Chapter 4

Okay, call him a control freak. Dale contemplated refusing.

The woman spoke up. “I never knew a djinn that could drive, but if he knows how, you look like you should take advantage of the offer.”

Dale jerked, startled. Was this his day to encounter shitty egotistical magic users who knew more than him or what? He turned to face her more fully. She blew out a slow plume of smoke.

“That’s an odd comment,” Dale said. Maybe he could bluff his way out of this.

“I’m an odd person. Does he belong to you?”

“Yes, and he’s not for sale!” Dale snapped. He stepped between where the woman sat and where Riadh stood. Forget bluffing, he was too tired and on edge to play games.

The woman inhaled from her cigarette. “Okay. Good thing to know, but why the hell should I care?”

“You implied he was my property.”

“Yeah so? Djinn don’t exist in the physical world unless they have an owner.” She cast a long, appraising look at Riadh. “You have a name?”

“I am Riadh.”