26. Boshun

We stood in the hall, listening for a long time, but hearing nothing. Holding hands, we hurried down the corridor and peered around the corner. We still heard no sounds, and we found no evidence anyone was around, but someone had locked the storage room door from the outside.

Cardia's office appeared like we'd left it, including the broken panel.

We took the stairs as quickly and quietly as we could, then poked our heads out into the hallway below. When we didn't hear or see anyone, we hurried to the back door.

Outside, we bolted to where we'd left the carriage. Once we'd settled on the cushions, I tapped on the roof to tell the driver it was time to return to the castle.

Only when we were safely inside Jasmine's room did I release the air I'd held in my lungs.

We sagged onto the bed, lying side by side, staring at the canopy overhead.

"I don't think I'm made for a career of theft." Sitting, she looked down at me. "I was a wreck in the treasure room, a wreck inside Cardia's office, and I'm still a wreck, because it seems like we're no further ahead than we were before we left my room." She glanced toward the clock. "And I only have half an hour left before I need to make my second wish."

"We've got these." I held up the books.

"Cross your fingers we'll find something helpful inside them."

I sat up, and we moved to lean against the headboard, her on my lap and each of us with one of the two books open. We were soon sorting through the pages.

"This might work," Jasmine said when I'd pretty much given up. The second book, Advanced Spellcasting, hadn't yielded anything I thought we could use to break Cardia's spell either. Jasmine read aloud. "A genie can only be freed if another is willing to take their place. I could become the genie."

"Don't even suggest doing something like that," I barked. "I'll remain a genie forever rather than trap you inside the lamp in my place."

"I don't want to be one, but don't you see?" She looked up at me with complete love in her eyes. "I'd do it to free you. I hate that you have to live like that."

"You saw my room. My gym. It's not complete torture."

"A pretty cage is still a cage if you're not free to come and go as you please." She huffed. "Besides, you'd sacrifice yourself for me."

I would in a flash. "Please don't ask for that."

"I'm not sure I can, though the book indicates it might be possible. I wonder if anyone has ever tried."

"Not in my memory, but there must be other lamps if there are rules."

We switched books, poring through the contents.

I also watched the minutes tick down on the clock.

"Three left," I finally said.

"Just in time." She tapped the open page of the spellcasting book. "There's a spell we're going to try before I ask for my wish."

"You know I don't have magic." It still hadn't returned.

"Not yet but wait." Lifting her finger, she grinned my way. "I wish . . ."

Power jolted through me in preparation for granting her wish. I hoped that hadn't left me as well.

Her smiled wavered. "I wish I could have the powers of a witch."