10. Cadmus

I stared at the taillights of Ellie's car through the window of her living room. She could say what she wanted, but the stubborn woman was running away. I curled my fist and forcibly withdrew the energy suddenly shaking the small apartment.

Breathing deeply, I retreated into myself, trying to understand how the best sex of my life had ended so badly.

Last night had been a dream come true. I'd finally had Ellie Markham in my arms, where she belonged. Waking up to find her wrapped around me in bed, I'd been helpless to deny taking her all over again. Like a fever heating my blood, she made me burn. Echoes of discord faded when I held her close, joining her in incredible climax.

But when she'd shot out of bed, leaving me alone and wanting, I'd known she hadn't felt the same peace I had. What had I done to put that distress in her eyes? I knew for a fact she'd felt the same desire, the same rapture I had. Ellie was not a quiet lover. I liked the passion within my lovely Djinn. But recalling her wounded look in the shower, my enthusiasm dimmed.

Hurt and worried that I'd ruined something beautiful between us without knowing what I'd done, I sought refuge in anger. Trust a woman to muck up outstanding sex. No doubt Ellie was throwing conspiracies and evil motives my way. As if making love to the most desirable woman I'd ever met was a means to some nefarious end.

Did she really intend to visit her mother this morning, or had she lied to escape me? I swore and ran my fingers through my damp hair then dressed in rumpled jeans and an Outpour T-shirt. After making a pot of coffee, I stepped out onto her small balcony and inhaled the rich scent of earth, thriving pansies and burgeoning bulbs beginning to prosper in Seattle's rich soil.

A faint vibration shook the air, an arch of danger mixing with a spreading Darkness I recognized. I turned around to see Jonas suddenly appear in the middle of Ellie's living room.

"Ever heard of knocking?"

Jonas scowled. "Made yourself right at home, I see."

The Djinn wore a dark brown vest and trousers, his powerful build showcased by the formfitting clothing. Deep gouges marred his left shoulder, a smattering of blood covered his temple, and a bruise lingered at the edge of his mouth.

"Been brawling again?"

"The wraiths really don't like you Storm Lords. Or anyone bent on helping you."

"Why are you helping us?" I watched Jonas like a hawk. "You've been feeding me that ‘it's best for everyone' crap for over a month. Tell me the truth, Jonas." A sudden vision hit me as I stared at the Djinn. But unlike the other visions I'd had, this one brought no pain, only confusing possibilities.

The Djinn in Tanselm. Dark brethren grouping in what looked like the northern lands. Someone spoke to the gathering, where Light Bringers and Djinn stood together, uneasy, yet…accepting?

Lightning flashed, and Sin Garu appeared. His mouth gaped wide, sharp teeth and curled talons threatening as he flew over an Ellie I had never seen before. A woman with a queen's bearing, wearing flowing robes of brown, who suddenly flamed in truth.

I rubbed my temples.

Jonas poked me in the shoulder. "What?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing, hmm?"

"Just a headache from trying to figure out what the hell you're doing here so soon on the heels of Ethim il Ruethe's visit."

Jonas stilled. "Ethim was here? When?"

"Last night." I watched Jonas puzzle over the matter. "Problem?"

"No. What did he say, exactly?"

Perhaps Jonas could shed some light on Ellie's strained relationship with her father. "He seemed to want to help Ellie with some problems concerning her schooling. But she didn't look happy to see him."

"She wouldn't be. Stubborn woman."

"Why wouldn't she want to see her father?"

"That's really her business, isn't it?"

"It's mine while I'm here. I trust her judgement. And if she'd not comfortable with Ethim, perhaps I should take a second look at the man. Could he be a part of Sin Garu's schemes?"

Honestly, I didn't think Ethim il Ruethe had anything to do with Sin Garu. From what I'd seen of the Djinn leader in my brief stint on Foreia, Ethim regarded Sin Garu as the lowest form of life. But I wanted to know more about Ellie, and I doubted Jonas would tell me anything by simply asking.

Jonas sighed and sank onto the couch, rubbing his shoulder. "Ethim has nothing to do with the Dark Lord. He and Ellie have never had what you'd call an easy relationship. Ethim has responsibilities that take him from this plane often."

"So what? He refused to take her with him?"

"Her mother wouldn't allow him to."

Surprised, I shut up and listened.

"Ethim and Amanda, Ellie's mom, had a falling-out nearly thirty years ago. She's yet to forgive him. And, in her quest to punish him, she pulled Ellie into the middle."

"That's not right." I felt anger on Ellie's behalf, surprised at the depth of it.

"No, it's not. But I do agree with Amanda's decision to raise Ellie here. Being with Ethim would only have put her in danger she's not ready to face."

"Because she's not a true Djinn?"

Jonas shook his head. "Because she won't accept she's a true Djinn. In our culture, blood doesn't tell all. Ellie's half human, but it's her magic — her soul — that determines her course in life. The stubborn woman is gifted with great powers of Darkness, powers she refuses to acknowledge."

"I still don't get it. She's Djinn. What more is there to acknowledge?"

"Don't be so dense."

I scowled.

As usual, Jonas ignored my irritation. "Being a Storm Lord is much more than simply being born a Light Bringer, right?"

I reluctantly nodded.

"You had to accept your elemental nature, to allow it to build and grow within so you'd be able to skewer as many creatures of Dark and Shadow as you possibly can," Jonas finished caustically.

I flipped him my middle finger, as I'd seen many mundane citizens insult one another.

He smirked. "Real creative of you. But you get my point?"

"I suppose. I still don't see why Ellie wouldn't simply embrace her heritage if it meant becoming closer to her father."

Hell, I had done everything in my power to prove himself worthy to my father, a man I would forever love and respect. Faustus Storm had rewarded me in so many ways. Trips into the forest, surrounding his son with Tanselm's rich earth and hearty magic. Our treasured times together, just Faustus and me, apart from my brothers, where Dad and I would joke and pull pranks against the rest of our tight-knit family.

"I think perhaps your growing years were different than Ellie's," Jonas said quietly. "Even mine was filled with a closeness I've yet to rediscover among the humans. Don't get me wrong, Amanda is a very loving mother. But her strained relationship with Ethim soured Ellie in a lot of respects."

I nodded, understanding more about Ellie. I wanted to comfort her for what I couldn't change. Wary of my deepening feelings, I shied away from the notion of growing affection and changed the subject.

"Okay, so Ethim isn't a bad guy. Fine. So what are you doing here? Did you miss me, Jonas?"

Jonas pinched the bridge of my nose as if seeking patience, and I couldn't help but chuckle. I might be on the outs with the woman of my dreams, but I could get under Jonas' skin. That had to count for something.