The Ring of Solomon

my neck as thin as a lotus stalk, so that the handsome youth’s eyes bulged, my head swelled, my feet ballooned in size.
    Now the shadow’s arm raised up, lifted me high, close to its silhouetted head. Still its mimicry of Khaba was perfect – the shape, the angle, everything.
    ‘Little djinni,’ the shadow whispered, ‘let me tell you something about me.’
    ‘Yes,’ I croaked, ‘please do.’
    ‘You should know,’ Ammet said, ‘that I have served dear Khaba for many years, ever since he was a pale, thin youth working in the vaults below the Karnak temples. I was the first great spirit that he summoned, quietly and in secret, in defiance of the sacred rules of the priesthood. 4 I was with him as he learned his power, as he waxed in strength; I stood at his hand as he strangled the high priest Weneg beside his altar and took the scrying stone he still wears. Great already was my master’s influence in Egypt as he came of age, and it could have been much greater. Before long, he would have bent the very pharaohs to his will.’
    ‘This is jolly interesting,’ I said, through swollen lips, ‘but it’s hard to hear you with half my essence squashed inside my head. If you could just relax your hold a little—?’
    ‘But Egypt’s glories are long since faded,’ the shadow said, its hold, if anything, tightening on my neck. ‘And Jerusalem is where the light shines now, for here is Solomon and his Ring. So my master came here to serve before the throne – and one day, which will come soon, to do more than serve. And throughout these years of quiet waiting, I have been with him at his side.’
    The marid’s aura pounded on my essence. Light blazed before my eyes at random. The lilting voice seemed loud, then soft, then loud again. And still the grip was tightened.
    ‘And yes, Bartimaeus, as you say, I have been his slave throughout. But I have been so willingly, for Khaba’s ambitions are my own, his pleasures my pleasure. Khaba learned this early, for I helped him with his experiments in his private chambers, and toyed too with the captives he brought in. We are of one nature, he and I … I’m sorry, did you squeak?’
    I probably had. I was in danger of losing consciousness now. I could scarcely grasp what was being said.
    With a casual flick the shadow released its hold on me, sent me spinning away to the centre of the circle. I landed face down on the cold onyx, skidded briefly and lay still.
    ‘In short,’ the voice went on, ‘do not think to impose your petty assumptions upon me . Khaba trusts me. I trust him. In fact you may be interested to learn that when he summons me, he no longer binds me with cruel word-bonds, but lifts me up and lets me walk behind him as his friend and counsellor, for of all living things on Earth, I am his only companion.’ There was pride in the voice, immeasurable satisfaction. ‘He allows me certain freedoms,’ the marid said, ‘provided they are to his taste. Sometimes, indeed, I take things into my own hands. Do you remember our fleeting encounter in the desert? I followed you then of my own free will, full of wrath for the injury you had done my beloved master. Had Faquarl not arrived I should surely have devoured you on the instant, as I still would gladly do. But sweet Khaba has ordained a different fate for you, and so it must be. Sit up, then,’ the shadow ordered, ‘and let me carry out this task my friend has set me. Taste deeply of the air of this vault, for it is the last you will experience for many years.’
    There was a rustling sound as Ammet considered the instructions on the papyrus sheet once more. In the centre of the circle I raised myself painfully by shaking arms, got slowly to my feet, stooping at first as my essence recovered from its wounds.
    I straightened. I raised my head. My hair hung loose about my face; behind the matted fronds my eyes gleamed yellow in the dimness of the room.
    ‘You know,’ I said huskily, ‘I’ve got low standards, myself. And sometimes I even have trouble meeting them . But torturing other spirits? Keeping them captive? That’s new. I’ve never even heard of that before.’ I raised a hand and brushed away a smear of essence that was trickling from my nose. ‘And the amazing thing is,’ I went on, ‘that’s not the worst of it. That’s not your real crime.’ I flicked a ringlet of hair back behind a handsome ear, dropped my hands ready at my sides. ‘You love your master. You love your