The Bartimaeus Trilogy - Haunted Nights

Disclaimer: Yep. Still don't own it. Though I'd love fan art of any of my characters. -hint hint- Just kidding. Anyways, I still do own my three characters, soon to be five, Ellis, Alex, Aldijahari, and the newly introduced Lyrani and Catteristix. Thank you for the reviews, too!

xxChapter Three - Second Chances Don't Come Oftenxx

xxBartimaeusxx

I thought I would never catch up with that stupid djinni.

But, being the superior being that I am, I did.

To my annoyance, she was sitting there, smirking at me(1), on top of a building on the very outskirts of the city. Again, I noticed how shadow-like she was, how her very essence had a darker aura than most to it. I stood on the other side of the building, shifting to the form of Ptolemy. In my hand I held a single blade, though I believed I was prepared for anything.

I watched her stand up, the large metallic wings glistening out of existance. I wondered why she wasn't attacking, why she was being patient. It seemed as if she had all the time in the world. "You could give up now, you know," I muttered, trying to see if I could keep her off the track of trying to kill me(2). I frowned, as I swore I saw grey instead of the pale skin of only minutes ago, if that, before. I stepped forward, wondering why she hadn't moved an inch.

The reason why?

The djinni had either turned to stone, or I was staring at the oldest trick in the book.

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(1) That insolent smirk reminded me of a few certain people.

(2) It would take a heck of a lot to get rid of me, of course.

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xxAldijaharixx

"Tsk, tsk, Bartimaeus. I would've never pegged you for a fool," came the sweet voice of the djinn. That smirk rested on her lips, as she pressed the dagger into Bartimaeus's back. "I can't believe the great djinni who spoke with Solomon fell for the old replacement trick," she joked, taking the dagger out of his hand. He lashed back with his elbow, knocking her back, causing both daggers to clatter to the ground.

She hissed, snatching up one dagger, and flickered out of the first three spectrums. He cursed under his breath, as he spun around, looking for her. He spotted her, and darted towards her, sending a small surge of energy at his opponent. She dodged gracefully, and returned fire, though she kept the dagger tightly in her grasp. Bartimaeus attacked once more, matching her every move. He mentally kicked himself as she swung out her leg, knocking him to the ground. In an instant she her knee on his chest, her hands holding his wrists to the ground, sharp nails digging into him. "Give up yet, Barty?" she asked, those green eyes of her's glowing with victory.

"Why do you insist on toying with your prey, Alli?" asked a dark voice, the form of a large, muscular creature coming from the shadows. "You know more than anyone that second chances don't come often," he chuckled, obviously mocking her with some old joke. She winced, cursing him under her breath. He had the torso of a man, the head of a large cat, and the lower half of the same cat. His fur - or hair? - was darker than night, with eyes of gold, and a slim tail that flickered back and forth.

"Alli's your nickname? How human!" came a voice from beneath Aldijahari. The female djinni rolled her eyes, and swiftly knocked him out, denying him the pleasure of joking with her further, leaving him with the last sight of her almost - almost - sympathetic face. With a sigh, she stood up, pocketing both her dagger, and the one Bartimaeus had been holding. "You know better than to speak of his name for me, Catty," she retorted, shouldering the limp form of the lad, before taking off, heading towards the headquarters.

"Fair enough, Alli," laughed 'Catty', as he darted off in the opposite direction, towards his mistress Ellis.

xxNathanielxx

The lad had no idea why the girl, who was maybe a year younger than he was, was organizing his desk - which had become rather unruly in the past few days - or why she was even there in the first place. "Hello, but, may I ask who you are?" The lass glanced up, large light blue eyes blinking, before a smile spread across her lips. She was pale, as most Londoners were, with short, dark brown hair clipped back with black clips. "Pardon me, Mr. Mandrake. I am Lyrani Arriden, your new secretary," she apologized, her voice softer than most.

"Ah, I see. Carry on then, Miss Arriden," he replied, sitting at his desk. Carry on she did, in a manner most familiar to him. He glanced up at her, wondering why she seemed so familiar. "Do you perhaps know Miss Piper?" he asked casually, reading some reports from the manilla folder on his now decent desk. Lyrani stopped, dusting off the plain dark blue top she wore, matching the lengthy skirt that almost covered the black dress shoes. The only interesting piece of her ensemble was the black choker with the crystalline orb dangling from it.

"Of course - she's like a sister to me, Mr. Mandrake," replied the lass cheerfully, as she continued work.

"Oh. Well. Erm. Give her my compliments and best wishes then, would you?"

"Of course, Mr. Mandrake."

xxThe Darrines, Alexander and Ellisxx

"Alex, I believe your demon has returned."

"Really, Elli?"

"Yes. She also has that demon you sent her to hunt."

"Perfect."

The pair of siblings waited patiently, as the redheaded djinni entered the room, a still unconcious Bartimaeus in her arms. The djinni from earlier, the one who resembled a cat, followed a moment later, grinning from ear to ear. "So, Alli. I see you've captured Bartimaeus," muttered the male human, tapping long fingers for a moment on his desk. "Yes, sir. Shall I place him in one of the holding chambers?" she asked, her face blanker than a sheet of paper. "Indeed. After that, you are dismissed for the rest of the evening, and the day tomorrow. Report here at eight o clock p.m. tomorrow night. Understood?" he asked, glancing at her.

"Yes sir."

"Very well, you may leave, Alli."

Ellis glanced at her own demon, Catteristix.

"I assume you delievered Lyra, correct?"

"Yes, madame, as you directed."

"Good. You left her with the crystal, and Gillir, right?"

"Yes, madame."

"Take your leave. Report in tomorrow morning, in the office."

"Yes, madame."

The djinni bowed, before glaring at Aldijahari, and left.

The other djiini left promptly, carrying Bartimaeus with her.

xxAldijaharixx

The djinni sighed, as she placed Bartimaeus in the holding chamber, and sealed it, making it fool-proof, which was obvious when it came to a djinni like him. Leaving him behind, she went to the south tower of the large, old manision-esque building, where she often sat during her 'free time'. Her green eyes still glowed softly, this time with sadness. She truly enjoyed battle, but only on her terms, and with no interruptions.

She dangled her legs out the window, the cool air rushing to meet her. Her hands clenched his dagger tightly, hoping beyond hope that they'd both live another day, to make it back home, back to the Other Place. As Catteristix had said, she knew how second chances worked. They didn't come often, and when they did, they rarely were worth taking.

Which explained why she was still here, capturing her own kind, and working for the man she had once sworn to kill.

Fin.

a/n: Chapter three is, well, obviously finished. I'm sorry it was so long. Forgive me. This should be all the characters, unless I decide to bring Miss Piper in, and maybe Kitty. And, review! Without them, I feel as if my work isn't work my time. -le sigh- Always Yours, Dija.