The water lapped at her shoulders as she stood, her feet finding the bottom of the pool. The metal handrail felt sun-warmed against her palm as she gripped it, carefully navigating the steps. Her joints protested the return of gravity's pull, but the lingering effects of weightlessness made the transition easier than usual.
Water streamed from her swimsuit as she made her way to her lounge chair. She grabbed her towel, dabbing her face before wrapping it around her shoulders. The beads of water evaporated quickly from her skin in the desert heat. Her ivory cover-up slipped easily over her head, the flowing fabric settling comfortably around her.
The short walk back to her apartment took longer than the journey to the pool - her muscles had that pleasant fatigue that came from gentle exercise, but her back was already reminding her that gravity was not her friend. She kept a firm grip on her cane, focusing on maintaining her balance as she navigated the concrete path.
Mozart greeted her with an indignant meow, clearly upset that she'd had the audacity to leave him alone for an entire hour. Bach merely opened one eye from his spot on the recliner, acknowledging her return with his usual aristocratic dignity.
The familiar comfort of her apartment wrapped around Mandy as she headed straight for her bedroom, leaving damp footprints on the tile floor. She'd mop those up later - right now the scene burning in her mind demanded attention.
Shimmying out of her wet swimsuit, she dried off quickly and pulled on her favorite writing clothes - soft cotton pants and an oversized t-shirt that proclaimed: "Careful, or you'll end up in my novel."
Her fingers flew across the keyboard, bringing up her manuscript. The cursor no longer mocked her - now it danced across the screen, keeping pace with the words flowing from her imagination.
The scene unfolded exactly as she'd envisioned it by the pool, the atmosphere rich with tension and possibility. Her protagonist's fear and determination translated perfectly into words. This was why she wrote - for moments like these, when the story poured out effortlessly, when her characters came alive on the page.
Bach's purring nearby provided the perfect background music as she typed, the steady rhythm matching her creative flow. The afternoon sun slanted through her window, casting a warm glow across her workspace as she lost herself in her fictional world.
For now, thoughts of wishes and Djinn could wait. Her characters needed her full attention, and she was more than happy to give it to them.
Kieran materializedon the pool deck, his form invisible to mortal eyes. When Mandy entered the pool, the change in her was immediate and profound. The tension melted from her features as the water embraced her, accepting her into its depths. Her essence shifted, brightening with joy as she surrendered to the weightless embrace.
He moved closer, drawn by the transformation. In all his millennia, he'd rarely witnessed such a pure connection between human and element. The way she merged with the water reminded him of the ancient tales of water spirits, beings who existed in perfect harmony with their chosen realm. Her contentment as she floated on her back, face turned toward the sky, was clearly read on her face. Her thoughts, which until now had been constantly racing with possibilities and plans, grew quiet and peaceful.
He watched as that serenity gradually shifted, her mind beginning to weave stories once again. But unlike the frenetic energy of her earlier brainstorming, these thoughts flowed like the water that supported her - smooth, natural, unforced. Images of dark tunnels and ancient vampires formed in her imagination, as clear to his supernatural senses as if she were projecting them onto a screen.
Her creative process echoed how Djinn crafted their magic - taking ethereal thoughts and transforming them into something real and tangible. Her joy in the process radiated from her likeripples across the pool's surface. Here was a different kind of magic, one that required no wishes or supernatural intervention.
Kieran observed the precise moment when Mandy's creative energy crystallized. The scene forming in her mind gained clarity and momentum, like a spell reaching its peak resonance. Her essence blazed brighter, that familiar creative lightning crackling around her once more - but now it had direction and purpose.
She burst from her floating position with surprising speed, water cascading around her as she made her way to the pool steps. Her movements held an urgency that transcended her physical limitations. He recognized the fervor of the creator, the driving need to capture inspiration before it could fade.
Despite her careful grip on the handrail, her progress up the steps carried none of the hesitation from her earlier descent. She barely paused to wrap herself in her towel, her mind already racing ahead to her manuscript.
Her determination radiated from her like waves of heat as she gathered her belongings. The pendant swung against her chest, catching the sunlight. His vessel had adapted to her completely, its magic harmonizing with her natural energy in a way he'd rarely witnessed. Even now, it supported her urgency, lending her strength as she made her way back toward her apartment.
Kieran found himself following her, drawn by the pure creative force emanating from her being. Her pace, while still constrained by her physical needs, held a driving purpose. With each step, the story continued to build in her mind, bringing new details into focus. The vampire's lair grew more elaborate, the tension more palpable. Her protagonist's fear and determination twined together like perfectly balanced elements in a complex enchantment.
Kieran maintained his invisible presence outside Mandy's apartment when she entered, observing through the large front window as she worked at her computer. Her fingers flew across the keyboard with surprising speed.
He watched as Mandy's creative energy flowed through her fingers onto the screen, her essence blazing bright with pure joy in the act of creation. The sight stirred memories long buried beneath centuries of duty and protocol.
He remembered the first time he'd granted a wish - the wonder in the young girl's eyes as her simple desire for a garden bloomed into reality before her. The pure delight that had coursed through him as flowers burst from barren soil, their sweet fragrance filling the air, and watching her joy. Back then, he'd reveled in using his powers to bring such happiness.
When had he stopped finding pleasure in the magic? Somewhere between council meetings and diplomatic missions, enforcing ancient laws and maintaining the delicate balance between worlds, that spark of joy had become lost, overshadowed by more important things. And yet -werethey more important?
Jacinth, with her impulsive nature and generous heart, had seen what he'd forgotten. She'd recognized in Mandy someone who still possessed that childlike sense of wonder, that ability to find magic in everyday moments. Someone who could remind him of what he'd lost sight of.
Creative force emanated from the woman before him. Her imagination painted worlds as vivid as any Djinn magic, weaving stories that could transport readers to realms of possibility and wonder. She wielded words the way he wielded magic - with precision and purpose, yes, but also with unmistakable joy.
The realization settled over him like desert sunshine. Jacinth had been right. He'd allowed his responsibilities to overshadow everything else - forgotten why Djinn chose to become WishBearers in the first place. It wasn't just about maintaining balance or following protocols. It was about this - the pure delight of creation, the joy of bringing wonder into the world.
Not that he would ever admit it to Jacinth. She was already far too pleased with herself over this situation. But perhaps he owed her a debt of gratitude nonetheless. Through her meddling, she'd forced him to remember what it felt like to approach magic with enthusiasm rather than mere duty.
His blue fire danced within him, more active than it had been in decades, responding to Mandy's creative energy. Perhaps it was time to remember how to find joy in the magic again.
Kieran watched as Mandy's face lit up suddenly, a delighted laugh escaping as she read back something she'd written. The sound carried even through the glass, rich with genuine pleasure. Bach, who was curled on the cat tree in the corner of the room, lifted his head at the noise before settling back into his nap.
Mandy paused in her typing, resting her chin in her hand as she stared at the screen. Her brow furrowed in concentration, lips moving slightly as she tested different phrases silently. The creative energy around her didn't diminish during these contemplative moments - instead, it coalesced, gathering like storm clouds before lightning strikes.
