“Wanna bet I can drive any woman wild without fail?” The girl flashed a playful smile, stretching seductively, clearly hoping for more. But in a minute, she’ll forget all about me, just as I’ll forget her. I don’t bother remembering the names of my playthings, and I never see the same one twice. For the past few years, I’ve been picking my lovers from among ordinary humans. The underworld has grown unbearably dull, but up here, at least, I can still have some fun and let loose. I usually hook them at a bar—easy enough, they all fall for my looks. I spend the night indulging, then vanish by morning, only partially sating my hunger. Because you can’t truly satisfy yourself with empty shells, with hollow words and fleeting touches. …There’s only one woman who could ever fulfill me, but by fate’s cruel design, she’s out of my reach. And that drives me up the wall—because for a djinn, nothing should be impossible!
“No need to bet, sweetheart, it’s a fact. I can drive any woman crazy, but I’m cursed to love only one,” I say as I dress unhurriedly, invisible runes already tracing a “door” in the air for me.
“You’ve got so many tattoos, you’re practically covered in them,” the beauty purrs, crawling closer, trying to snatch my shirt. “What does this one on your chest mean?”
“The darkness that churns inside me,” I mutter, frowning as I pry her fingers loose. What a clingy little pest—better if she were fast asleep, dead to the world, so I could slip away in peace.
“You’re so mysterious, and your name is so strange.”
“I was mysterious as a kid. Now, I’m downright dangerous,” I reply, flicking my fingers in front of her face. A few simple gestures, and the naked girl is out cold. I dissolve into thin air, stepping through a spatial rift, and within a minute, I’m striding down the corridor of my castle.
“Your Majesty, right on time,” Tid drawls, peeling himself lazily from the wall with a mock bow. He’s my eyes and ears in the underworld. I call him my three-in-one: friend, advisor, and tracker. Though friendship, like love, is always a dangerous game for djinn.
“I’m always on time,” I grumble back.
“You’re gonna love how juicy my news is,” he says, a grin spreading across his face, a blue spark glinting in his eyes.
“Damn it, Tid, are you in the mood to drag this out and get a smack for it? What’s with the suspense? I’ve only been gone a night!”
“We’ve got visitors. Word is, two very special ladies have been spotted on djinn territory, heading straight for Hagar Castle, eager to admire the cradle of our kind.”
“Since when is my home a museum? No one gets in!”
“And if it’s Alexandra?” Tid shoots back, relishing my reaction. “See, you’re already breaking a sweat.”
“What the hell is she doing here?” I clench my fists, trying to keep my cool. “You said ladies, plural. Who’s with her?”
“Yep, Charlotte Corwin. Get this—no escort, no guards, no men. They’ve completely lost their sense of self-preservation. Should I bring them to you?” He smirks, the bastard, knowing full well my obsession, my craving, how I’m utterly fixated on this woman who once granted me my freedom.
“Enough with the grins. I haven’t decided yet. Give them a tour, obviously only showing what they’re allowed to see. If I deem it necessary, I’ll show up myself!” I shove open a door and disappear into my chambers, a room where even Tid is forbidden to enter under penalty of death.
So, you’re here, Alexandra. What’s brought you to see me after all these years? Curiosity? Boredom? Or do you actually miss me? Too bold, too fearless for your own good? Think just because your husband rules over demons, you’ve got nothing to fear? Djinn territory is a land of freedom—we don’t bow to dark lords. What worries me more is our bond. What if it reignites?
When she’s this close, I can feel her so vividly, as if I’m standing right behind her. Her scent, her warmth, the beat of her heart, the imprint of every touch and smile. My castle absorbs her essence, and she flows into my veins. I know I won’t be able to hold back...
Tid had just led them into the Hall of Glory when I silently appeared behind them.
“Take a look at the poses of these statues,” Tid says, loving to charm women with his chatter. He’s clearly enjoying his role as tour guide. “This composition captures a pivotal moment of battle. Do you know what the djinn were fighting for?”
“Were they trying to reclaim their territory?” Charlotte ventures, while Alexandra tilts her head back to study the intricate ceiling carvings.
