The Huntington Library, however, seemed to offer everything he wanted — a fine, large house, grounds of exquisite beauty and variety, enough books and priceless art to keep even a djinn occupied for some time. Add to that the comfortable Southern California climate, and he thought he’d found the perfect place to make his earthly home.
So it was while making a tour of the surrounding area — and determining how many of the homes in the immediate vicinity would need to be knocked down — that he encountered the terrified young woman who’d been fleeing Mahmoud al-Saqir, one of the djinn who had appointed himself to be judge, jury, and executioner for any hapless humans unfortunate enough to be immune to the Heat. Although Idris had told himself he should stay out of such confrontations, he fou
