The choices seemed obvious to me. As powerful as granting others more power was, I needed my own power, so I would choose Wish Fulfillment.

I had no idea what kind of abilities djinn have over a former mortal, but I didn't really need an upgrade on my Incarnate abilities right now so True Form made the most sense.

I had next to no desire for constructs, I still preferred a home with just me in it. I hated that I couldn't summon any knowledge of the supernatural world, and while I could waste a wish or two granting myself knowledge I didn't have, I'd rather just read a book, so Arcane Library was perfect. Demesnes wasn't really something I wanted, so much as an option I liked more than Perfect Constructs.

I picked my choices, then immediately doubled over in confusion.

"You actually chose to change yourself into an Outsider huh?" Jessica asked.

Something was wrong, my chest felt hollow and there was a pounding I could feel throughout my body. The feeling in my chest gradually grew worse until I finally inhaled.

Oh, I have lungs. And a heart. I guess blood and air feel very weird after a few months of not needing either.

My forehead throbbed and split open. Reaching up, I felt bloody ridged horns that swept from my brow backwards, sticking out an inch or so in the back.

My ears grew pointed, and when I reached up to touch them I found my hands had pink skin and maroon claws.

On the table, the Contract filled itself in again.

You are now a djinn, a being of desire. You may feed on the desires of Masters and mortals, and can gain extra points for doing so. You are a true Outsider now. Without influence from others, your spirit will shed mortal attachments and inclinations.

Djinn like yourself were all locked inside of the vessels for their crimes. However, your purity of heart has granted this Contract liberty to remove the capacity limit on your abilities.

Someday, your vessel won't hold you. But will you still be you by then?

I looked at the Contract with shock. It seemed so impersonal usually, but this time it seemed to talk to me with its own voice.

I eat desire? How? And what does the Contract mean by 'shedding mortal attachments and inclinations?'

"Oh Trriisstaann," Jessica said in a sing-song voice, "you're welcome! But you haven't chosen an Anathema to get rid of."

She smiled at me with a face full of genuine happiness.

"I wish you would use your threshold to allow yourself to murder."

As the magic flowed through me I felt an option I never had. My hand went to snap, but at the last second I flipped her off instead.

"I refuse."

"Feisty one huh?" She replied without losing her smile. "I can play hardball, you know."

"There's nothing you can do to me, except make me take Contracts and grant a few wishes."

I felt confident, powerful. A different kind of magic flowed through me. I could always feel my Contract, but it was something else, it had an otherness that it doesn't have anymore, now it was part of me.

"I can always make that decision for you, Co-owner." She said, reaching for my Contract.

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I waved my hands at it and gave her my own smile. It filled in the second she touched it.

No mortal may alter the Contract of a true djinn.

"Bullshit!" Jessica said, glaring up at me with crazed eyes, "you aren't the only djinn I own! What did you do?"

"Finally lost your cool did you?" I smirked at her, "what's the plan now, Master?

"You shouldn't have pushed me, Tristan!" she yelled, throwing my vessel on the floor, "I was being reasonable."

She stood and stomped over to me, pointing a finger in my face.

"Take back the refusal."

"No."

"Then this is on you," she said, stepping back with a smile. "I wish you wanted the same things I want."

"I refuse."

"Urgh! Don't piss me off Tristan!"

"Leave me alone Jessica, you lost."

"Oh you fucking- haha," she started cackling, this time even more erratically than before. "I'm afraid I'm done losing. haha hahaHA."

"I WISH OUR FAMILY FORGOT ABOUT YOU!"

She couldn't. She can't! My hand raised in slow motion, the fingers moving into position.

What could I do? How could she? How did this fucking woman decide to cut me out of a family she didn't even know.

Wait. Family. Tears streamed down my face, but at least she'd pay it. I'd make sure.

"As you wish, my cousin."

"Oh, oh fuck." She stared at me in horror.

My vessel called to me, and I went willingly.

---

I slammed open the door to my study and ran to the phone, knowing the truth, but needing to hear it for myself.

I dialed his number, he'd wished he could call me, so I should be able to call him from here.

The phone rang a bit before going to voicemail. I tried again, voicemail. On the third call my father answered.

"Whoever you are, it's three in the morning, someone better be dead."

"Dad, it's me Tristan."

"You must have the wrong number man, I only have the one, and his name's not Trisan."

"Fuck." I hung up.

I guess when I roll up to the house and explain to Dad who I am with proof, he'll probably believe me, same with Will. But they'd never have those memories back.

She was about to make my Limits decision for me, but luckily I gained some Contract magic with my djinn form. I should have known that would set her off.

Her wish that our family forgot me was short-sighted at best. She definitely succeeded at hurting me, but forgot in the moment that that would include her.

Outside, she looked around for a bit in confusion, glancing right past the vessel before shrugging and going back to sleep on the bloodstained couch.

I was of two minds: on one hand I'd be happy to have nothing to do with her ever again, on the other hand I'd given her the knowledge she would need to eventually take over the magic world, and she seemed to already be a powerful Contract mage. She'd probably need to be stopped eventually.

I checked my Contract to confirm that she was no longer my Master, and it seems that's the case.

I allowed myself to breathe for a moment before a voice rang in my head.

"Tristan, I've been trying to summon you for almost a week. I would like to use my yearly wish."

"Understood."

My vessel vanished, reappearing with a pop in Terese's office. I coalesced into the chair across from her.

"Oh good, Tristan, finally." She looked up from whatever paperwork she was doing while drinking some tea and almost spit it out. "Whoa what happened? You're pink, and have you been crying?"

"It's a long story." I replied, "a cruel person wished my family would forget about me."

"Oh, Tris," she came around the table and hugged me. I let her this time.

Muffled shouting came from outside, along with a few bangs and crashes. I shot Terese a questioning look.

"Ugh, she's part of why we called you."

"She?"

The shooting grew louder.

"I do not care if they would like privacy. If you continue to impede me, I will devour your paths and leave you Fateless!" Hestia burst through the door and instantly locked her eyes on me. "You!"

"Me?" I responded.

"We never finished our fight, I demand a rematch!"