Everybody’s eyes landed on me when I returned from the lamp.

Karim jumped up and down on one of the boxes. I gave him a quick scratch on the chin and he piped down.

“What’s it like inside?” Ali asked, spooning a mouthful of what smelled like spiced lamb stew. Karim jumped onto his shoulder to sniff my brother’s meal. Ali fed him little bits of vegetable.

Where had that meat come from? We certainly didn’t have the money for expensive treats like that. I wondered if some collective genie magic had been responsible for our good fortune.

More amazingly, color had returned to Ali’s skin. For once, he was free of sweat. Was he getting better? My question was answered with a big, fat no when a coughing fit racked his frail body.

Dahvi was seated beside Ali, and patted my brother on the back until his fit ended.

My heart fluttered with appreciation for Dahvi, who’d obviously been taking care of my brother while I was gone.

Guilt pinched at me for leaving Ali. Talk about selfish. I shouldn’t have put my own interests first or lost myself in a lustful episode with Kaza. Did the other genies know what we’d done? I studied Dahvi, who offered me a smile. Zand stood at the kitchen sink, doing what I think were the dishes. His eyebrows arched as he examined the scrubbing brush and bar of soap as if he didn’t have a clue what to do with them.

I held in a laugh, wanting to see what happened next.

The soap slipped out of hands and splashed into the water. As he searched for it, he stirred up a sink full of bubbles.

This had me in stiches.

He swished around in the sink to find a plate. But when he grasped one, the slippery sucker slithered got away and dropped back into the water. If only he had his magic, this might have worked out a little better.

I couldn’t hold in my mirth any longer and burst out laughing so hard I snorted.

“What?” He flashed a smile, showing a bit of parsley stuck in his teeth.

That got everybody going. Even Karim clapped and hooted.

Gods. I hadn’t felt this lighthearted inside in years. It felt wonderful to have such laughter in my home. For so long, the atmosphere had been too somber.

“Brother,” said Dahvi, pointing at Zand. “You have some mess in your teeth.”

Zand checked in the window’s reflection. “Light my lamp!” His tongue bulged in his mouth as he swiped it across his teeth, cleaning them.

By the time I calmed down, my stomach growled a demand for food.

I leaned over the stove to inhale the cinnamon and nutmeg odor of the delicious, Fesenjan stew. “Where’d this come from?”

“I got the meat from the market,” replied Zand.

Gods. My muscles clenched, giving me pains in the gut. “You didn’t use magic, did you?”

His heavy brows pressed down. “No.”

Thanks the gods. Then I didn’t care how he got it; I just needed something to eat.

It was nice to see his dark mood had blown over.

Zand slapped his brother on the back. “Dahvi needed something to pass the time in the lamp, so took up cooking as a hobby.”

I guessed having everything at their fingertips would get a little boring after a while.

“How’d you eat inside the lamp if your magic was weakened?” I asked.

“We’re like bears,” said Zand, pretending to growl as he handed me a bowl. “We have a hibernation mode.”

“Thank you,” I told him. This lighter side to him was nice to see.

Pale-red flames flickered for a moment when our fingers skimmed as I accepted the bowl. Tiny fireworks went off inside me.

Dazed by our connection, I bumped into a chair, spilling stew broth onto my kaftan.

The corner of Zand’s mouth lifted in a smile as if he knew the effect he had on me. His gaze trailed my neck. “My brother imprinted on you?”

“What?” I touched my collarbone. My skin burned red hot.

Damn. My sex rash. Hope he didn’t know what it was. Shame burned across my cheeks. Gods. Zand must think me a slut for sleeping with his brother so soon. To cover my blotchy skin, I put down my stew and yanked my green cotton shawl off the coat hanger on my front door. Quickly, I wrapped it around my neck, face, and head, concealing the evidence of my special moments with Kaza.

All the pleasant memories from my explosive activity with him drained out my toes. I pulled my shirt tighter across my waist, feeling cheapened by what had happened between us. Gods. These genies were doing something to me. Bringing out strange feelings. Turning me into a lustful beast and I couldn’t control myself.

How was Zand going to react if I said yes? Especially considering they’d all come to be trapped in the lamp first place because Kaza had slept with the former master’s wife. My stomach clenched, and I braced myself for an explosion.

“Now you are connected.” Zand touched his chest where his heart was, then gave me a kiss on the cheek, as if welcoming me to the family.

What? Was this the same broody guy I’d met earlier?

My breath caught in my throat as he squeezed past me. I was a good foot shorter than he was, and my eye level only reached his chest. The bowl I held out to the side almost dropped as my lustful beast took hold, urging me to run my hands along his rock-hard stomach. It took all my restraint to stuff her deep inside me.

Gods. What were these genies doing to me? I didn’t sleep with a guy…correction, a hot genie…this easily. Developing teenage crushes on more than one person—or genie—at the same time wasn’t like me. Suddenly, I was convinced the genies had some sort of magical spell over me. In that case, I had to stay level headed until my wishes were delivered. Focus on what really mattered; I had to save Ali and Kaza.

My stomach grumbled, and I sat down, taking a few spoonsful of stew.

