Bartimaeus

Because I didn't think, nothing really went exactly how I wanted it to go. But so far, the day has been exactly on theme anyways. So, I really should have expected that.

The winged-serpent's body shot out of the doorway, narrowly dodging the minotaur's grasp. My fangs were ready to sink four inches deep into the old man's throat. I heard a panicked shout; there was a blur of movement. In a second, my body collided with human flesh. Limbs thrashed around me; nails desperately scraping my scales. I wrapped my body around my prey, using my wings to fend off any attacks. More shouts and screams sounded. Underneath me, there was a muffled scream as I sank my fangs into my victim's neck. I could feel him convulse as I tightened my grip.

The serpent's eyes opened and peeked. And paused. Abraham was on the other end of the room, crawling back up to his feet. Confused, I released my victim and took a good look at him. Alec.

His face was already turning pale, and his lips moved as if mouthing something. His panicked eyes were already glazing over and his free hand raked at his neck where I had just bitten. It was already too late. The damage was done. I glanced back up at Abraham. He was shouting an order to the perplexed minotaur. I heard a movement to my right; Stefan and Anne dragging a badly-shaped Nathaniel across the floor. He didn't seem to be fighting back. A sinking feeling hit the pit of my essence.

I hopped off Alec; an Inferno blasted to my left. The impact of the blast knocked me off my feet; I changed form. The winged-serpent became a serval. Bad choice but I need to move quick and stay low on the ground. My injured leg had some time to recover while I was stalking the minotaur but it was still a liability. I jumped; a Detonation blasted just where I had been standing. The minotaur made a grabbing motion. I ducked his reaching claws and pounced underneath his legs, taking a mean swipe at his thighs. His essence ripped beneath my claws; the minotaur howled and took a step back. I let out a hiss as he raised a hoof and stomped.

I changed forms again; a great Phoenix erupted in flames and soared just above the minotaur's head. Sharp sickled-like talons that glimmered in the light made their way down towards the other djinn's eyes. The minotaur raised an arm, blocking and protecting its face. Talons sunk deep into the flesh, ripping the essence. I took a quick glance back at where Nathaniel had been. They were still struggling to move his body. He was limp; his head rolled with the motion. A sinking feeling of desperation clung onto me.

I had to think. If I go after Nathaniel now and somehow rescued him, they'll chase me down and capture us both. There's no way I could outmaneuver the minotaur again. Even now I struggle. Abraham may even send reinforcements to chase after us. Even if we hid, they'll find us –

The sealed door bulged. I looked back at Ptolemy. He was hurt, leaning against the wall. His frail body shivered from the loss of blood. All around us, snarls and gnashing teeth could be heard. They've found us and we won't make it.

No.

I shook my head clear. I don't plan on making the same mistake twice. Abraham had to go – now. Kill two birds with one stone. Wipe out Abraham, the minotaur disappears, the teens will scatter and Nathaniel will be safe. That is the best and only option I have.

I flapped my fiery wings once; great clawing hands reached out, tearing my burning tail-feathers to shreds as I twisted in midair.

"Give up, Bartimaeus!" The minotaur rumbled as he took another swipe at me.

I spun aside, darted, and rolled over in midair. I swooped every now and then, using my claws and beaks to tear into him bit by bit. I was wasting time. Flying erratically, I took a quick glance towards Abraham. He was shouting at the teens, arms gesturing about. It was now or never.

A buffet of air; a flash of fiery light making their way towards the old man. A great big shadow appeared from below; I twisted sideways just a little too late. A burst of pain as one of the claws cut through one wing. I lost my aerodynamic; I tumbled down onto the ground and landed inelegantly on my side. Scarily enough, my energy dropped. I quickly inspected my wing; essence flowed through my wings, dampening the fire of my feathers. This isn't good.

"I said give up!"

Without giving me a chance to breathe, the minotaur charged right at me, horns at the ready. This was going to hurt.

I changed my form for the final time; Ptolemy scrambled to his feet. To delay the impact, I fired an Enervation over my shoulder. I overshot my aim; it merely grazed him. Still, it was enough to give me time. Just one hit. Ahead of me, I raised a hand and aimed it towards Abraham. His narrowed eyes were fixed on me. There was anger and fear. I held on to my desperation. I shouldn't be able to miss. I can't be able to miss. I can't afford to miss. From my fingers, sparks of fire formed.

At the same time, he snapped his fingers.

