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Oriz stalked toward me, sword in hand, menace in his gaze. The end of my tether didn’t take long to reach. He snared the chain and pulled, yanking me toward him.
I clutched the chain attached to my neck, my fingers useless against the forged links. I had nothing else to do because I had no potions. No knife. Nothing but myself.
And my magic. Which I wasn’t sure how to use without my recipes. I only had to think of Daksh to recall the potions were just a method of delivery.
It was intent that counted. And maybe a little divine help.
Goddess, let this chain turn limp, limp like an overcooked noodle.In my head, I really focused—
Oriz cried out as he dropped the chain to wipe his hands on his britches. “What did you do?”
“You don’t get to decide my fate.” I grabbed the chain, now rubbery and soft. It tore easily from my neck. I did the one tying my hands together next.
A wary Oriz remained out of reach, showing a healthier respect for me. “Being difficult won’t change what’s going to happen. You should be thanking me for the honor of becoming the vessel.”
That had an ominous ring. “Vessel for what?”
“Zuun.”
I blinked. “As in the ifrit from the song?”
“I found Zuun,” Oriz insisted. He pointed at the fountain. “When I was tossed from my village for seducing the wrong daughter, I went wandering in the desert following the voice in my dreams. A voice I found at the bottom of the well.”
“What are you talking about?” I couldn’t contain my scorn. “Ifrits aren’t real.”
“Oh yes they are, but we haven’t seen them in a long, long time, centuries ago, because they went to war with each other. But before they annihilated themselves, once upon a time, the Ifrit commanded all the Jewels. Zuun ruled over the Seventh. But he wanted to be first. And so he set out to conquer his brothers one by one.”
“He killed his own family?”
“They were in his way. He conquered them all, one by one, removing any who defied him. He was on his way to ruling all Ulkruuba when the unthinkable happened. He was vanquished by ungrateful humans.” A moue of distaste curved his mouth.
“Um, you’re a human,” I pointed out, circling away from him and closer to the fountain, curious despite myself. Could any of Oriz’s story be true?
“Only partially human. I’m descended from Zuun.”
“How do you know this?” I asked. “The histories don’t mention ifrit other than to claim they are a child’s tale.”
“Because our people wiped all trace of the ifrit from our annals. But Zuun showed me the splendors he used to enjoy.” Oriz’s gaze glazed over as if he remembered. “The power… He was destined to be king of the entire world.” Oriz giggled. Uncanny, especially as he added, “Guess he’ll soon have to settle for being queen, which suits me perfectly. I wonder if we can produce an heir or two. After all, we’ll need regents for when we begin conquering beyond our current borders. Although we’ll have to make sure you’re not carrying anyone’s brat first. I wonder if a piece of Zuun will pass on to the baby once he’s taken over your entire body.”
The chill of all chills froze me. What he implied… I didn’t want my body invaded. “Why not use your own carcass for the ifrit?”
“Because Zuun isn’t a passenger. He, soon to be she”—his wink sickened—“takes over the mind along with the body. Having him possess you is a much better option.”
“For you,” I muttered. It occurred to me I’d have to kill him. Which meant getting close enough I could act. “So what is the ifrit if it can take over bodies? Smoke? Bug?” I thought of those leeches that clung and sucked until pried off.
“When Zuun lacks a body, he appears as an orange jewel. The flame in its depth is like a pulsing heart. You can feel the power oozing from it. Affecting those that come in close contact.”
I made a leap of logic. “Zuun made the monsters?”
“Yes. Side effect of his magic leaking into the area. It affects living things.”
“You don’t look like a monster.” On the outside.
“Because I know how to repel stray magic.” Oriz tapped his chest and a talisman resting upon it.
“Why would you want to help Zuun? I’m going to wager he was put down there for a reason.” If the humans rebelled, I could only imagine what kind of master he’d been.
“Zuun will make me the most powerful man in the desert.”
