I watched Kitty's eyes open. She squinted slightly at the late morning sun, then turned toward me.
"Good morning," she said sleepily.
"Morning," I answered. With the news I had, it might not be so good.
Her brow tensed ever so slightly. "You saw something."
I decided to spare a preamble. "Yes. Nathaniel."
Kitty's eyes widened, and she gasped. I think she was choking a little.
She shook her head, eyes still locked in a paradigm of disbelief.
"No." she whispered.
She closed her eyes and shook her head harder.
"No."
"Kitty, he's here because of you."
She looked up, her eyes now burning with pain. "Then why doesn't he wake me when he comes?"
"He's...unfocused."
"What does that mean?"
"It means that he can't stay here long, and can't hold on to any sense of purpose. I spoke with him last night, and he asked me if I'd gotten the Amulet from Lovelace yet. Even though he's tied to you, he doesn't totally realize where he is. And, Kitty..."
"Yes?"
"He couldn't wake you if he tried. He's only Nathaniel on the seventh plane. You can't hear him, or see him. I'm...sorry."
I could see Kitty's jaw tense. She was fighting tears, I knew.
"So, then these drawings are the only way he can communicate with me?"
I nodded. "It would seem so."
Kitty picked up her pencil.
"Would you mind staying another night, Bartimaeus?"
I debated this. Not for long.
"I'll stay for as long as you need me."