Evie's breath came in sharp bursts as she watched her father scramble from the floor, his fear still thick in the air like the acrid scent of burnt wood. His eyes, wide and frantic, darted to the door before locking onto her.
"Are you a witch now?" he spat, voice laced with disbelief and something dangerously close to terror. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"
Evie barely recognized the sound of her own voice when she answered, steady and cold. "You will never come to me for money again. Do you understand?"
A pulse of power thrummed through her veins, still electric, still heady. The golden embers dancing in her irises hadn't faded. She could taste the energy, the raw, intoxicating force that had surged from within her. And God, it felt good.
Her father staggered back, his face twisting in rage. "You ungrateful bitch," he hissed. "This isn't over."
Then he turned and fled, the door slamming in his wake.
Evie exhaled sharply, the rush of power slowly ebbing away, leaving a strange emptiness behind. Then, as if summoned by the universe, her phone rang.
It was Maggie her best friend. She hadn't spoken to her for a while now...it occurred to Evie that Maggie had no idea about what has been going on in her life as she had been out of town for two weeks visiting her parents.
Evie answered. "Mags!"
"Bitch, I'm back!" Maggie's voice burst through the speaker, full of energy.
A smile tugged at Evie's lips despite everything. "You're home?"
"Yeah, and we need to talk right now—I'm already downstairs." A pause. "Hold up… is that your dad? That evil bastard, did he come to beg for money again? I'm coming up!"
The call cut before Evie could respond.
Shit.
How was she going to explain all that happened to her without sounding crazy? Maggie had been her best friend, her only friend for a long time. And Maggie had only seen her broke...now to explain the new apartment, the bookstore. She needed to think fast.
Maggie burst through the door. Her red curly hair bouncing. She had gray highlights in them this time. She wore a white dress and dark blue jacket, she was always stylish. She froze mid-step.
"What the hell?" Her gray eyes swept over the apartment, widening.
"Hey, Mags." Evie crossed the space quickly, wrapping her arms around her friend. She'd missed her.
Maggie hugged back, but when she pulled away, her face was full of concern. "Evie… were you evicted?"
Evie blinked. "What?"
Maggie was already eyeing the few remaining boxes, her problem-solving brain kicking in. "You should've told me—I would've helped. We can move your stuff to my place, though not all of it will fit. Maybe a cheap storage unit—"
"Maggie, calm down." Evie grabbed her shoulders, laughing softly.
Maggie narrowed her eyes. "Then explain. Because I passed by the bookstore, and it was closed."
"I'm moving," Evie said carefully.
Maggie folded her arms. "To where? And no offense, but with what money?"
Evie hesitated. "It's... complicated. But how about you come with me? I'll show you."
Maggie squinted. "I'm coming under protest. And I will be getting answers."
They packed up the last of Evie's things, Maggie catching her up on all the small-town drama she'd missed. It was almost normal—until they reached the new apartment.
"Evie...are you...selling drugs?" Maggie whispered looking at the place in awe.
Evie laughed. "I would be the worst drug dealer ever."
"How is this possible then?" She asked then turning to face Evie a serious look on her face. "If you didn't win the lottery and you're not a drug dealer something must be up. Girl if you're getting yourself in trouble for money..please don't. We can figure this out. Yes this apartment is incredible...but Its not worth your safety."
"I promise I'm not doing anything illegal." Evie reassured her. "This was actually a gift."
"A gift?" Maggie looked at her suspiciously. "Are you a sugar baby now...because..no judgement," she threw her hands in the air. "But two weeks I'm out of your life and you are mingling with rich men...that's not you."
"Well he is a man...but he's not my sugar daddy." Right? Evie contemplated...he is giving her gifts...and she did sleep with him.
"And who is this mysterious man?" Maggie asked. "Do I get to meet him?"
"Well he lives...here.." Evie blushed. "So you'll definitely meet him."
"This is his place??" Maggie was dumbfounded. "Evie you met a man and moved in with him...in two weeks?"
"Well the deed to this apartment is under my name...so technically he's living with me.." Evie rubbed the back of her neck nervously. How does she start to explain a djinn situation.
