Darkness, Kindled (Fire Spirits #4)(29)
Author: Samantha Young

His father nodded wearily. “I kindled a darkness, yes, but you are about to set the world alight with the blackest flame. Lilif will cast us all into shadow.”

“Enough of your lies, Father.”

White uncurled his hand, staring at the ring. “I command you to tell me the location of Lilif’s body.”

Slowly, and in great pain to do so, Azazil closed his eyes. With a sigh of exhaustion, he revealed his greatest secret.

12

Thy Will Be Undone

White lit candles upon entering the mausoleum built into the deepest depths of the Menelik, their light flickering over the sarcophagus from the old sconces. This was an area not even the state knew existed, hidden behind a rock door only accessible by powerful Jinn.

Considering only one Jinn knew of its existence in the first place, White found the tomb undisturbed. It was small, dark, carved out in a near circular shape, the rock walls protruding out here and there.

In the center, balanced on an

elaborate pedestal, sat the sarcophagus. Sealed by royal blood, it could only be opened by royal blood.

White conjured a small dagger and

scored a deep slice across his open palm. Quickly, before it could heal, he curled his hand into a fist and dripped his blood into the center of the carved coffin.

Electricity filled the air. White

watched with anticipation as the sarcophagus began to melt, revealing the youthful face of his beautiful mother. As her rattily-clothed body was revealed to him, he reached out to catch her before the sarcophagus completely disappeared. Cradling her in his arms, White felt tears of elation prick his eyes as he knelt to his knees and pulled out the Seal.

This would most probably hurt her.

“Forgive me, Mother,” he apologized

softly, his eyes glued to her sweet, pure face.

With a cry of triumph, White raised

his fist with the Seal inside and smashed it through Lilif’s breast. An ember glow immediately lit up inside her and Lilif’s eyes flew open on an anguished gasp.

As White removed his fist and

watched her chest heal over, Lilif’s frightened eyes searched the room before swinging up to his face. Slowly, as the pain diminished in her dark gaze, light returned. She recognized him.

“I knew you’d find me,” she

whispered, a soft smile on her lips.

White closed his eyes in absolute

relief. Everything would be all right now.

Opening his eyes at his mother’s

coughing, White helped her sit up, her entire body trembling against him. “Can I get you something?” he asked.

She placed a palm to her chest and

winced, shaking her head. “I would say give me a minute, but we don’t have the time.” When her eyes came back to him, White froze in confusion. Within, he saw a hard intensity he did not recognize. “We must bring on The After, son, and we must do it soon.”

***

The sound of her shower running slowly woke Ari from her dreamless sleep. Prying her eyes open, she stretched a hand out, sliding her palm over the warm space where Jai had lain next to her. The shower turned off and she smiled into her pillow.

After seeing Charlie and Mikey back

together again, Ari had returned home with Jai and collapsed in an exhausted heap. Jai had put her to bed and climbed in with her, and she’d fallen asleep curled next to him. It had been the best sleep she’d had in a long time.

It was difficult to really put her

feelings into words about what had happened since Azazil had granted her the favor. She was nervous about seeing Fallon, anxious the girl was coping, and worried about having to explain that Charlie would no longer know who the heck Fallon was. Moreover, Ari was deeply saddened that Charlie no longer knew who she was. And yet, at the same time, she was ecstatic he was the old Charlie again and that he had Mikey back.

Ari could live with not getting to

be a part of Charlie’s new reality as long as it meant he was happy and healthy.

The door to the bathroom opened and

Jai wandered out, running a hand over his barely there hair. Ari propped herself up on an elbow. He’d cut his hair again.

It was hot.

So was the near-nakedness.

He wore only a towel wrapped around

his waist.

Walking quietly toward his jeans,

Jai seemed unaware that Ari was awake. She cleared her throat, drawing his head around toward her. He smiled softly and Ari felt the smile shoot all the way down into her belly.

“Morning.”

“Morning.” She cocked her head and

patted the space on the bed beside her. “Come back.”

He grinned. “I would but I thought

you’d want to see Fallon as soon as possible.”

“I do want to see Fallon. And I

will.” She sat up and casually pulled her pajama top off, letting the sheet fall to her waist. Her heart beat a little harder at the way Jai’s expression darkened, faltering as he dropped his jeans back onto the floor. “But first I want my boyfriend to come here.”

No verbal response needed, Jai

strode toward the bed, his fingers tugging his towel loose just before he reached for her. He cupped a hand around her neck and pulled her against his body, his kiss long and deep, a prelude to one very exquisite morning.

The fire in Michael’s study broke the silence as it crackled and snapped, its heat inviting in the cold Jersey winter weather. Ari sat nervously in an armchair before Michael’s desk, Jai standing by her side.

It would’ve been nice to make their exquisite morning an entire exquisite day, but Ari knew she needed to meet with Fallon. She had to attempt to explain things.

Michael sighed behind his desk,

checking his watch. “I’m sure she’s coming.”

They’d been waiting on Fallon

coming down from her bedroom for twenty minutes.

“Should I maybe go to her?”

Before Michael could respond, the

door to his study opened and Caroline walked in, a shadow behind her. Before Ari could determine who the shadow was, Caroline dragged her from the chair with surprisingly strong arms and suffocated her with the tightest hug she’d ever received.

“How can I ever repay you?”

Caroline asked, her voice barely recognizable it was so thick with emotion.

Ari shook her head, taking a step

back. “I’m not in your debt,” she assured her, her heart aching at the sheer relief and joy in Caroline’s eyes. It suddenly occurred to Ari that Michael and Caroline were in a situation no other bereaved parent had ever been in. Unlike Charlie and Mrs. Creagh, who’d lost a son and a brother but would never realize the gift they’d been given, Fallon’s parents did. Ari imagined it had changed everything for them.