Free Borrowed Ember by Samantha Young Page A

grinned. What, you don’t want me with you?
    Relieved, Ari shook her head. I didn’t know if you’d want to. I mean, you are Ginnaye.
    We’re not so different from The Guild. And this isn’t about me. It’s about you. If you think you need this, then we’ll do it for however long you want.
    Ari did need it. More than needed it. She thought of Dalí and felt an inner chil sweep over her. It had only been days ago that he’d stolen her and tried to use her blood to utilize the Seal as his own. Ari had never felt so helpless before. Not even when her dad had died. It had been terrifying, and she never wanted to feel that way ever again. Slowly easing up to sit beside him, Ari rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes when he kissed her forehead. I’m scared, she admitted and felt him tense under her. After what Dalí did to me, I’m scared.
    Ari… Jai inhaled sharply, his strong arm sliding around her shoulders and puling her even closer into his side.
    I don’t want to be scared, Jai. And I don’t want to hide. I want to hunt Jinn like Dalí and Pazuzu. I want that control back. I need that control back.
    He rubbed a comforting hand down her arm. Then we’re definitely going to The Guild.
    Ari stifled another ‘I love you’ and instead pressed a soft kiss to his shoulder. Thank you.
    I’d like to stop in at home first and explain to my father that I’ll be gone for a while. I want to say goodbye to Trey.
    Trey . Ari blanched, realizing she was taking Jai away from his best friend. Jai, I… maybe you should stay.
    He puled back from her, his eyes incredulous. I can live without seeing Trey every day, Ari. I can’t live without seeing you every day.
    She turned to mush in an instant. Who needs an ‘I love you’ when a hot guy you love says that to you? Ari knew her grin was dangerously wide. You are
    getting so good at this.
    Laughing, a little abashed at his confession, Jai hugged her closer and they sat in perfect, comfortable silence for a while. Finaly, just as her eyes were drifting closed, he whispered into her mind, Have you had any more dreams?
    The memory of her dream about White and Lilif jolted Ari awake and she puled back to face Jai as she told him everything she remembered from it. The realms
    will start to collide into one another, until there is nothing but a wasteland of dust? If the balance is completely destroyed? Jai was aghast.
    That’s what Lilif said to White. She shrugged. I’m beginning to think I should tell Red about the dreams. This could be something really important
    that we’re missing here. What do you think?
    I honestly don’t know what to think about Red. But you’re right. It might be the only way to interpret the dreams and find out why you’re having
    them.
    Ari nodded, feeling a little better now that she had made a decision. I guess I have to trust him.
    If it makes you feel better, I really believe he cares about you, Ari. You didn’t see his reaction when Anabeth hit you with the Haqeeqah, or when
    Dalí took you.
    You think? she asked unsurely
    Jai smiled slowly. Sexily. You’re kind of hard to resist.
    You didn’t think so two seconds ago.
    Jai’s response to her chalenge was to push her back on the bed and start kissing the oxygen out of her. Ari opened her mouth, alowing him to deepen the kiss, tasting remnants of the mint toothpaste he must have used before readying for bed. Ari would never have believed toothpaste could be such a turn on. She slid her hands over his back, urging him closer, deeper. As if giving into the inevitable, Jai’s own hands started to wander, his soft touch chasing goosebumps al over her body.
    Lost in the moment and greedy for some skin on skin, Ari reached down and began tugging on Jai’s t-shirt. Helping her, he sat up, his knees braced on either side of her hips, and he puled his shirt up over his head, throwing it to the floor. Ari bit her lower lip to stifle a sound of pleasure. She’d seen him shirtless