I almost lost my footing as a stabbing pain surged in my stomach. It was excruciating, as though someone was twisting a knife into my gut. I staggered back, dropping the brown sack. I let out a low groan, falling to my knees and doubling over.

“Benjamin!” Julie’s voice came from behind me, followed by Aisha and Arron hurrying over. I rolled over, lying on my back and clutching my chest, gasping for breath. I shut my eyes tight, as though that would help to contain the pain.

“Bahir!” Aisha gasped.

My eyes shot open to see Bahir emerging from my chest and hovering in front of me. His strong body was limp, practically sagging, as he floated next to Aisha. His dark hair was as messy as a bird’s nest, and his previously vibrant face appeared ragged and worn. His chest and back heaved as he panted.

“I had to take a break,” he wheezed, looking from me to Aisha. “I am—”

My brain didn’t register any other words. A black film came down over my vision, the agony in my stomach spreading to my chest and shooting pain through my entire body. I found myself shooting to my feet even in spite of the ache, and the next thing I knew, I’d leapt from the ledge. I dove in a free fall, whizzing past the mountainside, until I landed with as much ease as a cat on a boulder at the foot of the cliff we’d been perched on. I didn’t pause for a second or glance back up at the distance I’d just jumped. All I knew was that I had to escape. I had to get off of this island. I had to…

Visions of a barren land of sharp-peaked black mountains and a red-tinged sky blasted through my mind.

Cruor.

I need to get to Cruor.

I dashed forward over the rocky terrain with lightning speed. My legs assumed a mind of their own. Everything around me was a blur, the wind almost painful as I sliced through it.

Then something hit me hard on the back of my head and threw me off balance. I took a misstep and slipped on a rock. I stumbled, falling to the ground. My limbs, as if electrified, barely registered the fall. I sprang back up instantly and moved to continue hurtling forward.

But I couldn’t. Aisha appeared directly in front of me, holding out both hands. My limbs had frozen, and I couldn’t budge an inch. I tried to shout, yell curses at the insolent jinni for impeding my way, order her to let me pass, but I couldn’t even move my mouth.

And then she ran at me. Her body became translucent at the last second, and she dove into my chest, her body melding with mine as she vanished inside of me. A growl escaped my lips, but as the last of her blue mist soaked into my chest, the pain tearing me up subsided.

It happened so suddenly it came as a shock. My vision focused again and I looked around me at the unfamiliar setting. I could barely even remember how I’d gotten down here.

What just happened to me? Why did Bahir exit me? And now Aisha is inside me?

I caught sight of Bahir and Julie hurrying toward me among the rocks. Bahir reached me first and gripped my arm. Despite his appearance, his grasp still had surprising strength.

“Come with me,” he said.

“What just happened?” I panted.

“Let’s get back to our base first.” His light mist surrounded me and a moment later, he’d transported the three of us back to the ledge, where Arron was standing tensely by the fire.

“What was that?” I repeated.

“I’m sure that Nuriya explained to you that I could only inhabit you and fight off the Elder for so long,” Bahir said. “I was losing all strength. I had to leave you. Aisha has taken my place inside you to continue fighting the battle for me until I have regained enough strength to resume the task.”

“That pain,” I breathed. “It was more consuming than I’d ever felt before. And—”

“Because the Elder is more desperate for blood than ever before,” Bahir said. “He knows he is on the edge of success. You are in the supernatural realm now, closer to Cruor than ever before. He sees this as merely the last stretch before you return to him. He is calling you back, Benjamin, now more than ever.”

Bahir’s words sent chills running down my spine.

Even as I was still registering what had just happened, I glanced down at my chest. Aisha… that girl is inside me now. That was a bizarre enough notion to wrap my mind around in and of itself.

My legs still felt unsteady. Snatching up the brown sack of ingredients I’d dropped to the ground, I re-fastened it to my belt securely and sat down. I was grateful that my three companions gave me space, though I sensed Julie’s anxious gaze roaming me.

Bahir’s relinquishing his hold on me had come when I’d least expected it. I had been aware that he couldn’t keep up the fight forever… I supposed I had just lulled myself into a false sense of security. His leaving me on my own, completely at the mercy of the Elder’s influence, had given me another harrowing taste of what my life would be like if I ever got separated from these jinn. It served as a terrifying reminder of how dependent I’d become, and how close I was to the precipice with every breath I took.

CHAPTER 23: BEN

Bahir hadn’t been able to follow what had happened since we’d left The Oasis. He said that the strain of remaining inside me and stifling the Elder’s influence hadn’t left him with the energy to pay attention to what was going on outside. He had many questions, so I gave him a brief overview of everything that had transpired since he merged into me back in the desert. After I’d finished my explanation, the next few hours passed in silence until the early morning hours arrived and Arron indicated that we should head to the entrance of the tunnel.