Hehe, I got this up quick!

Joe: Thanks! And thanks for reviewing!

: Yeah, I have no idea why D8. I'm glad you liked the little love-ish scene, I wanted to put in something! Thanks for your review!

Nari-nick: You're back! How was it? Thanks for the review!

Shadowfire: Oooo. Chris. Good luck with him! There's a hot guy named Garrett at my school, he's really funny too! Yeah, Arkansas got pretty hot around midday, but not too bad. A relief to the cold weather we've been having, at least where I live! XD Thanks for reviewing!

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

Rated T for violence, language, torture, and general darkness

CH. 9

So life went on.

Gaia had me attack more and more buildings. Unfortunately, Jard always accompanied me. I hadn't had a chance to ask him how long he had spied on me, but it was on my to-do list.

Gaia summoned afrits (he had a total of six now) that he sent to protect me. Apparently, I was his building-assassin, the rest were the guard. He dismissed them after every mission (lucky). And he did occasionally dismiss me, but it was never for very long.

I constantly thought about Kitty. I hoped she wasn't being reckless, however unlikely that seemed. Knowing her, she was probably looking for me. But I as a spirit, things like this would happen.

I hated Gaia, but I couldn't refuse him. Of course, I could, I wasn't worried about what he'd do to me, but there was Kitty. Gaia said he wouldn't hurt her, and he didn't seem like he would lie . . .(Except to all the hotels and apartments that he gave false identities to. He didn't want to be tracked, obviously.) But I wouldn't put her at risk. I'd do what he'd say. And he knew it.

I was resummoned to hotel room, very indescript. I didn't pay much attention to them anymore.

"Go," Gaia ordered.

That was the basics to what he told me anymore. I knew what he meant. The target was always within view. I could play dumb and destroy a house, but there was the Kitty issue. Or I could run off, but then Jard would tell him and I'd be resummoned. So I didn't twist what he said.

I hopped out through the window and jumped up onto the roof, where the six afrits ( in forms such as bears, gargoyles, etc.) waited. Jard followed.

I barely took in my surroundings: big blue sky, the edge of town, hot wind.

"Okay," I sighed. "Let's get this over-"

I stopped. I honestly froze to the spot. Ahead of me, across an expanse of sand, was the target, gleaming in the burning sunlight.

I snapped a look at Jard, my eyes on fire. "The pyramids?"

Jard nodded, apparently nervous.

I looked back to the golden triangles that were jutting from the sand.

The pyramids.

Egypt.

Ptolemy.

I closed my eyes against the painful memories that suddenly surged up. I couldn't do this. I honestly couldn't.

"Go," Jard urged.

The afrits looked at me expectantly.

"No," I whispered, staring ahead.

I could see Jard's face scrunch up in my peripheral vision.

He said, "Forget Ptolemy-"

I sent a Detonation ripping to him. He slammed into the sand, smoking.

That ugly fat ball should know better than to mention names. They have power.

The afrits laughed. No one liked Jard.

"Bartimaeus!" Gaia thundered behind me.

I spun around, my glare so cold it burned. He must have come through the stairs (not as inventive as the window).

Power surged around me, just like when Kitty mentioned Ptolemy the first time she summoned me. Wind flapped my jacket and angry clouds rolled across the sky.

The afrits backed away, not wanting to get involved.

"Destroy the pyramids," Gaia ordered.

"No," I growled.

"I gave you a command."

I struggled to control myself as I held his eyes. His own dark clothes swirled around him, his gray hair flicking in front of his face.

Gaia said evenly, "This mission is no exception from the others. I expected some sort of outburst, since your former master Ptolemy was very-"

He stopped as I lost control and sent magic at him. He quickly mumbled words and turned the attack back on me.

I was thrown off the building and into the sand, about a four story drop.

"Do as I command!" Gaia shouted.

"I won't do it!" I screamed.

I closed my eyes as he assaulted me with wave after wave of magic. I didn't make any noise; I just took it. I really didn't believe he'd kill me. He liked me, in some twisted way. He wanted to mirror Nathaniel's success, only in a more antagonistic sense. It was certainly tempting to shout insults, but I didn't want to endanger Kitty.

And I would not attack the pyramids.

After awhile, Gaia stopped. I had zoned out, picturing Kitty in my mind. I could remember her soft hands on my face, her warm body against mine. Her memory was comforting.

"Did you kill him?" I heard Jard ask.

Imps are enormously stupid.

"No," Gaia said in a defeated tone.

I was hoping he'd dismiss me, like he did after the crazy afrit bear attack, but I heard him leave, and I was left alone on the Egyptian sand.

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