The Bartimaeus Trilogy - Haunted Nights
Disclaimer: Still don't own it. And I'm too pathetic to even /try/ to buy it. I do own my three creations, though - Aldijahari, Ellis, and Alexander. Thanks to the known author for the review, too! I want this to be at least three to five chapters, so yea.
Here we go!
xxChapter Two - First Glances Can Be Decievingxx
xBartimaeusx
Damn that Nathaniel, and his annoying ways. I can't believe he's still mad at me, because I supposedly messed up by letting that /thing/ get away. I still haven't figured out what it was, either, though it seemed to know very well what I was. I'm guessing a djinn, and I have a feeling that it's a pretty high level one, too. My guise this time happens to a simple cat perched beneath an awning, opposite a large, rather depressing looking building(1).
A simple cat indeed, dark reddish brown in color, with bright green eyes. I concentrated on the rear of the building, where they were keeping some old artifacts of possible importance. It was another dreary evening, nearing ten. It was raining, at least not pouring as it had earlier, and I was grateful. My current form normally wouldn't stand the rain, but thought of the Stipples pained my already aching essence(2).
I caught once again that slight shift of the shadow near the back entrance of the museum, just like Pinn's. But this time I wasn't going to let it slip away(3). I jumped down from my awning, and raced with grace across the way, still keeping track of that shadow. I smirked, the maw of the cat jerking upwards slightly, as I sat patiently in front of the back entrance. The shadow didn't seem powerful, or any threat.
//I've been waiting to deal with you, Bartimaeus,// the shadow said, smirking as it changed before his eyes. The cat's jaw dropped for the briefest of moments, before regaining composure. I suppose I was wrong, first glances can be decieving.
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(1) Then again, all buildings look depressing around here.
(2) It had only been a month, but it had been one heck of a long one, mind you.
(3) Not only would dear little Nat kill me, but I couldn't let it get away twice in a row without confrontation.
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xxUnknownxx
The shadow turned into a pale skinned young woman, brilliant red hair falling on narrow shoulders. She had markings all over her, upon her face, arms, and legs. Most of them were black bands, with crescent moon-like markings inside them. Wearing little more than a black tank top, a pair of jeans, and a pair of boots. A smirk rested on her heart-shaped face, which was slightly freckled. Gently curved, and barely taller than five foot four.
"Finally, the real Bartimaeus - yet, you're not what I expected /little/ kitten," she said, laughing lightly. The cat frowned, before taking on the form of a dark skinned youth, with dark hair, and deep chocolate brown eyes. The lad was almost two inches taller than her, and was adorned in a simple loincloth. "Who the hell are you, and how the hell do you know me?" asked the demon, too irritated too bother with courtesy, with politeness.
"Such cutting words belittle your already pathetic reputation, Bartimaeus," she replied, her voice attaining a sweet edge, belying the darkness of her essence. She rolled light green eyes, soft and innocent, her total opposite. The djinn knew her mission, and was only acting so to enrage the other, in hopes of him chasing after her. She would fight him, weaken him, and capture him.
"Pathetic! I am Sakr-Aljinni, I spoke with Solomon! How dare you speak of me in such a way!" he exclaimed, his voice seething with cold fear. She grinned, seeing the glare in his eyes. This was going much faster than she had expected. "Well, if you want more information besides the fact that my name is Aldijahari, I suggest you keep up," she teased, spreading a set of large, black wings, made of metal, gears, cogs. With a nod, and a small wave, she leapt into the air, taking off at an amazing speed, fading into an incandescent spark across the dark, raining sky. "Damn it!" hissed Bartimaeus, trailing after her, a plain looking crow following the disappearing spark of light.
xNathanielx
A young man sighed, as he listened with growing annoyance to Ms. Darrine rattle on, complaining about his incompetence, and other multiple issues. Something about more pressure on her because of his failure. He rolled his eyes, barely paying attention. He was more worried - which was shocking, to say the least - about Bartimaeus. Or, rather, about whether or not he found something at the museum.
"Are you listening to me, Mr. Mandrake?" came a slightly shrill voice from somewhere to the left of his desk. He glanced up, nodding, his lanky dark brown hair falling in front of his eyes for a moment, as if he just woke up. "Of course, Ms. Darrine. Please, continue," he replied, the magician obviously disturbed by something. The shrill voice belonged indeed to Ellis Darrine, an accomplished magician, a woman of about thirty, with dark blonde hair and an angular face.
Unusually thin, some within the department wondered if she was possibly anorexic or bulemic. A smirk came upon the young man's mouth as he remembered all the jokes they'd made behind her back. "Mr. Mandrake. I understand you are young, maybe even immature, but I would never peg you as a person who disrespected his elders," she said, a smirk of her own residing on her lips. Nathaniel stood up, opening his mouth to protest only to have Ms. Darrine to wave a hand at him. "Go check in with your demon, Mr. Mandrake. Report to my offices within an hour, and tell me of his, hopefully, good news," she finished, leaving the room abruptly.
Nathaniel stood there, an angry look on his normally calm face. How dare she! He sighed, glancing towards the two pentacles, wondering if it would be best to summon Bartimaeus. Perhaps he was onto something, and would be better left alone. He shook his head, dark lockes casting shadows on his handsome face, as he wondered why Ms. Darrine had become so arrogant lately.
xUnknownx
"Alex, are you here?"
"When aren't I here?"
"Point proven."
The siblings smiled at one another, even though both lead very different lives. One was bright, part of the government even, the other dark, working in the shadows to ensure his sister's reign. Together, they truly believed they were unstoppable, and with their two demons, even more powerful. Both were dark blondes, angular-faced, and beautiful creatures. One was thirty, the other twenty nine.
"So, has Mr. Mandrake bent to your will yet?"
"Not yet. I haven't introduced him to Lyra."
"Oh. I see. You plan on using dear little Lyrani as a pawn. Mother wouldn't approve of this."
"Since when did Mother approve of anything we do?"
"Point proven."
Le Fin.
a/n: There's chapter two for you. Lyra will be introduced in the next chapter, along with Catteristix. I hope you all enjoy, and reviews are loved. Truly Yours, Dija.