His silver-blue eyes darkened as he gazed down at her, that mask of control slipping just enough to reveal a heat that matched the desert beyond his realm. Time seemed to slow as he leaned forward, one hand coming up to cup her cheek. His touch felt impossibly warm against her skin, and she found herself leaning into it without conscious thought. Her breath caught as his lips brushed hers, the contact feather-light yet sending sparks of electricity through her entire body. Their magic surged in response, blue flames flickering at the edges of her vision for just a moment before he pulled away.
Before she could respond, he stepped back, his hand falling away. In a shimmer of blue flames, he vanished, leaving behind only a trace of desert wind and the lingering sensation of his kiss.
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
Arriving back home,the stuffy air of her closed-up apartment hit her with an almost physical force. After her time in Qaf's magical realm, these ordinary surroundings brought an unexpected flood of memories - not of the ethereal marble halls she'd just left, but of the sterile hospital room where she'd nearly died. The familiar scents of home, slightly musty from days without fresh air, felt overwhelmingly precious, a reminder of everything she'd thought she'd lost forever.
Here in her own living room, with the cats' climbing tree and her scattered manuscript pages, the contrast between her near-death and her miraculous salvation felt almost too much to bear.
Bach and Mozart had been off inspecting their home, presumably becoming reacquainted after their stay in Qaf, but now two streaks of orange and white fur shot around the corner from the hallway, and they skidded to a halt in front of her, their tails held high like exclamation points, meowing urgent greetings.
The sight of their beloved faces hit her like a physical blow as she flashed back to those awful last days in the hospital. She'd been certain she'd never see them again. Never hear Mozart's demanding yowl for attention or feel Bach's sandpapertongue grooming her fingers. Never watch them chase each other through the apartment or curl up together in their favorite window perch.
Her knees gave way as tears overwhelmed her. She sank to the floor, gathering both cats into her arms. They squirmed closer, purring thunderously as she buried her face in their soft fur. The familiar scent of home and cat shampoo and the slight mustiness of their favorite blanket made her cry harder.
"I thought-" She couldn't finish the sentence, her voice breaking as Mozart headbutted her chin insistently. Bach kneaded her shoulder, purring so hard his whole body vibrated.
"I thought I'd never see you again," she managed finally, her words muffled in Mozart's long fur. "My sweet boys. My precious babies."
The cats seemed determined to reassure her they were really there. Mozart draped himself across her lap while Bach climbed higher, settling around her shoulders like a furry scarf. Their combined purring filled the entryway with a soothing rumble as Mandy's tears gradually slowed.
Mandy wiped her eyes with trembling fingers, the cats' purring a comforting vibration. Being back in her apartment brought those final hospital days rushing back with devastating clarity - the burning agony in her lungs, each breath a desperate battle, the bone-deep exhaustion as her body fought a losing war against the virus.
She remembered the doctors' grave faces, their voices muffled behind protective gear as they discussed her deteriorating condition. The terrifying moments when she couldn't get enough air, panic clawing at her chest as the oxygen mask seemed to suffocate rather than help.
Worst had been the crushing loneliness. No visitors allowed in the COVID ward - just endless hours watching masked medical staff hurry past her door, too overwhelmed to stop formore than brief checks. She'd had her phone, but even thinking of trying to talk had become too exhausting. The thought of never seeing her family again, never hugging her daughter or grandchildren...
Mozart's rough tongue on her fingers pulled her back to the present. Bach's purring increased as he pressed his face against her tear-wet cheek. The familiar weight of their bodies anchored her, reminding her that she was home, she was alive - more than alive. She was Djinn now, with impossible magic flowing through her veins.
But the memory of those dark days still pressed against her chest, threatening to overwhelm her again. In Qaf, everything had seemed magical and distant, like a beautiful dream. Here in her own living room, with the cats' climbing tree and her scattered manuscript pages, the contrast between her near-death and her miraculous salvation felt almost too much to bear.
The fear and resignation she'd felt in the hospital, believing she was saying goodbye to everything she loved, crashed over her in waves.
An odd bump against her arm startled Mandy from her dark memories. She wiped her eyes with shaking fingers, blinking in surprise at the massive spotted form of Dinen beside her. The magical cat's blue flames flickered softly along his fur as he watched her with those impossibly wise eyes.
"Dinen? What are you doing here?" Her voice came out rough from crying.
Dinen nudged his nose against her hand, his whiskers tickling her palm. The gesture seemed deliberate, almost pointed. A half-laugh, half-sob escaped her as understanding dawned. She opened her hand, palm up, and called her own blue flame into being. The warmth spread through her fingers as the ethereal fire danced and swirled.
"Is that what you wanted to remind me of?" she asked softly.
The magical cat's rumbling purr of approval vibrated through the air, his own blue flames brightening in response to hers. Mozart and Bach watched the display with fascination, their own purrs never faltering as the magical fire cast dancing shadows across their fur.
Mandy reached out to scratch behind Dinen's ears, his blue flames warm against her fingers. "Thank you for reminding me. I promise I won't forget again." The magical cat's purr deepened, his spotted form stretching luxuriously under her touch.
Carefully setting Mozart and Bach on the floor - much to their displeasure - she made her way to the kitchen counter where her purse lay. Her hands trembled slightly as she pulled out her phone, checking the battery level - still at 85%. Good.
Her heart raced as she pulled up Sabrina's contact and pressed call.
"Mom! I was just about to call you. Are you home now from the hospital?"
Tears welled in Mandy's eyes at the sound of Sabrina's panicked voice, but she kept her tone deliberately light. "Yes, honey, I'm home. Sorry I didn't call right away, I've been, well, sleeping a lot."
She swiped at her eyes, grateful Sabrina couldn't see her face.
Sabrina's voice cracked with emotion. "Mom, I was so scared when the hospital called about the COVID. They said you were in critical condition! I was literally on the airline website about to book a flight to Tucson when your friend called."
