Jesus lay on his back and endured the slow passage of hours. His body ached with pains both sharp and wide. He spent days slipping into and out of consciousness. Even in the darkness, he had sensed spirits gathering around him, and with the last of his strength resisted their every attempt to harm him.

“How is she?” Jesus heard a spirit voice ask. The voice had a timbre that was deeper than the others. It was the leader he had heard earlier.

“She refuses to eat or drink,” another spirit answered.

“Or answer any questions,” another added.

“Bring her to my chamber,” the elder jinn commanded.

“But if we untie her she will try to run away,” the younger spirit warned.

The elder approached Jesus. The spirit stood before him, silent. Even though Jesus could not see inside its hood, he could feel its eyes upon him.

Weakened from hunger and thirst and defeated from days in the dark, Jesus could only whimper.

“Bring her,” the elder repeated.

When the tethers were untied, Jesus expected to find his wrists and ankles rubbed raw. But to his surprise, his skin was supple and free of lacerations. After dressing him in a lightweight tunic, the two jinn carried him down a corridor. As they headed toward a distant chamber, Jesus could see the layout of the caves for the first time. As they advanced, he noted a honeycomb of rooms cut into the rock. The air in the corridor smelled leafy and full, reminding him of an oasis.

“Leave us,” the elder jinn requested when they arrived at its chamber. The two spirits laid Jesus on a mat. They did not release their hold. “You may let go of her,” the elder assured them.

The others retreated and Jesus remained, alone, facing the spirit through murky light. The elder jinn lowered gently to the ground. The space behind it was lined with jars and manuscripts.

How could a headless spirit read?

The elder faced the young shepherd. Though a distance of nearly twelve feet separated them, it felt to Jesus as if the spirit were seated next to him. After a few minutes, a deep calm washed over him.

Do not be fooled, Jesus told himself. Stay alert. Do not fall under its spell!

When the spirit leaned forward to adjust its position, Jesus’s eyes shot toward the entrance. As soon as he was able, he would escape. He would find Solomon and the others and warn them. As he contemplated crossing the desert, he noticed a stiffness gripping his legs.

How long had they held him captive?

The jinn cleared its throat. “You have been here thirteen days,” it said.

Jesus gasped.

Thirteen days! The others were expecting him to come back in ten!

The spirit spoke again. “Your friends left to make their return yesterday,” it said. “They were well stocked for the journey.”

Jesus flinched.

Return? Without him? It was impossible!