(Whoa! Already over ten reviews! Thank you readers! Oh, I also apologize for the lateness of the update, but writing this becomes a tad more boring than other stories, but I'll try.)

Muffins and Cookies:

Chapter Three

Nathaniel examined the room he stood in; the wooden floor creaked; a small table with a lamp upon it was near the back of the room. A few candles and books lay on a separate table, near the back.

William cleared his voice. "Well, Mr. Mandrake, I'll be leaving you to summon your djinni now. There is some chalk on the table with the books, and the books, themselves, can be used for reference."

Without another word, William walked out the door, leaving Nathaniel to adjust the cuffs of his coat before snatching the box of chalk.

"This… is children's chalk!" he muttered before opening the box and staring at the several pieces of pink, light blue, and yellow green chalk. He sighed and shook his head, and, without hesitation, took the pink and knelt down, cursing under his breath as he drew the shape of the pentacle.

Ten Minutes Later…

Nathaniel wiped some sweat from his brow while checking the pentacle. He nodded and stood, regaining his composure. He then closed his eyes and murmured a peculiar spell quietly, concentrating on saying everything perfectly.

A few moments passed in silence before the pentacle glowed. A sphere of fantastic colors exploded above it, several lights darting around… but just as suddenly as the lights lit up, they dulled.

A sigh, and an exasperated one at that, could be heard coming from the sphere. "Hmm… seems you broke the record John; a three hour difference between dismissing me and summoning me!"

"I wouldn't have summoned you if I didn't need to, Bartimaeus, so just calm down."

"Oh, I am calm," replied the djinni. "I knew you would summon me again; what is it now? Do you not know how to prepare a sandwich, because you'd be the first magician I'd have to make one for."

Nathaniel shook his head. "Please, just listen; this may sound unbelievable, but muffins have suddenly begun wreaking havoc in London. The people who brought me here wish for me to find the cause, and-,"

"They want a djinni to assist you? Yes, it's all very predictable."

The lights flashed out and in their place stood a young, Egyptian boy wearing his normal clothing. "But wait, you said muffins…?"

Nathaniel nodded. "Yes I did, but we must go."

"So, do you know who your other partner is?" asked the fly who was swarming around Nathaniel's head. "No, I don't," he answered as they turned left into another hallway, passing a few people.

"You do know where you're going, right?"

"I'm quite positive…"

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Jones," stated the cloaked man as he shook Kitty's hand. She looked around the room, taking notice of the large screen hanging from the ceiling behind him. "What is this place…?"

"Oh, yes, well we'll be getting to that Miss Jones; I'm sure James has explained our situation?"

"Right, with the muffins… and you want me to do something about it…?"

"Yes, that is why we've brought you here, and-,"

A door to the left opened, revealing a muscular man wearing a uniform along with Nathaniel and a parrot standing on his shoulder. "Here we are Mr. Mandrake."

"Thank you, I just got lost…" His gaze traveled to the cloaked man's desk, and Kitty, who was sitting in a chair a few inches away from the front of the desk. The cloaked man stood. "That will be all, Vladimir, leave us."

The muscular man walked past the magician and his djinni, closing the door behind him.

"Welcome back, Mr. Mandrake; I trust you have brought a suitable djinni with you?"

"Y-Yes, I have…" Nathaniel responded. He could not avert his eyes away from Kitty's direction; she who was also staring at the two.

"What is he doing here?" she demanded, directing it to the cloaked man. He cleared his throat. "I know you two may not be on the best terms, but we have chosen you, Mr. Mandrake, and his djinni to work together as a team to find and destroy the cause of the Nocujin."

"W-Wait…!"

"Now, Mr. Mandrake, if you and your djinni don't mind, could you please come and take a seat?"

(A short chapter, I know, but I felt like it should end here. I hope anyone who reads this forgives me for my lateness.)