The Binding Stone (The Djinn Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

be ashamed of me now because of my behavior.
    “Pass
the parmesan, Leela,” Jered says. I reach for the container at the same time as
Corrie. My heart pounds, but I cannot stop it. I’ve been given a command. I
must deliver Jered the stupid green can filled with powdered cheese.
    Tears
well in my eyes as I wrench the thing from Corrie’s outstretched hand and hand
it to Jered. His face is all it takes to push me over the edge. I watch as
shock is replaced by outrage, which is replaced with dawning recognition.
    After
a hasty apology and exit, I reappear invisible in the kitchen. Plates clatter
with such vehemence, I’m sure Corrie is going to break something.
    “Give
her a chance, Mom. She didn’t mean anything,” Jered says.
    “I
don’t think it’s a good idea for you to see her any more. I’m sorry, but
something isn’t right. Do you even know anything about her? Have you met her
family?”
    Jered
sucks in his lip, and Corrie takes his hesitation as an answer.
    “I
can’t know for sure, but I think she might have been abused, Jered.”
    “And
you want me to avoid her because of that?” Jered’s face flushes; his eyes
flash.
    Corrie
drops some silverware in the dishwasher and flips a towel over her shoulder,
pausing to consider her son. She finally releases her breath and says, “I don’t
know what it is, Jered. But I know you. You’re a good person, and the last
thing you need is to get sucked into someone else’s drama. She’ll use you. I’ve
seen this pattern before, over and over with the kids at work.”
    “You
sure have it all figured out, Mom. Is this how you size up your patients? Say
hello and decide what’s best for them? Leela’s a good person. I’m not going to
stop seeing her.”
    “You’re
seventeen. You’re still a minor. And I say you are. I don’t want to see you get
hurt.”
    Jered
stares hard at Corrie, but Corrie stares right back. Finally he storms up to
his room, where I appear before him, head down, hair falling in my face. Will
this be the point where he starts punishing me? I wonder. I think of things
I might say to stop it from happening. Offering to change his mother’s memories
perhaps. But the words catch in my throat.
    “Leela,”
he says, and his voice is painfully soft. “Are you okay?”
    I
lift my chin. “I couldn’t help it,” I say. Never once has an attempt to defend
myself worked with a Master. But for some reason I am compelled to try.
    “It
was my fault. Not yours. I’m sorry, Leela.”
    Jered
continues on, telling me that I should stay hidden from now on. That he’ll pretend he broke up with me. But my heart is caught on
those first words, and I almost allow myself to hope that everything might be
okay this time around.

Djinn Tracker
     
     
    appear in the passenger seat of Jered’s old compact after school. I’ve taken
the liberty of moving Gabe to the back seat. I ignore his protests and note the
twinkle in my master’s eye in response to my sudden arrival. I push aside the
squeezing in my chest. What is wrong with me?
    “Where
are we going today?” I ask.
    “Downtown
Chicago.” I like that response. Finally somewhere interesting. Thus far, he’s
only dragged me through his sleepy suburb, asking me to fix people in the
hospital, rescue cats from trees, and other humdrum tasks. He explains that
every small act of kindness can change the world. I do not argue, just revel in
his excitement and innocence.
    I
slide next to him and rest my head on his shoulder. I feel him tense, but I
also hear his pulse speed up. I smile.
    “You
should put on your seatbelt,” he says.
    “I
will not be hurt,” I say, playing with the corner of his jacket.
    “I
could get a ticket.”
    “I
won’t let the police pull you over.” He frowns at me but doesn’t argue anymore.
I enjoy the feel of him, the musky scent that lingers in the air around him. I
sit quietly the rest of the way downtown, silently moving traffic aside without
his knowledge. At