Time was of no consequence to me in the other place; but if I were to estimate (also for you, who obviously needs me to spell everything out) it must have been a few years before I was summoned again.

I was shocked to feel the tug, not angry; which was just as surprising. The memory was jolted inside of me; something that was on the very tip of extinction slid back into the cloud, cementing itself in my consciousness as if it had always existed there. My essence buzzed. I transformed without thinking. (I am not usually this unprofessional. All of my appearances are planned meticulously, down to the particular pungent smell. Being a djinni is serious business.)

I was happily greeted by a series of wretched coughs; (Even when unprepared, I produce results.) the phlegm-filled and strained qualities told me that my summoner was an...old woman. Gleeful, I checked my bonds for mistakes. What luck it was; disturbed from my peace for a little while, I would return immediately! and have some appetizer! (Old, wrinkly, possibly smelly...perhaps, I should reward the grandmother and spare her last days.)

Unfortunately, the summoning circle was impeccable. It was the work of an expert, not a single mistake…none except a very stupid one.

"Kitty." I muttered.

The smoke vanished with a pop. In front of me, blowing her nose with a gaudy black handkerchief, was my old friend. She had shrunk, but not much had changed. Perhaps a few extra wrinkles, thinner hair? Her eyes blazed as brightly as I remembered. Her aura had grown milder, but it still glittered around her; radiant, welcoming and beautiful. She was tucked into a small, mauve couch, skinny legs crossed; a burgundy shawl was snug around her shoulders. She had trimmed her silver hair close to her scalp.

"You look ancient." (An obvious joke. I have seen actual ancient things.)

She grinned. "Flawless observation as always, Bartimaeus."

"Uh..um..yeah…." (I promise I am a very articulate djinni. I debated with the greatest magicians of the ages! They would usually end the argument by the un-diplomatic use of Stripples; but hey, that proves my point.)

I looked away, unable to meet Kitty's bright eyes. She seemed happy to see me.

I was not.

"So…" I started, unable to bear the silence. "Did you call me for company to the afterlife? I'm sorry I don't know what that is…and I don't want to know, thank you very much."

She did not answer. I could feel her watching me, unrelenting and honest as always. I clenched my teeth, turning on her. My eyes glowed red as I stalked towards the couch, my form bubbling and frothing, black, slimy scales covering every inch; growing until I towered over her and my silver claw was at her throat. My limbs encased the sofa, blocking all light. (Fun fact: This is one of my least terrifying forms. If you're not impressed, don't lose heart! It's one of the 'inspired' collection that I picked up in Athens once….my originals are a lot better.)

"Or do you want me to give you a spectacular death where you ache and burst into ashes. It's okay…I'll make it quick…can't help the excruciating pain, though…"

Kitty's nose wrinkled. She looked up at me with a face that was not twisted with overwhelming terror.

"That's a horrid smell." (This was not inspired; it was my personal touch.) She commented, covering her nose with her handkerchief. It had "Kitty" embroidered on it with purple lace, with skulls and flowers at the border. (And people have the audacity to criticize my taste.)

"You're as stubborn as ever." I said, sighing in defeat. I would like to rephrase it as a "tactical retreat"; because Kitty was the most stubborn person I knew (and I knew Faquarl), so none of my impeccable techniques would work. I stepped away, shrinking into my earlier form.

"Are you doing that on purpose?" she asked, staring at me.

"Hm?" I muttered, settling on the rough carpet and crossing my legs. I ran my fingers absentmindedly through my hair, realizing that it was shorter than it should have been.

I started and looked at my hand. It was pale and spindly instead of brown and small, instead of bare skin, cuff-links of a black coat-sleeve glinted on my wrist, reflecting the sunlight from the window behind me. I opened my mouth to speak, but only stared at the limb like a fish. It was after a few moments in this embarrassing position before I gathered myself and took a deep breath.

"No wonder I was so uncomfortable." I clenched my fist, willing myself to change…anything…even an imp would do…...

But I could not.

"I always wondered how he managed to stay in those clothes all the time." Kitty spoke, breaking my feeble focus. Eyes fixed on the carpet, I absentmindedly traced the runes of the pentacle that did not bind me, trying not to think.

Thankfully, Kitty did not wait for a reply.

"It's been fifty years.…..though I'm sure that's not a lot for you…"

Yes…but also no.

"I helped set things back on track for a little while…but I didn't get in the business. They asked me, you know, Bart?" she giggled, "They asked the most wanted criminal to help run the government!" She scoffed, and the corner of my mouth lifted, but nothing more. She sighed.

