Ari nodded, her cheek rubbing against his as she whispered in his ear. “I love you too.”

Leaning back a little, she raised her arms so he could draw her nightie off, and as soon as it was gone and there was nothing between them but air, Jai crushed her against him, kissing her breathless.

***

The sound of Jai’s cell ringing woke them. Ari sleepily lifted her head off his chest so he could reach for it on his bedside table.

“Bitar,” he mumbled into the cell.

Whatever the caller said bolted Jai upright. Ari instantly tensed, watching him.

“Okay. We’ll be right there.” He hung up and looked down at her, his expression unreadable. “Michael wants to see us. He has an assignment for us.”

Ari struggled into a sitting position, pushing her long hair out of her face. “Well, that’s good, right?

Gives us something to focus on.”

“Yeah. Let’s get ready and go see what it’s about.”

“This is not good,” Jai grumbled, his arms crossed over his chest, his glower darkening Michael’s study.

“Look,” Michael sighed. “You know I prefer having the two of you on assignment together, but I have an Edimmu Utukku haunting a graveyard only fifteen miles from here and a Labartu another Guild has tracked into northern Philadelphia. These two have been causing serious havoc and I have two assassins who can take the bastards out. I already sent Trey on assignment last night with Fallon. She was begging to get out of the house and I wanted someone I could trust with her, so they’re in Maryland taking care of a newbie sorcerer. That leaves me with only two legal assassins.

You two. The Labartu is moving fast, so we need to deal with her while she’s under our jurisdiction. The Utukku killed someone last night, so I want him dealt with too. Jai, I need you on board with this.”

Ari made a huffing sound. “As much as I love him, Jai is not the boss of me.” She ignored his glare. “He’s no longer my guardian and he no longer calls the shots. Just tell me what I need to do and this Jinn is mine.”

“Ari—”

“Jai.” She shook her head at him, her eyes narrowed stubbornly. “You don’t want me to feel guilty. Fine. I’m not.

But don’t make me feel helpless, either.”

“Red asked me to protect you.”

“Yes. From Lilif, if she ever decides to come calling. She hasn’t. I’m pretty sure she’s being given the runaround by her sons and ex-hubby right about now and could give a crap about her long-lost granddaughter.” When his annoyed expression didn’t change, she sent him an appeasing look. “I know there’s danger. I’m not an idiot. But I’ll get in and out of there as quickly as possible. You do realize I need to be able to fight without you by my side?”

After a moment of contemplation, Jai finally gave in, “Fine. But you go in there all guns blazing, no messing around. Just kill it and get out.”

Ari smiled sweetly at him.

“Whatever you say, baby.”

***

“Perhaps we should rest, Your Highness,” a Marid from what was left of White’s army suggested. “Conserve our energy.”

Lilif gazed at her husband’s palace towering upon the mountains and sneered. White’s army, now her army, was growing as she commanded more Jinn to her side. However, with her other sons, her husband, and her brother locked within the palace walls combining their power to keep them out, there was little she could do until she got inside.

She narrowed her eyes on White.

“Are you sure you are channeling your power at full strength?” It had not escaped her that White was more than a little disappointed to discover she’d twisted the truth and manipulated him centuries ago. However, Lilif was relying on his obsessive love to win him over. She thought that it had, but she was certain she wasn’t feeling the full extent of his energy battering into the protection shield around Azazil’s home. Still, she’d give him time. She was not yet ready to use the Seal against him. White was the son who’d always been loyal, and Lilif appreciated that loyalty. She needed it. It would hurt to lose it and then have to forcefully take it from him.

“I am, Mother,” he assured her, his jaw tight with tension and anger. “But I fear we are just sitting ducks. Even with this army,” he sneered as he waved his hand over the masses behind them.

“Are you really arrogant enough to believe we can win against Azazil and my brothers? Not to mention your brother?”

“Having doubts, my love?” She smirked at him but inside felt a prickle of hurt at his lack of belief in her.

“No. But if what Red told me is true about you attempting to maim Glass, you couldn’t withstand a fight with the two of them. You couldn’t withstand a fight with Azazil.”

“I’m stronger now, thanks to your father. I have within me the power of the Seal. We just need in and then I can command Azazil and your brothers to their knees.” She sighed heavily and gazed back up at the darkening sky. “However, you are right. First we need to get in.

We need more power.”

“You have some of the most powerful Marids in existence in this army, including many lesser Royals you’ve commanded obeisance from, many of whom will be mortified to discover they were part of their Sultan’s downfall when this is over.”

“I don’t remember you being this taxing.” Lilif shot her son an irritated look. She then turned to stare at the Jinn who were guiding their natural magic to pulse against the barrier. Sparks of ember floated all around them. And yet, it wasn’t enough. They needed more …they needed …

Lilif shot a look at White. There was one lesser Royal who wasn’t there with them. One lesser Royal who, although brand new, Lilif knew from personal experience was exceptionally powerful in her own right. The thought quickly gained speed and Lilif decided she liked the idea greatly. The girl was strong and spirited and Lilif had a genuine liking for her. It would be a mark of great pride if she could talk the girl into joining her. She gestured to the army with a triumphant smile twitching her pretty lips. “Let them rest until I return.”

White frowned. “Off to find more recruits?”

She shook her head. “Just one.”

As White watched his mother leave, an unwelcome feeling settled over him as he deduced who she was going after. He wouldn’t call that feeling guilt … no, not quite. But whatever it was, he found himself using more of his energy to yell a warning Red’s way.