Ptolemy's Gate

But Nathaniel was relieved to see that she seemed otherwise unharmed. Once again his relief revealed itself as anger. "What are you doing back?" he hissed. "Get away."
    A scowl. "We've got the commoners clear," she whispered.
    "And it was no small task. Check out what one of them did to me." She pointed at the scratch. "Nice bit of thanks that is. Anyway, I had to come back to see how you were. . . doing...." Her eyes dropped to rest on Nathaniel's side; they widened. "What the hell?"
    "According to Bartimaeus," Nathaniel said blandly, "it's nothing to worry about."
    She bent close. "Oh, God. Can you walk? We've got to get you out."
    "Not yet." After the first pain, the numbness had spread fast. Nathaniel felt a little light-headed, but provided he remained still, leaning against the tree, his discomfort was minimal. His mind was clear, or at least it would have been had the djinni not been messing with his thoughts, trying to block out knowledge of his injury, trying to influence his decisions. He spoke quickly. "Kitty—the attack with the Staff failed. The thing's too strong. I tried it at maximum controllable power, but it wasn't enough. Nouda absorbed the energy."
    "Well, then." She bit her lip. "We get you out. Then we think again."
    "Bartimaeus," he said. "What will happen if we leave Nouda now? Speak honestly."
    The djinni's answer was delayed by a colossal crashing and rending sound from somewhere behind them. "In time," Bartimaeus said, speaking through Nathaniel's mouth, "Nouda will become bored with the manifold delights of the 'One World Exhibition.' He will turn his attention to the rest of London. He will feed on its people, and so swell in size and power; this growth will further stimulate his hunger until either the city lies barren, or he bursts. That honest enough for you?"
    "Kitty," Nathaniel said. "I have to stop the demon now."
    "But you can't. You just said so. Even at full power, the Staff failed."
    "Maximum controllable power, I said. There's one way of getting more energy from it, and that's by removing Gladstone's safeguard s—the spells that bind the Staff. All—no, wait, let me finish— all its power would be unleashed in one fell swoop." He smiled at her. "I think that might give Nouda pause."
    The girl shook her head. "I don't buy it. Who's to say it won't just make him even stronger? Now, Bartimaeus; can't you—?"
    "There is one other factor to be taken into the equation," Nathaniel said. With some difficulty, he lifted the Staff and gestured toward the roof. "What's this building made of?"
    "Glass."
    "And . . ."
    "Ah," the djinni's voice cut in at once. "You know, reluctant as I am to say it, he might actually have a point there."
    "Iron," Nathaniel said. "Iron. And Nouda, being a spirit, is not protected against it. If the Staff is broken, and it all comes crashing down on him . . .What do you think, Bartimaeus?"
    "It might work. But there's one small flaw."
    Kitty made a face. "Exactly. How do you break the Staff without being harmed? And what about the roof-fall?"
    Nathaniel stretched; his neck felt cold and stiff. "Leave that to me. We'll be all right."
    She looked at him. "Okay. . . Fine. I'll do this with you."
    "No, you won't. Bartimaeus's protective Shields won't extend to you as well. Will they, Bartimaeus?"
    "Urn. . . no."
    "We'll be all right," Nathaniel said again. His mind drifted a little; he felt the djinni prompting him. "Look," he said, "I've got seven-league boots on. We'll catch you up. Just get out now and keep on running."
    "Nathaniel . . ."
    "Better go, Kitty. Nouda will leave the palace soon, and the chance will be gone."
    Kitty stamped her foot. "No way. I'm not going to allow this."
    Her defiance warmed him. He grinned at her. "Listen—I'm the magician. You're the commoner. I'm the one who orders you about, remember?"
    She scowled. "Sure you'll be able to use the boots?"
    "Of course. No problem."
    "So I'll see you both outside? Promise?"
    "Yes."
    "Yes. Now—go."
    She turned slowly, with reluctance; then spun back to him, grasping at her neck. "The Amulet! It'll keep you safe!" She held it out, spinning on its chain. The jade stone glinted softly.
    Nathaniel felt a great weariness. "No. That won't be any good for me."
    Tiny glints of light shone in the corners of her eyes. "Why—why not?"
    "Because," Bartimaeus's voice broke in, "it's so powerful a charm. It might absorb too much of the Staff's energy and enable Nouda to escape. The best thing you can do