***

Three minutes later, Vivian walked back into her living room to see Ennedi propping his brother on the couch. Omrys’s head lolled to the side and he kept slipping sideways, but otherwise, he was doing a good job. When Ennedi saw her, he patted Omrys’s shoulder and gave Vivian a thumbs up.

“Here’s your tea,” Vivian said, setting the steaming mug on a coaster. Her mother had always believed in preserving the wood on the small coffee table.

“Thanks,” Ennedi replied, sitting on the couch beside Omrys. At the disruption, Omrys’s unconscious body slumped sideways, flopping onto Ennedi’s shoulder. The young man sighed and pushed Omrys away unceremoniously.

“I’d like to warn you of Omrys’s tendencies to attract trouble for his masters,” Ennedi told her.

Vivian forced a laugh, her mouth dry. She was already struggling with this situation, trouble was not something she was eager for. “Great. I would like to avoid getting murdered if it's all the same to you,” Vivian said mildly, sounding a lot calmer than she felt.

“Ah, yes. Classic humans. Always trying to avoid death.”

“Yeah,” Vivian said slowly. “Those darn humans. So, you said I was in peril?”

“I did say that, yes,” Ennedi confirmed, sipping on his tea. Vivian noticed how his pale green eyes looked so ethereal, and how his smooth skin was softly dusted with a smatter of freckles across his cheeks. Vivian moved her focus away from Ennedi’s appearance. He had the kind of beauty that was easy to get lost in.

“Care to elaborate?”

Ennedi set his tea down on the table. “Well, you see, Omrys is not liked by many. Our siblings, for example…. They have very - how do you put it- loose moral codes.”

“Ah, yes. Omrys mentioned.”

“The contract you have with Omrys forbids many of us from interfering with you until your contract is complete. Even so, there are always rule-breakers and loopholes.

Since I am disinclined to see anyone murdered without due cause, I thought that I would give you a warning, and,” Ennedi removed what looked like a business card from one of his pockets, “give you this. It has my number on it if you need to contact me.”

Vivian took the card. It was a simple grey colour. On the back, a phone number was printed in white text.

“Thank you,” Vivian said.

“My pleasure.”

Vivian glanced at the sleeping Omrys. He looked irritated, even when unconscious.

“You’re a djinn too, then?” Vivian asked Ennedi.

“Yes, the third eldest of our father’s children. Our power is also somewhat linked to our age. As I am the third eldest child, I am the third most powerful, while Omrys is the youngest…”

“Sounds cliche,” Vivian said slowly.

Ennedi laughed. “Yes, I suppose it is. We all have nothing on Aposlan, as you would suspect.”

“Aposlan?”

“Our eldest sibling. He is the golden prince of the Djinn world. And I'm not exaggerating. That guy practically glows.”

Omrys muttered sleepily, his cheek twitching. Ennedi gave him a surprisingly soft look. “Look after my brother, if you can. We all love him in our own way. Actually, maybe not all of us. A couple of us. Perhaps just me.”

Vivian wasn't surprised to find that Omrys was not popular in his world. “Er, sure.”

Ennedi gave her an appreciative smile. “Thanks, Lochlan.”

Vivian made a face. “That's what the teacher who hates me at school calls me.”

“My apologies, I’ll try not to bring up bad memories. I can smite her if you like.”

“Oh, that's fine,” Vivian reassured him nervously. She wasn't sure if he was joking, and she wasn't keen on being responsible for anyone’s death, even if that person seemed to have a noxious side reserved especially for her.

Omrys blinked blearily, his eyes unfocused. He groaned from where he was slumped beside Ennedi on the couch. “What in the Nine Hells-”

Omrys sat up, then saw Ennedi beside him. “Ennedi!” He snarled.

“Brother, you're awake,” Ennedi said pleasantly, ignoring his sibling’s temper.

“Why are you here?” Omrys demanded.

Ennedi seemed to hesitate. “Actually, I was just telling Vivian all about that.”

“And?” Omrys glared.

“And… I was just leaving.” Ennedi got up from the couch. “I'm sure Vivian can explain it to you,” Ennedi gave her a wink.

“Hey, wait-” Omrys growled, rising to intercept him.

“Bye, you two. Don't have too much fun,” Ennedi said cheerfully. And with that, the djinn clapped his hands together and disappeared into nothing.

Omrys’s vulgar string of curses faded into the background as Vivian stared, unblinkingly at the spot were Ennedi had last been. She still hadn’t managed to get used to the wonders of Djinns.

“Stupid, useless brother,” Omrys fumed.

“He seemed nice,” Vivian noted.

“Oh, you mortal women, always getting so dreamy over Ennedi’s beautiful eyes and all his other advantages,” Omrys accused her.

“I am not dreamy,” Vivian denied indignantly. “And he had something important to say, unlike a certain someone.”

“Oh? What did he say?” the Djinn’s eyes paused on the business card Vivian still held in her hand.

“He said that you’d get us into trouble,” she said, folding her arms.

“It would be easier for me to keep us out of trouble,” Omrys bit out, “if you weren't such a pathetic mortal.”

“And it would be easier for me if you weren’t such an asshole.”

“Why don't you just make three wishes and release me, then.”

