Nathaniel

Great white heavy door opened, revealing a grand entrance to a large hall. Captivating light from within spilled out into the night as if inviting the guest. The smooth, white tiles glossed under the intricate glass chandelier that hung up on the high ceiling. A stream of magicians entered the grand hall; every single one of them wearing expensive jewelry and clothing. Laughter bubbled, chatter continued, and a chorus of glass clinking together spilled out of the hall. Over the sound of the chatter, classical music could be faintly heard. Butlers roamed around the busy room, handing out bubbly champagne and small, delicate food that smelled delicious.

Nathaniel stood among the crowd wearing a sharp-looking fitted dark suit. He radiated an air of quiet confidence but he could feel his stomach turn uneasily. As expected, the mansion was surrounded in a dome-like manner by a nexus. It was almost impossible for Bartimaeus to enter through the front door unless he somehow got passed the security nexus. Instead, the djinn reassured Nathaniel that he would find a weak point within the nexus and make his way inside. Nathaniel begrudgingly accepted, feeling vulnerable without him around. He tugged at his sleeve and scanned the crowd. A familiar face stood out to him.

Jane strolled forward towards Nathaniel, her beautiful violet dress shimmered under the lights. Her long, dark hair was kept in a sleek ponytail.

"Hello, Mandrake. Should we resume our disastrous date?" Jane giggled as she looped her arms into Nathaniel's. Nathaniel couldn't help tensing underneath light touch.

"Yes, about that," he unlocked his arms from Jane. "I was hoping you could tell me about the attack. Did you catch the djinn?"

Jane's brows moved with mild amusement. "I see you're ready for business." She plucked a glass of champagne from a passing butler. "Well, I have good news and bad news. Bad news is that we caught up to it and then it perished. Good news is that it did mention something interesting."

Nathaniel's face flushed with excitement. "What? What did it – he say?"

She took a sip. "It said something along the lines that the master wouldn't be pleased and that we should expect another attack." Jane leaned closer, whispering this time. "It also mentioned about revenge for Prague."

"Prague?" He asked bewildered.

"Shhhh, keep your voice down. Yes, Prague. We may be under attack by a foreign government."

Nathaniel's eyes widened. He anxiously licked his lips. "We have to mention this to the Prime Minister and the rest."

Jane leaned back, forcing a false smile for a passing gentleman. Nathaniel blinked and looked about; people have been staring, smiling. Nathaniel imitated Jane; an unconvincing smile plastered on his face.

"Why are they looking at us?"

Jane's false smiled turned genuine. "Haven't you heard? We're the hottest couple at the ball currently."

She giggled at Nathaniel's obvious discomfort; her arm slipped through his. A passing butler came by to collect her empty glass. As he passed by, he chuckled and winked at Nathaniel.

Despite the passing glances being thrown at his directions, Nathaniel's thoughts swirled. Anxiety had sunk low into the pit of his stomach. The assassin was clearly a magician seeking revenge for Prague. No doubt for the attack made by Gladstone during the war. Is that why they haven't found Hopkins? He could have been in Prague this entire time, biding his time and planning for his next attack. They did encounter the mercenary in Prague while searching for the Golem culprit. Perhaps the mercenary travelled with Hopkins. He wondered if the Resistance stretched throughout Prague as well.

He felt Jane tug at his arm.

"Let's go somewhere private," she said sweetly.

Nathaniel's heart skipped a beat. Any thoughts of the impending danger quickly replaced by the alluring doe-eyed girl looking up at him. He wordlessly nodded, not trusting himself to say anything clever. She led him out of the grand hall, away from the curious stares and glances, and into a much more private corridor. The chatter and laughter felt far away; only the sound of the couple's beating hearts could be heard now. The moonlight streamed into the hall through a glass window; the silver light seemingly peaceful. For a quick moment, Nathaniel thought of Bartimaeus standing by the windowsill looking up at the lonely stars with a sullen look. The moonlight had made him ethereal, unreal, a magical being with power. He was –

Nathaniel shook his head as he felt for the woman's gentle hand on his arm. In the hall sat a small green couch against the wall. Jane gracefully sat on it and patted the cushion next to her prompting Nathaniel to sit. He took the invitation, becoming painfully aware of how close she was. He glanced down at her lips and, upon realizing his mouth was dry, he swallowed. The sound of his heart beating against his chest deafened him. It couldn't hurt to have one quiet moment with her.

With the small bit of courage he was able to pool together, he closed the gap; his lips pressing into Jane's. As if dipping his toe into the icy water, he started with a small peck. Then he gave another. And another. Slowly, the kiss deepened. He felt her reciprocate; soft, plump lips eagerly moving with his. As they kissed, he reached out for her hands. His thumb gently caressed her palms. He felt her smile against his lips. She pulled back slightly, her lips curled mischievously.

