I, Jasmine was suddenly aware I was no longer inside Joanna's head, but back at my home. Without opening my eyes, I knew I was in my room in Salem, laying on the bed and covered in blankets. Laeddin was in his room, sleeping. I heard his even breathing and the rise and fall of his chest. The trip back in time was enlightening. I now understood more about Pops and my heart broke for his loss even though it was hundreds of years ago. How that must've hurt. I also understood Laeddin's love for me a little better. It didn't matter whether I loved him back or not. His love was strong and real and the driving force behind all he'd done and did for me. My heart softened toward him and I wished I could love him back the way he loved me. It would be so easy. But I wasn't sure whether it was because he was a genie and treated me like I was his master or what, but there was something keeping me from letting myself fall for him. With Christopher, it was purely physical. He believed we belonged

"It has to be to keep up with you, Rave," the largest gargoyle, the one I guessed was the leader, said. Rave grunted and walked over to Laeddin, sniffing him. I couldn't help but wonder if his blood smelled as good to her as it did to me. "It stinks, Edge. I think we should kill them." Guess that answered my question."Or eat it," the male with sunset orange wings added.The one the female called Edge shook his head. "We won't kill them or eat them. We will take them to the emperor and let him decide their fate." He made a point of looking at each of them, starting with the orange-winged male. "Scotch?""Yes, Liege.""Skye?" Hers were the wings that reminded me of a cotton ball. They were brilliant white. "Of course." She bowed, keeping her eyes on the ground. "Rave?" She shook her wings, seemingly irritated. "Whatever you say, boss." She spoke like she had a bad taste in her mouth. As though to prove my point, she spat. I watched it land on the ground and disappear into the gravel

Instead of answering, Rayne turned away, her back against Jesse's arm. That wasn't peculiar at all."She wouldn't tell me either," Jesse said, giving me a sorrowful look. "Are you from this realm?" I tried again, leaning over and trying to get a glimpse of her face. "I am," she whispered. "But you don't look like the others.""That's because I'm a mutt - only half gargoyle, like Jesse." She pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her head on them. "Is that why you're down here then? Because you're a mutt?" I guessed there was more to the story than that, but thought it was a good jumping off point."Don't talk to me." She turned again so that her back faced me. Jesse shrugged apologetically. "Can you give her some space?" "Sure." I went over to the door, frustrated, and shook it. "Let's us out! Right now.""Hey, it's okay," I heard Jesse whisper to Rayne in between my wasted shouts. "You don't have to talk. Not yet. It's okay.""Maybe we should get some rest." Laeddin came ov

Over the next two days, we discussed numerous ways for all of us to get out of the cage. The plan was simple. Pops and Troy would escape and take Jesse and Rayne home with them. After seeing the guards' reactions when bringing them in, we figured it would be best for Professor Pops and Troy to escape the castle immediately and come back for Jesse and Rayne when an opportunity presented itself. Since Laeddin and I couldn't leave without the piece of crown, we didn't get involved beyond planning to escape itself. Truth be told, once we were out and away from whatever magic blocked Laeddin's power, Laeddin could just pop us home. Easy as that. But, of course nothing was ever as simple as it sounded.Pops and Laeddin seemed to be fine without any basic human necessities, so what little food Pops and Troy had brought with them was divided between Troy, Jesse, and Rayne, and they finished everything within the first day. They seemed okay, especially Jesse and Rayne. In fact, they looked

"A genie?" The emperor climbed down the steps, too excited to stay seated. "Fascinating! I've heard of your kind but believed you all dead. You must grant me three wishes."Laeddin cleared his throat again. "Indeed, I am the last of my kind. My brothers have all gone." My irritation at Laeddin momentarily fled at the mention of his brothers."And the wishes?" The emperor towered over Laeddin now, but Laeddin didn't balk."I am Laeddin, genie of the lamp, and I can only serve one master at a time.""So, someone else controls you." Disappointment softened the gargoyle's features. Well," he returned to his seat. "I am Jagg, high ruler of Garoth." He lifted his arms in the air as he spoke. "And I demand you accommodate me."Unfazed as ever, Laeddin bowed deeply. "Well, genie of the lamp, tell me who your master is," Jagg said, resting his elbows on the armrests. I shuddered at the tone in his words. If Jagg knew I was Laeddin's master, he would have me killed. There was no doubt about it