A rushing sound to my left; a blur of movement. I reacted too late. I collided with something big; my body jerked. The sparks in my hand fizzled out. My essence contracted with such force that I felt myself fold and unravel frantically. My limbs flailed, seeking and searching for anything that might slow down the forward movement. I found nothing. Every bit of my essence collided against the floor. For a moment, I was nothing but scattered bits like a wave of chaotic atoms tossed into the void. My mind flickered. I held on, recollecting every bit of myself and reshaped my guise. Everything fell back into place, including the pain. A heavy weight sat on my chest, forcing me to stay down. Blinking away my disorientation, I gazed up at my captor.

"Hello, Bartimaeus. We meet again."

"M-Maduk?" I paused. "No, no."

The great lion's head bowed down and smiled, bearing its fangs for me.

"Ah, you remember me?" He purred, a low rumbling that I could feel vibrate my weakened essence. My guise slipped a bit as I struggled to free myself from his grip.

"Isn't this funny?" He continued, pawing my arm. "That guise you wear – it looks oddly familiar, don't you think? So frail. So defeated. You were there, yes? I thought I had already killed that boy before."

"Shut the hell up," I spat. I twisted my hand, palm towards the lion. Before I could cast a Detonation, Maduk shifted. A sickle-like claw appeared a few centimeters from my exposed throat. I hesitated.

"Should I tell you how the boy died? He must have meant so much to you since – you know – you wear his guise. Come to think of it, I think I can recount Affa's death, as well. He died protecting the small, weak magician. Isn't that funny? Is that what you're going to do now, Bartimaeus? You've failed the first time. What makes you think it'll work out the second time?"

Overpowered, they call it. Such a simple word for an overwhelming feeling. My sense of self, once prideful, was now as bruised as my poor essence. My energy sagged, my body couldn't stay in formation without slipping, I couldn't muster enough energy in me to change forms again. My anger and desperation clung onto me. I was overpowered. Once again, weak.

Affa stayed behind with Teti. Like great beasts in the sky, they fought back with all their might. Several enemy djinns attacked sporadically left and right. Penrenutet and I scrambled over the market's stalls, taking great care of the young magician in my arms. An explosion could be heard. We paused. After a moment, he looked at me, face stiff as stone.

"They won't make it."

"What?" I looked over my shoulder. Sure enough, Affa and Teti were struggling. They were strong and intelligent. But overpowered. They were just too many of them. And they caught us by surprise. We weren't prepared. I looked down at my arms. Ptolemy was so frail. His breathing was shallow, and his paling face twisted in pain.

I looked back up at Penrenutet. I understood what he meant. I nodded.

"Go."

"Please protect him, Bartimaeus."

"I will with my life. Just give me time. He will live on."

"Maduk – Enough."

Abraham's voice was clear as day but had the force of a thunderous lightning strike. I blinked, and shook my head. Maduk snorted but complied. He sat back, still using his weight to keep me pinned. To my left, the minotaur stood over the lion and I. There's no escape from this. Outnumbered and overpowered.

I looked at Abraham and froze.

"No – no, no. Please no. Please. I'm not one to beg, but please not like this." I pleaded.

Nathaniel was slumped against the man, head back revealing his exposed throat. In his hand, Abraham held something shiny and sharp. A knife. The blade caught the light as he raised it towards Nathaniel's neck.

I panicked. "No! Just –"

The lion growled at me; the minotaur stomped his hoof near my head. I ignored them. I couldn't tear my eyes off of the blade. A familiar feeling of reeking despair crept up on me. I felt my insides turn; I was losing control of my essence. Abraham chuckled at my state. Beside him, Anne and Stefan cradled Alec's body. That didn't matter to me. Nothing else mattered but Nathaniel.

"You are persistent. You and the boy," he gestured, waving the knife between Nathaniel and I. "Even killed my Alec. Unfortunately, I'm getting very impatient. It'll take some time before the poison takes effect, and seeing how the events unfolded… well, I think I'd want to get this over with."

The blade glinted in the light; Abraham pressed the knife against Nathaniel's throat.

"No! Please, please, stop!"

Abraham flashed a toothy grin.

"Once I'm done with him, I'll summon you and finish you myself."

I squirmed underneath Maduk's grip; the lion issued out a warning snarl, teeth gnashing inches from my face. I could feel it's hot breath, and the stench of corpse. But still, I couldn't tear my eyes off Nathaniel. He seemed… so weak. So frail.

Abraham tightened his grip on the hilt of the knife, and gave me one final smile.