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
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.
What s that? Saint-Germain asked.
Nicholas answered Saint-Germain but looked at the twins as he spoke. Once it
held the entire Codex, but now Dee has that. Josh managed to tear two pages
from the back of the book. They re in here. The pages contain the Final
Summoning, he added significantly. Dee and his Elders need these pages. He
smoothed the cloth and then suddenly handed the bag over to Josh. Keep these
safe, he said.
Me? Josh looked from the bag to Flamel s face but made no move to take it
from the man s hand.
Yes, you. Take it, Flamel commanded.
Reluctantly, the boy reached for the bag, the cloth crackling and sparking as
he shoved it under his T-shirt. Why me? he asked. He looked quickly at his
sister. I mean, Scathach or Saint-Germain would be better .
You rescued the pages, Josh. It s only right that you should guard them.
Flamel gripped Josh s shoulders and looked into the boy s eyes. I know I can
trust you to take care of them.
Josh pressed his hand against his stomach, feeling the cloth against his
skin. When Josh and Sophie had started working in the bookshop and the coffee
shop respectively, their father had used an almost identical phrase when
talking about Sophie. I know I can trust you to take care of her. In that
moment, he d felt both proud and a little bit frightened. Right now, he just
felt frightened.
The Mercedes driver s door opened and a man in a black suit climbed out,
