The Haunted Sultan (Skeleton Key) by Gillian Zane, Skeleton Key Page A

genie popping out was a ridiculous interpretation of the old folklore.”
    “Is this your modern interpretation of the jinn?” the Sultan asked intrigued.
    “Yes, usually the genie is in an Arabian style lamp. You rub the lamp, the genie pops out and it grants you three wishes. You have to word your wish properly, though, or it can turn on you. It spawned the saying, be careful what you wish for,” Sierra explained.
    “Ridiculous interpretation as you call it,” the Sultan scoffed. “The rubbing of lamp would be forty and one days of meditation and fasting to fulfill requirements for summoning. And this wish, the destruction of my people, would be a negotiation between the jinni and human. A bargain. My brother would ask for my destruction, the jinni would state his terms and they would be immense.”
    “That makes sense. Your brother asked for him to destroy you and in return the jinni was granted rulership over your domain, which was basically only this house. Sounds like your brother made out like a bandit.” Sierra nodded her head, finally understanding the big picture.
    “Again, this doesn’t tell us how to kill it,” Owen piped up.
    “Can you remember anything from your grandmother’s stories?” Sierra asked the Sultan.
    “A tale, yes. More a song. I do not know how it would go in English.” He hummed a few notes under his breath.
    “The darkness of the smoke
    Penetrates the realm of below.
    When asked it forms for all to see.
    Watch of the deal that it makes
    Behind the smile of a snake.
    Your wish is granted, but not free.
    When your back is turned it strikes
    And your wish calls down upon thee.
    End it only when the Peri returns below.
    Sent home to the smoke by innocent hands
    That exist removed from the bargain.
    Break the tomb, but beware of the costs.”
    “That’s pretty specific,” Sierra said.
    “What does break the tomb mean?” Owen asked.
    “I believe that is the vessel the spirit is trapped within,” the Sultan responded.
    “And the innocent hands, that what…what was that about?” Sierra asked.
    The Sultan tapped his forehead thoughtfully and said, “Exist removed from the bargain.”
    “So an innocent person that wasn’t involved in the deal can take care of this thing. So, basically anyone that isn’t you or your brother, right?” Sierra asked.
    “Depends on what innocent means,” Owen sighed. “I never liked riddles.”
    “What could it mean? It isn’t a riddle, this is pretty straight forward,” Sierra scoffed.
    “Who knows, it could mean a virgin…does it mean a virgin?” Owen asked the Sultan, who spread his arms in a gesture that said he was clueless.
    “It can’t be a virgin. I was sent by that shopkeeper. She would know I wasn’t a virgin. If the rule was a virgin, she would’ve known. In fact, that nullifies any argument against me. If she sent me, it had to be me. Give me that vase.”

Chapter 17
    “ M ay I ask something first ?” the Sultan asked slyly. “How would this keeper of the shop know you weren’t a virgin?”
    “I’m twenty-one,” Sierra said and rolled her eyes.
    “Yes, that is quite old,” the Sultan replied in all seriousness, which made Sierra frown.
    “In his day, Sierra, you would be married off and on your third kid,” Owen smiled to soften the blow. “Now you’re barely legal. Shit, you didn’t tell me you were only twenty-one.”
    “Does it matter how old I am? How old are you?” she fired back.
    “Twenty-eight. Shit, I feel like I’m robbing the cradle.” Owen ran a hand over his face.
    “Well, if you don’t want to rob this cradle, by all means.” She motioned for him to walk away.
    “Wait, I didn’t say that. A guy has to get used to some things.” he tugged on her until she fell back into his arms. He lifted her chin carefully and softly kissed her lips. He held himself in check so he wouldn’t fall into the spell. Bad thoughts. Bad thoughts.
    It was a sweet kiss. Filled with promise and hope. Hope