The cane was seemed to ripple, but it didn't break--it just seemed to kink up, resisting. Riddler's anger had always been a driving force; the deal with the Nox had only made it worse.

"I made the best decision I could! Would you rather be dead, Griffin?" he growled.

The cane made a bizarre noise, a hiss that echoed for far too long. A few jerky tendrils curled off it even as Riddler took a step back, two. They grew and reached up, down, to the side, intent on grabbing Aaron's head an limbs and--

Riddler hadn't thought any further than that. He was sure pain would be involved, however. Because Aaron was wrong.