"So you have located it then?"

"Not yet," Hanif trembled, knowing Abbas likely response. "But I'm very close. I believe now I'm in the same city as the djinn."

"You believe? Yet, you are not certain?" Abbas pressed, his voice showing a hint of displeasure.

"I just arrived in this city, Grand Master. The pull is so incredibly strong here that I believe I'm very close to locating its presence. I'm sure it won't be long until I find the djinn."

"It had better not be, Hanif. Every moment you delay and dither is another moment of freedom for that creature. Another moment wrecking the careful and delicate balance of the world. Do you understand?"

"Absolutely, my lord," replied Hanif, deferentially.

"How is the state of your finances?"

Hanif swallowed, "Very good, Grand Master. I have plenty and don't antic.i.p.ate needing much more."

"Best news I've heard yet. Have you run into any troubles with other people, or the law?"

"Not at all. I've moved fairly undetected so far," said Hanif, with a note of pride in his voice.

"Keep it that way, Hanif. While our organization has certain... liberties, we would rather not have to rely on those if at all possible. Stay above the law, and make sure any actions you take are stealthy and correct."

"Of course, Grand Master. I will do exactly as you say," replied Hanif.

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"Good. Don't call again until you have located the beast." The line went dead as Abbas disconnected the connection.

"Ya Ibn el Sharmouta," Hanif swore, throwing the floor on the wooden porch beneath him. He knew that Abbas would find his progress lacking, even though he had come such a long way since their parting over a week ago. Yet, would it kill the man to acknowledge his progress so far? After all, the surge of magic was so close, so very close now.

Hanif sighed, picking up the phone from its resting place on the porch. Setting it back down on the table beside him, he resumed his meditation. He had to be ready for the next burst of activity. When the magic was this close, every burst brought him one step closer to detecting the source. Hanif took a deep breath, and cleared his mind, waiting to find the next pulse. He knew soon he would overtake the djinn and finish his mission, for good.