The Fifth Academy - Fantasy Direction / #Wattys2018

Chapter eighteen. The ancient Jinnee.

By Diana

"Oh, your wish is my command, Milady! My fair mistress wants to mix science and magic together, doesn't she?" said the familiar boyish voice, it sounded strangely loud in the total silence of the round Dragonwood's treasury room, filled to the top with ancient magic items. The most precious and rare of them were- without a doubt- the books. Oh, how I wished I could steal- or better yet- borrow just a few of them.

I dreamed I could sit right there in the green light of the enchanted torches, on the black marble floor and read its secrets for hours. However, this was impossible, mostly because I had the wrong surname and, if somebody caught me there, I definitely would be punished by death. My time was measured by seconds, even by heartbeats, while I was standing in the middle of the fiery-burning circle, drowned and lit here by my shaky hands about five minutes ago.

"Sneaking away from the party, yeah?" said the golden-curled tall boy – the most handsome and arrogant dare-devil, I had ever met. It was nearly impossible to look into his deepest green eyes and keep in mind all the necessary spells and goals, which had brought me here. He smiled and continued with one of his gorgeous smile in a soft pleasant voice. "To mix the magic with science is like to mix day and night! Magic is a miracle, and when the miracle is reviled, it became a cold logical science! By the way, you have already fixed Vadim's metal arm. So why are you asking me again to do stupid things? You needn't to create any magical-scientific weapons against demons! Stop trying to fix the word, Diana! Instead, go and fix your heart! It is aching for the kiss of Jason Firesteel! Do you want me to make this wish come true and you will be into his arms in a moment!"

I blushed deep red; my face instantly became hot from embarrassment and anger. How dared he talk to me like that?

"Hash!" I snapped sharply, looking furious. "Stop talking to me like to a silly child!" hissed I, my stomach twisted with rage and one another weird but rather strong feeling – longing for Jace. I missed this bold and arrogant boy, who used to be my closest and constant friend. I made a deep sigh, trying to calm my nerves and pumping heart – an almost impossible task, and continued. "You think I love Jace more, than my homeland people? More than Luxard and Magirs? That I, like all other silly weak girls, would put my personal desires higher than duty? You are mistaken, cunning shade! I summoned you there to obey my wishes, not to argue with me! I am your mistress! And stop turning in front of me with Jason's face! This is ridiculous! This does not work!"

"Doesn't it?" asked Jace, looking at me though the long thick lashes of his half-closed eyes. I reminded myself again, that it was just simply the most ancient and, perhaps, the ugliest shade of all. He wore Jason's appearance, copying not only his shining armor and red cloak, but his manners too – to annoy and to confuse me. I hated this jinnee! How could magicians deal with such cunning treacherous creatures? Might be I forget to cast some additional spells? No, didn't think so. With the piece of chalk, stolen from Dragonwoods, I had drowned the secret door, it opened the portal to the staircase, which let me straight to the treasury room. Of course, in order to run from the party unnoticed, I had to wear Rosaline's green cloak. I had already learned how to turn it invisible. Very useful thing!

Poor blond! She was so taken on Jace, that she forgot her cloak and, perhaps, her brains on the chair. Vadim kindly stole it for me – to impress me. Well, honesty, I was more impressed, how many goblets of wine he could pour into himself... It made the things easier, and I quickly slipped away. Panting heavily, I drowned two burning pentagrams right on the black marble floor of the treasury chamber – one for me, one for the Jinnee. That was the easiest part, I guessed. The most difficult one was to bear the conversation with my freshly summoned shade. Especially if he looked like my first and only love, and every time was flirting shamelessly with me every possible moment.