her when she was with Scatty.
No, I don't think so. Just old habits. Scathach smiled. The same habits
that have kept me alive through the centuries. She moved away from the shop
and Sophie linked her arm with Scatty s.
Nicholas called you other names when we met you . Sophie frowned, trying to
remember how he d first introduced Scathach back in San Francisco only two
days ago. He called you the Warrior Maid, the Shadow, the Daemon Slayer, the
King Maker.
Those are just names, Scathach muttered, sounding embarrassed.
They sound like more than names, Sophie pressed. They sound like
titles titles you've earned? she persisted.
Well, I ve had lots of names, Scathach said, names my friends gave me,
names my foes called me. I was the Warrior Maid first, and then I became the
Shadow, because of my skills at concealment. I perfected the first camouflage
clothing.
You sound like a ninja, Sophie laughed. Listening to the Warrior talk,
images from the Witch s memories flickered through her head, and she knew
that Scatty was telling the truth.
I tried teaching ninjas, but they were never that good, believe me. I became
the Daemon Slayer when I killed Raktabija. And I was called the King Maker
when I helped put Arthur on the throne, she added, her voice turning grim.
She shook her head quickly. That was a mistake. And not my first either.
She laughed, but it came out shaky and sounding forced. I ve made a lot of
mistakes.
My dad says you can learn from your mistakes.
Scatty barked a laugh. Not me. She was unable to keep the note of
bitterness from her voice.
It sounds like you've had a tough life, Sophie said quietly.
It s been tough, the Warrior admitted.
Has there ever been a Sophie paused, hunting for the word. Have you ever
had a a boyfriend?
Scathach looked at her sharply, then turned her face away to stare into a
shop window. For a moment Sophie thought she was examining the display of
shoes, but then she realized that the Warrior was looking at her own
reflection in the glass. The girl wondered what she saw.
No, Scatty finally admitted. There s never been anyone close, anyone
special. She smiled tightly. The Elders fear and avoid me. And I try not to
get too close to humani. It s too hard watching them age and die. That is the
curse of immortality: to watch the world change, to see everything you know
wither. Remember that, Sophie, if someone offers you the gift of
immortality. She made the last word sound like a profanity.
It sounds so lonely, Sophie said carefully. She never thought about what it
must be like to be immortal before to live on while everything familiar
changed and everyone you knew left you. They walked a dozen steps in silence
before Scatty spoke again.
Yes, it s been lonely, she admitted, very lonely.
I know about lonely, Sophie said thoughtfully. With Mom and Dad away so
much or moving us from city to city, it s hard to make friends. It s almost
impossible to keep them. I suppose that s why Josh and I have always been so
close; we ve had no one else. My best friend, Elle, is in New York. We talk
on the phone all the time, and e-mail and chat on IM, but I haven t seen her
since Christmas. She sends me photos off her cell every time she changes her
hair color, so I know what she looks like, she added with a smile. Josh
doesn t even try to make friends, though.
Friends are important, Scathach agreed, squeezing Sophie s arm lightly.
But while friends come and go, you will always have family.
What about your family? The Witch of Endor mentioned your mother and
brother. Even as she was speaking, images from the Witch s memories popped
into her mind: a sharp-faced older woman with bloodred eyes and an
ashen-skinned young man with blazing red hair.
The Warrior shrugged uncomfortably. We don't talk much these days. My
parents were Elders, born and raised on the isle of Danu Talis. When my
grandmother Dora left the island to teach the first humani, they never
forgave her. Like many Elders, they considered the humani to be little better
than beasts. Curiosities, my father called them. A flicker of disgust
crossed her face. Prejudice has always been with us. My mother and father
were even more shocked when I announced that I too was going to work with the
humani, to fight for them, to protect them when I could.
Why? Sophie asked.
Scatty s voice grew soft. It was obvious to me, even then, that the humani
were the future and that the days of the Elder Races were drawing to a
close. She glanced sidelong at Sophie, who was surprised to find Scathach s
eyes bright and glittering, almost as if there were tears in them. My
parents warned me that if I left home, I would bring shame on the family name
and they would disown me. Scatty s voice trailed into silence.
But you still left, Sophie guessed.
The Warrior nodded. I left. We didn't speak for a millennium until they were
in trouble and needed my help, she added with a grim smile. We talk
occasionally now, but I m afraid they still consider me an embarrassment.
Sophie squeezed her hand gently. She felt uncomfortable with what the Warrior
had just told her, but she also realized that Scatty had shared something
incredibly personal, something that Sophie doubted the ancient warrior had
ever shared with anyone else. I m sorry. I didn't mean to upset you.
Scathach squeezed back. You didn't upset me. They upset me more than two
thousand years ago, in fact and I can still remember it as if it were
yesterday. It s been a long time since anyone took the trouble to ask about
my life. And believe me, it s not been all bad. I ve had some wonderful
adventures, she said brightly. Did I tell you about the time I was the lead
singer in an all-girl band? Sort of goth-punk Spice Girls, but we only did
Tori Amos covers. We were very big in Germany. She lowered her voice. The
problem was, we were all vampires .
Nicholas and Josh turned onto the Rue de Dunkerque and discovered there were
police everywhere. Keep walking, Nicholas said urgently as Josh slowed.
And act natural.
Natural, Josh muttered. I don't even know what that means anymore.
Walk quickly, but don't run, Nicholas said patiently. You re completely
innocent, a student on the way to class or heading to a summer job. Look at
the police, but don't stare. And if one looks at you, don't turn away
quickly, just let your eyes drift on to the next character. That s what an
