Page 30

Chapter

Thirty

"I see you've discovered another aspect of your magic," Kieran's deep voice came from behind her, rich with amusement.

She spun to face him, steadying herself against the ornate balcony railing. "I just... I was remembering the morning light and the jasmine, and the balcony, and suddenly..." She gestured helplessly at their surroundings.

"As a Djinn, you are now connected to the magic that makes up Qaf itself." His silver-blue eyes sparkled with amusement. "A mere thought can bring you here."

"That's what I was planning to explain next," he continued, moving to stand beside her at the railing. "It's one of the primary reasons you should remain here while learning control."

Understanding dawned as Mandy imagined the chaos that could ensue if she accidentally teleported herself while grocery shopping or during a doctor's appointment.

"Oh god," she breathed. "I could have popped out of existence right in front of someone."

Kieran's rich chuckle filled the air between them. "Precisely."

"Once you've visited a place in Qaf, you can return there at will," he said, his deep voice carrying that careful precision she was coming to recognize. "Your magic connects with the essence of each location, creating a sort of... anchor point."

She nodded slowly, understanding. "Like saving coordinates in a GPS?"

His lips curved in that subtle smile that made her heart skip. "A reasonable comparison, yes. For now, you can return here to my tower whenever you wish." He gestured at the sweeping view before them. "When you feel up to it, I'll take you to meet some of the village leaders. Once you've been there, you'll be able to visit that location as well."

Mandy's stomach clenched at the thought of meeting village leaders. She twisted her fingers together nervously. "Will there be many people? I'm not great with crowds..."

Kieran's warm hand covered hers, stilling their anxious movement. "Only a small gathering," he assured her. "Though I should warn you - transformations to Djinn are extremely rare. There will be considerable curiosity about you."

She swallowed hard, picturing herself as the center of attention. "How rare exactly?"

"You are the first in over three centuries."

"Oh." Mandy's voice came out small. "No pressure there."

Kieran's rich chuckle filled the air between them, but anxiety still knotted in Mandy's stomach. The idea of being scrutinized by so many curious eyes made her pulse race.

She took a deep breath, steeling herself. "Will they have a lot of questions? What if I don't know how to answer them?"

Kieran smiled at her, his gaze steady and reassuring. "They will be curious, but they are also welcoming. It would be a good opportunity for you to learn more about your new life."

Mandy nodded, conflicting emotions lingering in her mind. It felt exhilarating yet overwhelming. As the silence stretched, Kieran offered her a gentle smile. "Would you prefer to return to your apartment for the rest of this discussion?"

Mandy gazed out over the magical landscape of Qaf, its beauty still taking her breath away. "No, I think I'd rather stay and..."

Before she could finish the thought, a shimmer of blue flames filled the air. Dinen materialized on the balcony, accompanied by Bach and Mozart, who looked remarkably unfazed by the teleportation. Mozart immediately trotted over to wind around her ankles while Bach claimed a sunny spot on the marble floor.

"They seem quite comfortable with magic already," Kieran observed, his silver-blue eyes warm with amusement.

"Cats," Mandy said fondly. "Nothing ever really surprises them."

A subtle tension crossed Kieran's features as he tilted his head slightly, as if listening to something just beyond her comprehension. "The Council calls. They require my presence regarding the shifter situation."

Mandy felt a pang in her chest, disappointment creeping in despite her efforts to mask it. "Of course," she replied, a frail smile attempting to veil her true feelings. "Go. I'll practice with my fire."

Kieran nodded in approval. "Mastering that is of the utmost importance. Again, our fire is the foundation of all Djinn magic."

The air thickened with unspoken words, and time seemed to slow as Kieran stepped closer, the magnetic pull between them undeniable. The soft breeze toyed with her hair, making the moment feel electric.

As she searched his gaze, his silver-blue eyes held hers with a fierce intensity, and she felt her heart race. Before she could respond, he reached out, gently cupping her cheek with his warm hand. The warmth of his skin sent a delicious shiver down her spine, amplifying the tension that had been building between them.

He leaned in, his breath mingling with hers, carrying the faintest hint of warmth and spice that made her head spin. Their lips met in a slow, lingering kiss, deep and soft yet full of promise. She felt the world around them fade away—the vibrant gardens of Qaf, the gentle purring of her cats, all of it slipped into a background haze.

Every second stretched out, the kiss igniting a spark of warmth that spread through her entire being. Mandy melted into him, instinctively leaning closer as she tasted the sweetness of the moment. It felt like the sun breaking through clouds after a long storm, illuminating everything within her.

Kieran's fingers brushed against her jawline, his gentle caress grounding her even as it fired her senses. The kiss spoke of a blend of yearning and solace, a silent promise shared between them.

Finally, they pulled apart, breathing heavily, their foreheads resting together for just a moment longer. Kieran's expression was both fierce and tender, and she sensed an unspoken vow in his gaze. "I'll return as soon as I can," he promised, his voice low and sincere, the warmth of his presence still enveloping her.

