Bartimaeus, currently in the guise of a serious teenage girl, watches Kaz down a drink like he was a thirsty man guzzling down water. He's never had an inclination for alcohol – or any other kinds of food and drink, since he doesn't need any of that to survive.

Or he didn't, at least. This summoning feels different, less of a strain on his essence, and he has to wonder what the price of that will be.

"Steady on there," he tells Kaz as he leans in almost conspiratorially. "The night's only just begun, you know."