Sorry this is rather short, but I'm still debating the details of what happens next. XD

Thanks Conception and Joe for reviewing!!!

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

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

CH. 14

"So," Stephen Hack said, turning his blonde head towards Algus. "My brother's name, his real name, is . . . Gaias. I know, not very inventive. Gaia was a name in Loew's Nominative Almanac, though. My brother couldn't resist, he thought since it was so like his real name, no one would guess it."

Kitty nodded. "I wouldn't have."

Algus shifted into a small bird. "I'll be back shortly." Then he took off.

Stephen turned to Kitty. "So . . .resilience? Magic can't hurt you?"

She shrugged. "Not so far."

"That must come in handy."

She shrugged again.

"Are you a magician?"

"No."

"But you summoned Bartimaeus, and Algus I presume."

'That's all I've ever summoned," she replied.

He nodded, falling silent as they waited.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I stood in the pentacle (the same one) with my arms crossed. And Gaia now sat in his pentacle (the same one) reading a book. We'd been like that for awhile.

If he didn't dismiss me, I planned to make good on my threat. He knew it, too, which was why neither of us had moved. (Really, I would find a way to kill him. It couldn't be too hard. I had this incompetent master once that I "accidentally" knocked a bookshelf on. He was fine, but it was amusing. Maybe if Gaia had a really big bookshelf . . .)

I saw movement by the open window and looked to see a small black fly on the windowsill. A fly Gaia's eyes, but Algus to me.

He buzzed over and landed on Ptolemy's ear, whispering, "Don't say anything, and just stare ahead."

I could always count on Algus to state the obvious. Who did he think I was, Nathaniel? I gave a nearly imperceptible nod.

"Kitty is fine, no one's hurt. Now listen, I know Gaia's real name. It's Gaias. But don't let him know that you know. Not until we come. Otherwise he'll just stick you with a spell of Indefinite Confinement or something."

I winked and he quickly flew off., (Well-)

My thoughts were interrupted when a ruffled panther sulked through the door. I recognized him as the ugly afrit Gaia had sent.

The magician finally looked up from his book. "Yes?"

"I couldn't kill her," he said. "She had an afrit and another magician with her."

Gaia started. "Another magician?"

"Yes."

"What did he looked like?"

"Average size, blonde hair, green eyes. Older, I'd guess."

"Hack" Gaia hissed venomously. "I should've know. After all this time he's never. . ." Then he muttered the Dismissal Spell and the afrit was gone.

At last Gaia turned to me. "I hope you're happy."

"Euphoric."

Please review and have a happy New Year!!!