Ptolemy's Gate

death without much effort and exerting, through the Staff, destructive energies greater than many djinn possessed. It was an experience that had been desired by most magicians through the centuries, and certainly by Nathaniel himself in idle daydreams. It was the feeling of consummate superiority, the delight of power wielded without peril. He danced beneath the dark night sky, smiting down his enemies. And yet, with all his nimbleness and guile, with all the adrenaline pumping through him, deep inside he was curiously inert. He felt aloof, disconnected, and alone. If his hatred for the demons that he had killed was dull and almost matter-of-fact, so was his sympathy for the people whose lives he saved. The woman in Trafalgar Square had shown what he could expect from them. They would regard him with fear and distaste, and rightly so. He was a magician. It was thanks to him and his kind that London was in flames.
    Pride spurred him on—that, and the djinni talking inside his head. Yes, he would seek to end the destruction. But after that. . . Actions were one thing, expectations another. He had no idea what he would do.
    And then, on the path outside the great Glass Palace—
    The djinni's thought drifted through his mind. That's Kitty's voice, that is.
    I know. You think I don't know?
    It's just, you've gone all, limp and heavy. Like wet cardboard. Thought you'd had a seizure out of fear.
    It' s not fear.
    So you say. Your heart's going like the clappers. Eeuch, and you've gone a bit sweaty. Sure it isn't a fever?
    Quite sure. Now will you shut up?
    Nathaniel watched her coming slowly through the garden. Across the seven planes her aura lit the ground like day. A group of people straggled close behind.
    "Kitty."
    "Nathaniel."
    They looked at each other. Then his mouth opened with a wrenching noise something like a belch. "And me! Don't forget me!" Nathaniel swore and clamped his mouth tight shut.
    Kitty grinned. "Hello, Bartimaeus."
    An entirely unconnected anger suddenly rose within Nathaniel. He frowned at her. "I thought I told you not to come with us. You're too weak. It's too dangerous."
    "Since when have I ever listened to you? What's the situation?"
    Nathaniel's mouth opened of its own accord; Bartimaeus spoke. "We've destroyed most of Nouda's army, but he himself is still at large. In there"—Nathaniel's thumb jerked back over his shoulder—"with seven other spirits and maybe a hundred commoners. And we're—"
    "About to deal with him," Nathaniel finished.
    "—in serious trouble," the djinni said.
    Kitty blinked. "Sorry, which. . . ?"
    Nathaniel shifted the Staff; thin bands of energy pulsed and crackled around his hand. He felt a surge of joyful impatience—he would destroy Nouda, rescue the commoners, and return to Kitty. Beyond that, everything could wait.
    But the djinni was cutting across his thoughts, speaking urgently to Kitty. "Nouda is growing in strength all the time. He's not reacting like the others. He may not be as susceptible to the Staff as we thought."
    Nathaniel interrupted angrily. "What do you mean? It'll be fine."
    "That's not what Faquarl said."
    "Oh, and you believed him."
    "Faquarl didn't tend to lie. That wasn't his style."
    "No, his style was trying to kill us dead—" Nathaniel broke off. He had caught sight of a ring of silent listeners, watching him seemingly argue with himself. Among several magicians that he recognized was his personal assistant.
    He cleared his throat. "Hello, Piper."
    "Hello, sir."
    Kitty held up a hand. "Bartimaeus—there are many prisoners in there and we have little time. Do we have any alternative to the Staff?"
    "No. Unless this crowd is all magicians of the thirteenth level."
    "Right. Then we've got to go for it, better or worse. Nathaniel," Kitty said, "you'll have to do what you can. If you deal with the demons, we'll evacuate the commoners. Where are they?"
    "Close by. 'In the center of the palace." In the past her presence disconcerted him; now it filled him with renewed purpose and self-belief. He spoke swiftly, with his old authority. "Piper, when you get inside, you'll see a path running to the right between the palms. It leads behind the carousel to an open area. That's where the demons and the captives are. If you wait down that path, in cover, I'll attack from the opposite side. When the demons follow me, try to lead the prisoners out and as far away as possible. Anyone with imps, use them to help you. Is that clear?"
    "Yes,