Samara’s shrill voice cries, “Azra, app, appi—”
I’m already launching myself out the front door. I collide with Henry just as eight assorted Jinn materialize out of thin air in my living room. I slam the door shut and pry myself off of Henry’s chest. I search his eyes, whose same greenish hue as Jenny’s leaves me momentarily speechless, for any sign that he caught a glimpse of the swarm of teleporting Jinn.
I can’t read the look on his face. Surprise? Fear? Amusement? Amusement, yes, he’s tickled pink, and not just from the sun. From me.
“Sorry,” I say. “Laila was … changing.”
Henry’s grin widens as he looks at the door and then back at me. He inches forward, eyes narrowing, head tilting.
I inch backward, shoulders hunching, knees bending.
With Jenny gone, Henry might be the only human able to tell that my change in appearance is from more than a full day at a high-end Boston salon.
“Is something … different?” he asks.
“Spa day,” I say without hesitation as I sweep my long braid off my shoulder. “Mom’s idea of a birthday present.”
My lies flow as easily as water from a faucet, but this time, with Henry, as I slink into the shadows being cast by the fading sun, it’s not just to hide my new look; it’s also to hide my guilt.
Skepticism radiates from Henry’s nod as he rests against the weathered gray shingles to the left of the door. He squints and then points to my shirt. “Purple?”
“Another birthday present.”
“It’s nice. That was Jenny’s favorite color.”
I flatten my palm across my chest. How could I forget? Did my mother remember? That I’m sure she did makes my heart grow heavy.
“Nice that you’re having a party,” he says.
A party Jenny can’t have. The only sound is that of the foil balloon brushing against the door frame.
Now my heart may as well be made of lead.
Henry clears his throat. “Haven’t seen Laila around much. I’m glad you two are still close. And that was her mother? Sam? What was that she was saying? Appy…”
Pushing past the knot in my stomach, I issue what I hope is a breezy laugh. “Oh, that was just Lal—” I swallow and laugh again. “I mean, Aunt Sam trying hard to be funny. ‘Appy Berfday.’ Working on her cockney accent, I think.”
My body had sprung into action even before Samara had finished her warning. Which makes me wonder why none of our Zar sisters managed to detect the presence of a human before appearing. Was Henry too far from them or were they too busy horsing around to take notice? My mother said the more attuned we are to our senses and to our surroundings, the better and farther out the detection works.
I notice Henry eyeing the small gap between the front window’s curtains and snatch the string from him. “Thanks for this.”
Running his hand through his hair and leaving several tufts standing upright, he says, “Oh, sure, but that’s just my cover. This is your real present.” He digs into the front pocket of his jeans and pulls out a small silver key. “Here.”
Instead of taking it, I slide farther into the shadows. “What’s that for?”
“My parents finally put a lock on the fence gate. I figured what with it being your birthday and all, you might need your escape hatch.”
The string slips through my fingers, but Henry catches the end before the balloon races for the stars.
“You knew?” I say, sounding as dumbfounded as I feel.
Seeking refuge in the Carwyns’ backyard during the Zar gatherings held at our house started a couple of years ago and by now has become my routine. Sneaking away even for a few moments helps prevent the sheer quantity of Jinn-ness from suffocating me.
I had no idea that Henry had been watching me.
He gently places the key and the balloon’s string in my hand. “If I had as many aunts and cousins as you, I’m sure I’d need a break too.”
Our eyes meet, and I immediately lower my golden gaze.
“Hey,” he says, “don’t look so worried. I haven’t told anyone. But I did keep a lookout to make sure you didn’t fall in the pool or freeze to death.”
I had no idea that Henry had been watching out for me.
“Figured your family was coming tonight. Now if you need to go on the lam, you can. And, as always, mum’s the word.”
Still in shock, I stammer out, “You … you won’t say anything?”
He shrugs a yes. “Can’t have sisters and not be good at keeping secrets.”
A smile tugs at the corners of my lips. I’m good at keeping secrets. Sharing them is a new experience. One, at least with Henry, I like. He’s become the older brother Jenny would have deserved.
The front door I’m leaning against flies open, and I tumble backward over the threshold and into the living room. I tuck the key into my pocket before facing my own version of sisters.
Steam threatens to billow off my searing hot cheeks as I’m flanked by Yasmin, Hana, Mina, and Farrah. Who just happen to be decked out in genie costumes. Exposed belly button, gauzy harem pants, tiny hat with sheer headscarf, the whole ridiculous nine yards of flowing fabric. And Henry’s right here. Are they crazy? At least I can count on Laila to help … Oh, come on.
Laila bounces down the stairs in her own sparkly pink ensemble. She flips the scarf off her face as she rushes to hug Henry.
“I haven’t seen you in forever!” Laila says as she lets him go.
He hovers in the doorway. It’s not often that humans see six GITs in one place. Add in that five are half naked, and Henry’s face turns as red as mine feels.
He shoves the end of his T-shirt into his jeans. “Of all the days for my Batsuit to be at the cleaners.”
No one but me laughs at his joke. It’s possible no one but me gets his joke.
“Wouldn’t have pegged you as a costume party kind of girl, Azra,” Henry says. He nods to my mother, who enters the room from the kitchen. “Didn’t mean to crash the party, Mrs. Nadira.”