CHAPTER 4
1058 Words
Chapter 4: The Genie’s Secret
Jenny stared at the shimmering figure before her — the mysterious man who had just introduced himself as Azrael, a genie trapped within an ancient lamp. The faint glow from the lamp cast moving shadows across her small room, and Jenny could barely believe what she was seeing.
“Wait… so you’re saying you’re a real genie?” she asked, blinking rapidly as if that would make the illusion disappear.
Azrael smirked, his deep voice calm yet powerful. “Yes, Jenny Reyes. I am bound by magic — and by your call, I am yours to serve.”
Jenny frowned. “You mean… like granting wishes?”
He nodded, his eyes glinting with a strange mix of sadness and mystery. “Three wishes, to be exact. But every wish has a price.”
Jenny’s heart raced. A genie? In my apartment? This has to be a prank… right? But no matter how much she tried to deny it, everything felt real — from the cool breeze that followed his movements to the faint hum of magic in the air.
“I don’t understand,” she muttered, pacing back and forth. “Why me? Why now?”
Azrael’s expression softened. “Because you freed me. And because fate has chosen you, Jenny Reyes.”
“Fate?” Jenny echoed, her brows furrowing. “I don’t even believe in that stuff.”
Azrael only gave a faint smile. “You will.”
He turned toward the lamp, tracing the intricate carvings with his long fingers. “This lamp has passed through many hands… kings, thieves, even murderers. But you — you’re different.”
Jenny tilted her head, confused. “Different how?”
“You didn’t call me out of greed,” he said. “You were curious. You touched the lamp with pure intent — something that hasn’t happened in centuries.”
Jenny felt her cheeks warm slightly. “Well, I didn’t exactly expect a man to pop out of it.”
Azrael chuckled, the sound rich and deep. “I suppose introductions could have gone better.”
She crossed her arms, still skeptical. “Okay, fine. Let’s say you’re really a genie. If I wished for something right now… anything… you could make it happen?”
Azrael nodded slowly. “Yes. But remember — every wish alters the threads of destiny. One change can cause another.”
Jenny raised an eyebrow. “So… like the butterfly effect?”
“Precisely,” Azrael replied. “Magic demands balance.”
Jenny bit her lip, torn between disbelief and temptation. What if this is real? she thought. What if I could change my life — finally escape all my problems?
Her small apartment was a reminder of everything she had struggled with — late rent, a tiring job, and the loneliness that came with chasing impossible dreams. She looked back at Azrael, whose eyes seemed to see right through her.
“What would you wish for, Jenny?” he asked softly.
Jenny hesitated, thinking of all the things she wanted — money, fame, success — but none of them felt right. Instead, she whispered, “I just want a chance to start over.”
Azrael stepped closer, his presence both intimidating and comforting. “A noble wish,” he said, “but one that cannot be granted lightly. To start over, something must end.”
Jenny’s breath hitched. “What do you mean?”
“Your path is already set in motion,” Azrael said. “You’ve unlocked a bond between our worlds. What happens next will test everything you believe.”
Before Jenny could respond, the lamp glowed again — this time brighter, fiercer. The room filled with golden light, and she shielded her eyes. When the glow faded, she found herself standing in an entirely different place.
It was no longer her apartment. Instead, she was in what looked like an ancient palace — golden walls, floating lights, and a vast ceiling covered in constellations.
Jenny gasped. “W-where are we?”
Azrael turned to her, his expression unreadable. “Welcome to my realm, Jenny Reyes. This is where wishes are born — and where truths are revealed.”
Jenny’s eyes widened as she spun in awe. Everything felt surreal. Then her gaze caught something — a massive mirror standing at the end of the hall. But instead of her reflection, it showed memories.
She saw a young woman — someone who looked exactly like her — wearing a royal gown, standing beside Azrael in the same palace.
Her heart pounded. “That’s… that’s me?”
Azrael’s eyes darkened. “Not you. The one who came before. The one who cursed me to this lamp.”
Jenny froze. “W-what?”
“She was my master once,” Azrael said, his voice heavy with pain. “And you — her reincarnation.”
Jenny stepped back, her mind spinning. “You’re saying I’m… her? That I trapped you?”
“Yes,” he whispered. “And now, fate has brought you back — to finish what she started.”
Jenny’s knees weakened, but Azrael caught her before she fell. His touch was warm — too warm for a spirit.
“I don’t believe this,” she said, shaking her head. “This is crazy.”
Azrael met her gaze, his voice almost a whisper. “Believe it or not, Jenny Reyes, your destiny and mine are forever bound.”
A sudden tremor shook the palace. The stars above flickered, and the mirror cracked. Azrael’s expression turned grim.
“She knows you’ve returned,” he muttered.
“Who?” Jenny demanded.
“The Queen of Shadows,” Azrael replied, his eyes narrowing. “The one who feeds on broken wishes.”
Jenny’s pulse quickened. “You mean there are more like you?”
Azrael looked at her gravely. “Not like me. Worse. And now that you’ve awakened my power, she’ll come for you too.”
Jenny swallowed hard. “So what do we do?”
Azrael stepped closer, his gaze intense. “We fight fate — together.”
But as the palace shook again, Jenny couldn’t help but feel that this was only the beginning.
And for the first time, she wasn’t sure if freeing the genie was the best or worst mistake of her life.
- Writer