Dahvi kneeled on the floor and lifted my foot onto his leg. “The swelling has gone down.”

Dahvi’s fingers worked their magic as he massaged my good foot, and a groan slipped past my lips. Gods. If I had of known what I was missing out on, I would have gotten another boyfriend sooner. Praise to the gods for blessing me with the genies. They were really going to extremes to impress me.

I ran my fingers along the yellowing bruises on my ankle. Last time I’d rolled my foot, I’d been out of action for two weeks. If it wasn’t for my neighbor sharing her scraps, Ali and I would have starved. Time was not a luxury when the vizier and the palace guards were hunting us.

Suddenly, the stew tasted like sand, and I didn’t feel hungry anymore. I pushed the bowl aside and turned to Zand. “Any luck with the medicine?”

The red-vested genie scowled. “The Avestan did not have what I needed.” His voice was hard and strained.

“But, Brother,” said Dahvi, pausing his massaging. “We must get the herbs before the vizier finds us, or Kaza will perish.”

None of the genies were dying on my watch. I owed them a debt for saving my life. Honor might not be my middle name, but I always repaid my debts. Anyway, I couldn’t deny the selfish voice rising in my head, reminding me I needed these three genies to save my brother. Now that the vizier was out for my blood, I was also dead.

I glanced at my brother, and he pursed his lips.

Zand cleared his throat. “He told me a lady called Scarlet, out in Terra, might have what we’re after.”

“I know Scarlet very well,” I said. “She owns an apothecary store out in the Terran province. She also happens to be my close friend.”

Zand’s heavy brows relaxed as if this news gave him comfort.

Over the years, she’d helped me so many times when Ali was sick. Couldn’t thank her enough. She tried to get Ali’s medicine but was unable to without payment upfront.

Terra, where Scarlet lived, was a dangerous province in Haven. Ruled by a strict priestess and her order. Magic was forbidden in Terra, and no one was permitted to enter or leave. Combine that with the guards crawling all over my city, and…well, my skills were really going to come in handy. But I wasn’t going alone. Not with my banged-up ankle. One of the genies was coming along with me. Since Dahvi had done such a wonderful job with my massage, he’d just earned himself a ticket. While he might be better at caring for my brother, I believed Zand would do a better job to protect Ali.

Dahvi jumped to his feet. “We must leave at once.”

“No,” said Zand. “We need to sit and meditate for a few hours.”

Whoa. One at a time please.

“What?” I said. Time was of the essence here.

“We need to rejuvenate our power,” said Zand. “We’ll leave tomorrow.”

“Someone has to stay and protect my brother,” I said, grabbing another bag with my belongings.

“But I want to see Scarlet, too,” said Ali.

“No way, mister.” I ruffled his hair and gave him a kiss.

Zand’s broody brows pressed lower. “I’ll stay. But first we must meditate.”

“All right.” I sat down beside my brother as the genies sat cross legged on the floor.

“Call our names if there is any danger,” instructed Zand.

* * *

The next morning, Dahvi fumbled to grab the lamp out of enthusiasm for our journey to Terra. Cute. Reminded me of Ali in a way. But those sexy and sincere blue eyes set the genie a world apart from that of my brother and promised me a lot more heartache.

Karim squawked at me as if demanding a cuddle before I left. I gave into his request and placed kisses all over his furry little head. Then I set him back down.

In my bag I stuffed some exotic spices, which I would give to Scarlet as she couldn’t get them in Terra, and loved the stuff.

“Bye,” I said, glancing at my brother, who was still pissed with me and wouldn’t meet my eye. My gaze drifted to Zand as I closed the door behind Dahvi and I.

Outside my apartment, warm, midday air enveloped me, caressing my cheeks and promising me the world. It helped clear my head a little and stripped away the strong emotions tugging at my heart.

Dahvi was by my side. “Master, how far is Terra? Will we make it there by sunset?”

I just wanted to lick those full lips of his.

Gods! There I went again. Hormones raging and everything. I had to stop this. Using every ounce of restraint, I buried my attraction…no, my lust…for the genies down deep.

Dahvi caught me around the waist. “Master watch…”

But it was too late. I smacked into a rug drying on a line between two rows of shacks. That’d teach me for not watching where I was going.

“Inconsiderate…” I almost said a nasty curse as I rubbed my forehead.

Dahvi gave my temples a nice knead. Then he moved to my neck. My body thrummed from his touch and begged for more.

No. No. No. No. I had to pull away before I allowed my desire to carry me away.

“Zand and Kaza,” I said, sidestepping the rug. “Do they get along?”

“For the most part,” replied Dahvi.

I noticed his gait matched mine and somehow didn’t leave a footprint down the sandy lane we traipsed. Damn, that trait would come in handy on heists.

The whole foot thing reminded me of my ankle. It complained a little with a light ache. But the pain wasn’t bad enough to keep me from getting to my friend’s apothecary.

We took the corner and headed down another back lane, crowded with wooden crates and empty wine barrels. Laughter drifted from the tavern inside the building. The air carried the scent of baked flatbread and dips from the market several hundred feet to the north. For once my stomach was full and didn’t groan at the tantalizing odors.

