"I didn't mean it like that," I said.

"I think you did rather." Malik held up his hands at my glare. Winking, he disappeared. Cue flame, blinding light, searing heat, yadda yadda yadda.

I blinked against the bright afterimage on my corneas.

Ari swore, cradling his shoulder and running out of the room as if he could catch Malik. I ran after him. Clearing up Rohan's misunderstanding would have to wait until after we'd found the marid.

I got halfway through ...