The Djinni & The Royal

❂ I'll owe you ❂

Haymich followed the Djinni down the hall. He looked around, taking in the deep red carpet and ancient portraits. He stopped abruptly in front of the last.

The portrait that caught Haymich's eye was of a man. He looked middle aged, with piercing red eyes and sandy blonde hair. He looked closer, perplexed. Something about him was so familiar. "The last Djinni." The girl answered his silent question. Haymich looked over his shoulder.

The Djinni stood back and studied the portrait as she had so many times before. Hard eyes and thin pressed lips, freckles covered his face. So different, yet not. She caught Haymich's looking at her. "Tea then?" She asked, returning to the room. He glanced at the painting once more, before following.

The tea room was elegant and intimidating. Red sofa and drapes gave the place a regal touch. Haymich let out a low whistle.

"Why risk your reputation, Nine?" The girl asked with sudden curiosity. He took the appointed seat with a practiced lazy smile. Just as he opened his mouth to answer, the door swung open. The maid gasped and froze. Haymich looked at her in surprise. More people?

"Hello." He greeted. A blush crept up her neck to her face.

"Patsy." The Djinni snapped. "Admire another time, we're busy." Patsy looked at the floor as she walked to the table stiffly, her hands visibly shaking. Haymich raised an eyebrow at the blushing girl. She left with a wave of Djinni's hand.

Haymich accepted the tea. "What's her story?" He asked, taking a sip. The Djinni stirred the auburn liquid in her cup.

"Patsy?" She said surprised how strange he would ask about the help. He nodded. She slouched in her chair, letting her mind wander.

"She's paying a debt for her father." She answered airily. He copied her position.

"Why?" He asked. He was trying hard to play the part of guest and fit in as well as he could.

She sighed then laughed after a moment of quiet. "He tried to murder me." Haymich coughed, tea running down his chin. She sniggered at him, holding out a napkin. He took it, coughing into the fabric.

"What? How?" He finally asked in a hoarse voice. She sat back again. "You let a traidor live here?"

"Her father wanted my powers, but forgot one tiny detail." She smirked at the memory.

"Your name." Haymich provided. She nodded. He was bright, that much she'd admit.

"Names are power." She sipped more of her tea.

"So, you're keeping him ageless somewhere? Took his soul?" Haymich pressed. Djinni snorted.

"No. Taking someone's soul is permanent. He's aging... In my dungeon. Once Patsy works forty years for me, he'll be free."

Haymich frowned. "That's not fair. She spends most of her life on him?"

Djinni laughed again, resting her elbow on the arm of the chair and propping her face on her knuckles. "Life isn't fair, darling. No, she won't age as long as she works for me, its part of the deal. A deal she made, I might add. He does age. It's part of his punishment." She explained. "Besides, he did try to kill me. I think I'm being more than fair." Her voice took on an edge.

"The last Djinni, he looks familiar." Haymich noted, changing the subject. The Djinnis eyes narrowed.

"I wouldn't know why." She glared at him.

He gulped but pressed on. "You killed him?" Her expression dropped to a blank frown.

"Yes. That's how it works. You kill the Djinni to possess their powers. Common knowledge."

He shook his head slowly in response. "How?" He looked at her. "How were you able to murder someone at such a young age?"

She laughed humorlessly. "Desperation does things to people Nine. I didn't even think before I did it... and I've never felt an ounce of guilt." She smirked. He shivered at her tone and fell silent.

The Djinni turned her expectant gaze to the man. "So, Nine?" She prompted. He sat up straighter and smiled tightly.

"I hardly think 'Nine' is appropriate anymore." He responded. "Haymich is fine."

She raised an eyebrow at him. "Such familiarity?" He shrugged in response. Her face settled into scrutinizing amusement.

"What do you want Haymich?" He flushed slightly, liking the way his name rolled off her tongue. Just like he imagined it. He coughed to regain his composure.

"Nothing specific. How about... You just owe me." He smiled charmingly. She sobered, sending him a glare.

"I don't make a habit of owing people, Mr. Haymich. It's usually the other way around." She said coldly. He looked away, sipping his now cold tea.

"Nothing extravagant, I promise." He said in a low voice, almost flirtatious. Usually that worked with girls but apparently not today. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"What are playing at, Angel?" She demanded quietly. He smiled.

"What would be the fun in my telling you?" He answered, praying to every god he never believed in, that she wouldn't strike him dead were he sat. That she had a sense of strange humor the way he believed she did. He forced himself to relax and wait.

The Djinni stared at her 'guest' in surprise. He looked so at ease. Suspiciously so... Suddenly a smiled quirked the corner of her mouth. "Fine, I'll owe you." He perked up. "On one condition." He sat back again, frowning. She smirked. "You don't breathe a word of this to anyone or anything. You do, I don't owe you anything." Haymich eyed her.

"Agreed." He said hesitantly. She held out a hand. He reached across the table to meet half way.

Haymich gripped the Djinnis hand. He was surprised at how small it felt in his own. Looking at her she seemed so fragile. She was so thin and at least six inches shorter than him. It shouldn't be possible for her to be so aggressive and dominant.

She raised an eyebrow at the man's staring. Haymich pulled his hand back quickly. "Goodbye Mich." She said dismissively. He nodded.

Haymich stood slowly. She mirrored the action and waved a hand to the door. "Jasper will show you out." A man in a black suit appeared in the doorway. Haymich bowed and shocked her by taking her hand.

"I'll be seeing you, Djinni." He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it softly. He straightened, just fast enough to see her cover her flabbergasted expression.

"Unfortunately." She answered, trying to sound irritated but failing in her surprise.

Haymich made his way to the door, pausing half way. "Najwa-" Her face faced snapped to him.

"Is none for your concern. Goodbye Mr. Haymich." She cut him off with a hard voice. He nodded with a frown. "Leave." She growled. He obeyed hesitantly. When he was gone she nodded at Jasper. Time to deal with the child.

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