“Since the dawn of time, djinn have fought for the right to be free,” I say calmly from behind them. Alexandra tenses like a taut string but doesn’t turn around. She’s gathering her courage. “Yet not all of us are granted that luxury even now. Djinn are hunted, some held captive, their lives traded for petty desires. So, our power comes with its vulnerabilities. Hello, Alexandra. Charlotte, good to see you.” The wife of the shadow lord regards me with curiosity, while my obsession finally turns to face me, her expression laced with apprehension.
“Hello, Shaganar,” she says with a shrug, as if apologizing for intruding. “You haven’t changed a bit on the outside. Except maybe the long hair and beard. It suits you, by the way.”
“I appreciate the compliment. Djinn live a damn long time, so I’m still in my prime. And considering I’ve got the genes of other dark races mixed in, I’ll never age. Don’t be too jealous, ladies. You’re both still quite the eye candy,” I say with a cocky grin, my piercing blue eyes locked on Alexandra.
“As always, your charm comes with a sharp edge,” she says, shaking her head. “Are we unwelcome guests?”
“Depends on how you look at it. I’m guessing your husbands don’t know about this little escapade? I’d rather not start another brawl with demons and warlocks. Though a good scrap wouldn’t hurt, right, Tid? Tid, be a gentleman—if that’s even possible—and show Lady Charlotte the Rune Hall.”
“I’m not going anywhere without Alexandra,” Charlotte declares boldly, glancing at the now-silent princess.
“It’s fine, Charlotte, don’t worry about me. Shaganar and I will just have a little chat, reminisce about old times one-on-one. He knows how to be polite. Don’t you?” She shoots me a pointed look.
“I’m the picture of courtesy,” I grit through clenched teeth, watching Tid and Charlotte walk off. “Why are you here, Alex? Seraphim will lose it when he finds out you came to see me. Do demons still punish disobedient wives, or have you broken him of that nasty habit?”
“Did we part as enemies? Djinn are still our allies. Why are you so prickly? What have I done to offend you?” She peers into my soul with those troubled gray eyes. Oh, darling, you’re pushing me over the edge!
“Don’t play dumb—you’re far too clever for that. Of course, we’re not enemies, Alex. We’re something more. You accidentally freed me from the pit those dark bastards threw me into, the ones who still fear and hate me. Your husband included, by the way. You brought me back to life, and your blood fuels my boundless strength. That’s why Seraphim helped me reclaim my lands—on the condition I stay far away from you. The spell I cast eighteen years ago has worn thin. I bet you can hear the whisper of our bond now, just as I feel the thirst. And it’s not just for a drop of your blood—it’s for your touch, for the chance to see and hear you. You know full well you’re the only woman I’ve ever wanted, and despite that… you still came.” I edge closer, and she instinctively steps back. “Or is this your way of getting your husband’s attention? Has he grown tired of playing the loving spouse?”
“Stop it, Anar! You know what I had with Seraphim was real!” She backs into a column, already sensing I’ll close the distance.
“Was? Past tense already, firefly?” I grab her wrist, pinning her hands down as I press my body against hers. “Well, hello there. Once, I could only touch you fleetingly, but now, I might just say to hell with the deal I made with your husband and finally kiss you…”
Alexandra
“I’ve got a feeling this stunt of yours will be our downfall,” I mutter, holding my breath as I step through the spatial rift. The only way into djinn territory is through the checkpoint at the gate. Shaganar made sure not even an unaccounted-for mouse could slip through. And as everyone knows, djinn aren’t exactly the welcoming type—suspicious, cunning, with tongues that spit out sarcastic quips like it’s their job. Lovers of dark humor, curse them!
“Well, well, who do we have here?” One of the gate guards eyes us with a smug grin.
“You know who I am. You can feel it. Can we skip the theatrics?” I snap, nerves already fraying, and he senses that too.
“No can do. They’ll have my hide if I don’t follow protocol. I’ve got to log everything, fill out the ledger. Reason for visit? How long are you staying? Who are you here to see—er, I mean, grace with your presence?”
“What’s next, a pat-down? A full-body search?” I retort. With him, I wouldn’t put it past him to cop a feel just for kicks—djinn arrogance knows no bounds.
“Dream on, ladies. No one’s laying a hand on you. But you’ll have to wear these bracelets to keep you from using magic for any shady purposes,” he sneers, holding out rune-etched bands.
