“I, of course, understand why a race born of dragon breath would want to have fire around them.” I waved at a brazier set high atop a metal post. “But the water is surprising. At least, this much of it.”
“Fire gave us life, but water gives life to other things we enjoy.” Zimri-dagan paused to stroke a crimson flower, growing off a climbing vine. “The elements do not harm us—very little can hurt a jinn—so why not enjoy them?”
I was about to ask more, but Zimri-dagan led us through the arched doorway of a massive temple. It had the grandest dome atop its central building, more beautiful than any other I'd seen in the city, with curved panels faceted to reflect the sun and a carved, golden flame atop its peak. We stepped across glossy, cerulean tiles into a vast space with stone walls. The ceiling surged up several stories above us, straight to that sparkling dome. The round room had the same circumference of the dome but was partially ringed in arches that led to other areas. Sunlight streamed through the faceted glass above us and fractured into rainbows to speckle the floor like confetti. We stepped forward into the light.
The enclosure held no furniture or artwork, only Jinn and animals. Fascinating people with skin of creamy gold, deep-walnut, cinnabar, driftwood-gray, and all the shades between stared at us with piercing, eyes of jet, emerald, sapphire, and fire. Hair ran the full gamut from palest blond to darkest ebony and although some of the Jinn were as tall as Zimri-dagan, most were a more human size. Big or small, they all had that strange otherness to their features. Around their feet large animals prowled with flames in their eyes; some jackals, hyenas, and a few lions, but mostly there were canines; massive, sleek dogs who stared at us with human intelligence.
All of the people and animals pulled back as we approached, staring at me in fascination. At the center of the gathering, a circular dais rose smoothly from the tiles with a ring of steps around it. On the top of the stone platform stood eight people—three women and five men—and one massive dog. All of the people on the dais wore luxurious, flowing clothing and crowns upon their heads.
“Zimri-dagan,” a woman with a mass of auburn braids wrapped around her spiked crown said in a powerful voice, “you have brought the Dragon Queen at last.”
“I have.” Zimri-dagan escorted us up the few steps to the dais. “Queen Iltani, this is Queen Vervain and her consort, Viper.” He turned to us and introduced everyone on the dais, indicating them each with a wave of his hand. “This is Queen Iltani of the Ifrit, King Sidu of the Marid, Queen Ku-aya of the Jann, King Etum of the Vetala, King Iblis of the Shayteen, King Uselli of the Ghouls, Queen Shiptu of the Sila, King Mezizi of the Qareen, and King Ibi of the Hinn.” The last name was said as he waved to the dog.
Okay, so the dog is a jinn; got it.
The “Ghoul” title threw me a little, especially when combined with King Uselli's grayish-brown skin and piercing black eyes. King Mezizi was also worth a second look, with his sharp features and knowing gray stare. But the one who truly startled me was King Iblis with his reddish-brown skin, eyes full of fire, and a pair of glossy, black horns that curved up from his temples. He was also massive; not tall like Zimri-dagan, but very muscular. He looked like a quarterback from Hell.
“Very nice to meet you all,” I said politely.
Viper just nodded at them.
“And it's a pleasure to meet you, Dragon Queen,” the dark-haired Queen Ku-aya said sweetly. “We are honored to have you in our territory.”
“I'm happy to be here,” I replied as my gaze strayed back to King Iblis.
“Is there something wrong, Queen Vervain?” King Iblis asked with a grin full of sharp teeth.
“I'm sorry, but you remind me of someone,” I explained. “Well, not him exactly, but the image he likes to don now and again.”
“That wouldn't happen to be the Devil, would it?”
“Lucifer Morningstar,” I corrected. “But yes. How did you know?”
“I have a mirror.” Iblis laughed boisterously. “I am the Muslim Devil. Another of my names is Shaitan. Sound familiar?”
“Shaitan,” I murmured. “That sounds an awful lot like Satan.”
He nodded. “Tell Luci I said hi.”
“Tell him yourself,” I countered. “That is if you'll be fighting with us.”
“I will,” he asserted with a grin. “Wouldn't miss it for all of the God Realm.”
“Thank you,” I said sincerely and then extended my stare to include the other rulers. “I'm grateful for the offer of your assistance. Honestly, we're in dire need of it.”
“We should have killed the Mesopotamians long ago,” Sidu, the blond King of the Marid said. “But we thought it would be better to let them flounder and die out on their own.”
The dog, King Ibi, growled.
“Now, we see the error of our ways.” Queen Shiptu nodded at King Ibi in agreement.
“There are two of the Mesopotamian Gods who have helped me,” I hurried to say. “I don't want them hurt.”
“They helped you?” King Etum asked skeptically. His lips parted as if he were tasting the air, revealing a set of fangs.
Right. The Vetala were the vampires and Etum was their king. He'd need those fangs for feeding.
“Sin, God of the Moon and Ninkasi, Goddess of Beer,” Zimri-dagan reported.
The Kings and Queens exchanged looks then nodded.
“We will spare them for now,” King Sidu announced for the group.
“I'd appreciate that.” I glanced at Viper, and he shrugged. We didn't know what these Jinn were capable of; best to assume they were badass.
“We will send jinn to train your people,” King Sidu went
