He pushed open the heavy wooden door and disappeared into the room beyond for a few moments, leaving Jafar and Selima alone in the hallway. As they stood there awaiting their host’s return, several black batlike creatures no larger than a man’s hand flew casually down the corridor above their heads. The creatures had tiny red eyes and sharp fangs. They circled the two people, watched them intently for a while, then tired of the sport and flew off.
Selima shivered. “I don’t like anything about this place.”
“It’s better than the dungeons of Ravan,” her father said. “Take my word on that.”
A few moments later Akar emerged from the room once more. On the middle finger of his left hand was a new ring, silver with a piece of onyx. “Thank you for waiting,” he said to his guests. “We may now co