“And what about self-defense?” I’m itching to grab him and give him a good shake.
“Nothing to worry about here. Just don’t wander into Ada’s Bar—the beer there’s worse than any laxative. So, reason for visit?”
“We’d like to see Hagar Castle,” Charlotte says calmly. “Isn’t it the main attraction in Shermor?”
“Sure, it’s a nice little place. Though if you ask me, the real gem of Shermor is the strip club by Witch’s Hollow. But to each their own. If you ladies feel like popping in, there’s plenty to ogle there too. Welcome! Word’s already been sent up the chain. It’s a twenty-three-kilometer trek to the castle, but it’s faster on horseback.”
“Horses? What, no broomsticks? Are you serious?” I can’t hold back. “This is ridiculous! You’ve got strip clubs, but you’re still riding horses? Are you messing with us?”
“Maybe just a little,” he grins, nodding toward the horses. Probably rounded them up just for us.
“Relax, don’t be such a porcupine,” Charlotte chuckles. “What’s the harm? We’ll ride, take in the scenery. I had no idea it was so green here. Is it true djinn don’t like water?”
“True. Rivers are tolerable, but seas and oceans? They steer clear. I’ve got a bad feeling, though. It’s been so long since I’ve seen him. What if he’s gone feral, turned bitter? I never told you, but Shaganar isn’t your average djinn. He’s one of a kind. Terrifying and unique.”
“No, you didn’t mention that. I’m all ears—I love stories like this. Arthur often tells me tales like these instead of bedtime stories.”
“Things still hot with Arthur?” I ask, trying to mask a quiet pang of envy.
“Of course. My husband still gets my heart racing just like he did eighteen years ago. So, what’s the deal with Shaganar?”
“He was conceived during the Great Battle of the Dark Races…”
“Hold on, from what Arthur’s told me, that was about a hundred and fifty years ago!” Charlotte exclaims.
“Exactly. He spent a hundred of those years in a forced slumber, trapped and imprisoned by ruling demons—until I accidentally set him free. Don’t interrupt again. His mother, a young princess named Iman, was a virgin when soldiers from the dark lords’ army stormed the castle. Warlocks and werewolves fought alongside demons back then. Three monsters—a demon, a werewolf, and a warlock—violated her. Iman wasn’t just any girl; she inherited the gift of her father, King Aspen of the djinn. That moonless night, after defiling the innocent princess, those fiends unknowingly sired a unique child, one with the blood of four dark races. So Shaganar carries traits of a werewolf, a demon, a warlock, and, of course, a djinn. When he grew up, his hatred for werewolves, demons, and warlocks consumed him, and he began hunting them down, seeking revenge for his mother. The power he wields is unmatched. There was too much darkness in him, and too little light. So seven dark aristocrats banded together and got rid of him—or so they thought, forever.”
“I’m just a regular human, you know. I don’t fully get all this magic stuff, but Arthur told me that by bringing him back to life, you became the source of his power. He said it’s better to have a guy like that as a friend than an enemy. If you really tick off the king of djinn, he could destroy the entire underworld, disrupt the balance, and cause chaos in the upper and middle worlds—the human world. It’d be especially tragic for humans. A djinn in love with you is a walking time bomb, and you’re holding the trigger.”
“Arthur spins too many bedtime stories. Look, there’s Hagar, the cradle of the djinn. It’s massive! I think someone should be meeting us. Should we bolt while we still can? Maybe drown our sorrows at that strip club,” I quip, lacking any real enthusiasm. “I’ve got a feeling Shaganar won’t be thrilled to see me.”
“Funny how that’s what’s bugging you, not Seraphim’s reaction. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?” A mischievous glint dances in Charlotte’s eyes. “Oh, look, someone’s heading our way!”
Smiles are so different across races: warlocks smile mysteriously, demons with cold arrogance, djinn with defiance, angels with serenity, werewolves are stingy with theirs, but humans? We’re the most expressive. My smiles are always varied.
“Charli, you’re hilarious. You know, even though my biological parents turned out to be purebred demons, I still think of myself as human. I’ve never told anyone this, but when my world gets cloudy, I regret learning the truth. I wish I’d stayed in the dark, living a quiet life healing animals.”
“What’s with the gloom, Alexandra? I don’t like this mood. Snap out of it!”
