Page 92 of Deadly Deception
Two. I’d located two djinn and had yet to wake either, though the temptation was strong.
“I’ve seen that look in your eyes before. You know the risk.”
Inhaling, I filled my lungs before releasing that breath. “I am aware.” I stared at the small, innocuous-looking objects. It would be so easy to release the power within, to bring forth their djinn. And yet, that path led to only one ending—death. Every djinn eventually found a way to murder their master. I wasn’t fool enough to believe I would be different.
At least, not without an ace up my sleeve.
Everyone knew djinn were indestructible. They were feared because there was no way to defeat one. And yet, that no longer held true. There was a force living within the world that could destroy a djinn.
“Boone,” I reverently whispered into the ever-darkening room, the fire banking lower, the flame and shadows dissipating. With Erasmus Boone in my back pocket, no djinn would dare double-cross me.
“He will never agree to what you want,” my shadow whispered as the dying firelight diminished their voice.
My laughter was harsh chuckle rather than delight. “Neveris a strong word, Shadow. The key is finding out what is most important to Erasmus Boone, what he values beyond his own life and the lives of all others. Once I am in possession of that knowledge, all things are possible. Even leashing one very capable necromancer.”
I stared until the fire was little more than ember and ash. Shadow had gone quiet. They would be there again, when the light flared a little brighter. Shadow could never leave my side. Soon enough, I would add a djinn or two to that constant truth.
