Well, I wanted to get this up ASAP, as there wasn't that much to the first that wasn't in the teaser. Oh, and in case you haven't been informed, this fanfic has nothing to do with fire (just so you're not confused ;) ).

Shadowfire: Cool, I've never read those books but a friend told me they're good! And yes, I love rock! Absolutely love it! I have a few Evanescence songs on my ipod, as they are awesome! So, have you heard the Dragonforce song? I was introduced to it on Guitar Hero 3 and fell in love with it. Nice to meet another rock-lover! Thanks for reviewing!

Conception.creation: Hi, nice to see you! XD Thanks for the review!

Nari-nick: Hey, nice to hear from you! Yeah, Shadowfire really wanted me to write a sequel, which I hadn't planned on for a few months. But since she loved it so much I felt instantly motivated. Thanks for your review!

Disclaimer: I don't own the Bartimaeus Trilogy or the title

WARNING: This is rated T for violence, language, torture, and plain darkness. Ye have been warned!

CH.2

I felt myself being summoned, and I was happy. Through those hours I was already missing Kitty. Wow, I've gotten soft.

However, when I materialized inside the pentacle as Ptolemy, it wasn't Kitty who summoned me.

It was some old guy.

He wore dark clothes of black, blue, and gray. He had longer gray hair and a beard. His skin was wrinkled and leathery looking. And his eyes were a cold green. He was scowling, and definitely had that old-school magician vibe, like Nathaniel's master. However, this guy practically exhaled malice. I'm serious, he looked mean and mercilous, and . . .evil. I know evil's an overused word, but that completely described him.

"You look confused," the old man said in a scratchy voice. "Have any questions, Bartimaeus?"

Okay, I'd bite. "Were you under the impression I was dead?"

He seemed momentarily taken aback. "No."

"Oh." I guess my heroic brush with death in the Glass Palace didn't get out to many.

I took a quick look around the room. It was dark because of heavy navy blue curtains over the windows. But I could make out a marble floor and expensive furniture.

I didn't like this guy, there was something unsettling about him. Where most masters would summon you, put on an authoritative front, and give you a charge, this man was different. He was quiet, and was looking at me with calculating intensity. And he asked me if I was confused?

"I assume you're wondering why that girl you were with didn't summon you."

Okay, I'd bite again. "I'm a little surprised."

"You seemed to be on friendly terms with her."

I shrugged.

Apparently taking that as a refusal to answer (which it was), he snapped, "Don't be arrogant around me, djinni, you have no idea who you're dealing with."

"Then tell me."

That seemed to anger him further, but he didn't lose it. He replied coldly, "My name is Gaia, and I'm your new master."

I crossed my arms, showing my unhappiness with the situation.

I said, "Why should you care about my old master? How'd you know about her anyway, Gaia?"

"My spy." An ugly little pig-faced imp flew up beside him. It was blue and fat. "This is Jard."

Jard was, putting it mildly, repulsive. And Gaia was, putting it mildly, creepy. Not a good pair. The fact that they'd been spying on me sent all kinds of chills through my essence. I wanted out, fast.

"Well," I said, "now that I'm officially creeped out, tell me what to do, I'll do it, and then I can get far away from you and that ball of fat you call Jard."

I was instantly struck with magic. It electrocuted through my essence and sent me to the floor, screaming involuntarily. Then it stopped and I lied there, gritting my teeth.

"Don't you dare speak to me that way!" Gaia roared. "I know the way you are, but you'll learn respect with me."

I stood up and, fixing him with a death glare, said in a low voice, "What is my charge?"

He grinned, and it looked like his face had cracked open in a twisted, demented way. "I'll tell you."

So, there's that. Gaia and Jard are my OC's, but I didn't want to include them in the disclaimer and ruin the surprise. XD Reviews make me very happy, so please review!