The pentacles were drawn, the incense burning. Everything was perfect.
Kitty drew a deep breath, and stepped into her pentacle.
As she entered, her foot smuged the chalk border.
Kitty spoke the incantations without flaw.
A plume of smoke erupted in the opposite pentacle.
"Who dares to summon me, the destroyer of empires, the devourer of centuries?
I, Sakr-al-Jinni, I, the Serpent of Silver Plumes, I, who have spoken with Solomon, I,-
Kitty ?"
"Bartimaeus."
"Kitty?"
"No, Simon Lovelace."
"Kitty, wha- I mean, why-? ...Are you doing all right?"
Kitty smiled, and stepped out of her pentacle. "Yes, I am."
Her smile faded. "Bartimaeus, I'm afraid I must ask your help once more."
"What's wrong?"
"Someone, or someone's de - spirit, has been sneaking into my room while I sleep, and drawing in my sketchbook."
"Do you have any idea who it could be?"
"No. And here's the thing: they've been drawing pictures of me, with an aura, and..."
"And?" Bartimaeus prompted.
"And signing them with an N."
Bartimaeus immediately coalesced into the form of Ptolemy. "This could be bad," he said.
Kitty didn't speak for a moment.
Then, finally, "I know."
She looked up. "This is why I summoned you. I trust you completely, Bartimaeus. I'd like you to watch over me while I sleep, for a few days. You can see all seven planes. You'll know who or what has been sneaking in at night. Will you do that for me?"
"Absolutely."
Kitty smiled again. "It's good to see you, friend."