"Evie the more you talk the more questions I have." Maggie sighed.
Evie hesitated. "His name is Rohmir. He came into the bookstore wanting to buy it. And then… he started courting me." She winced at the word. "He got me the bookstore. And this apartment. I know it's fast, but…" She didnt want Maggie involved with all of Rohmir's drama. That would be unfair to her. And safer too...she didn't want that organization harassing Maggie about Rohmir.
Maggie stared at her as if she'd grown a second head. "Are you living a rom-com? Because no way."
Evie laughed nervously. "And yet, here we are."
"Are you sure...you're happy?" She asked her eyes boring into Evie's.
"Very." A ghost of a smile played on Evie's lips. There was truth in what she was saying. Even though he caused her to stress, she felt happy when he was around. Maggie studied her for a few seconds contemplating, then, Maggie's mischief sparked. "How hot is he?"
A slow flush crept up Evie's neck. "Very."
"And you've slept with him?"
Evie bit her lip. Maggie gasped. "Evie!"
Tell her how much you love my dick. Rohmir's voice slithered into her mind, rich and dark.
Evie nearly choked on air.
"Girl you okay?" Maggie stared at her confused. Before Evie could answer, the elevator chimed. And in he walked.
Rohmir strolled in with his usual lazy grace, his presence immediately sucking the air out of the room. His dark eyes gleamed with amusement, like he knew exactly what he was doing.
Evie shot him a warning look, but he was already standing in front of them. Maggie's eyes nearly popped out of her head. Evie stood up. "Uhh Maggie, this is Rohmir. Rohmir this is my best friend Maggie."
Rohmir walked up to them and took Maggie's hand in his, kissing it gently. "Any friend of Evie's is a friend of mine."
"Girl, I get it." She turned to Evie, smirking. "I'd move in with him in two weeks too."
Evie groaned. "You're impossible."
Rohmir smirked then headed to his room. Not without sending a mischievous wink to Evie first.
Maggie fanned herself. "Evie, he is hot. Please tell me he has brothers. Or cousins. Something."
"He is a single child." Lies after lies piling up, Evie noticed. She hated lying to her best friend. But it had to be done.
"Well that's too bad." Maggie fake pouted, then turned to face Evie. "I'm so happy for you. You look...I don't know you have that glow on you. It's the first time in a long time I haven't seen you like this. The bookstore and your dad had really been stressing you out. I'm just happy that you're happy."
Evie smiled genuinely. "I am, considering all things."
"And what about your dad...I saw him coming from your apartment.."
"He's not gonna bother me again I promise you. I'm good." Evie replied.
Maggie nodded. "Okay... well... I'm still trying to wrap my head around all of this, but I'm really happy for you. Look, I need to get back to my place—I just know the sitter didn't take care of Leonardo diCatrio the way she should have."
Leonardo diCatrio was her ridiculously overweight Siamese cat, whom she was constantly trying (and failing) to slim down.
"Okay...well when do we get to hang out?" Evie asked as they made their way to the elevator door.
"How about this Friday we go out to the big city? We can go dancing...if your new man is okay with that."
"Why wouldn't he be?" Evie was puzzled.
Maggie laughed. As if Evie was being naive. The elevator door opened and she stepped in.
"I'll text you bestie." She blew Evie a kiss as the doors closed.
Evie sighed and headed to her room where the boxes from her old apartment were scattered.
Am i invited on Friday? Rohmir's voice poured into her thoughts, velvety and heated.
Do you want to come? She replied.
Well I haven't danced in 3000 years...
I don't think you'll like today's dances...
He chuckled, the sound sliding down her spine like silk.
Why don't you let me be the judge of that. He replied. Can you come to my room?
I'm a bit busy with my boxes here. Evie was trying hard to not be in close proximity with him.
Evie, if you don't come, I'll use my magic to summon you myself. And you won't be wearing clothes when I do. You tapped into my power today. And baby…
A slow burn ignited in her stomach as his voice dropped into a raw whisper.
I've been hard for you ever since.