Burned (A Magic Bullet Novel Book 1) Read Free Page B

trapped in your young, hot bod," Farah said. "Could've been worse."
    I thought of the older look I sported as Evelyn Markham less than twenty-four hours ago. "Good point."
    "You should call Mix," Farah suggested. Jeremy Mix was a friend of ours, a Jann. He, Farah and I were inseparable when I lived here. "He's so deep into tech now, he could probably find your guy in a few key strokes."
    "I don't think Mix's skills could have developed that much."
    "See for yourself. He's working over on Eighteenth and Market."
    My eyes bugged. "Working? Mix has a job?" The Mix I knew preferred his basement lair with five screens and every game console known to man.
    Farah pursed her red lips. "He was encouraged to get out in the world. His caste mentor said it was time to fly the basement coop."
    "What's he doing?" I couldn't imagine Mix in a suit, interacting with humans on a daily basis. Too weird.
    "IT for a law firm."
    I laughed. At least he didn't have to wear a suit. "So I guess a lot has changed since I've been gone."
    Farah's brown eyes sparkled. "You have no idea. He even has a girlfriend. A human one."
    Now that was a genuine miracle. Mix was too shy to look at his own reflection in the mirror. "Does she know what he is?"
    Most humans don't have a clue about our existence. They aren't in tune enough to their environment to sense our presence. We're generally invisible to humans unless we choose to be seen or the human has a Third Eye, otherwise known as the Sight. Those humans who do know tend to keep quiet about it. No human wants to look crazy or risk pissing off a djinni. Even the lowest of our kind have more power and ability than a human could dream of.
    "Paulette knows. She has a Third Eye." Farah inclined her head, thinking. "Reminds me of Mix, actually. They're like bookends."
    I made a gagging sound. "Sounds adorable. Do they work together?"
    "No, she's a secretary somewhere else. They met at Starbucks. He accidentally picked up her caramel macchiato."
    "That's incredibly..." I searched for the right word. "Normal."
    "I know, right? Do you need a place to crash? You know I have plenty of space upstairs." Farah lived in the apartment above her store.
    "If you don't mind." The apartment was spacious enough that I knew we wouldn't be on top of each other. "It's only temporary." I wasn't interested in a new role as the resident charity case.
    "You know I don't mind, but you're nuts. If I were a member of the ruling caste, I'd make sure they had me living in luxury."
    "No, you wouldn't. You'd hate feeling beholden to them as much as I did." I tapped one of my cuffs. "Besides, I can't possibly go to court like this. They'll disown me."
    My caste prided itself on its high achievers. They didn't like to be associated with those deemed undesirable or unworthy.
    "Perfect. Isn't that what you always wanted?" Farah stood and stretched her legs. "None of my clothes will fit you, but you're welcome to grab something from here." She gestured toward the store.
    Unfortunately, Farah couldn't summon clothes for me. A Hinn's summoning skills weren't as developed as a Marid's.
    My eyes took in the variety of leather and lace and exposed nipples. "That's okay. I'm good for now. What I really need is a weapon." I felt more naked than the mannequins without my powers.
    Farah gave me a sympathetic look. "Wow. When's the last time you had to physically carry a weapon?"
    "Academy, I guess." Hopefully my years of training would kick in, like muscle memory. "Know any local dealers?"
    Farah broke into a broad smile. "Did I mention that Mix isn't the only one who's made professional changes? Follow me."
    She strode into the dressing room area and opened the second door on the left. "Come on, girl. Prepare your oh face because you're about to erupt."
    I followed her through the looking glass. Okay, technically she hit a button and the mirror slid inside the wall.
    I stepped inside the secret room and gasped. I was so not prepared for this.
    "Gods and