though, he loved the creation. But to not share those creations with people? Just write in secret and…do what with it? He could sell songs to others, but he’d still have his identity, and a hundred years down the line, how would he hide that? Reinvent himself with new identities? How the hell did they do this?

He tried to think of anything else he’d enjoy doing. With that much time, he could find a new career. But there was also his having to leave BTC while still relatively young. Maybe they wouldn’t even still be popular at that point.

The problem was hundreds of years not spent putting his music out there.

But the alternative was unthinkable. Life without Finn?

No. Just no.

A life spent with that wonderful jinn—a long one—would be a gift.

There was really no choice. Ajax’s heart soared as he understood this was what he wanted. What he needed.

A leaf crunched behind him, and then Finn was settling onto the ground beside him. He looked at this beautiful being. Not human. Magical. Powerful. The disappearing sun created golden highlights in his auburn hair. His deep brown eyes pinned on Ajax.

He gave Ajax a smile that made his heart skip a beat. Ajax opened his mouth to tell him his choice just as there was a shout from the other side of the yard.

Finn jumped up. “Stay with me. Right behind me, okay?”

Ajax scrambled to his feet and ran with Finn as the sound of growls filled the air.

“Those aren’t regular dogs. Stay right here.”

Finn faded away right in front of his eyes as he had in the bedroom. It was incredible to watch. Unreal. Then what he saw stopped his breath.

Dax was fighting three…dogs. But they were unlike any dogs Ajax had ever seen. They were massive—their heads would come to his chest, and their shoulders were thick, bulging with muscle. Black coats looked matted with blood, and there were areas where the fur had been ripped off. Ajax could actually see exposed tissue.

A fourth dog appeared, this one just as large with reddish brown fur. It faced the others, lips curled back and fangs exposed. He realized that one was Finn.

How could he fight those huge monsters?

Because there was no doubt in his mind they were definitely monsters. In addition to their ratty, terrifying appearances, their eyes glowed yellow. For the first time in his life, he wished he had a gun because he’d be no help here. Those creatures scared him to death.

One of the black ones leaped, and the fight that ensued was hard to follow. Growls and snarls filled the air as they snapped and slammed into each other. Dirt flew into the air as Finn rolled with one of them and the other growled and bit at him.

Dax was fighting with the third one, picking it up and hurling it against a tree. But two were after Finn.

Ajax couldn’t breathe, terrified for the jinn he loved. Without even considering the consequences, he searched the ground for a branch, and when he found one, he snatched it up and ran toward the fight.

He swung the branch, hitting one of the black dogs hard enough to make it stagger away from Finn. Finn’s snout turned his way, but he was quickly pulled back into the fray when the other dog bit down on his leg. Finn yelped, yanking his leg away and snapping back.

The dog Ajax had hit crept toward him, head low and deep growls spilling from its mouth.

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