With a final glance, Kieran vanished in a shimmer of blue flames, the air where he had stood crackling with magic. The balcony felt emptier, colder, as he left, and Mandy was left alone, the vibrant colors of Qaf fading ever so slightly in his absence. Her heart sank under the weight of solitude, with only the gentle purring of her cats to fill the silence.

But magic now coursed through her veins, making her feel more alive than she ever had before. Shaking off her momentary melancholy, Mandy held out her palm, calling forth the magical blue Djinn fire that now lived within her. She watched the blue flames dance across her palm, fascinated by their glow.

The fire responded to her emotions, swirling and pulsing with her wonder. Unlike normal flames, these carried no heat - instead, they radiated a gentle coolness reminiscent of a spring breeze. Even as she thought that, the temperature changed to a pleasant warm, like a comforting heart fire. She lifted her hands, cupping them before her, and the magical fire coiled around her fingers like an affectionate cat, growing brighter when she smiled at its playful movements.

A small movement caught her eye - a glimpse of dark curls through the ornate balcony railings. A young girl peered at her with huge brown eyes, partially hidden behind one of the marble columns supporting the balcony's roof. When she noticed Mandy looking back, she ducked further behind her cover.

"Hello there," Mandy said softly, keeping her voice gentle. "I'm Mandy, who are you?"

"I'm Lilah," the girl said as edged out from behind the column.

Mandy's curiosity piqued at the unexpected appearance of the girl who had been mentioned by Jacinth and Kieran. She couldn’t help but wonder how Lilah had found her way here, in this magical realm of Qaf.

"I heard you're new to being Djinn," Lilah said shyly.

"That's right." Mandy smiled, touched by the child's tentative approach. "Everything is very new to me."

Lilah's eyes lit up. "I've been practicing with my fire," she said, her voice gaining confidence. "I'm getting pretty good at it." She held out her tiny palm, where a perfect blue flame bloomed. "Would you like me to help you learn?"

Mandy's heart melted at Lilah's earnest offer. "I would love that," she said, smiling at the little girl's enthusiasm.

Lilah's face lit up with pure joy. She bounced on her toes, dark curls dancing around her shoulders, then gracefully vaulted over the balcony railing in a single fluid motion that made Mandy blink. The girl landed lightly on the marble floor beside her, grinning up with those huge brown eyes.

Mozart trotted over to investigate the new arrival, his orange tail held high like a flag. Bach followed more sedately, but both cats seemed unperturbed. Mandy watched in amusement as Lilah's face lit up with delight. The child dropped to her knees, holding out her small hands to the cats.

"Oh, they're so pretty!" Lilah exclaimed, giggling as Mozart headbutted her palm demanding pets. Bach settled beside her, allowing her to stroke his long fur while purring rapturously. Dinen remained where he was, his massive form sprawled regally across the marble floor, watching the proceedings through half-closed eyes. The magical cat's blue flames flickered lazily as Lilah glanced between him and Mandy with obvious curiosity.

"Watch this!" Lilah rose and turned to Mandy, holding out both hands, palms up. Twin flames sparked to life, then began to dance and twirl like miniature ballet performers. "You can make them move however you want. Sometimes I pretend they're butterflies."

As if responding to her words, the flames transformed, taking on delicate wing shapes as they fluttered between her fingers.

"That's amazing," Mandy breathed, watching the ethereal display. She held out her own palm, calling forth her flame. It flickered uncertainly, nowhere near as controlled as Lilah's graceful performance.

"Try making it smaller first," Lilah suggested, demonstrating by shrinking one of her flames to a tiny pinpoint of blue light. "Then you can make it grow again, like this." The flame expanded slowly, maintaining its butterfly shape.

Mandy focused on her own flame, picturing it condensing into a smaller form. To her delight, the fire responded, shrinking to match Lilah's demonstration. The little girl clapped her hands in approval, her own flames spinning in excited circles.

"Now make it dance!" Lilah encouraged, her flames swooping and swirling through the air between them.

Mandy laughed, letting her joy feed into her flame. The blue fire responded, dancing and twirling like a tiny performer. Lilah's infectious giggles filled the air as their flames chased each other across the marble balcony, weaving intricate patterns in the space between them.

"Now watch this!" Lilah's eyes sparkled with mischief as she stretched her flame into a long, thin line. "You try too - just imagine pulling it like taffy."

Concentrating, Mandy visualized her flame stretching out. The blue fire obliged, elongating into a glowing rope that matched Lilah's creation.

"Perfect! Now hold your end tight," Lilah instructed, letting her own fire die, and taking the other end of Mandy's line of flame. "We can make it turn, like a jump rope!"

Together they began to swing the magical rope, the blue flames creating graceful arcs through the air. The magical fire cast dancing shadows across the marble floor as they found their rhythm. Mandy marveled at how natural it felt, like playing with light itself.

