The gray man turned as Perry, followed by Sophie, dashed into the bookshop.
He gave a neat little bow. Ah, Madame Perenelle. I was wondering where you
were.
Where is Nicholas? Perry demanded. She pronounced the name Nicola. Sophie
saw a static charge ripple down the woman s hair, blue and white sparks
crackling.
Downstairs, I believe. My creatures are looking for him.
Clutching the broom tightly in both hands, Sophie slipped past Perry and
crept around to the other side of the room. Josh. Where was Josh? She had no
idea what was happening and didn't care. She just needed to find her brother.
You are looking as lovely as ever, the gray man said, eyes fixed on Perry.
You haven t aged a day. He bowed again, an old-fashioned, courtly movement
that he performed effortlessly. It is always a joy to see you.
I wish I could say the same for you, Dee. Perry moved farther into the
room, eyes darting from side to side. I recognized your foul stench.
Dee closed his eyes and breathed deeply. I rather like the smell of
brimstone. It is so He paused. So dramatic. Then his gray eyes snapped
open and the smile faded. we've come for the Book, Perenelle. And don't tell
me you've destroyed it, he added. Your continued remarkable good health is
proof indeed of its existence.
Which book? Sophie wondered, glancing around the room; the shop was
books.
We are the guardians of the Book, Perry said, and something in her voice
made Sophie turn to look at her. The girl stopped, mouth and eyes wide with
horror. A silver mist surrounded Perry Fleming, rising off her skin in
gossamer threads. Pale and translucent in places, it gathered thick and hard
around her hands, making it look as if she were wearing metal gauntlets. You
will never get it, Perry snapped.
We will, Dee said. we've accumulated all the other treasures over the
years. Only the Book remains. Now, make it easy on yourself and tell me where
it is .
Never!
I knew you would say that, Dee said, and then the huge Golem launched
himself at Perry. Humans are so predictable.
Nick Fleming and Josh were opening the door of the dry cleaner s when they
saw Perry, followed by Sophie, race across the street and into the bookshop.
Get this door open, Nick snapped as he reached under his T-shirt. From a
simple square cloth bag dangling around his neck, he produced what looked
like a small book bound in copper-colored metal.
Josh slammed back the bolts and tugged open the door and Nick raced out,
quickly thumbing through the rough-edged pages as he ran, looking for
something. Josh caught a brief glimpse of ornate writing and geometric
patterns on the thick yellowed pages as he followed Nick back into the
bookshop.
Nick and Josh arrived in time to see the Golem touch Perry.
And explode.
Fine, gritty powder filled the air, and the heavy black overcoat crumpled to
the floor. For a moment, a miniature whirlwind spun there, churning up the
dust, then it curled away.
But Nick and Josh s entry diverted Perry s attention. She half turned and in
that instant Dee drew his left arm across his eyes and hurled a tiny crystal
ball onto the floor.
It was as if the sun had exploded in the room.
The light was incredible. Blinding and harsh, it blanketed the room in its
ghastly flare, and with the light came the smell: the stink of burning hair
and overcooked food, smoldering leaves and scorched metal mingled with the
acrid fumes of diesel.
Josh caught a glimpse of his sister just as Dee tossed the crystal. He was
partially shielded by Nick and Perry, both of whom were battered to the floor
by the light. Josh s vision became a kaleidoscope of black-and-white still
images as the light seared the rods and cones at the back of his eyes. He saw
Nick drop the metal-bound book onto the floor saw two black-clad shapes
surround Perry and vaguely heard her scream saw Dee snatch the book with a
grunt of triumph while Nick groped blindly on the floor.
You lose, Nicholas, Dee hissed, as you have always lost. Now I get to take
those things most precious to you: your beloved Perenelle and your book.
Josh was moving even before he was aware of it. He launched himself at Dee,
catching the small man by surprise. Although only fifteen, Josh was tall for
his age, and heavy: he was big enough to be a linebacker, and the youngest on
his football team. He knocked Dee to the ground, sending the book spinning
out of his grasp. Josh felt the heavy metal cover beneath his fingertips and
caught it just as he was lifted straight off the floor and tossed into a
corner. He landed on a pile of books that cushioned his fall. Black spots and
darts of rainbow light moved across his eyes every time he blinked.
Dee s gray shape loomed over Josh, then his gloved hand reached down for the
book. Mine, I think.
Josh s grip tightened, but Dee simply wrenched the book from his hand.
times on Dee s back, once for every word.
Dee barely glanced at her. Clutching the book in one gloved hand, he caught
the broom in the other and muttered a single word, and it immediately
withered and turned to ragged pulpy splinters in Sophie s hands. You re
lucky I m in a good humor today, he whispered, else I d do the same to
you. Then Dee and his two remaining Golems swept out of the devastated
bookshop, carrying Perry Fleming between them, and slammed the door closed.
There was a long moment of silence, and then the last remaining undisturbed
shelf of books clattered to the floor.
CHAPTER FOUR
against a precariously listing bookcase and wrapped her arms around her body
to stop herself from shaking. She was surprised that her voice sounded so
calm and reasonable. we've got to tell them that Perry s been kidnapped .
Perry s not in any danger just yet. Nick Fleming was sitting on one of the
