The Binding Stone (The Djinn Series) by Lisa Gail Green

find another Magician nearby and bring that person here.”
    Permission
to leave his side. Normally, I would be ecstatic, but now, I can’t help worrying about Jered alone with Taj and Gabe. Jered’s stubbornness nearly had him
killed once tonight; I can only imagine what clumsiness Gabe might unleash. Taj
is a loose cannon.
    I
pick up the pace. The cold air stings my face as I soar through the city,
invisible, phasing in and out of homes so I can observe the auras within. I
allow myself an indulgent smile, reveling in the feel of the wind, the
blackness of the night.
    It
doesn’t take me long to find what I seek. And given the choice presented in
this one suburban house, it is easy to pick. I settle down beside the small bed
with its white lace canopy and pastel quilt, then lean forward ready to
transport us both back. Yet, at the last moment I hesitate.
    The
sleeping child is beautiful, with hair woven of sand and gold, and skin the
color of cream. I study her form. So peaceful. So small. The rhythmic pulse of
her life’s breath rising and falling beneath the blanket which she clutches in
her tiny hand. Innocent. For now.
    I
shake myself. What is wrong with me? I have a command. I have to get back. I
saw the strong aura shining through the covers in the master bedroom. Perhaps I
ought to take the parent...no. This child is clearly the safer choice. A
full-grown Magician – who knows what problems he might create? I inhale sharply
and will myself to be seen.
    “Hello,”
I say, placing a hand on her forehead. Her eyes flutter open, and in them I see
waves of confusion, then fear, followed, most curiously, by recognition.
    “You’re
real,” she whispers back.
    “Yes,
child.”
    “I
dreamed about you.”
    I
smile and find that I am gently stroking her hair, which is soft as the finest
silk. “What is your name?”
    “I’m
Sophie.”
    “Sophie,
I’m going to take you for a ride, okay?”
    “Can
I tell my mom?”
    “No.
We will be back before she even knows you are gone. I promise.”
    “All
right.”
    Well
that was easy. I scoop her into my arms, letting the blankets slip back onto
the bed. She clings to my neck and buries her head against my chest. She is
warm from sleep and smells pleasant, like strawberries.
    I
fly out the window and through the night, back to Jered at lightning speed,
setting Sophie down gently on the floor before the others. Even Taj raises his
eyebrows at my cargo.
    The
child takes us all in, without alarm. Mild curiosity would be a better
description. And even with her pink pajamas, tangled hair, and sleep-laden
eyes, she seems at ease. It is hard to believe she is not intimidated by four
strangers twice her height.
    “You
brought back a child?” Gabe’s voice is so high, I’m surprised the glass in the
window doesn’t shatter. “That’s kidnapping. We’ll go to jail.”
    “I
kidnapped no one,” I say, staring him down. “She came willingly. Not that it
matters. What needs to be done, needs to be done.”
    “I
don’t know about this...” Jered says, stepping forward.
    “It
is perfectly safe. There will be no need to harm it,” Taj says.
    “It’s
so comforting, how you call her an it ,” says Gabe, and I see that I was
right to be concerned about the volatility of the situation. But before Taj can
strike, the child’s voice rings across the room, and four sets of eyes focus on
her.
    “Hi,
Jered.”
    “You
know her?” I ask.
    “There’s
something familiar about her,” he says, stepping forward and kneeling before
her. “Hello.”
    I
wish I’d brought the adult instead. Or that one of the other two children in
the house had the glistening aura of a Magician.
    “Daddy
misses you,” she says. She reaches out a small hand to poke him on the nose.
    “Oh
my God,” Jered breathes, but I remain as confused as ever. “Is it possible?
Where did you get her?”
    “At
a house not too far from here,” I say, not happy with the way the others are
looking at me. “It