No attack yet by Archmage. Wish he'd hurry up. - Jonathan Stroud

I order you, Bartimaeus, to reveal whether you have diligently and wholly carried out your charge-" "Of course I have - what do you think this is, costume jewelry?

The darkness cloaking my mind lifted. Instantly, I was as alert as ever, crystal-sharp in all my perceptions, a coiled spring ready to explode into action. It was time to escape! Except it wasn't.

Remember this." he said in a soft voice. "Demons are very wicked. They will hurt you if they can. Do you understand this?