What Sophie looked quickly at her brother. What would they do to us?
You really don't want to know, Scathach said sincerely, but trust me when
I tell you that it would not be pleasant.
And what about you? Josh asked.
I have no friends amongst the Dark Elders, Scathach said softly. I ve been
their enemy for over two and a half thousand years. I would imagine they have
a very special Shadowrealm prison prepared for me. Something cold and wet.
They know I hate that. She smiled, the tips of her teeth pressing against
her lips. But they haven t got us yet, she said lightly, and they ll not
get us easily. She turned to squint at Sophie. You look terrible.
So I've been told, Sophie said, wrapping both hands around the steaming mug
of chocolate and bringing it to her lips. She breathed deeply. She could
smell every subtlety in the rich aroma of cocoa and felt her stomach rumble,
reminding her that it had been a long time since they had eaten. The hot
chocolate tasted bitter on her tongue, eye-wateringly strong, and she
remembered reading somewhere that European chocolate had a greater cocoa
content than the American chocolate she had grown up with.
Scatty leaned forward and dropped her voice. You need to give yourselves
time to recuperate from all the stresses you've been through. Traveling from
one side of the world to the other via a leygate takes its toll it feels like
massive jet lag, I m told.
And I guess you don't get jet lag? Josh muttered. There was a joke in the
family that he could get jet lag on a car trip from one state to the next.
Scatty shook her head. No, I don't get jet lag. I don't fly, she explained.
You d never get me up in one of those things. Only creatures with flapping
wings are meant to be in the skies. Though I did ride a lung once.
A lung? Josh asked, confused.
Ying lung, a Chinese dragon, Sophie said.
Scathach turned to look at the girl. Calling up the fog must have burned
through a lot of your aura s energy. It s important that you not use your
power again for as long as possible.
The trio sat back as Roux came out from behind the counter with a tall glass
of water. He placed it on the edge of the table, attempted a nervous smile at
Scatty and then backed away.
I think he likes you, Sophie said with a weak grin.
Scatty turned to glare at the assistant again, but the twins saw her lips
twist in a smile. He s got piercings, she said, loud enough for him to
hear. I don't like boys with piercings.
Both girls smiled as the back of Roux s neck flared bright red.
Why is it important that Sophie not use her powers? Josh asked, bringing
the conversation back to Scatty s earlier comment. An alarm had gone off at
the back of his mind.
Scathach leaned forward across the table, and both Sophie and Josh moved in
to hear her. Once a person uses all their natural auric energy, then the
power starts to feed off their flesh for its fuel.
What happens then? Sophie asked.
Have you ever heard of spontaneous human combustion?
Sophie s expression was blank, but Josh nodded. I have. People just bursting
into flames for no reason: it s an urban legend.
Scatty shook her head. It s no legend. Many cases have been recorded
throughout history, she said evenly. I ve even witnessed a couple myself.
It can happen in a heartbeat, and the fire, which usually starts in the
stomach and lungs, burns so fiercely that it leaves little more than ash
behind. You have to be careful now, Sophie: in fact, I d like you to promise
me not to use your power again today, no matter what happens.
And Flamel knew this, Josh said quickly, unable to keep the anger from his
voice.
Of course, Scatty said evenly.
And he didn't think it was worth telling us? Josh snapped. Roux looked over
at the raised voice, and Josh took a deep breath and continued in a hoarse
whisper. What else isn't he telling us? he demanded. What else comes with
this
Everything has happened so fast, Josh, Scatty said. There simply hasn t
been time to train or instruct you properly. But I want you to remember that
Nicholas has your best interests at heart. He is trying to keep you safe.
We were safe until we met him, Josh said.
The skin tightened across Scatty s cheekbones and the muscles in her neck and
shoulders twitched. Something dark and ugly flickered behind her green eyes.
Sophie reached out and put a hand on both Scatty s and Josh s arms. Enough,
she said tiredly. We shouldn't fight with each other.
Josh was about to respond, but the look on his sister s exhausted face scared
him, and he nodded. OK. For now, he added.
Scatty nodded too. Sophie is correct. She turned to look at Josh. It is
unfortunate that everything has fallen on Sophie at the moment. It s a pity
your powers weren t Awakened.
You re not half as sorry as I am, he said, unable to keep the note of
bitterness from his voice. Despite all that he had seen, and even knowing the
dangers, he wanted the powers his twin had. It s not too late, though, is
it? he asked quickly.
Scatty shook her head. You can be Awakened at any time, but I don't know who
would have the power to Awaken you. It needs to be done by an Elder, and
there are only a handful with that particular skill.
Like who? he demanded, looking at Scathach, but it was his sister who
answered, dreamily.
In America, Black Annis or Persephone could do it.
Josh and Scatty turned to look at her.
Sophie blinked in surprise. I know the names, but I don't even know who they
are. Suddenly, her eyes filled with tears. I have all these memories that
aren t even mine.
Josh took his sister s hand and squeezed it gently.
They are all the Witch of Endor s memories, Scathach said softly. And be
glad you don't know who Black Annis or Persephone is. Especially Black
Annis, she added grimly. I m surprised that if my grandmother knew where
she was, she let her live.
She s in the Catskills, Sophie began, but Scathach reached over and pinched
the back of her hand. Ouch!
I just wanted to distract you, Scathach explained. don't even
Black Annis. There are some names that should never be spoken aloud.
That s like saying don't think of elephants, Josh said, and then all you
