It didn't take her long to reach the office buildings where the mythologist and ancient linguistics expert resided.
As it turned out, he was a professor at a nearby university.
Carefully, she trudged up the cobblestone path, that led to the glass revolving door of the otherwise steel building. She cradled the ancient book that had been wrapped in preserving cloth lightly in one hand; while the other gave a reassuring pat to her pocket where the gem sat patiently.
she walked up to the help desk where she learned that his name was Dr. Nirah Harun Al-Caliph, from the kindly old receptionist.
"His office is on the 3 floor, left side. His name is on his office door," directed the receptionist, as she pointed to a set of elevators and sent Kagome off on her way.
The ride up was smooth. Unlike some of the buildings she'd visited since she arrived, this one was well maintained and modern. Made of plexi-glass and steel, the high-rise was the tallest on the university's campus.
The elevator was also made of glass with a very large working steel sundial embedded in its floor.
Though beautiful to look at, it was also equally terrifying. Those who were afraid of heights would probably die of fright at the sight of the glass box.
Dinging, signaling that she had arrived at her destination reached her ears and the doors slid open.
As the receptionist had directed, his office was on the left down a very short hallway and she found herself staring at the name plate on the door for a brief moment. Taking a deep reassuring breath, she gave a light knock, and waited.
She could hear as things were being shuffled around before the door eased open and revealed the smiling face of Dr. Nirah.
Though not a tall man, his eyes were kind and he was much younger than she had thought he'd be. She guessed that he may have been somewhere in his mid-30's. His was dressed very casual for a professor, just a simple button up and jeans.
He gestured for her to come in and pointed out a modest wooden table with three chairs around it, for them to take a seat at.
Carefully, she laid the tome upon the table and undid the protective cloth. Watching as his eyes went wide with recognition and apprehension.
"Hi, I'm Kagome Higurashi and I was told by Dr. Azeem Al-Phrygia that you might be able to help me translate this," began the raven haired beauty evenly, pointing to the ancient book and tapping it lightly.
Reaching into her pocket she slowly pulled out the opulent gem and also sat it on the table with a soft clink.
"Also, I was wondering if you knew something about this gem. I found it in an altar room in a cave under the statue of the God Anu. Or if not, then maybe you know of a gemologist that can at least help me figure what kind of gem it is. It kind've looks like a pearl but I'm sure that's not what it is at all."
Shocked, he stared at both book and gem, before his eyes drifted up to Kagome's. Nodding his head, he ran his fingers through his hair in anxiety.
"The book, I have seen before," he began softly. "It is the same story told in many different languages across many different countries. The story of Solomon's curse."
"Solomon's curse? He told me that those were what the tattoos on his body were," whispered Kagome out loud. Not really expecting the professor to hear her, but he did.
"Then he's come to you already?" He asked gravely, and she nodded.
"I thought it was a dream. That he was just a dream—all because I had passed out in the altar room," she explained quietly.
"He is no dream and if you saw him—" he began to explain and then stopped. Instead, he pulled the tome to him and with great caution, opened it.
Voice even and steady, he began to translate it for her, though he himself knew the myth by memory.
"In a time before time, God breathed life into the universe. His light gave birth to the angels and then from the earth arose man in his image. But it was from fire and darkness that forged the Djinn. Powerful beings that walked the land far longer than us; when the earth was without form and void and covered in darkness. Djinn were worshiped as Gods, for we knew no better. However, it was the great Solomon's curse that finally condemned them to reside between the realms; watching—waiting, for the day they could roam free again. Man has no need to fear God because he has no intention to harm us, but man should fear the Djinn. Fear them, and most of all, fear their intentions for those who were foolish enough to wake them."
Closing the book, Nirah deep browns met the ocean blue of Kagome's. His faced was etched in worry and something else.
Something that she had never really seen before but knew all the same, fear. True, blood freezing fear that only those who know they are about to die brutally have held. As she looked at him, she understood that he wasn't just afraid for himself—he was afraid for her.
"Miss Higurashi, it was not a dream. Mythology tells us that this being is far older, wiser and more dangerous than any of us could ever image. We live in a world where we rationalize everything with scientific explanation. The time of great sorcerers has passed. A being such as a Djinn would take over and enslave us all, like in old times, if the myths are to be believed. Only there would be no Solomon to stop him," he explained gravely.
"He told me that he can grant wishes, but only if he wants to and he called me his Goddess." Kagome revealed awkwardly.
"Yes, Djinn can grant wishes, but unlike the stories Disney has made us believe, they come at a horrible price. One that no mortal pays willingly," nodded Nirah.
Reaching across the table, he picked up the gem.
"This," he explained, holding the stone so that it gleamed in the light streaming in from the glass windows. "Is called Margarite. It is a gemstone of great power. Solomon used gemstones like this one to seal the Djinn over 3000 years ago. Those wishes, that you asked about, forfeit any mortal's soul to him after he has granted whatever they have desired. If he can collect enough of them, he will be able to blur the link between the worlds and Djinn will once again walk among us and rule. Be warned Miss Higurashi, he will stop at nothing to make that happen. Djinn are masters of trickery."
