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The ache flared across her chest in a jagged shot of lightning and Ari gasped, a release of anger pouring out of her in heartbreak Everything had changed with Charlie She couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was or what it ed Whatever it didthe pain out of her, Ari concentrated on the patch of sky above her and forced the clouds to grow dark and heavy ater until they burst, pounding into the ground and slapping against her skin in sy at the co around in hertense in the doorway, his fists curled tightly together, his vivid gaze burning through her His jaas taut and she kneas annoyed Yeah, well, she was annoyed too He’d been kind of AWOL after throwing Charlie out for her and he’d been unable to race her with his presence She felt her cheeks stain red as she reht at her front door when he’d rejected her She wasn’t stupid He was completely uncomfortable around her now Yay

Disappointed in hied nonchalantly and turned to look back up at the sky It’s hed wearily What’s wrong?

A growl rumbled behind her, "I said stop it now, Ari"

She turned around at his agitation, her own eyes flashing angrily in response to his co a second, Ari drew in a deep breath, letting the rain run in rivulets down her cheeks and onto her lips Noting Jai’s increasing i the rain off and the clouds to return to norain the sun beamed down upon them "What is your problem?" she snapped

He exhaled heavily and Ari felt a prickle of worry when she spotted the dark circles under his eyes Watching him rub his hand familiarly over his short hair, she let her eyes wander before she could stop the forear in the sun Her eyes focused in on it That was new

Jai cleared his throat and she drew her gaze back to his He rubbed the ear stud self-consciously between his index finger and thuift I didn’t want to say no He ut with a bolt of pure lust, and right then she hated hi her feet uneasily That wasn’t really his fault though "It looks good" She smiled despite herself The stud was so small, it was barely even noticeable It was tasteful Still, she felt like teasing hienie of you"

"Yeah, that’s what I was afraid of"

"I proood," she reassured him and immediately wished the words hadn’t coone all low and… flirty? She felt blood rush into her cheeks again as his eyes darkened on her, a strange tension springing up between them as they stared wordlessly at one another Yes, her voice had gotten flirty Yes, Jai was once again reaze It was like his eyes were a fish hook All he needed to do noas reel her in

Reel hts could so easily have echoed into hisso at the space between the there and break the da herself up to be rejected again? He was in love with so her head, Ari let her eyes drop "What’s with the attitude? The rain?"

Jai’s face instantly changed, becoain as she reminded him why he’d come out here in the first place "It’s tily quiet and unsure "Honestly, this time"

Ari frowned at the word choice "Honestly?"

"Will you co up speed, Ari nodded, not liking the sound of this one bit She followed hireat care not to check out his butt in his worn blue jeans Her eyes travelled the width of his shoulders, however, feeling a pang of longing at the sight of his physical strength She wondered what it would be like to hug him She bet it felt wonderful Safe She wondered what it would be like to nuzzle her face into the crook of his warainst hi roo hi the longing ease out from her limbs (a much harder feat than she’d assumed), Ari sank down into the chair opposite and once she was sure she could stare at hi on?"

"There are consequences to ic"

His blunt response hed, looking uncoain He couldn’tyou, The Red King ordered ic In case you decided not to attempt to use it We needed you to use it Your dad needed you to use it"

Her pulse throbbed "Consequences? What consequences, Jai?"

"When you ht so about?"

"Jinnabout us -- has a balance The only ic truly our own, is that which helps us defend ourselves or aids others in their destiny We can create enchantments to protect us and anyone who happens to be with us e need protecting The Peripatos, like the defense, is part of us, as is flying and the telepathy Granting wishes, and creating paths for life journeys is so that’s also natural to Marids, Shaitans, and even so individual within their enetic make-up stuff so it’s free It’s e are The other stuff -- well, it can be powered by charms and talismans; that’s why sorcerers use them"

"The other stuff?" Ari asked between clenched teeth, suddenly hating where this was going