“Almost delighted to welcome you, dear ladies. I’m Tid. No title, no rank, but I’m practically indispensable to His Majesty Shaganar. I’ve been tasked with greeting you, escorting you, and showering you with attention. I hear you’d like to tour the castle? Shaganar’s made an exception and allowed you entry. Normally, we don’t let just anyone wander in.”
“So Shaganar knows we’re here?” I eye this slippery djinn, unable to decipher his cryptic smirks. He doesn’t even bother answering my question. Djinn are insufferable—everyone in the underworld knows it. But I’ve always suspected they lean into their bad rep on purpose, not wanting to ruin their image as troublemakers.
The castle is breathtaking, its ancient grandeur sending shivers down my spine. Entire eras, generations of great kings, battles, victories, and dreams are etched into its walls. They whisper the history of the djinn if you only listen closely. …But when I heard Shaganar’s voice behind me, I froze. I felt like a foolish, cowardly girl who’d just made the dumbest mistake of her life, and now I’m ashamed. He’s changed his look a bit, but he’s still as captivating and devilishly handsome as ever—a rugged, powerful man with supernatural edge. Sarcastic, still harboring a grudge against me, as if I’m to blame for the feelings he developed. And standing near him, I’m acutely aware of our bond, this invisible tether that feels more like chains. My blood pounds in my temples, my heart races like a wild stallion, but there’s no escaping a djinn. He’s closing in. I argue, I protest, but I barely register what I’m saying to him.
“If only you knew how intoxicating you smell, Alexandra,” he whispers, pinning me against a column with his body, leaving me barely able to breathe as he traces the tip of his nose along my neck. “If only you could imagine the temptation. I’ve heard that if you desire a woman fiercely enough, a single touch can push you over the edge. I thought it was just a fairy tale, but turns out, it’s about me.”
“Shaganar, you can’t… you can’t… Don’t you dare!”
“I can do anything, my fiery little firefly. Things have cooled off between you two, haven’t they? Sorry, but demons aren’t built for love. Though you’re different, you’re the exception. You need to feel cherished, and your soul remembers who loves it. That’s why it brought you here.” He pauses for a moment, staring deep into my eyes with his vivid blue gaze, then crashes his lips against mine, kissing me with rough, impatient passion. I’m wearing restraining bracelets, my powers bound, and physically, I’m ten times weaker than him. But I’m not sure I even want to resist. I can’t recall a sweeter kiss… Forbidden, scorching, and… desired. Yes, I wanted this. I denied it, fought it in my mind, but I kept imagining it—our kiss. The hall spins, the statues seem to scatter, and overwhelmed by sensation, I black out for a few seconds.
“Looks like my princess’s knees went weak,” Shaganar purrs, still holding me tight in his strong arms. “And that was just a brief kiss. Imagine what would happen if…”
“There won’t be a next time, Shaganar. We don’t have the right! We’ll destroy ourselves with this! You’re always joking around, showing off, walking a tightrope just to prove how tough and amazing you are. Renew the spell, please. Block this dangerous bond!” Moving this mountain of muscle is impossible. He just smirks into his beard, as if I’m spouting nonsense. “This is what happens when you genuinely save someone in a world of magic. I did a good deed, and now I’m the one suffering. Seraphim… he’ll lose it! He won’t let me see the kids, and…”
“And you’re still thinking in human terms, Alex. Feeling guilty? Though, statistically speaking, demons don’t have a conscience. Just listen to your heart—has it ever led you astray? Eph won’t dare come after you because: a) you’re stronger than him, and b) he won’t rally the demons for a war against djinn. The other dark aristocrats won’t back him. Let’s take a breather. Catch your breath, gather your thoughts. Come, I’ll show you my garden. It’s special—I only take select guests there. You’ll love it. Then we’ll throw a feast, chat, laugh like old times. You and Charlotte will stay the night, won’t you?” He takes my hand and pulls me along.
“Admit it, did you do something to me? Cast a spell? Carve your deepest wish into a cursed stone under a full moon?”
“Pfft, what do you take me for? I don’t play those games. I’m a grown man now. No magic, just my killer charm. Remember when I told you you’re the only being I could never harm? That’s the truth. Just like the fact that I still belong to you.”