Okay. I couldn’t help but pry. “Why do they seem cross with each other?”

“Kaza has a frivolous past with women.” Dahvi’s liquid gestures entranced me, and I couldn’t take my eyes off him.

Oh no. I was in for trouble then. I’d better not fall for him. My last boyfriend cheated on me. I didn’t need any more heartache. But something deep inside me ached for Kaza…for all the genies…and it wasn’t just lust.

“It’s Zand’s nature to be very protective. He doesn’t want to see you get hurt.” The blue genie’s warm blue eyes soaked me up, as if I were a sunset.

Man, I could stare at those babies all day.

Stop! Stop it girl. Get a hold of yourself. Geez. What was that? Like ten seconds? I wasn’t doing very well with forgetting about my whole genie-lust issue.

Zand cared about me? Sure, I totally understood the protective thing, going crazy on anyone if they hurt Ali, like a lion with her cubs. A man who would fight to protect me was sexy as hell. I’ll be damned if this news didn’t make him even more attractive to me.

Dahvi smiled as if he knew the effect his words had on me. “My brother is very passionate. It’s the Ifrit fire burning in his veins.”

“Ifrit?” I said, tilting my head.

“It is a type of djinn,” said Dahvi. “Their power stems from fire. It expresses itself as passion, love, loyalty, and sensuality.”

That sure explained a lot about Zand. “And Kaza, what is he?”

“He is a Shaitan,” said Dahvi. “His magic wields the power of air, and they are the embodiment of lighthearted, mischievous, carefree and fun.”

Yep. That wrapped up Kaza in a nutshell. Nothing, not even a wound from a tiger, dented his stride.

Most of all I was intrigued about Dahvi. Like me, he had a sensitive and compassionate side to him. “What type of djinn are you?”

“I am a Marid,” said Dahvi, lifting me over a short iron fence. “Our element is water. We represent emotion, wisdom, patience and intuition.”

Ahhh. Totally suited Dahvi.

Something about having them with me made me feel protected and safe. That was a strange thing for me. I’d always been the one to protect and look after Ali. No one watched out for me. This whole genie thing would take some getting used to.

Filled with this new knowledge, we turned another corner of our journey. My foot struck something, accidentally knocking it over. Candles and bowls flew to the ground, spilling coins, fruit, and candy onto the sand.

Gods.

We were at the wall haunted by the djinn.

I froze. Last night, it hadn’t blessed my wish for a good mission. Two guesses as to why I’d been caught by the guard. Had I upset the djinn? Knocking over its offerings just now was bound to piss it off even more. What would it do to me in return? Make my eyeballs explode out of my head?

Dahvi ran his hand along the cracked wall decorated in a floral motif. “A djinn dwells here. It is trapped by magic.”

I didn’t want to hear anymore. My feet carried me out of there. No more curses or bad luck for me. I’d had enough for one day.

But as I turned the corner into the marketplace, instinct flared in my belly, a sign I always had when trouble was afoot.

Dahvi bumped into the back of me. “Master?”

“Shhh.” Prickles spread higher into my upper intestines as I scanned the immediate area.

Nothing appeared out of the ordinary. Patrons dawdling along the aisles carrying baskets. Merchants cooking meals on hotplates. The baker stacking more bread on his pile. The butcher wrapping up meat in paper and handing it to a customer.

Most of the traders here barely scraped by, so I stole from the wealthier markets across town. Plus, it never paid to pinch so close to home. People knew where I lived. Taking from these people would be stupid and asking for trouble. In the slums, the merchants in this market always looked out for me, giving me whatever they could spare. But that was only occasionally.

Someone grabbed me by the arm.

My heart exploded, and I let out a nervous squeal.

“Azar, it’s just me,” said Farhad, the merchant selling fez hats.

I placed a hand on my chest to calm my raging heartbeat. “Farhad, you scared me half to death.”

Dahvi stepped protectively between us.

Farhad squinted at the genie, assessing Dahvi. The merchant released his hold on me. “What trouble are you in, Azar? The sultan’s guards have been asking around about you.”

A new wave of panic stretched through me. Crap! That’d make getting around tough. I trusted Farhad and a few other merchants with my life. But for a few gold markos, what was to stop one of the others from selling me out?

“Got into a bit of trouble with the vizier,” I replied.

“Gods! That is a man not to be messed with.” Farhad pressed his hands together in prayer and raised them to the sky. “May the gods protect you.”

I swallowed hard. Yeah, I was going to need all the prayers I could get.

“Master.” Dahvi tugged at my shirt.

I looked in the direction he pointed. Two guards leaned against the tobacco merchant’s stall one hundred feet to the north. One smoked a cigarette. The other took big gulps from a hookah pipe. A third wandered between the spice and pastry stands. The hilt of his sword gleamed in the afternoon sun.

I nearly choked when I recognized him as the guard who had arrested me.

“Bye, Farhad.” I backtracked, taking Dahvi with me.

A stallholder did a double take as I passed.

“Guards!” the female merchant cried. “There she is. The girl you’re looking for.”

I glanced over my shoulder. The three guards were on the move, chasing after us. Horror fluttered inside me.

“Thief, stop!” one yelled.