jinn 03 - vestige Read Free

he wants to leave, I want him to have that option.”
    Quintus gave me an incredulous look. “Why would he want to leave?”
    I rubbed my temples. “Because I ruined everything.”
    “What are you talking about?” he asked.
    I shook my head. “Nothing. It’s nothing. I just don’t want his or anyone’s sympathy right now.” I didn’t deserve it. I pulled out a pan and worked on making a grilled cheese sandwich for the girl, pretending I didn’t feel Quintus staring at my back.
    “Olivia, it’s not always about what you want.” The emotion in his near-whisper made my throat hurt, and tears threatened to spill over my lashes. His gentle hands turned me around. His own eyes were wet. Damn it. He had figured it out. “You should tell Holden.”
    “Tell him what?” I asked barely breathing.
    “That you’re dying.”
    I looked away.
    “I thought so,” he said softly.
     

 
     
    “When are you going to admit things are over with your little chickadee?” Sybil asked, trailing her finger along my jaw. “Love is such a prickly beast. It’s always best to avoid it, and when that isn’t possible? Kill it . Can I be there when you let her down? So smug.”
    I didn’t react because a reaction was exactly what she wanted. She wanted me to brush her away or to invite her closer. Both were equally tempting options, but for very different reasons. Neither were what I wanted, though. I wanted things to go back to the way they were, that short time when everything was perfect. It would have been better to never have experienced it, than to know it and lose it.
    I focused internally and let flames erupt over me—I was getting better at controlling it. Sybil jerked her hand away, fingers blistered. “We need captains. Thoughts?” I sat behind my desk, and though I’d never wanted to be back here, it felt right. I could control this.
    “Jinn are sheep. Don’t change too much and their behavior shouldn’t change,” Phoenix said, leaning against the wall. “So the flame thing . . . Am I going to be able to do that?”
    Regardless of whether or not it was easier for them not to change, they had to. We didn’t need to recruit souls anymore. In fact, there wasn’t even a way to make new jinn without an angel. If we didn’t change, we’d become an endangered species. We had too many enemies and not nearly enough resources. However, I had no idea how to direct them. Quintus said all the jinn were free. How was I supposed to even find them, let alone get them to follow me without the Seal? Fucking fuck fuck.
    I took a deep breath. This was why I needed Baker. “Bring in Elliot Roth, Hudson Collins, and Jakob Rossi.”
    Phoenix left and Sybil perched on the corner of my desk, pouting her lips in my direction. “As fun as all this is, torturing your girlfriend is much more enjoyable. I’m leaving.”
    “Leave her alone or I’ll fulfill my end of our bargain.”
    Sybil winked and leaned forward to kiss my cheek. “Why because you love her?” She rolled her eyes. “P.S., fulfilling your promise is hardly a threat. You’re slipping.” She swung her hips as she walked out, making the beads around her waist rattle.
    Phoenix returned with the jinn I requested. They were the most level headed of the jinn I knew and should be able to keep their shit together enough to help me out. When they all stood in front of my desk I looked up at them. “The four of you will report directly to me and the rest of the jinn will be divided into districts. We will divide North, South, East, and West. When we get downstairs, line up accordingly. You’re each in charge of your own district. Keep them controlled and afraid of retribution. We’ll make examples of a few, and then it should be easy enough to control the rest—at least for a while. If someone fucks up in your area, I’ll hold you responsible.”
    Phoenix smirked, Elliot (the youngest of them) looked dutifully frightened, Hudson crossed his arms over his barrel-like