"But he was so amiable. He told me that he doesn't grant wishes to people who have freed him. I mean, if he was as bad as you say all Djinn are then every soul would matter to him, right? And he's already free so he doesn't need me anymore. So, then why did he visit me and kiss me?" She began as she tried to picture what Dr. Nirah had been suggesting but she just couldn't get what he had showed her in the altar room out of her head. "Maybe all Djinn are different, just like us. I mean, look how both of our people have been stereotyped over the years. Does what is said about us as a whole, mean it's true about us all individually? Some, may be horrible and evil but what if there are good ones out there too? I'd feel awful if someone judged me based off what others who looked like me have done and I don't know if I should be so willing to do that to him," defended Kagome, thinking about the way he kissed and held her, the way he had made her feel.
"There are good and bad Djinn, on that you are right. However, Solomon only sealed away those who had done very bad things to prove themselves as evil. So, if this one has been nice to you, as you have stated, then it is perhaps a trick of some sort that will play into something he wants. Whatever his intentions are I can guarantee they are not pure or done out of love," countered Nirah warningly.
He had the sinking feeling that she was going to be used for something far darker than any book he had read, ever mentioned. He needed to figure out just what this thing had planned for her—for them all and he needed to do it fast.
Raising from his chair, Nirah walked over to one of the many bookshelves that lined his spacious office and after a short search found what he was looking for. Pulling it out, he walked back over to the table and handed it to Kagome.
"I can't force you to read that but I would suggest that you do. It would be in your best interest to know and understand the beast you are up against. You may be beguiled by his charms and appearance but remember he is not a man. So, do yourself a favor and try not to be so quick to fall for his tricks. Eventually, you will see him for what he really is. I only hope that by then it is not too late—for us all," cautioned the professor soberly, unsure if she would heed him.
With that, she thanked the professor for his time and insight, gathered the gem and book that he had given her and headed back home.
That night Kagome struggled with the decision to read the book or not. On one hand Nirah was right, she needed to know what she was up against. On the other, she wondered if she should be so quick to judge him base on what she would read or what he was showing her of his character. She debated with herself for hours until she had given herself a headache.
Mentally exhausted she drew herself a nice hot bath and after relaxing in the lavender scented water for over an hour, she got out. Sliding the soft satin nightgown down her body she climbed into bed and fell fast asleep.
Whereas earlier she dreamed of the altar room, tonight she dreamed only of her own bedroom. Stretching, she rolled over and felt as strong arms pulled her into their embrace. Looking up, she found the handsome Djinn smirking down at her.
Immediately, he drew her in for a passionate kiss continuing right where they had left off from earlier. In the blink of an eye, he was hovering over her. Teasingly, he nipped at her neck as she closed her eyes and moaned in pleasure.
"Will you kill me and take my soul?" Asked Kagome suddenly, thinking about what the professor had said.
"No, I would never harm you," he whispered in between kisses. "You are my Goddess. I only want to worship you. To bring you pleasures unknown to your mortal body." Reaching between them he pulled himself free from his loose pants and slid himself against her entrance. "Men have killed for the treasures that lay here. Found their joy and their deaths at these slickened gates. But only a coward would kill that which can gift him so much. And make no mistake, I am many things but I am not cowardly."
"I thought that Djinn would hate mortals. I mean, it was one of us that locked you away," moaned the blue eyed girl.
"Yes," he agreed as he lifted one of her legs to drape over his shoulder and her foot dangled down his broad back. "I hate the ones who locked me in that gilded prison but they were not you and you are not them. You are the Goddess I wish to worship until I am too spent to utter your name. The one who's nectar I wish to taste until you can make no more. You may be sore in places no one has thought to touch but I would not harm you—" the Djinn swore, trailing off and leaving the last sentence unfinished.
"Kagome," she whispered, soft and breathy. Completely blow away by what he had revealed to her and also extremely turned on.
"Ka-Go-Me," he smirked darkly. "A lovely name for such a beautiful Goddess. My Goddess, feel how I worship you with such passion befitting of your beauty." In one swift powerful thrust he was seated within her. Deep and ardently he filled her willing form. Thrust after thrust, his undulating hips brought her to new heights.
"Is this another dream or is this real?" Questioned Kagome barely hanging on to rational thoughts as she was swept away in the sea of his passion.
"Open your eyes and see my Goddess. We are real and this moment is also real. Can't you feel me? Feel how we are connected. How deeply I am embedded within you," he whispered darkly in between each deep thrust and passion filled kiss.
Slowly, she opened her eyes to see that he told the truth. This was not a dream. Wrapping her legs tighter around his slim waist, they rocked in unison. Fueled by passion and lust they careened towards their climax.
And as she closed her eyes once more and her orgasm ripped through her body like a tsunami, the inky black markings of Solomon's curse coursing down his chest began to lighten just a bit.
Moaning, as his own orgasm threaten to overwhelm him in its approach, his eyes left Kagome's beautiful face to that of his own reflection in her vanity mirror.
And as his orgasm crashed upon him like a small boat swept out to sea by the storm, he smirked victoriously.
For it, had worked.
Spent and fulfilled, Kagome drifted off into dreamland. The Djinn made sure her dreams were beautiful, vibrant and peaceful.
Stroking his finger along her jawline, he placed a chaste kiss upon her temple.
"My Goddess—my beautiful Goddess. As you dream of peace and love and laughter, I must get to work. I have great plans for you and I but first I must venture out into this new world and set about ancient toil. Sleep well, and I will be back before you wake. Wiser of this world and one step closer to achieving that which I was denied 3000 years ago," he promised softly, as his smirk darkened and his eyes flashed red.
A/N: Okay so how is everyone enjoying the story so far? I'd love to hear your thoughts, comments and theory on what you think is going to happen next and why.
Reviews are fuel!