Kiera got back into the academy just as the bell went. She brushed out her hair, smoothed out her uniform and walked into the classroom. Mr Mann was wiping his notes off the board while her fellow classmates packed up their things. He turned around to find out what the fuss was about and spotted her.
"Where have you been!"
"Around."
"Answer my question young lady!"
"I did."
The class broke out laughing but Kiera just wore a sincere expression. Mr Mann looked like he was fuming.
"You've missed the entire lesson Miss Blacklight!"
"Yes, and I'm going to miss another one if you don't get moving and let us go," Kiera told him. She was wondering why she'd bothered to come back in the first place. It was already giving her a headache.
"I don't know what this world's coming to," mumbled Mr Mann to himself as he collapsed onto his chair, meanwhile his students left the classroom, "Why did I go into teaching?"
"Where did you go Kiera?" Asked Jenny.
"None of your business."
"Does that mean the library then," she replied, laughing with her friends.
"There are other places I could go," answered Kiera with a hint of a scowl.
Jenny and her friends just laughed. They walked off in front of her, heading to their next lesson. For Kiera the day passed by so slow it was unbearable. All she could think of was the summoning room and the djinni, Bartimaeus. What else did he know about Kitty and Nathaniel? Maybe he had heard of the Demon Crystal, he might even be able to find out more about this plot! She was so distracted she barely paid attention in Summoning class, even though it was her favourite lesson. Instead she doodled or stared blankly into space. And so, it was to her own shame when Miss Yen kept her back after class and scolded her for her lack of attention.
"Is something wrong Kiera, you're usually one of my more enthusiastic students?"
"Miss?"
Miss Yen had never suffered from Kiera's disregard for respect and was one of her teachers that got on well with her. Kiera admired her as a magician and so always worked hard in her classes, even on subjects Kiera found tedious. Because of this, Miss Yen had developed a quiet respect for Kiera, despite what the other teachers had to say about her.
"Don't think I haven't noticed you doodling in your book Kiera. I know you're an apt pupil but that does not excuse your laziness."
Kiera's face reddened as the comment stung her pride.
"I wasn't being lazy."
"Yes, but I didn't see you doing your work either. Is there something I should know?"
Kiera thought about telling her about all she had heard in the park, but that would mean admitting she had left the school. She didn't want to think of the consequences for that. She'd be watched to make sure it didn't happen again and that could compromise her night-time visits to the summoning rooms. Maybe she could tell her about Bartimaeus, she might even be impressed? No. Not Miss Yen. She'd disapprove of Kiera's actions; she knew that for sure. Anyway, she had promised to keep his existence a secret.
"Well?"
"No, there's nothing."
Miss Yen sighed. Was that disappointment Kiera sensed?
"Then don't let me catch you slacking again," Miss Yen said, then smiled, "and maybe once you've put some effort back into this class, you can do the same for the others."
Kiera smiled back at her teacher's raised eyebrow and left to go to break. She'd be spending it in the library as she usually did, that was most likely why her skin was so pale. But even when she settled down in one of the armchairs with a thick leather-bound book she couldn't distract her mind from her night's adventure. Nor could she stop wondering about this demon crystal. Finally she gave up trying to read her book and wandered outside to where the other students were sitting and talking. Jenny shot her a look when she spotted her outside but didn't approach.
Kiera was distracted for the rest of the day, which was a blessing to some of her teachers. When finally her lessons were over, she spent the afternoon doing homework, had dinner and then got out her sketchbook to do some drawing. Soon it would be lights out and she would be sneaking down to the summoning chambers. When finally the bell rang through the dorms Kiera was dressed in a warm black jumper, armed with a torch.
She knew the corridors well. Soon she was not far from her final destination and she walked quietly forwards, following the beam of the torchlight. All of a sudden, she felt the hairs prickle on the back of her neck and she quickly edged around the corner. A demon passed by, inches from where she was standing. She had turned off her torch and in the darkness could not see it, but she could sense it as it travelled along the corridor and eventually slipped from view. Kiera knew what allowed her to sense demons, she'd heard enough about it from her grandmother. It was a resistance. A skill owned by many members of the old Resistance. She couldn't see the demons, that's what her contact lenses were for, but knowing they were there was good enough. It kept her out of trouble. Students weren't allowed to have demons within their service unless it was during Summoning classes or was part of a project, not until they left the academy.
Finally, she reached the corridor that led to the summoning rooms. She stiffened as she noticed a sliver of pale light stretched out across the floor. Its source was a door, slightly ajar. Someone was giving orders to a demon, she could tell by their voice, and it sounded like a teacher. Well so much for her night-time visit to see Bartimaeus. Kiera waited a little while, hoping that they would leave soon, but when a demon started to approach in her direction she had to retreat back up to the dormitories.
She was just turning into the corridor filled with portraits of 'great' magicians of the past when she walked straight into someone. They both let out a small grunt as they tripped over each other, falling to the floor in a tangled heap. Two torches clattered to the ground.
"Watch where you're going," hissed Kiera once she was sure it wasn't a teacher.
"Me! What about you?"
"Jenny? What are you doing down here?"
"I could ask the same thing about you," retorted Jenny, speaking in a sharp, hushed tone.
"You were going to the Summoning rooms weren't you?"
"No! Well . . . I mean, you were too. Not that I see the point. Unlike you, I think I could summon quite a bit more than an imp"
Kiera felt the heat rise in her face.
"Oh yeah, I'll have you kno-." Kiera's reply was cut short as she felt a demon presence drawing close, "we better get out of here, something's coming."
"How do you know?" But in the dim torchlight, Jenny looked wary.
They both grabbed their torches and hurried off back to their rooms, not slowing until they reached the girl's corridor. Outside their rooms, Jenny turned towards Kiera looking triumphant.
"You in so much trouble Blacklight, when Mr-"
"But he won't find out will he," interrupted Kiera, "if you were tucked in bed like a good little girl you wouldn't have seen me."
Jenny scowled.
"Now if you don't mind, I'm going to bed," she gave Jenny a fake smile, "pleasant dreams."