The Glittering Gems

“I can’t believe I missed a class,” I griped. “At least the professor did too.” Hopefully, Treen would be replaced quickly and I would be able to enjoy Engineering Statics again. It had served me well in the six weeks since genies had entered my life.

Rajan shook his head at me. “You are unbelievable.” We stood around the corner from the professors’ offices, Illan still in human form. “We faced down a pervert, the McMichaels, and a genie wizard, and you’re concerned about missing a class.”

“Each class session has value,” Illan argued. “Proper students build upon their studies in each session, and to miss one is to miss a building block in one’s knowledge.”

I gestured at him in vindication. “See? He gets it. He would have been interested at the museum.” The thought of the museum brought up a memory of something Rajan said. “Is Illan the genie you talked about that day? The one who likes logic?”

Rajan crossed his arms and scowled. He’d been doing that a lot since we’d captured Santiago and the McMichaels. What was he so upset about?

“Yes,” he grudgingly confirmed, glaring at Illan as though liking logic were offensive.

Excited, I turned back to Illan. “Would you want to know whether it was a mammoth or a mastodon about to skewer you?”

Illan looked between me and Rajan, as though expecting further elaboration, before cautiously saying, “Yes, though I am aware of the differences between the two species.”

Rajan laughed at Illan’s baffled look. “The story of how Ali and I met is way more interesting than how you two met.” His lip curled into a sneer. “Though I suppose a college campus is fitting for the two of you.”

Illan smiled with his eyes, which turned up at the corners as their color seemed to warm. It reminded me of cozily watching the first snowfall of the year while snuggled into a couch with a blanket.

“I look forward to hearing the story of your meeting—as well as Tavor and Ali’s story.”

I shook my head. “Oh, it isn’t much of a story. Echoing Tavor’s words, I just have rotten luck.”