Chapter 15: In Which There Is a SetbackHoyle tried several times to speak. Finally, he managed to say, “What?”
Nicholas said, “You can’t leave here. I know that all too personally. But if you help me, I think I can. Which means I have one last chance to stop Nestor before he gets back to Sydney and it’s too late.”
A hand came out of the darkness and seized Hoyle’s hand where it gripped the staff.
“Ahhhhhh,” said Nicholas.
Hoyle tried to pull away as he felt energy pulsing through him in a disquieting rhythm. The pulses started to hurt, and Hoyle heard his voice squeak in weak, panting cries. Finally, using a part of his brain he hadn’t known about, he lashed out in desperation. Nicholas cried out, and Hoyle wrenched his hand away.
“You bastard,” Nicholas gasped. Hoyle could see that h
