Elders associated with fire, Maui or Vulcan or even your old nemesis,
Prometheus himself. Now I m hoping that might not be necessary. He paused
for a breath. Do you think you could you teach Sophie the Magic of Fire?
Saint-Germain blinked in surprise. He folded his arms across his chest and
looked from the girl to the Alchemyst and started to shake his head. I m not
sure I could. I m not even sure I should .
Joan reached over and rested her right hand on the back of her husband s arm.
He turned to look at her and she nodded, almost imperceptibly. Her lips
didn't move, and yet everyone clearly heard her say, Francis, you must do
it.
The count didn't hesitate. I ll do it but is it wise? he asked, serious.
It is necessary, she said simply.
It ll be a lot for her to take in . He bowed to Sophie. Forgive me. I
didn't mean to talk about you as if you weren t here. He looked back at
Nicholas and added doubtfully, Sophie is still dealing with the Witch s
memories.
Not anymore. I attended to that. Joan s grip tightened on her husband s
arm. She turned her head to look at everyone sitting around the table,
finally stopping at Sophie. While Sophie slept, I spoke to her, helped her
sort the memories, categorize them, separate her own thoughts from the
Witch s. I do not think they will trouble her so much now.
Sophie was shocked. You got into my head while I was asleep?
Joan of Arc shook her head slightly. I didn't get into your mind I simply
talked to you, instructed you what to do and how to do it.
I saw you talking , Josh began, and then frowned. But Sophie was sound
asleep. She couldn't hear you.
She heard me, Joan said. She looked directly at Sophie and placed her left
hand flat on the table. A crackling silver haze appeared on her fingertips,
tiny speckles of light dancing from her flesh to bounce, like mercury
droplets, across the table toward the girl s hands, which were resting on the
polished wood. As they approached, Sophie s fingernails began to glow a muted
silver, and then suddenly, the points of light wrapped around her fingers.
You may be twin to Josh, but we are sisters, you and I. We are Silver. I
know what it is like to hear voices inside my head; I know what it is like to
see the impossible, to know the unknowable. Joan looked first at Josh and
then at the Alchemyst. While Sophie slept, I spoke directly to her
unconscious mind. I taught her how to control the Witch s memories, how to
ignore the voices, to shut out the images. I taught her how to protect
herself.
Sophie raised her head slowly, eyes wide with surprise. That s what s
different! she said, both shocked and amazed. I can t hear the voices
anymore. She looked at her twin. They started when the Witch poured her
knowledge into me. There were thousands of them, shouting and whispering in
languages I almost understood. It s quiet now.
They re still there, Joan explained. They will always be there. But now
you will be able to call upon them when you need to, to use their knowledge.
I also started the process of teaching you how to control your aura.
But how could you while she was asleep? Josh pressed. He even found the
thought of it incredibly disturbing.
Only the conscious mind sleeps the unconscious is always aware.
What do you mean, control my aura? Sophie asked, confused. I thought it
was just this silver-colored electrical field around my body.
Joan shrugged, an elegant movement of her shoulders. Your aura is as
powerful as your imagination. You can shape it, meld it, fashion it to your
will. She held out her left hand. That s how I can do this. A metal glove
from a suit of armor clicked into existence around her flesh. Each rivet was
perfectly formed, and the back of the fingers was even dappled with rust.
Try it, she suggested.
Sophie held out her hand and looked hard at it.
Visualize the glove, Joan suggested. See it in your imagination.
A tiny silver thimble appeared on Sophie s little finger, then winked out of
existence.
Well, a little more practice, maybe, Joan admitted. She glanced sidelong at
Saint-Germain and then looked at the Alchemyst. Let me work with Sophie for
a couple of hours, teach her a little more about controlling and shaping her
aura, before Francis starts to teach her the Magic of Fire.
This Fire magic. Is it dangerous? Josh demanded, looking around the room.
He still vividly remembered what had happened to his sister when Hekate had
Awakened her she could have died. And the more he d learned about the Witch
of Endor, he d realized Sophie could have died learning Air magic as well.
When no one answered him, he turned to look at Saint-Germain. Is it
dangerous?
Yes, the musician said simply. Very.
Josh shook his head. Then I don't want
Sophie reached out to squeeze her brother s arm. He looked down: the hand
that gripped his arm was wrapped in a chain-mail glove. Josh, I have to do
this.
No, you don't.
I do.
Josh looked into his sister s face. It was set in the stubborn mask he knew
so well. Finally, he turned away, saying nothing. He didn't want his sister
learning any more magic not only was it dangerous but it would also distance
her even further from him.
Joan turned to Flamel. And now, Nicholas, you must rest.
The Alchemyst nodded. I will.
We were expecting you back a long time ago, Scathach said. I was thinking
I d have to go out in search of you.
The butterfly led me here hours ago, Nicholas said tiredly, voice muffled
with exhaustion. Once I knew where you were, I wanted to wait for night to
fall before approaching the house, just in case it is under observation.
Machiavelli doesn t even know this house exists, Saint-Germain said
confidently.
Perenelle taught me a simple cloaking spell a long time ago, but it only
works when it s raining it uses water droplets to refract light around the
user, Flamel explained. I decided to wait until nightfall to increase my
chances of remaining unseen.
What did you do for the day? Sophie asked.
I wandered around the city, looking for some of my old haunts.
Surely most are gone? Joan said.
