his baby sister. He was bigger and stronger, and it was his job to protect
her.
And now, in a way, something terrible had happened to his twin.
She had changed in ways he could not even begin to comprehend. She had become
more like Flamel and Scathach and their kind than like him: she had become
more than human.
For the first time in his life, he felt alone. He was losing his sister. But
there was one way to be her equal again: he had to have his own powers
Awakened.
Josh turned just as Sophie and Scathach appeared, hurrying across a broad
bridge that led directly to the tower. Relief washed over him. They re
here, he said to Flamel, who was facing the opposite direction.
I know, Nicholas said, his French accent sounding stronger than usual. And
they re not alone.
Josh tore his gaze away from his approaching sister and Scathach. What do
you mean?
Nicholas inclined his head slightly and Josh turned. Two tourist buses had
just arrived at the Place Joffre and were disgorging their passengers. The
tourists Americans, Josh guessed by their clothing milled around, chatting
and laughing, cameras and videos already whirring while their guides tried to
gather them together. A third bus, bright yellow, pulled up, spilling dozens
of excited Japanese tourists out on the pavement. Confused, Josh looked at
Nicholas: did he mean the buses?
In black, Flamel said enigmatically, pointing by lifting his chin.
Josh turned and spotted the man in black striding toward them, moving swiftly
through the holiday crowd. None of the tourists even glanced at the stranger
weaving his way among them, twisting and turning like a dancer, taking care
to not so much as brush against them. Josh guessed the man was probably about
his own height, but it was impossible to make out his body shape because he
was wearing a three-quarter-length black leather coat that flapped about him
as he walked. The collar was turned up, and his hands were pushed deep into
the pockets. Josh felt his heart sink: now what?
Sophie raced up and punched her brother in the arm. You got here, she said
breathlessly. Any trouble?
Josh tilted his head toward the approaching man in the leather coat. I m not
sure.
Scathach appeared beside the twins. She wasn't even breathing hard, Josh
noted. In fact, she wasn't breathing at all.
Trouble? Sophie asked, looking at Scathach.
The Warrior smiled, tight-lipped. Depends how you define trouble, she
murmured.
On the contrary, Nicholas said, smiling broadly. He heaved a sigh of
relief. It s a friend. An old friend. A good friend.
The man in the black coat was closer now, and the twins could see that he had
a small, almost round face, deeply tanned skin and piercing blue eyes. Thick
shoulder-length black hair was swept back off his high forehead. Mounting the
steps, he pulled both hands out of his pockets and spread his arms wide,
silver rings winking on every finger and on his thumbs, matching the silver
studs in both ears. A broad smile revealed misshapen, slightly yellowed
teeth.
Master, he said, wrapping both arms around Nicholas and kissing him quickly
on both cheeks. You have returned. The man blinked, eyes moist, and for an
instant the pupils winked red. There was a sudden hint of burnt leaves in the
air.
And you never left, Nicholas said warmly, holding the man at arm s length
and examining him critically. You look well, Francis. Better than the last
time I saw you. He turned, putting his arm around the man s shoulder.
Scathach you know, of course.
Who could forget the Shadow? The blue-eyed man stepped forward, caught the
Warrior s pale hand in his and brought it to his lips in an old-fashioned
courtly gesture.
Scathach leaned forward and pinched the man s cheek hard enough to leave a
red mark. I told you last time; don't do that to me.
Admit it you love it. He grinned. And this must be Sophie and Josh. The
Witch told me about them, he added. The man s bright blue eyes remained wide
and unblinking as he regarded the two in turn. The twins of legend, he
murmured, frowning a bit as he stared hard at them. You re sure?
I m sure, Nicholas said firmly.
The stranger nodded and bowed slightly. The twins of legend, he repeated.
I am honored to make your acquaintance. Allow me to introduce myself. I am
le Comte de Saint-Germain, he announced dramatically, and then paused,
almost as if he expected them to know the name.
The twins looked at him blankly, identical expressions on their faces.
But you must call me Francis; all my friends do.
My favorite student, Nicholas added fondly. Certainly my best student.
We ve known one another a long time.
How long? Sophie asked automatically, although even as she was asking the
question, the answer popped into her head.
For about three hundred years or so, Nicholas said. Francis trained to be
an alchemist with me. He quickly surpassed me, he added. He specialized in
creating jewels.
I learned everything I know about alchemy from the master: Nicholas Flamel,
Saint-Germain said quickly.
In the eighteenth century, Francis was also an accomplished singer and
musician. And what are you this century? Nicholas asked.
Well, I have to say I am disappointed you've not heard of me, the man said
in accentless English. you've obviously not been keeping up with the charts.
I ve had five number-one hits in the States and three in Germany, and I won
an MTV Europe Best Newcomer award.
Best New comer? Nicholas grinned, emphasizing the word new. You!
You know that I have always been a musician, but in this century, Nicholas,
I m a rock star! he said proudly. I am Germain! He looked at the twins as
he spoke, eyebrows raised, nodding, waiting for them to react to the
announcement.
They shook their heads simultaneously. Never heard of you, Josh said
bluntly.
Saint-Germain shrugged and looked disappointed. He brought the collar of his
coat up around his ears. Five number-one hits, he muttered.
What type of music? Sophie asked, biting the inside of her cheek to keep
herself from smiling at the crestfallen expression on the man s face.
Dance electro techno that sort of thing.
Sophie and Josh shook their heads again. don't listen to it, Josh answered,
but Saint-Germain was no longer looking at the twins. His head had swiveled
toward the Avenue Gustave Eiffel, to where a long sleek black Mercedes had
pulled up to the curb. Three plain black vans drew up behind it.
Machiavelli! Flamel snapped angrily. Francis, you were followed.
But how , the count began.
Remember, it s Niccol we re dealing with. Flamel looked around quickly,
assessing the situation. Scathach, take the twins, go with Saint-Germain.
Protect them with your lives.
We can stay, I can fight, Scathach said.
Nicholas shook his head. He waved at the gathered tourists. Too many people.
Someone would be killed. But Machiavelli is not Dee; he s subtle. He ll not
use magic not if he can help it. We can use that to our advantage. If we
split up, he will follow me; I m the one he wants. And not just me. Reaching
under his shirt, he pulled out a small square cloth bag.