"My parents would have been proud…..if I'd told them. No doubt, they would've welcomed me back with open arms…I know what you'll say; I should be good with them."

I shrugged. Human relationships were none of my business and beyond my understanding. There was not any logic to them and all I remember is that they caused more pain than they were worth. (Of course, in contrast, us spirits have a very clear code of conduct; we are here for ourselves. It simplifies things a lot, really.)

"I don't know…I can ignore the spirits in the Other place but still be connected to them….but humans have so many differences…and you also have to worry about time…"

"You're right about that." She said, a touch of sadness in her voice. "We don't have a lot of time. Some of us much less than others…"

My jaw clenched, but I calmed myself. There was no use getting worked up over something that had already happened. The past could not be changed, even by djinnis, no matter how spectacular (one of them) was.

"…Do-Do magicians still rule this place?" I asked, not knowing why. It did not matter who ruled, and to me it mattered the least.

"No." Kitty said. "We have democracy now…oh, I guess you wouldn't know about that." She paused, explaining it to him. "Things are not perfect, but more people can speak up."

"Heh…so magicians don't exist anymore?" I asked, knowing the small flame of hope in my heart was wishing for the impossible. Kitty sighed.

"No…" she said, playfully. "one is sitting right in front of you. But we need special licenses to learn and there's a limit to how long a spirit can be kept in this world. There are also labor and abuse laws…I would know, I helped made them."

There was pride in her voice, an emotion we both shared in that moment. I looked up from the carpet, smiling.

"I removed your name from the lists….as far as London is concerned at least, you won't be summoned again."

My smile faltered. I straightened, my bounded essence buzzing once more. The flame of hope flickered into life again, expanding into a swath of emotions.

"You did that…..for me?" I asked, choking. (Yes…even I, a hardened, veteran spirit with an essence of steel; cry sometimes.)

She laughed. "Don't look at me like that. I know how much you hated it here. Friends do stuff for each other."

Friends do stuff for each other….

Friends….

You've been a good servant…

…I'm dismissing you right now….

"Nathaniel would have agreed…he promised me."

Tears were running freely down my cheeks, which was impossible. Not again…

"Do you want a 'kerchief?" Kitty asked, handing me one that was shocking pink with yellow embroidery. I reserved my judgment and blew my nose; noticing Kitty wiping her eyes. It was the first time I had seen her cry.

"I-I never thought I would see him again…" she choked out, her breath hitching. "You…you guys promised to come back!"

"We were supposed to go back together!" Her voice was barely audible. I watched, unnerved as an old woman sobbed, her tiny shoulders shaking.

"Kitty…." I moved forwards and took her wrinkly hands in mine. The scene that I had been dreading seeing was unfolding in front of me and I; just as imagined, was helpless. What could I do? How could I comfort her? I could not change the past. I could not bring the dead back….and I had tried.

"I'm not in this form to make you sad….I just…can't change." I said, feeling my cheeks burn.

Kitty nodded, as if she knew the reason. I did not like that one bit.

"No...no…this is good. This is what we need." She clasped my hands, her voice thin as she spoke. "Nathaniel is a hero, you know. Greater than Gladstone! Much greater. All the history books and records…."

I nodded, feeling something thaw in my chest. "He would have liked that very much."

"I know! But…they know of his sacrifice…but they don't know him. I've read everything...you know, the first ten or so years…I spent searching for both of you…I thought you were dead too…I couldn't make myself summon you…."

"But Nathaniel's dead." I spoke, and she froze. She gazed up at me, her piercing eyes muddled with grief.

"I should've died too."

I had said that without thinking, but it was the truth. My head buzzed, as if something heavy was lifting. Kitty clenched my hands, her nails digging deeply into the skin. I looked calmly up at her.

"So, you both didn't keep you promise. You'd rather have died than be with me now?"

I sighed and slid back on the floor, tucking my knees under my arms. "No? Yes…?" I ruffled my hair, feeling uncomfortable and hot. "I wish that dumb brat wouldn't have died alone! Not after all he put me through!"

I did not realize I was yelling.

"Why did he have to do it alone?" My voice lowered to a mumble. "He should have asked me to save him. He didn't keep your promise because, he kept the promise he made me…after all that time, he decided to be noble! He should've just listened before!"

"He was an idiot, alright." Kitty said, her voice calm.

I scoffed, nodding. "Exactly. Bloody. noble. Idiot!"

"I miss him." We spoke together and my essence was, for a moment, free in this bounded realm.