“I don’t like it, Arty,” she said. “But it is a good plan.”
The tranquilizer pad took a few seconds to work, and then Artemis found himself keeling over onto the Afghan rug, his nose parting the fibers of a tree-of-life motif. The drug numbed his mind, and he could not fathom exactly what was happening.
“I’m sorry, Artemis,” said Holly, kneeling beside him. “Opal is one of my people, so this is my sacrifice to make.”
Artemis’s left eye rolled in its socket and his hand flapped weakly.
“Don’t hate me forever, Arty,” whispered Holly. “I couldn’t bear that.”
She took his hand and squeezed it tightly. “I am the soldier, Artemis, and this is a job for a soldier.”
“You make a good point, Holly,” said Artemis, clearly. “But this is my plan and, with all due respect, I am the only one who can be trusted to execute it.”
Holly was confused. Just a moment ago, Artemis had been on the verge of unconsciousness, and now he was lecturing her in his usual supercilious way.
How?
Holly pulled back her hand and saw a small adhesive blister on her palm.
He drugged me! she realized. That sneaky Mud Boy drugged me.
Artemis stood and led Holly to the leather sofa, laying her down on the soft cushions.
“I thought Foaly might tattle, so I took an adrenaline shot to counteract your sedative.”
Holly fought the fog clouding her mind.
“How could you…? How?”
“Logically you have no right to be angry. I simply followed your lead.”
Tears filled Holly’s eyes, spilling down her cheeks as the truth called to her from far away, across a misty chasm.
He is really going through with it.
“No,” she managed.
“There is no other way.”
Holly felt the hollowness of dread sour her stomach.
“Please, Arty,” she mumbled. “Let me…” but she said no more as her lips had turned to slack rubber.

The Last Guardian, Chapter 18