“Being a pawn in a jinn sultan’s game will do that to a person.”
“Ari,” Red warned her under his breath.
However, Azazil waved off her comment. “Yes, yes. We have all played a part in the realization of this situation we find ourselves in. I said my sons blame you, not I. Why are you here?”
Steadfastly ignoring Asmodeus’s gaze, Ari replied, “When Lilif came to me in the graveyard, she was unable to command me.”
“Hmm,” Azazil nodded, “Red said something of that sort. Why do you think that is?”
“She’s the seal. It didn’t work on Asmodeus, and when he attempted to use it on me, it didn’t work, either. I think we became so entangled in its power that it no longer holds any over us.”
Asmodeus’s voice rumbled throughout the room. “I think I’m going to be most displeased with where this is going.”
Deciding she didn’t have time to be afraid, Ari’s gaze snapped to him, her eyes flashing fire. “We’re the only ones who can withstand her command. It’s up to us to take her out.”
Asmodeus took a threatening step toward her. “We’re not killing her.”
Ari’s expression turned incredulous. “Are you kidding me?”
“Do not push me, Ari,” he growled and Red automatically shifted closer to her, as did Glass. Asmodeus curled his lip at them both. “Like you could stop me,” he taunted.
“Enough.” Her voice was cool, calm and totally authoritative, drawing surprised looks from all of her uncles. “Asmodeus, listen to reason.” She took a step toward him now, letting him know she wouldn’t back down. “I know she’s your sister. I know that. But Lilif is never going to change her mind about destroying the realms. I know you might not care about my world, but what about Mount Qaf? What about the millions of jinn she is going to destroy?” Ari turned, imploring Azazil. “You couldn’t kill her before because she was connected to too many threads in both worlds. Well, she isn’t any more. If we kill her, whatever tangible connection she has to the worlds may cause some disruption. For the greater good, I’m afraid that’s a risk I’m willing to take. It’s been centuries, Your Highness, and it’s time to end this once and for all.”
There was silence in the parlor and Ari was afraid every single one of them could hear her heart escalating as the quiet stretched on and on. Finally, Azazil nodded slowly, for once his expression entirely grave. “You are right, Ari. You are right.”
“No,” Asmodeus whirled on him. “You cannot be serious?”
Azazil glowered at his first lieutenant. “There is no other way, Asmodeus. Lilif must die. And you are going to help Ari kill her. That’s an order.”
With a roar of impotent rage, Asmodeus was suddenly a blur across the room as he flew at Ari. She found herself brushed aside, her hip landing hard against the tiled floor as she fell. Eyes round with fear and shock, she looked up to see Red and Glass holding Asmodeus back.
“Asmodeus, calm yourself,” Azazil commanded. The lieutenant shot Ari one last vicious look before he breathed deep and stepped back, shrugging Red and Glass off him. He held up a hand to warn them off and backed up slowly, his expression quickly smoothing.
Glass growled under his breath and then turned to Ari, holding a hand out to her. She took it and as he helped her to her feet, he asked quietly, “How is Trey?”
She gave him a soft, trembling smile. “He’s well.” He misses you.
At her telepath, Glass’s expression softened and she found herself sandwiched protectively between him and Red. “I don’t feel particularly happy about letting Ari disappear after Lilif with Asmodeus after that violent display toward her,” Red said.
Azazil shook his head, his eyes like ice chips as he turned to his oldest confidant. “We need Ari to end this. If Asmodeus harms her before Lilif is taken out, I will personally destroy him.”
Shocked inhalations rounded the room and Asmodeus stiffened, his expression disbelieving. “You threaten me? You did this!” he sneered. “You allowed this foolish favor to happen and this is the consequence. You and she,” he pointed back at Ari, “did this.”
Azazil didn’t flinch. “And now you’re going to undo it.”
Finally realizing he had no other option, Asmodeus glanced back at Ari, disdain and disgust warring for supremacy in his eyes. “Well, do you have a brilliant plan or are you just all about the words these days?”
Ignoring his acidic attitude, Ari nodded. “First we have to get her on her own—no jinn around her that she can command to distract us.” She took a deep breath. “I think you should be the one to do it. Despite everything, Lilif won’t … she won’t be expecting …”
“She won’t be expecting me to betray her,” he finished, his voice quiet and full of anguish.