Page 36 of The Void

Before she picked it up, she glanced at Lucas and he could tell that she knew it was from her brother before she even opened it.

He leaned closer and read over her shoulder.

“Hello, sister. I’d wager you were surprised at seeing me. I can only imagine what the elders told our parents about the day I disappeared. No doubt they assumed I was dead. I assure you, I’m very much alive. A war is coming to this realm. One that can only be stopped if you agree to meet me, alone, tonight when the three moons are directly overhead. I’ll be waiting at the base of the hills. Always, your brother.”

Mia narrowed her eyes and quickly folded the message.

“Have you read this?” Mia asked the general.

He nodded quickly. “Is it true?”

Mia stood suddenly, and Lucas stood up beside her.

“For now…” Mia glanced at him. “I need…” She shook her head and tears filled her eyes.

“We need time,” he jumped in. He took Mia’s hand and practically dragged her from the room.

When they were alone in their rooms again, Mia tossed her brother’s letter down on the bed and started pacing.

She stopped, then she waved her hands and what he assumed was a mimosa appeared in her hand. She downed the entire thing in one swallow and then said, “Screw it.” When she waved her hand again, a glass of amber liquid appeared and she downed it as well. “Want one?” she asked.

He shook his head. “No, I’m good.” He sat down and watched her pace and conjure another glass. This one, thankfully, she sipped.

“Shit, what do we do?” she asked as she walked.

“For starters, you shouldn’t meet him,” he answered easily. “Especially not alone.”

She stopped and glared at him. “Duh.” She rolled her eyes and he smiled.

“Okay, then we’re agreed?” he asked.

She stilled and crossed her arms over her chest. “Although, I can’t be responsible for the destruction of the city,” she said, biting her bottom lip.

He stood up and walked over to take her shoulders in his hands. “Mia, you aren’t.”

“Why does he want to meet me?” she asked suddenly.

He shrugged. “There isn’t any way that he could take the djinn powers from you is there?”

She frowned. “Not unless I die and…” She closed her eyes. “Maybe there’s something in the…” She groaned slightly. “In the cave.”

“What about it?” he asked.

Her eyes opened again. “When you were your furry self, you smelled someone trying to get into the cave…”

“You think it was your brother?” he asked. “What does the cave have in it that he would want?”

“Scrolls. The elders are the ones who know how to transfer the djinn powers to the next in line. There’s a ceremony and a song. I used to think it was just for show. Maybe there’s more to it. There has to be something in there that he wants. Maybe he thinks he can force me to help him get into the cave?” She was frowning again. “If he finds a way and kills me…” She shook her head. “The Lei I knew would never hurt me.” She glanced up at him. “We were close. For the short time he was there.”

“Okay, so is there any way to take the powers without killing the host?” he asked.

She shrugged. “I think we should go back to the cave.”

She ran her hand over herself and changed the long flowing dress into a pair of black pants, a shirt, and shoes. It was much like the outfit she’d worn the night before, only this time she had a black leather jacket on as well. Then she ran her hands over her long hair and sent the locks twisting up into a braid.

“Let’s go,” she started, but he stopped her.

“Think you can whip us up a coffee and some scones?”