Hm? I was under the impressiom that the staff was literally composed of his soul, and that's what gave it its physics defying morohic power. If it didnt just liquify or disappear, wouldnt it just stop functioning? 

To close it would require conscious control, and my lightning was timed with the opening of the shield. This early on, the trap wouldnt have been properly set up as I recall the timing. At least not to the degree that she'd be in any real danger.