Vivian rolled her eyes and got up from the couch. Truthfully, it sounded like the smartest option right now.

After a moment, Omrys sighed. “Ennedi is telling the truth, as he always does,” he admitted. “The only time he lies is when its better for someone else.”

“He sounds like a great guy,” Vivian said, grateful that they seemed to be ending the argument. Hopefully, they wouldn't just careen into another one. “What’s your problem with him?”

“He’s perfect,” Omrys grumbled.

“Uh-huh,” Vivian replied, drifting into the kitchen. Of course he would have a terrible excuse.

“Well, I have to go back to school tomorrow. You need to figure out what you’re going to do.”

Omrys sighed again. “Ugh. This place is boring. School is boring. Why do you go to school anyway?”

“Unfortunately, I need an education.”

“Stupid humans and their stupid child prisons,” Omrys growled, kicking the leg of the couch.

“Don't abuse my couch,” Vivian scolded him.

She rinsed her cup of tea in the sink, watching the water swirl down the drain. Her hands felt a little shaky. Vivian turned off the tap and leaned against the kitchen bench, wondering what kind of mess she had gotten herself into. She has always been a little on the odd side at school, being the weird, artistic kid with a questionable backstory. Friends were uncommon and usually didn't stay long. What would happen now that she had a demon following her around?

A rattle in one of the nearby cupboards distracted her from her thoughts. Frowning, she watched as the cupboard rattled again. Perhaps a stray cat had somehow gotten trapped in the house. But why would it be in this cupboard? As far as Vivian could remember, the only items in there were the old plastic plates her sister used to take to parties.

Deciding against investigating on her own, Vivian called Omrys into the kitchen. He entered somewhat reluctantly.

“What is it?” Omrys demanded.

Vivian pointed to the cupboard. After a moment of stillness, the cupboard doors rattled again.

Omrys blinked. “That's a very sinister cupboard you’ve got there.”

“Yeah. Exceptionally spooky. So…”

“Guess who’s not opening it? Me. I’m not opening it,” Omrys told her quickly.

“Oh come on, it’s probably just a wild animal,” Vivian pouted.

“It's probably a raccoon . I hate raccoons.”

“We don't usually get raccoons around here, actually.”

Omrys frowned at her side-on, as he was still keeping most of his attention on the suspicious rattling. “What place doesn’t have raccoons?”

“This place.”

Omrys folded his arms. “I still refuse.”

Biting her lip nervously, Vivian made up her mind. “Fine, I'll open it. If it’s a giant spider, we have to burn the house down.”

She bent down slowly, cautiously reaching her hand out to touch the handle. The cupboard rattled violently once more, but Vivian was determined. “If I die, I want a tomb,” she told Omrys before tugging open the cupboard door. For a moment nothing happened, then there was an awful shriek and something came flying toward them, but Vivian was being pulled back and there was a bright flash of light.

Vivian found her back pressed against Omrys as he dragged her away from the cupboard. One hand was around her waist and the other was held outstretched, a finger pointed at something pinned in a glowing orb of light. To her disgust, Vivian realised it was a huge, black rat. But instead of the normal, earthly rat, this animal had three tails and four eyes.

Vivian said something then that would make an angel flinch.

“A Morcus Rat,” Omrys mused as he held the rat suspended in the glowing orb. “Damn, Vivian. You’re in a hurry to see God today.”

“With what I just said, I don't think it’s God I’ll be meeting,” Vivian muttered.

The rat squealed and squirmed in its prison, perhaps a foot from Omrys’s outstretched hand.

“What’s a Morcus Rat?” Vivian asked him.

Omrys clenched his fist suddenly, and the rat exploded. The remains splattered everything in black goo, but almost immediately began to disintegrate into nothing. Vivian was relieved. At least she wouldn't have to clean exploded demon rats out of her kitchen.

“That's really gross,” Vivian complained as Omrys released her and stepped away.

“You could thank me for saving your life any time soon,” Omrys said casually.

“Yep, cheers,” Vivian allowed, before repeating her previous question.

“Nasty type of lower demon. They're almost more of a curse than a demon. If one manages to get you, the victim gets infected with an ancient plague. Really messy stuff. Horrible way to die.”

Vivian shuddered. “What was it doing in my kitchen?”

“You smell nice to them.”

Vivian blinked. “Excuse me?”

The Djinn shrugged. “Ever since you entered into a contract with me, your ‘smell’ has been changing. You begin to attract more demons.”

Vivian sniffed at herself self-consciously. “I smell?”

Omrys sighed irritably. “Only demons can smell you, dumb human. It's a particular kind of scent that things have.”

“What, and I smell like fast food to them?” Vivian demanded.

“Basically, yeah. They all want to eat you or cause havoc. It's in our nature.”

Vivian hesitated. “Do you want to eat me?”

Omrys made a face. “Even if that would violate the terms of our contract, no way. I wouldn't eat you if I was starving. Gross.”

Vivian noticed that Omrys’s antlers were curling out of his head again. She had realised it happened often after he had used magic.

“Are you okay?” she asked him.

“I'm fine,” he said defensively.

“Thank you for saving me.”

Omrys shrugged and walked out of the kitchen. “I won't make a habit out of it.”