"You're a good kisser, John," she purred. Without warning, her hands went straight to his throat, tugging and loosening his tie.

"What are you doing? It took ages to have that tie done perfectly!" He pulled back, grabbing her grasping hands.

"I just want to have you all to myself." She leaned into Nathaniel, her weight pressing down on him. He could feel her hot breath. "There's an unoccupied room upstairs. We could slip away into the room…"

Nathaniel bit his lower lip, hesitant. She sensed it.

"Oh, come on Mandrake!" She stood up and tugged at Nathaniel's arm, using her weight to have him rise from his seat. She stepped close to him, purring into his ear seductively. "It'll be fun. You and me, tangled together."

Uncertainty prevented him from answering but Jane hardly cared. She pressed down onto his chest, leaving soft, wet kisses that trailed from his neck to his jawline. Nathaniel inadverdently closed his eyes. Images of a dark-skinned boy flashed before his eyes. He pushed them away, focusing on Jane's gentle touch.

"A-hem!"

Jane gasped, swiveling around to face the direction of the sound; Nathaniel, too shocked and embarrassed, unlinked himself from his date's grip. It wouldn't matter though. Someone had already spotted him being inappropriate at the Prime Minister's birthday party.

A handsome young man with a shocking, red hair stood in the corridor. His emerald green eyes narrowed at the couple, a sour look etched onto his freckled face. Nathaniel took note of his suit and how it fit in all the right places.

"And what exactly are you two doing?" The man asked.

Jane sniffed. "I hardly think that's any of your business Mr …" she trailed off, expecting the man to finish for her.

"Names aren't important. I need to speak to Mandrake immediately. Now leave or I'll have a small chat with the Prime Minister about your vulgar acts that occurred underneath his roof."

Jane turned to look at Nathaniel; there was quizzical look on his face. Something about the man was familiar to Nathaniel but he couldn't point out what it was. Defeated, Jane huffed. Without a backward glance at Nathaniel, she stormed off past the man, out of the corridor and into the grand hall with the festivities. The man crossed his arms.

"You're an idiot," he said hotly.

Ah. It was just Bartimaeus. Nathaniel sighed, relieved to finally have his djinn. He relaxed his tense shoulders and walked towards the angry djinn.

"Did you hear what I said?" Bartimaeus asked sharply.

It was Nathaniel's turn to be dismissive. "Yes, yes. That I'm the biggest idiot in the world and that I'm the worst magician ever and how I should – Ow!"

With a quick decisive movement, Bartimaeus had smacked Nathaniel on the back of his head.

"What was that for!?" Nathaniel snapped, rubbing the soreness away.

Bartimaeus jabbed his finger in the air in front of Nathaniel's face. "That was for losing your sight of the mission for some pitiful sex! To think I was coming down here to help your sorry ass."

"I wasn't going to have sex!" Nathaniel protested, his cheeks going hot.

Bartimaeus laughed but it lacked all warmth. He swayed his hips and batted his eyelids. "Oh, dear me Natty," he spoke with a mocking voice. "Let's go into the unoccupied room and have some fun alone time. And oh! Lemme slobber all over your neck while I'm at it!"

Nathaniel glared at Bartimaeus. "That's enough, Bartimaeus."

The djinn swiftly turned on his heels heading towards the grand hall; Nathaniel followed, glaring at the back of the djinn's head. "And," Bartimaeus continued. "Can you imagine what would happen if I was a little bit delayed? Who knows!? For all we know, by the time I found you, you could be two inches inside her disappointing the poor girl! That is if you knew which hole to put it in."

Anger spilled out. "Bartimaeus, I said that's enough!" He balled his hands into fists, his body shaking into rage.

Bartimaeus stopped in his tracks and whirled around to face the young magician. He jabbed a finger into Nathaniel's chest.

"I'll have you know that I –"

A flash of blinding light engulfed the room. A force lifted Nathaniel into the air and slammed him against the wall. His head made contact with the hard tiles; his ears rang and his head swam. His exposed skin was stinging and he grimaced in pain. Muffled screams could be heard; he opened his eyes as he breathed in. Choking hot air rushed into his lungs, burning him from within. Red flames licked the elegant curtains that filled the room; large dark curls of smoke rose to the ceiling. Nathaniel coughed, struggling to breathe. His lungs felt like they were burning. The muffled screams were louder now. He noticed shattered glass scattered about on the floor, red dancing lights of the fire being reflected. He staggered to his feet, leaning against the wall for support, gasping for air. Where was Bartimaeus? With great effort, he heaved himself from the wall and entered the grand hall. He looked in horror at the chaos that seemed to have been erupted within.

