Flamel nodded. If I had the time, I would take them to be properly trained,
gradually Awaken their dormant powers but events have conspired against me,
and time is that one precious commodity I do not have. It is within your
power to unlock their potential. You can do something in an instant that it
would normally take years to do.
Hekate glanced over her shoulder at the Alchemyst. And there are good
reasons why it should take many years, she said dismissively. The humani
barely use their senses. Yet you are proposing to Awaken these two to their
full potential. I will not do it: the sensory overload could destroy them,
drive them mad.
But Flamel began.
I will not do it. She turned back to the twins. What he is asking me to do
could kill you if you are lucky, she said, and then turned and swept from
the room, leaving little grassy footprints in her wake.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
mean ?
But Nicholas hurried past him, following Hekate out into the hallway. She s
exaggerating, he called back over his shoulder. Trying to frighten you.
Well, it worked, Josh muttered. He looked at Scathach, but she turned her
back and walked into the garden. Hey, he called, hurrying after her, come
back. I ve got questions. He felt a quick surge of anger; he was tired of
being treated like a child. He and his sister deserved some answers.
Josh, Sophie warned.
But her brother darted past her and reached for Scathach s shoulder. His
fingers never even touched her. Suddenly, he was caught, twisted, turned and
then spun through the air. He hit the ground hard enough to drive the breath
from his lungs, and he found himself staring down the length of Scathach s
sword, the tip of which she held rock steady between his eyes. When she
spoke, her voice was little more than a whisper. Last night you insulted a
goddess of the Elder Race; today you've managed to irritate one of the Next
Generation and it s not even dawn yet, she added. The Warrior Maid sheathed
her sword and looked over at a stunned Sophie. She hadn't even seen Scathach
move. Is he always like this? Scatty asked.
Like what? Sophie asked.
Foolish, ill-advised, reckless ? Shall I go on?
No need. And yes, he s usually like this. Sometimes worse. When they were
growing up, she used to tease Josh that he got all the doing genes, whereas
she got the thinking genes. Her brother was both impulsive and reckless,
but to be fair, she thought, he was also loyal and trustworthy.
Scathach pulled Josh to his feet. If you continue at this rate, you ll not
last long in this world.
I just wanted to ask you a few questions.
You re lucky. A couple of centuries ago, I probably would have killed you. I
used to have a bit of a temper, she admitted, but I ve been working on my
self-control.
Josh rubbed the small of his back. If Scathach had smashed him down on the
stones, he could really have been hurt, but he recognized that she d been
careful to drop him onto the grass and moss. That felt like a judo throw,
he said shakily, attempting to sound casual and change the subject.
Something like that
Where did you learn judo, anyway?
I didn't learn judo. I created the distant ancestor of most of the martial
arts that are studied today, the red-haired warrior said, bright green eyes
flashing wickedly. In fact, it would do neither of you any harm if I were to
show you a few simple moves.
I think we can do better than simple, Josh said. We studied tae kwon do
for two years when our parents were teaching in Chicago, and we did a year of
karate in New York or was that Boston?
You created judo? Sophie asked, keeping her voice carefully neutral.
No, Kano Jigoro created modern judo, but he based his fighting system on
jujitsu, which is related to aikido, which evolved around the fourteenth
century. I believe I was in Japan around then. All martial arts have a common
root. And That'sme, Scatty said modestly. Come, if you know a little tae
kwon do and karate, That'suseful. Let me show you some basic moves while
we re waiting for Nicholas.
Where is he? Sophie asked, looking back over her shoulder at the house.
What was going on in there? Is he asking Hekate to Awaken our magical
potential?
He is, Scatty affirmed.
But Hekate'said that could kill us! Josh said in alarm. He was beginning to
suspect that Flamel's agenda was about more than just protecting him and his
sister. The Alchemyst was up to something.
She was only guessing, Scatty said. She s always been a bit of a drama
queen.
Then Nicholas is sure we re in no danger? Josh said.
No, he s not really sure. Scatty smiled. But believe me, you are in
danger. The only difference is if Hekate Awakens you, then you ll be in
danger.
Nicholas Flamel followed Hekate through the house. The young woman s fingers
trailed along the walls, leaving streaks of bright wood touched with leaves
and flowers in her wake. I need your help, Hekate. I cannot do this alone,
he called after her.
The goddess ignored him. She turned down a long, straight corridor and darted
ahead. Her feet left little puddles of green grass that grew even as Flamel
hurried after her. By the time he was halfway down the corridor it was knee
high, then waist high, and suddenly, the entire corridor was covered in the
tall, razor-sharp grass. Its blades whispered softly together, sounds that
might almost have been words.
Nicholas Flamel allowed a little of his growing anger to seep into his aura.
Closing his right hand into a fist, he suddenly splayed his fingers and the
air was touched with the rich, tart odor of mint. The grass directly ahead of
him flattened as if it had been hit with a strong wind, and the Alchemyst was
just in time to see the young woman step into a room set slightly apart from
