Part 23 (1/2)
”It was never a question of the carpet's strength. It was a question of yours. Had you been able to focus your will on nothing else, you could have forced the carpet to break down any door. A Kala could accomplish such a task. But you are just a beginner.”
”So this time I probably did need Lova's help.”
”The greatest help comes from inside. The djinn offer the opposite with their wishes. That is the trap in using them too often. They offer quick solutions when you need to learn to create your own miracles.”
”But there's only so much a person can do,” I protested.
”A person is limited by his conception of himself, nothing more. If you really knew who you were, you could stop the sun from rising tomorrow.”
”That's hard to believe.”
”That's why the sun usually comes up each morning.”
”Today, after I saw Amesh, I went through a period of doubt where I was scared to help him. I was ready to abandon him to his djinn.”
”A person can only demonstrate their courage by overcoming their fears. Someone who is never afraid is either a Kala or a fool.”
”These Kalas sound superhuman. Can I really become one?”
”It is the path you have chosen for yourself.”
”When did I choose it?”
”Before you were born.”
”Is there a connection between what happened to Amesh's hand last summer and my finding the carpet this summer?”
”Several players in this drama overlap. There must be a connection.”
”Did Amesh almost stumble on the carpet before?”
”He stumbled onto something. But it was your destiny to find the carpet.”
”What did he stumble onto?”
”Mr. Demir will know.”
”I'm going to see him soon.” I paused. ”Amesh was in so much pain today. I worry I won't be able to save him. It was a struggle to get the truth out of him. Do you know if he has made three wishes or two?”
”A djinn cannot control a human unless he has delivered on the three wishes the human has made. So far, Darbar has been unable to deliver. Yet he keeps trying, and he is close to success.”
”So Amesh still has free will?” I asked.
”He is driven by a desire for revenge. He is far from free.”
”But Darbar tricked Amesh by giving him that useless hand.”
”Amesh asked for his hand back. Darbar was required to give him that hand. Had the hand been destroyed, Darbar would have given him a new hand. But such was not the case.”
”Sometimes I feel like you're on the side of the djinn.”
”Not true. But I understand them.”
”Is Lova an ordinary djinn?”
”She was born into a powerful lineage, but is inexperienced when it comes to humans.”
”somehow I can't see her making me into a thrall.”
”That's a dangerous conceit. For all you know, she acts kind toward you so you will drop your guard.” the carpet's words chilled me. It was true; I had begun to act more careless around Lova. I shouldn't have let her feed on the room-ser vice guy.
”Today, when I was attacked, someone in a van hit me with a bolt of green light. It drained my strength. I think the same person attacked Lova when she went to get the carpet. Do you know who it was?”
”What did Lova say?”
”Lova thought she might be a djinn inhabiting a woman's body.”
”Wouldn't Lova know if it was a djinn?” the answer was such an obvious yes that I was annoyed I hadn't realized it before. ”Why would she try to mislead me about this being?”
”That's a good question to ask yourself.” I tried to get the carpet to say more on the topic, but it refused.
”I'm afraid I'm not using the full potential of the carpet.
When we were flying home from the island, I felt as if it had erected a s.h.i.+eld to deflect the wind.”
”Yes.”
”Why?”
”You wanted it so.”
”I want to fly over this city unseen. Can the carpet become invisible?”
”That's an advanced skill.”
”But it can be done?”
”Yes.”
”Can you teach me how to do it?”
”Keep experimenting. You will learn.” I had more questions-i was never done asking my questions-but I sensed it was done with me. I felt the presence behind the carpet withdraw.
Chapter Seventeen.