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Darkness, Kindled Sa 32580K 2023-08-31

"I know I don’t," Jai hed heavily "You know this is the only way"

He held out his hand "Let’s go"

With one last glance around the roo look into Jai’s eyes, Ari took her uncle’s hand and let hih the unbelievable roller coaster ride to Mount Qaf

Thankfully, Ari had beco the Peripatos, soride to another realrace and atteh she’d never before been hit by a e, thronelike chair by the fireplace in an elaborate parlor, Azazil alone e in a room with his six sons--Red, Glass, Lucky, Gilder, Shadow, and Glea was alet used to the thickened air She checked out the two Jinn kings she’d never iven her fro’s presence, Ari knew the tallest of the kings with the long golden hair was Gilder His energy, in particular, pulsated with power Ari was fascinated by his hair--each strand looked like real spun gold He eyed her dispassionately and she felt a shiver ripple down her spine Charlie had also told her Gilder thought she should have been eli after everything that happened in the last few days, his opinion had not wavered

The other king who drew her gaze was the Lucky King Despite the opti-looking king wore an expression so dour, Ari almost flinched when he lifted his wounded eyes to her

What a depressed-looking soul he was

"Ari, aren’t you brave," Azazila saccharine smile upon her "My sons aren’t particularly happy they’re holed up in ainst their natures to hide, you see, and they just so happen to blaulped and quickly glanced at the away from Asmodeus’s dark expression "You were the one who said yes"

There was a hter, his white silky hair shilittered as they calad you’ve developed so a pawn in a Jinn Sultan’s game will do that to a person"

"Ari," Red warned her under his breath

However, Azazil waved off her comment "Yes, yes We have all played a part in the realization of this situation we find ourselves in I said my sons blanoring Asraveyard, she was unable to commandof that sort Why do you think that is?"

"She’s the Seal It didn’t work on Asmodeus, and when he attempted to use it on led in its power that it no longer holds any over us"

As to be "

Deciding she didn’t have ti fire "We’re the only ones who can withstand her command It’s up to us to take her out"

As her"

Ari’s expression turned incredulous "Are you kidding rowled and Red automatically shifted closer to her, as did Glass Asmodeus curled his lip at them both "Like you could stop h" Her voice was cool, cal surprised looks from all of her uncles

"Asmodeus, listen to reason" She took a step toward hi him know she wouldn’t back down "I know she’s your sister I know that But Lilif is never going to change her ht not care about my world, but what about Mount Qaf? What about theto destroy?" Ari turned, i Azazil "You couldn’t kill her before because she was connected to too many threads in both worlds Well, she isn’t any ible connection she has to the worlds ood, I’ to take It’s been centuries, Your Highness, and it’s time to end this once and for all"

There was silence in the parlor and Ari was afraid every single one of the as the quiet stretched on and on Finally, Azazil nodded slowly, for once his expression entirely grave "You are right, Ari You are right"

"No," Asmodeus whirled on hilowered at his first lieutenant "There is no other way, As to help Ari kill her That’s an order"

With a roar of ie, Asmodeus was suddenly a blur across the room as he flew at Ari She found herself brushed aside, her hip landing hard against the tiled floor as she fell Eyes round with fear and shock, she looked up to see Red and Glass holding Asmodeus back

"Asmodeus, calm yourself," Azazil commanded

The lieutenant shot Ari one last vicious look before he breathed deep and stepped back, shrugging Red and Glass off him He held up a hand to warn the

Glass growled under his breath and then turned to Ari, holding a hand out to her She took it and as he helped her to her feet, he asked quietly, "How is Trey?"

She gave hi smile "He’s well" He misses you

At her telepath, Glass’s expression softened and she found herself sandwiched protectively between hi Ari disappear after Lilif with Asmodeus after that violent display toward her," Red said

Azazil shook his head, his eyes like ice chips as he turned to his oldest confidant "We need Ari to end this

If Asmodeus harms her before Lilif is taken out, I will personally destroy him"