As the door swung fully open, I almost choked.

Chapter 11: River

An unearthly vision appeared before our eyes. The top half of an impossibly beautiful woman floated upon a whirl of pale blue mist. She had stunning golden eyes and curling jet-black hair that trailed past her waistline. Her jawline was strong and she had wide, thick lips. A richly embroidered azure bandeau adorned her chest, revealing her muscled lower stomach. Her ivory skin shimmered in the soft lighting of the corridor, making her appear all the more ethereal.

When she opened her mouth to speak, it was in a familiar voice. A voice that was soft and silky, yet so distinct that it rang in my ears as though she was shouting. It was a voice that had appeared in my head before, and I was sure in Ben’s too.

“Welcome home.”

Ben and I were both lost for words. I was beyond thinking that I must be dreaming, but the sight of this—woman? Ghost? I didn’t even know what to call her—it was just too much for my mind to process.

As if I wasn’t already struggling enough, the leopard walked right up to the woman, and a second later, he’d transformed into a man… at least, the top half of a man. He had warm brown hair and orange eyes, and the bottom half of him consisted only of smoke, just like the woman. Also like the woman, he had a thick jaw, although it was far more pronounced than hers. He cast his orange gaze toward Ben and me briefly before turning to the woman. Placing one hand beneath her chin, he leaned in and caught her lips in his.

The woman smiled like a cat as he drew away. A contented expression on her face, she looked back at us. “Thank you for fetching them, Bahir.” As she looked Ben and me over, her eyes remained longer on me, her smile broadening—or perhaps it was just my imagination.

Bahir glanced our way once more, then vanished, leaving us alone with the woman.

“Come in,” she said, beckoning us inside.

Ben remained rooted to the spot, holding me there with him. He found his voice before me. “Who are you?”

A gust of wind appeared out of nowhere behind us. The unexpected force of it pushed us both forward, through the doorway and into the woman’s corridor.

The front door closed.

Ben’s arm found my waist as he held me protectively against him.

“An understandable question,” the woman said, still smiling broadly, revealing a set of thick white teeth. “But why don’t you make yourself comfortable first, my children?”

Children?

She levitated along the corridor. I looked nervously at Ben. He looked uncertain, but he led us forward, following the woman. When we reached the end of the corridor, we arrived in what appeared to be a living room. It was the size of a hall. Lush green plants in golden pots lined the walls, and embroidered love seats and huge cushions were scattered about. All the fabric I laid eyes on—from the drapes that hung from the walls to the seating material—appeared to be silk, and beaded with pearls or some kind of precious jewel. She led us to an enormous sofa in the center of the room, whose cushions were so big and bouncy they looked like I might get lost in them.

Why do they have so many seats when they don’t even have butts? I couldn’t help but wonder.

She gestured toward the couch, but Ben didn’t sit down. He remained standing, and although my knees felt weak, I remained standing too.

The woman crossed her arms over her chest, her smile fading slightly. “Very well,” she said, her face taking on a more serious expression. “You asked who I am. My name is Nuriya, Queen of the Nasiri Jinn and Mistress of The Oasis.”

Jinn.

I looked toward Ben. I wondered if he had even been aware that such creatures existed. From the look on his face, it didn’t appear that he had.

My mouth was so dry it hurt to swallow. “What have you done with our people?” I managed. “And my family?”

When her eyes returned to me again, I was surprised to see a flicker of what appeared to be kindness behind them.

“You need not fear for them, my beauty,” she said. “They are all quite safe.”

“Where are they?” Ben demanded, his fists clenched.

Nuriya looked unamused by Ben’s tone of voice. She turned her attention back on me, ignoring his question.

“You want to see your family, dear?” she asked, and for the first time, she touched me. Her fingers brushed against my cheek. They were so soft and smooth, they felt like petals gliding against my skin. I was surprised that I could feel her touch at all. Her body seemed so ethereal, I expected her to just go right through me.

“Where have you taken them?” I asked.

“Come with me.” She held out her hand. Eyeing Ben nervously, I reached out and took it. Ben motioned to follow, but she held up a hand to him. “No, Benjamin. You wait here. Your turn will come.”

Before he could object, she was pulling me across the hall, toward a door at the other end of it.

Ben sped up. “You’re not taking her away from me,” he said, grabbing my arm.

“Ben,” I said through gritted teeth. “Let me go. Please.”

We didn’t know anything about these creatures, and we ought not try their patience—especially when they held our families’ lives in their hands. Assuming Nuriya wasn’t lying when she said that they were still alive.

Ben must’ve sensed the desperation in my eyes. He exhaled sharply, then let go of me, his eyes still on me as Nuriya led me through the door. She closed it behind us. We had appeared in a warmly lit corridor.