The Binding Stone (The Djinn Series) by Lisa Gail Green Page B

certain
not to let my feelings show. Gabe backs up toward the bed and collapses onto
the mattress.
    “You
should go to Gabe’s house,” I say.
    “How
does he even know?” Jered asks, a deep crimson boiling its way up his neck onto
his face. Sophie flinches.
    “It
was my doll, wasn’t it?” she asks quietly.
    “It
isn’t your fault,” I say, still watching Jered closely. “Your father knows me,
Jered.”
    “How
could he? You’ve been asleep for over a hundred years, Leela.”
    “He’s...been
passed the information from his father,” I say. “You are descended from my
first master.” I look down quickly. I cannot bear it.
    “How
do you know? Why didn’t you tell me?” Jered asks. I hear the hurt in his voice.
    “I
didn’t know before. I mean I knew your eyes. I just didn’t connect it until I
saw your father. He looks just like him. And now that we are certain he knows
me, well, that confirms it.”
    “I
thought he was looking at my ring a lot,” Jered says, collapsing next to Gabe.
I remain silent.
    “Daddy
wants you to stay with him forever, Jered,” Sophie says, and I cringe inwardly
at the truth in the statement. “He’s afraid of Leela, not angry at her.”
    “Please
go to Gabe’s house. You will be safe there for a while. Let me talk to your
father alone. I will...explain things.” Jered cannot hear my heart speed up. I
don’t know what Achan has in the attic, but I am certain he’s already retrieved
it.
    “I’ll
talk to him,” Jered says.
    I
purse my lips and breathe deeply. “Please,” I repeat. “Go.”
    “This
doesn’t make sense,” Jered says, furrowing his brow like I am a particularly
difficult puzzle. “What are you afraid he’ll do to me? If anything, he wants to
hurt you. I’m his son. He probably wants to warn me about you in private. He
doesn’t know what I know about you.”
    My
chest feels heavy. Jered thinks he knows the real me. I have to think fast. I
cannot tell him the truth. He would be devastated. Worse yet, if he did
something stupid like confronted Achan and lost, I would belong to my first
master. And that will not happen. Not ever again.
    What
if Achan will have Jered free me so I will not impede his plans? If I were free
I could protect Jered from his father. I wouldn’t have his restrictive commands
getting in my way. And I’d have a chance at revenge.
    “I
wish to assess the situation. We need more information,” I say, placing one
hand against Jered’s chest. His aura turns a deep purple and flows over my arm.
My pulse quickens.
    “I
don’t want you to get hurt,” he says.
    “I
don’t want you to get hurt either. Besides, I have more power than your father.
I will be fine.”
    His
aura recedes. He looks at me, biting his lower lip.
    “I
cannot hurt anyone, after all.” I say, guessing what he might be thinking.
    “I...I
didn’t think...I mean, you wouldn’t on purpose,” he says.
    “I
can’t. On purpose or by accident, Jered. You’ve commanded it.” I turn his face
in my hand and force him to look me in the eye. He is still having trouble
accepting the totality of his commands. This is dangerous, and he must be
convinced. If kissing Gabe didn’t do it, I don’t know what will.
    A
knock on the door makes Sophie jump, and I shut my eyes tight with frustration.
It might be too late. When I feel Jered’s hand on mine, I realize I’ve clutched
his shirt in my fist.
    “Jered?”
Achan calls.
    “Can
you make Gabe and Sophie disappear with you?” Jered asks softly.
    I
nod and do as he wishes, despite the absence of an actual command. Sophie slips
her hand in mine, and I squeeze it reassuringly. I place my other hand on
Gabe’s shoulder, seeing the gaunt look on his face. Perhaps I should send him
home. I promise myself I will if he is in danger.
    “Hey,
Dad.” Jered pulls the door open and brushes a hand through the back of his
hair.
    “How
are you doing?” Achan asks, eyes darting quickly around the room before coming
to