In the span of a moment the cleared area before the gates was emptied, leaving behind only the smoldering tree trunk and a few heaps of blackened debris. The apparition, too, was gone, whirling like a gust of wind back to Aelred's side.

“Do I please you, master?” the djinn inquired.

“Yes, thank you,” the monk replied.

“Good.” The djinn kissed him.

For an unmeasured time Aelred's mind was blank and he was aware only of the pressure of the other man's mouth, the heat of his tongue, the sensation of fingers on his scalp, the warm solidity of the body pressed against his own. He dimly realized that his knees had gone weak and the arm around his waist was the only thing keeping him on his feet.

With vast effort of will, Aelred pulled his mouth free and gasped, “Return to your bottle.”

The djinn was gone so abruptly that the young man staggered and almost fell. He collapsed against one chill stone wall, panting, and tried to calm his pounding heart. How could he have fallen into temptation so easily, so quickly? Was it so quickly? his conscience asked in a whisper. Did you not dream of such temptation? Aelred bit his lip and knelt on the dusty stones of the passageway in contrition.

When he felt that the flush had cooled from his face, he made his way to the chapel, trembling. While the other clergymen implored the Lord for protection from the Northmen, Aelred pleaded to be freed from the sin of lust. It was unusually difficult to bring sincerity to his prayers, and he took refuge in rote recitation. His demite nos joined the susurration.

Usually the dovecote murmur of mingled orisons was a soothing sound, but today it was sharpened by anxiety. The spacious chamber was rank with fear sweat. At least this meant that Aelred’s own sweaty and distracted state passed unnoticed.

When night fell, they were finally dismissed to their beds. Weary as he was from the tumult of the day, Aelred went only reluctantly. Telling himself he would face the djinn in the morning, he lay down, only to toss and turn on his hard cot, tormented simultaneously by shame and desire.

Finally, unable to find rest, he ventured, “Are you there?”

There was no answer. “If it please you,” Aelred whispered, “come forth.”

The blackness of the unlit chamber slightly lessened. Aelred realized that the djinn's golden eyes shone. The djinn held out a hand, palm up, and a flame like that of a large candle appeared above it. He dropped his hand, leaving the flame hovering in the air beside the bed.

“What is your will, master?” the djinn asked, bowing his head.

“To apologize,” Aelred said. “I ask you to forgive my unkindness in returning you to your bottle.”

“Why did you, then, master?” The djinn looked puzzled. “You said I pleased you.”

“Yes, but I wasn't expecting ... I didn't mean ...”

“No?” The djinn cocked his head. “But since first we met you have gazed upon me with desire.”

Aelred felt his face scald. Still cooler than the heat that had swept through him in the djinn's embrace. “N-no,” he stuttered. Add lying to his other sins? “Yes,” he admitted. “I did. I am. But my chastity is sworn to the Lord.” The djinn looked no less perplexed. “You understand that, don't you?”

“No,” said the djinn. “What does your lord do with you?”

“Nothing. I mean, we praise him, and pray for the salvation of mankind.”

The djinn blinked. “Do you mean you never have sex?” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Now I see why you kiss so poorly.”

“I'd never done it before!” Aelred snapped. Mostly to remind himself, he added, “And I won't be doing it again.”

The djinn was clearly struggling with the concept of celibacy. “Why does your God want your chastity?” he asked.

Of course Aelred knew why monks were celibate. He did. But it had been many years since it had been explained to him, and he was tired. “It's a virtue,” he said weakly. “I'll get you a theology text in the morning.”