me. ''Why did Ashan make you watch?''
His hands went still on the table. He didn't look up. ''Punishment,'' he said. ''I didn't have
permission to leave the Mother. She wasn't pleased. She-she can cut me off from her, and she
did it, to prove the point. That's why I didn't have the power to stop him.''
He'd disobeyed the Mother for me. I almost dropped the china cup, and it rattled when I
managed to get it back to the saucer. ''David-''
''If you're about to tell me that it was stupid, I already know,'' he said. ''But don't ask me to
promise not to do it again.''
''But-what did she want?''
''Djinn business.'' His tone made it clear that it wasn't any of mine. ''You wouldn't understand
even if I tried to explain.''
Because of me, David had already lost his status as the sole conduit for the Djinn; Ashan had
taken on responsibility for the Old Djinn. Now, if he wasn't careful, he'd lose everything. I felt
that knowledge stab deep, and lodge like a dagger of ice somewhere near my heart. ''I don't
think I'm worth it,'' I said slowly.
He raised his head, and the look in his eyes broke me. ''I think you are,'' he said. ''I think you're
worth far more. You've proven it to me so many times.''
I had to take a deep breath, or I'd have burst into tears. As it was, my voice trembled. ''David-
Ashan told me the risks. If we exchange vows, it could bind the New Djinn the way that
Jonathan's vow bound the Djinn in the first place. I could be responsible for enslaving you again.
All of you.'' I swallowed hard. ''I can't take that chance.''
''No?'' He smiled, but it was a bitter, dark thing, and it made me shiver. ''I can.''
''David-''
''I warned you. When Djinn fall in love, there's no middle ground. Our love is deep, and total,
and merciless. '' He regarded me for a long moment, and his hand closed around mine, far
gentler than the look in his eyes. ''You think I did this without considering the consequences?
Without considering the cost to my own people, and my responsibilities?''
''I-'' I finally shook my head. ''I don't know. I don't know how it is for Djinn, but where love
is involved, humans aren't usually that strong on logic.''
That made his smile warmer, more genuine. ''True enough for us as well. However, I believe
that the New Djinn need to stay close to humanity, and I believe this is an important step to
ensure that happens. You see? Logical. It also happens to be what I want to do. It's a risk, yes,
but it's a risk I think is acceptable. In addition, it's a way to force the Sentinels out in the open,
by forcing them to counter our move.'' He lifted my fingers to his mouth and kissed them, just a
light brush of lips. ''If you decide we can't go through with it, I'll abide by your decision.''
''But . . . what about the others?''
''The other New Djinn? I won't say there aren't a few who are doubtful, but by and large,
they're interested. Intrigued. It's possible that if we exchange vows, the Djinn could regain some
measure of the additional power they had under the old agreement with the Wardens-but still
retain their autonomy. As I said, we all consider it worth a try.''
''Especially since it's temporary,'' I said. ''Right? Till death do us part. Once I'm gone, the vow
is broken.''
Sadness softened the metallic glitter of his eyes. ''Yes,'' he said. ''Exactly. Unlike the
agreement Jonathan made, which was to a group, this is to an individual. But the Old Djinn still
don't want to take the risk. They're the more conservative force, and they worry about
consequences. About precedence.''
He was describing a lot more to me about Djinn politics than he ever had before, and I had to
admit, I was intrigued. ''The Mother said to let me fight my own battles, didn't she? That was
why she summoned you both in, you and Ashan. To lay down the law.''
''Yes.''
''Which you promptly broke by racing to my side.''
''Ashan broke it first,'' David pointed out. ''He came to kill you, and I have no doubt he'd have
done it. He didn't see you as worthy, not in any way, of what I'm offering.''
''Flattering.''
David shrugged. ''Ashan's not known for being overly fond of mortals, but if he was going to be
impressed by any human, it would probably be you.''
''Why? Because I didn't whimper and die?'' I shoved eggs around on my plate. I needed food,
but everything seemed distant, lacking any kind of attraction or urgency.
''Because he saw what I saw. He saw your strength, your power, your beauty.'' David paused,
studying me with an expression so tender that it melted my heart and gave me shivers. ''He saw
what I saw in your core, and it shook him. It shook all of them. You have a peculiar gift to make
Djinn feel. In a way, that makes you more dangerous than anyone they've ever known.''
''But less easy to kill, I hope.''
He tilted his head. No answer. I chewed eggs. They were good, I supposed. More importantly,
they were fuel for a body that had spent its reserves recklessly. My body fat was gone, and my
blood sugar in the negative numbers. David's infusion of energy last night had kept me alive
when my mortal flesh tried to shut down, but now it was up to me to get things back in order.
''The Sentinels,'' he said. ''Did you get anything from them? Anything that could help us?''
I dropped my fork and stared at him. ''I didn't tell you?''
''Tell me what?''
''Oh my God!'' Of course I hadn't. I'd been busy trying not to die, and then I'd been completely
consumed by the novelty of still being alive. Until he'd asked the question, the knowledge had
been lurking somewhere in the back of my mind, waiting for the right moment. ''I know where
he is! The-the anchor, the leader, whatever! Well, where he was, anyway.''
''Where?'' David was already up and on his feet, and looking more Djinn than he ought to.
''Where?''
I picked up my fork and gobbled down mouthfuls of egg as fast as I could, grimly intent on
getting my strength back. ''The Florida Keys,'' I said. ''Key West, or somewhere close to it. The
bastard is our neighbor.''
Chapter Nine
I rested for a couple of days. My appetite returned with a vengeance on the second day out from
the attack, and David was at first amused, then a little appalled at my lust for calories. ''Are you
sure that's wise?'' he asked when I opened up the fourth bag of barbecue chips. ''There's such a
thing as overdoing it. . . .''
I knew there was, but the food and the sleep were recharging my body, and I wanted to hasten
the process. Impatient, that was me. And scared. I knew the Sentinels now, in aetheric form if
not in actual physical shape. I knew how much power they were packing, and it was terrifying
indeed. I wanted my body back and balanced, fast.
I knew that bags of chips weren't the way to go, but they tasted so good.
David distracted me from the chips by proposing an outing: shopping. ''You,'' I said, gazing at
him approvingly, ''are getting to know me way too well.''
He raised his eyebrows. ''I plan to research you in the biblical sense later.''
''Mmmmm, maybe shopping can wait.'' Those words were a sign of just how much that
invitation really meant. I hardly ever delayed shopping.
''No. I want us out and visible,'' he said. ''If the Sentinels are watching, I want them to see that
you're alive, well, and strong. I don't think they'll try that again. You surprised them, and you
scared them.''
''I did?''