That night I dreamed of the man I couldn't see again. He spoke of what it would be like to marry. How many children he wished to have, and where we would live once we were together. He spoke of Sharra, the creatures there, and about how I drank Abby's blood. I'd been humiliated by his words, but he kept talking anyway, explaining that what I'd done had been a survival instinct. He continued that I should be grateful I possessed such a predisposition. Otherwise I would be dead. I didn't want to agree, but a tiny part of my brain appreciated the support. Most strangely, he spoke of my wings and how exquisite they were. I hated to admit that while he talked the same part of my brain that appreciated his words also cherished them. And just like last time, right before I woke, he took me in his arms and kissed me. When my alarm went off, I wasn't as afraid of the man in my dream as I was the first time. I quickly got ready for school and went down to breakfast. Even though I'd drunk

Cam and I hung out for several more hours. After he left, I went upstairs to change into my PJ's. Gatsby said we would talk later. He needed a way to get in, so I opened the window. Before I had a chance to open a book, he jumped into my room. "The boy seems to be doing better. You really are a good friend, Jasmine." He hopped on my bed and curled into a ball. "Um, thanks." I fluffed some pillows and stuffed them behind my back. Gatsby appeared to have fallen asleep. I cleared my throat. "Are you going to tell me about the demura?"His eyes blinked open. "I suppose I should."I crossed my legs and sat forward. "I'm actually surprised your genie friend didn't tell you about them.""Why is that?" I suddenly felt a little sick. Had Laeddin brought the demura to Salem?"Well, because a demura is the essence of an evil genie." He blinked several times, waiting for that bit of news to sink in. My heart pounded in my throat. "How can a genie be evil? Aren't they required to obey those wh

Laeddin pulled me into a hug. "We need to talk."The scent of his blood lit my throat on fire. Not to mention the way his skin smelled and felt. And the way he looked in his jeans and button up shirt. He was beautiful in every way. I pushed him back. "I tried to talk to you several times this morning, but you wouldn't listen." I crossed my arms. "I know. But there is something about me, about my family you need to know." He sighed. "It has to do with the demura."I twisted some hair between my fingers. "Go on." I already knew thanks to Gatsby, but I'd give him a moment."You better sit down. It's kind of a long story." He led me over to the couch. When we were sitting, he began, "Many years ago - ""You mean two thousand years ago, don't you?" I crossed my arms and leaned back against the cushions. Laeddin's brows furrowed. "How do you know?""Well, old man, if you would've let me talk this morning, I would've told you that I know everything.""Everything?" He smirked. "Well, smar

We walked toward the house, but I got the sense Laeddin didn't intend to take us all the way back. "What's the plan?" I asked. The selfish part of me wanted to put off the confrontation with Jaffar for as long as possible. I didn't want to lose him just like I lost Abby. If Jaffar even agrees, my mind whispered. And part of me didn't want him to. I kept going back to my wishes. I had two left. Couldn't I just wish the genies were no longer demura? What would happen if I did? Would all of them disappear? Did that include Laeddin? I wasn't ready to have him be gone. Before Laeddin could answer, a golden carpet landed at our feet, shimmering in the moonlight. Laeddin stepped on and held out a hand for me. "Are you serious?" I asked, holding my ground. Riding on something was not the same as flying with wings. Laeddin smiled sadly. "A magic carpet is one of my favorite ways to travel."I glanced around at the houses in our neighborhood. They weren't close together. Trees, shrubs, flowe

Laeddin jumped forward, grabbing his arm. "She isn't from our realm, Jaffar. You can't make a deal with her. It's against the rules of magic."Jaffar screeched, pushing him away as though he were made of paper. "I just did." He struck the ground once with his staff. A circular light shot from the ground and radiated across the land. Laeddin fell to his knees. I watched, waiting for the tattoos around his wrists to vanish. "Watch," Jaffar commanded. The scenery in front of me swirled like wet watercolors. And before my eyes was a new landscape. I watched a demura about to enter a body, but it suddenly stopped, glanced in my direction and then vanished. "That's one."From behind I heard Laeddin gasp. One of his brothers had just been killed before his eyes. I wanted to go to him, hug him and tell him I was sorry. I wanted to take away his pain, but I couldn't. Not while Jaffar was there. Not while I needed to make sure all the demura were gone. A similar scene to the first happened t