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"No, that was a gesture of good will"

He smirked "If your favor then is for the sorcerer … I cannot save him if he kills the Labartu I am sorry That is out of my hands"

Dammit Ari forced down her helpless tears They were of no use to her here "Fine But I still want a favor if I survive And I want your oath that you’ll give aze at Asain, as if he almost … respected her in that moment

And as she turned to find Azazil’s answer, she saas s himself irant you a favor, if it is within my power to do so"

"Done"

As down into her chest before Ari had even blinked Shocked agony tore through Ari as his dark eyes bored into her pleading ones I am sorry, his voice whispered inside her head Or had she just iined it?

It ith relief that his fist withdrew froers They uncurled slowly, and the throbbing ball of e Ari saw before the sweet relief of dying pain swept her away on its tides …

Ari clawed her way through the dark and forced her eyes open

Her hand automatically searched her chest for the pain

Just a memory She closed her eyes in relief until she remembered Michael had arrested Charlie

Charlie was going to die

And Pazuzu was still out there, plotting and planning to destroy her and the people she loved He ht not be the only one Some Jinn still assumed she was the Seal …

No, Ari, her subconscious whispered

No? She opened her eyes again, her hand still on her chest

The favor

Of course She bolted upright Azazil owed her a favor Suddenly, the ies from her dreams filtered back to her until the last one danced in front of her eyes, taunting her It was the one of her dad, Derek, standing outside their ho her how to throw a punch properly

An idea started for, an idea that caused her heart to race and her blood to rush Ari threw back her covers and got out of bed, steadying herself on shaking legs It was risky It was possibly i And Azazil did owe her a favor

This would be one helluva favor

But Ari needed to do it

As Shakespeare once said, "It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves"

9

Unravel Me

Ari dressed quickly and quietly Now that her decision was made, she needed to move fast Who kne little ti out of her room, Ari froze in the hallway, ears pricked as she listened to the house It was dark out here and down the stairs, suggesting everyone had gone to bed Closing her eyes, Ari let her y, seeking others It wasn’t long before she encountered the fa he was sleeping in his own roo of eratitude and love, echoed in her chest Ari pulled back her energy fro her feelers out again, Ari discovered a presence she’d been hoping was hanging out at the house On silent feet, Ari headed down the hallway to Trey’s roo for any sound

Nothing

Trey? Are you in there?

A beat later … Ari?

His bedroo in boxer shorts, his hair aback sleep "You--"

Don’t speak!

She held up a hand and glanced down the hall to Jai’s roo, and he’d crossed his arms over his lean, athletic torso in a "I’ht now" kind of way Can I speak toon? What don’t you want Jai to hear?

Trey, Glass I want to speak to Glass

Before Trey could answer, a large hand appeared above Trey’s on the door and pushed it open Glass towered above a very tall Trey, his long cerulean hair loose down his bare back For a orgeous ether, and she had to shake her head Priorities, Ari! Priorities!

Ari, what is it?

Glass telepathed, his tone as grave as his expression

Ari braced herself I need you to take ave her a sharp, curious look but unlike Red, he didn’t question her All right Now?

Please

Very well He looked back at Trey and touched his cheek tenderly Whatever passed between thelower and he turned to Ari

What the hell is going on?

She grabbed his hand and squeezed it tight Trust me, okay And please … don’t wake up Jai This will all be over soon and I’ll be back

Trey looked unsure He’ll killto stop this

Nothing will happen to me Glass will take care ofto believe her She could tell by the way the lovers gazed into one another’s eyes that they were having a telepathic conversation It ended with Glass giving Trey a s to Ari he had pro At that, Trey pressed a kiss to the corner of Glass’sembrace Be careful

"When randdaughter, for myself somewhat surprised" Azazil s