Maddie plopped into her chair. Before she could utter a word, the man unfolded to his full height and smiled through dazzling white teeth. “What is you wish of me?”

She shuddered as his dark-as-chocolate voice melted over her like hot fudge on a sundae. They were alone in the room. No one except the delivery boy who’d brought her lunch and stayed for all of thirty seconds had entered the office for the past four hours. Besides her desk, credenza and computer station, her office had only one closet with space for a few coats and some supplies, and an adjacent half bath--no room for cameras, hidden video screens or projectors to lurk out of sight.

Something inside her head told her it was time to find out what was really going on. “Who are you? And this time, I’d like the truth.”

Looking perplexed, the man held his hands out at his sides. “I have already told you, Master. I am Abban ben-Abdullah. I am yours to command.”

Maddie stood and marched to stand in front of him, wedging herself between his body and the desk. Raising a finger, she poked at his rock-hard chest. Smooth flesh gave way to muscle, and he folded his arms. “I am real, I assure you.”

“Right.” Maddie gritted her teeth. “And I’m Little Bo Peep.”

She walked around to his back and caught herself admiring the same nicely packaged view as before. Furious she could even begin to approve of the charlatan, she stomped around to face him again, an angry frown on her face. “You say you’re mine to command, right? That means you’ll do whatever I say?”

He nodded. “Within reason.”

“I knew there had to be a catch. ‘Within reason’ means whatever you’ve brought to make magic with, right? Say, pulling a rabbit from the bottle or a river of scarves?”

He raised his deep blue gaze over her shoulder to her desk and took in her half-eaten tuna sandwich. “It means I can grant you what I understand. Perhaps you are still hungry. I could make you a plate of ripe pomegranates, succulent figs or the sweetest of dates. If you are thirsty, some honeyed goat’s milk or cooling wine. If you wanted jewels, I could give you pearls as big as pigeons’ eggs or diamonds the size of stars from the sky.”

Her hands on her hips, Maddie nodded. “Uh-huh. Ooo-kay. Show me."

“Show you which?”

“All of it, and the sooner the better. Come on. Hurry up.” Impatiently she began tapping her square-toed shoe, daring him to implement his bragging. “I want it all.”

The man stepped back and folded his arms. “Very well.” A second flew by, then a few more. Lowering his arms, he clapped his hands once.

Staring smugly, Maddie put her hands on his chest and began pushing him to the door. “Out, out, out, you idiot. And don’t let the door hit you on the way!”

“You do not like them?” he asked. Looking disappointed, he inclined his head toward the desk at her back.

She whirled on her heels, ready for another trick. Instead, she was blinded by the flash of light glinting off her desk top. Jewels of all colors and sizes, pearls and sapphires and stones she didn’t even recognize were piled high on her blotter alongside an immense platter of fresh fruit and assorted goblets.

For the first time in her life, Maddie was at a loss for words. When she found she couldn’t speak, she did something she’d never done before. She fainted dead away.