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

was she or the adult. I didn’t want to risk using a full
Magician who may be aware of his powers.”
    Sophie
beams up at Jered. “You know who I am, right? Isn’t that why you sent Leela to
me? She’s yours, isn’t she?”
    “How
does she know this?” I ask. I hear my voice rise in volume, feel my pulse speed
up. This child is dangerous. I should know better than to trust appearances. I–
    “Jered
is my brother.”

Complications
     
     
    ered
drops to his knees in front of Sophie. “You’re my half-sister?” A grin slowly
spreads across his face. “But I still don’t know how you know me. We’ve never
met.” He holds out a hand, and she shakes it, giggling.
    I
recall the longing in Jered’s eyes when he spoke to me of his father and
siblings. How he wished for a relationship with them.
    “There’s
a bond between family members; still, its powers must be very strong.” Taj bends
to examine her. “I take back what I said before. We may have to destroy it.”
    Jered
pulls Sophie behind his back and stands to face Taj, anger burning behind his
dark eyes. It is hard for me to bear. To see those eyes burn like that again.
    “You’ll
stay away from her!” It is the first time I’ve heard him sound this fierce. I
almost believe he could handle Taj. But no human’s that strong.
    “Whoa,”
I say, stepping in between. “There will be no need to harm the child.” Taj sees
the real message in my eyes. We will deal with this threat later . After
all, the grown Magician with two Djinn and the danger to my master’s life must
take precedence.
    “I
will trust your judgment, Lee. But do not push me.” Taj snarls at Jered as he
backs up toward the bed. I step behind my Master’s shoulder, so I can keep Taj
in my sights.
    “You
said Dad misses me,” Jered is saying. “How do you know that? Does he talk about
me?”
    “He
thinks about you. A lot. He doesn’t know I’m listening. I don’t want to tell
him because then he’ll make it so I can’t hear. You won’t tell, will you?”
    “No,”
Jered says, glancing toward me, and then Gabe.
    “Can
you hear everyone’s thoughts?” I ask.
    “I
hear Daddy. And Jered now that I’m here. But that’s it.”
    “But
you dreamed about me?” I ask.
    “Yes.
You were hugging me and protecting me from the bad person.” She giggles again,
startling me after her pronouncement.
    “What
is funny?” I ask, looking around.
    “Jered
likes you.”
    “Of
course I do, Sophie. Leela is my friend.” I feel his eyes focus on me and fight
the warmth creeping up my neck. I don’t care how much time has passed, I will
not make the same mistake twice. I will not .
    “How
cute,” Taj says. “It does tricks.”
    “Stop
calling her an ‘it,’” Jered says. The hairs on my arms stand up from the power
sizzling in the room. I fear I won’t be able to distract Taj this time.
    “Jered,
why am I here?” Sophie asks, tugging on his fingers in an attempt to get his
attention back. She feels it too, then. Good girl .
    “We
have a gift for you,” I say. I hold out my hand, and a doll appears. It is a
good likeness, I think. With raven hair and almond skin in a traditional harem
outfit. Me if I were a Barbie doll. Sophie’s crystalline blue eyes shine with
recognition, and she reaches for it, hugging it to her chest.
    “My
very own Djinni!” she exclaims. “I’m going to call her Little Leela.”
    “But
I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to give it back to Taj.” I nod toward
the other Djinni.
    “Then
it isn’t much of a gift,” Sophie says, still clutching it to her.
    “No,
I guess not,” I agree. “But if you do give it to him when he asks, Jered will
let me give you another doll, if that is what you want.”
    “Ohhh-kay,”
she says. I smile encouragingly. Whether more for her or Taj, I cannot say.
    “Give
me the doll for my master’s keep,” Taj says, flinging out an open hand.
    “You
didn’t say please.” Sophie pulls the doll behind her