"One, two, three!" Lilah chanted, matching their swings to her count. The flames danced obediently between them, creating a perfect loop with each turn

Lilah's giggles echoed across the marble balcony. "Keep turning it!" she urged, releasing her end without warning.

Mandy's heart leaped into her throat as the magical fire continued its arc through the air, maintaining its shape even without Lilah holding up her end. She nearly lost her grip on her end in surprise, but the flames responded to her startled determination, staying perfectly formed.

With a musical laugh, Lilah bounced on her toes and then jumped into the spinning rope's path. Her small feet landed precisely as the blue flames swooped overhead, her dark curls bouncing with each hop. The magical fire cast flickering shadows across her joyful face as she skipped in perfect rhythm.

"See? The fire remembers what you want it to do!" Lilah called out between jumps, her enthusiasm infectious.

Lilah's laughter rang out as she caught the glowing rope. "Your turn!" She grasped the magical fire in her small hands. "Come on, I'll turn for you!"

Mandy hesitated for just a moment. When was the last time she'd jumped rope? Junior high? But her new body felt light and strong, free from the limitations that had bound her for so long.

"Alright, here goes nothing." Mandy positioned herself between the glowing strands. The blue flames cast dancing shadows across the marble floor as Lilah kept up the rhythm.

"Ready?" Lilah called out, her brown eyes sparkling. "One, two, three!"

Mandy jumped as the line of flames swooped beneath her feet. To her delight, her body remembered the rhythm perfectly. Each leap felt effortless, her movements flowing naturally as she found her pace. Joy bubbled up inside her, emerging as breathless laughter that matched Lilah's delighted giggles.

"See? You can do it!" Lilah cheered, swinging their magical jump rope in perfect arcs. "You're really good at this!"

The praise made Mandy laugh harder as she continued jumping. Her long-ago playground skills came flooding back - the trick of keeping her jumps small and controlled, the way to time her breathing with the rope's rhythm. The magical fire hummed through the air, responding to their shared delight as they played.

Finally, breathless from their play, Mandy and Lilah collapsed onto the cool marble floor, their magical jump rope dissolving into sparkles of blue light. Mandy couldn't remember the last time she'd laughed so freely.

"Would you like some tea?" Lilah asked, her small hands twisting shyly in her rose-colored dress. Without waiting for an answer, she held out her palms. Blue flames swirled and coalesced into delicate teacups, complete with matching saucers. Another gesture produced a sugar bowl and tiny silver spoons.

"I've only just learned how to heat up tea already in my cup," Mandy admitted as Lilah poured steaming tea from a conjured pot. The rich aroma of cardamom and other spices filled the air.

They had just settled cross-legged on the floor, teacups in hand, when an older woman in traditional dress appeared at the balcony, her lined face creased with worry beneath her bright scarf.

"Lilah!" The woman's voice carried equal measures of relief and exasperation. "We've been searching everywhere for you, child." She turned to Mandy, her dark eyes apologetic. "I am Khadija. Please forgive the intrusion. Lilah should have told someone where she was going."

Lilah ducked her head, curls falling forward to hide her face. "I'm sorry, Jeddah . I just wanted to help teach Mandy about her fire."

"No need to apologize," Mandy said quickly. Jeddah , she remembered, dredging up the memory of her Cairo days, meant grandmother. "Lilah has been wonderful. I've learned so much from her about controlling my flames in the past hour."

"We played jump rope with our fire, Jeddah ! Mandy learned really fast - she's good at controlling it already."

Khadija's dark eyes widened with interest. "Jump rope? With magical fire?" She studied Mandy with new appreciation. "That is quite impressive for one so new to the gift."

Warmth bloomed in Mandy's chest at the elder's praise. "Lilah is an excellent teacher," she said, smiling at the little girl. "She made it easy to understand."

"You are most welcome in our village, any time." Khadija's weathered face creased in a warm smile. She held out her hand to Lilah. "Come along now, little one. Your mother has been worried."

Lilah waved goodbye as she took Khadija's hand, both figures dissolving in a shimmer of blue flames. The sudden quiet felt heavy after the joyful chaos of their play.

Exhaustion swept over Mandy as the excitement of the day caught up with her. She turned to find Dinen watching her with those impossibly wise eyes.

"Would you show me back to my room?" she asked the magical cat. "I think I need a nap."

Dinen's blue flames flickered as he rose gracefully, leading the way through the tower's winding corridors. Mozart and Bach followed close behind, their paws silent on the marble floors.

The bedroom welcomed her with cool shadows and soft linens. Mandy sank into the plush mattress with a contented sigh, not having the energy to do more than slip off the slippers she wore, and pull the galabiyya over her head, dropping it on the end of the bed, before pulling the luxurious covers over her. Mozart curled behind her knees while Bach claimed his usual spot by her pillow. Dinen settled at the foot of the bed, his spotted form radiating peaceful warmth.

Surrounded by purring cats, Mandy drifted into sleep.