Kieran gently extracted his robe from Mozart's grasp, those silvery-blue eyes warming with amusement as the cat stalked off in a dudgeon. "Indeed. As you might imagine, we have extensive experience in such matters. Any wealth that manifests through wishes comes with a complete paper trail and legitimate source."
"So no Men in Black showing up at my door demanding to know where mystery money came from?" The mental image made her smile - she'd always loved those movies.
"No." His deep voice carried absolute certainty. "Whether through inheritance, investment returns, lottery winnings, or other means, the wealth would appear completely legitimate to any investigation. The documentation would be flawless, the timing natural, and all legal requirements, including taxes, satisfied."
Mandy nodded, impressed by the thoroughness. Of course ancient magical beings would have systems in place for this sort of thing. They'd had millennia to perfect their methods.
"That's actually really clever," she said. "I mean, even taxes. I hadn't thought about all the complications that could come from sudden wealth in modern times. Bank accounts, taxes, legal documentation..."
"The world has grown more complex," Kieran agreed, "but Djinn magic has adapted accordingly. We ensure our Wish Bearers' gifts don't create problems for the recipients. That would rather undermine the whole point, after all."
Mandy nodded and fell silent, sipping her tea. The spiced warmth spread through her chest as she watched Kieran's silvery-blue gaze travel around her living room, taking in the overflowing bookshelves, the cat trees positioned by the windows, and the park visible across the street. His presence filled her small space, yet somehow didn't feel intrusive anymore.
The afternoon sunlight streaming into her living room caught his silvery hair, creating that ethereal halo effect again. His stern features had softened into contemplation as he studied her surroundings. What did an ancient being think about modern apartments? Did he find her small space charming or chaotic? She pushed the questions aside, not wanting to interrupt whatever deep Djinn thoughts occupied his mind.
"Your questions are unusually thorough," Kieran's deep voice broke the comfortable silence. "Most of those granted wishes simply state their desires without considering the broader implications."
Heat crept up Mandy's neck at his observation. She set her glass down carefully. "My brain tends to generate contingency plans for my contingency plans. It's ADHD - makes me a decent writer, great for plotting complex storylines. Not so great for sleeping at night." She gestured vaguely at her head. "It's always busy in here. My brain sees loopholes everywhere, all the potential ways things could go wrong. I can't help analyzing every angle, every possibility."
"Take something basic like wishing not to hurt anymore - my mind starts dissecting it instantly. Would I actually still be hurting, but simply not feel it? That would mean I mightmiss important warning signs from my body, and I'd overlook crucial symptoms. Do I stop taking my nerve reliever medication because the pain is gone? Conversely, what if I still took them even though my pain was gone, on the basis that the physiological cause is still there, but it wasn't?"
Mandy gestured with one hand, shaking her head. "My thoughts spiral out of control, generating a… a spider web of endless possibilities until even the most straightforward desire turns into this massive, tangled mess."
Kieran's silvery-blue eyes fixed on her with that unnerving intensity that made her feel like he could see straight through to her soul.
"You fear making a mistake in the wording of your wishes." His deep voice filled her small living room, the simple statement cutting straight to the heart of her anxiety.
"Yes." A surge of relief went through Mandy as he indicated that he understood. "My brain won't stop showing me all the ways it could go wrong. It's not only the Monkey's Paw thing, either. It's like..." She searched for the right words to explain the chaos in her head. "Remember the story of King Midas? He wished for everything he touched to turn to gold, but didn't specify exceptions. He couldn't eat, couldn't drink, and when he hugged his daughter..." She shuddered. "That's what my brain does. It shows me every possible way my words could be twisted or misinterpreted, every potential consequence I might not have considered."
Kieran leaned forward, those silvery-blue eyes softening as they met Mandy's worried gaze.
"Let me explain something to you, that may set your mind at ease." His deep voice gentled, losing its earlier stern edge. "The purpose of a Wish Bearer is to manifest the true desires of those we serve. We are not tricksters seeking to twist words or corrupt intentions."
"In fact," he continued, "the more precise and detailed your wishes, the better I can shape the magic to achieve exactly what you desire." His lips curved slightly. "If you wish to present me with specifications worthy of a Scandinavian architect, I would consider it a gift. Such clarity makes the crafting of Wish magic both easier and more satisfying."
“Crafting the magic.” Mandy smiled suddenly, her heart warming. “That sounds so wonderful, special.”
“It can be.” He paused, tilting his head as he watched her. "What is your first wish?"
Mandy gulped.
“I… could I have a little more time?” she asked him, glancing up briefly to meet his gaze. “This is so huge, I can still barely even wrap my head around it.”
“I understand.” He rose to his feet, and he indicated the necklace she wore. "You know how to call me when you are ready."
Chapter
Ten
Mandy staredat her computer screen. After twenty minutes, she'd managed three words: "Chapter Twenty-Three: Revelations." The rest of her brain space had been consumed by thoughts of wishes, magic, and a certain silver-haired Djinn with impossibly blue eyes.
Bach sprawled across her desk, one paw dangerously close to the keyboard. She gently moved his fluffy appendage before he could add a string of random letters to her document. Mozart watched from his cat tree, probably plotting his next attack on Kieran's robes, should the Djinn prince return.
"Focus," she muttered to herself, pulling up her scene outline. Her protagonist was supposed to be discovering a vital clue about the mysterious artifacts, leading to the climactic revelation that would drive the final act of the story.
Instead, her mind kept spinning out wish scenarios. The pendant felt warm against her chest, a constant reminder of the magic now woven into her life. Three wishes. Three chances to change everything - or nothing. The responsibility weighed on her.
Even as she tried to bring her rebellious thoughts back to her manuscript, another part of her brain kept wandering to the wayKieran's stern features had transformed when he laughed, how his eyes had sparkled with centuries of mischief.