The screams and cries were clear now. Through the thick smoke and the many falling ember, Nathaniel noticed a burning scorched mark in the center of the grand hall. Black smoke rose from the center, twisting in complex patterns, rising to the top where large fires ate the delicate wood. A foul smell hung in the thick air. There were several bodies strewn across the floor; dark blood pooling onto the tiles. Women with tattered and burning dresses ran; men with torn sleeves and ash on their panicked faces pushed their way through the doors. Debris of torn walls laid scattered. Nathaniel screwed his eyes shut pushing the headache forming in the back of his head. Just as he expected. Another attack and the Resistance were successful. Where was Bartimaeus?

His eyes opened abruptly. The Prime Minister. Jane. He attempted to squash the rising bubble of panic inside. It would do no good to run around screaming like the rest of these fools. He needed to find Bartimaeus. Nathaniel rushed towards the still bodies at the center. There were seven in total; all of them great magicians. He felt his throat tighten up. This was not good, but at least they weren't the Prime Minister and Jane. He looked up, eyes frantically searching the room for anything.

There! Across the grand hall running towards him was a boy. A young child with brown mousy hair. It was most likely a magician's assistant coming to run to Nathaniel seeking help. Nathaniel half jogged, stepping over bodies and debris, ready to meet the boy halfway. The running boy pulled something from his bag; Nathaniel paused. Something wasn't right. The boy held his hand up high. A small sphere sat in his hand. An elemental sphere. Nathaniel screamed, tripping over debris and falling backwards. The boy locked eyes with Nathaniel and smiled sneeringly.

He threw his arm back, ready to throw –

A large, dark mass slammed into the boy. The child shrieked; kicking and screaming at his attacker. On shaky legs, Nathaniel scrambled up. Blood seeped into his sleeves where the broken glass had pierced through and cut his skin. He hadn't realized.

"Let me go!"

"Ow! That's my eye, you runt." A gargoyle pinned the boy down, one hand rubbing its sore eye.

The child screamed and kicked some more as the gargoyle tightened his grip. Nathaniel reached the altercation.

"Bartimaeus, where were you? You disappeared on me!"

The gargoyle looked peeved. "Where do you think? I rushed in to find these kids. There was like ten and they all scattered like roaches. I'm only one being. I can't exactly scoop them up in a basket like I'm on some easter egg hunt."

The boy squirmed underneath Bartimaeus grasp. "Foul demon. Get. Off. Me!"

Bartimaeus growled, baring his sharp fangs. "Please refrain from using such language, human." Bartimaeus threw a glance at bag. "Mandrake, do me a favor and look into that bag , por favor?"

The boy screamed out in protest, yelling out threats and curses as Nathaniel reached for the torn bag and zipped it open. More elemental spheres; about three more, in fact. He rummaged through the bag some more: a silver knife, a bracelet that most likely had some magic, a scrying glass and papers. Nathaniel pulled out the papers, his eyes scanning and smiled.

"It's a photocopy of Hopkin's book!"

A wry smile twisted on the gargoyle's lips. "Now we're getting somewhere! Looks like we're interrogating you, kid."

From the doors of the grand hall, a commotion could be heard. With great relief, Nathaniel saw the Prime Minister being heavily surrounded by the Night Police as they escorted him out of the building. They pushed through the remaining scrambling magician. Among the Night Police was Jane. She spotted Nathaniel from the distance and limped towards him carrying her heels. Her pony tail was no longer sleek, and her dress was torn towards the bottom. A smudge of ash and blood covered her neck.

"Jane!" Nathaniel held out a hand as she stepped over a body. She took it.

"I should have known that was your demon scaring us off like that during a very private moment."

Nathaniel handed her the papers. "Jane, look! This book is a link to Hopkins."

Her eyes widened. "This is big." She looked over her shoulder, anxiously glancing back at the Prime Minister. "This is the plan: We're going to my place. It is much more secure and private. We'll take the prisoner and we can interrogate him together. No one else can know about this until the situation is dealt with. If anyone finds out, the situation can become much more complicated and we'll have to do things through the legal system."

Nathaniel scrunched his nose. He despised how slow things got whenever the law got involved, especially during trial. The captured boy squirmed again.

"That's all very well and all, but can we go now?" Bartimaeus groaned as the boy wrenched his hand free to punch the gargoyle's head.

Nathaniel nodded, stuffing the papers back into the bag. He had evidence now. He was getting closer to capturing the assassin. Years of searching throughout every single building in London to the rest of the country and coming up short had exhausted him. Although the battles in America has just begun, he felt as if he could win the war with the Resistance. He looked into the squirming boy's eyes; hate and anger danced within. He only hoped the boy would cooperate.