Scorched Skies by Samantha Young Page B

reasons for wanting the Seal and Dalí had to wonder if it was more than what everyone else assumed. Yeah, yeah there was a ‘ war ’ going on and all but life for the Jinn Kings wasn ’ t so bad. Surely The White King could see that. And to brutalize and manipulate his own daughter for a chance at using her power? Dalí shook his head. He had to remember that not all of the kings were like his own father. His father was affectionate with him. Loving. Even when he was a bastard to everyone else. A Jinn King had to really want to have a child in order for one to be created. As far as Dalí was aware, he had only a handful of half-brothers and sisters out there, none of whom he had ever met. But he knew The Gleaming King loved all his children, that ’ s why he kept having them every century or so, and Dalí had to believe his father would not punish him for what he was attempting to do. And if he succeeded, his father would be too afraid to question him.
    Dalí smiled at that, excitement rushing through his veins, the thirst for power tingling on his tongue. He touched a talisman around his neck and used the energy from the jet stone to conjure up a glass of water. Drinking it thirstily he wished it was Ari ’ s blood. Blood with all that power. He felt a stirring of lust and slammed his fist down on his desk. What was taking so long down in that lab? He had to get Ari. He had to get her now.
    Son! The Gleaming King ’ s voice blasted into his head. I request your presence on Mount Qaf.
    Many half-breed Jinn were not born with the ability to use telepathy. But as the son of a Jinn King, Dalí was more powerful than most. Perhaps that ’ s why he was so greedy for more. However, he ’ d always envied full-blooded Jinn like that damn Ginnaye who ’ d gummed up his kidnapping scheme, but there was one thing that Dalí was glad of. Half-breeds were much harder to trace. That missing piece of energy within them meant they blended in with the human world so much more easily. It was hard enough finding a Jinn who didn ’ t want to be found (unless they ’ d committed a crime against the Jinn laws) but finding someone like Dalí?
    Call it foresight, but Dalí hadn ’ t confided his latest base of operations to his father. And it seemed The Gleaming King had somehow found out what he ’ d been up to. He shrugged off the guilt of not responding to his father ’ s request. When he had Ari, nothing else would matter. Not love. Not loyalty. Not guilt.
    Only power.

    ~9~

    This Heart ’ s Already Broken. Find Another.

    They ran into the house, a buzz of vibrant energy around them from the very temporary enchantment Jai had placed around all three of them until they were ‘ safe ’ inside. As soon as the door slammed shut behind them, they all exhaled in relief, slumping against the nearest wall. Ari threw Jai a worried look as he leaned against the door, his eyes closed, his chest rising and falling fast with exertion. He looked so pale and exhausted from using so much magic.
    Before she could ask him if he was OK, the hair on her nape rose as she sensed another Jinn presence. She spun around and was unsurprised and relieved to find The Red King standing in her sitting room. Eyeing the room, Ari fought off an inappropriate bubble of amusement. He ’ d cleaned again. Her uncle was such a neat freak.
    “Hey.” Ari nodded, still a little out of breath.
    Her uncle frowned, his brilliant blue gaze moving from Ari to Jai to Charlie and then back to Jai. “I came to see how Ari was coping, but clearly something ’ s happened. What ’ s up?” he demanded of her guardian.
    As if his tone had shot an extra surge of strength into him, Jai straightened and brushed past Ari (her shoulder tingled where they touched and she glowered) to stand before The Red King. “We were attacked by humans. Six of them. They wanted Ari.”
    “What?” Her uncle ’ s eyes narrowed in confusion. He took a step back, his beautiful long red hair