The Magician

CHAPTER EIGHT

W e need to rest, Josh said finally. I can t go any farther. He stopped

and leaned against a building, bent over and wheezing. Every breath was an

effort, and he was beginning to see black spots dancing in front of his eyes.

Any moment now he was going to throw up. He felt this way sometimes after

football practice, and he knew from experience that he needed to sit and get

some liquids into his system.

He s right. Scatty turned to Flamel. We need to rest, even if only

briefly. She was still carrying Sophie in her arms, and with gray glimmers of

light illuminating the Parisian rooftops toward the east, the first of the

early-morning workers had begun to appear. The fugitives had kept to the dark

side streets, and so far no one had paid any attention to the strange group,

but that would quickly change as the street filled first with Parisians, then

with tourists.

Nicholas stood outlined at the mouth of the narrow street. He glanced up and

down before turning to look over his shoulder. We have to push on, he

protested. Every second we delay brings Machiavelli closer to us.

We can t, Scatty said. She looked at Flamel, and for a single instant, her

bright green eyes glowed. The twins need to rest, she said, and then added

softly, And so do you, Nicholas. You re exhausted.

The Alchemyst considered her and then he nodded and his shoulders slumped.

You re right, of course. I ll do as you say.

Maybe we could check into a hotel? Josh suggested. He was achingly tired,

his eyes and throat gritty, head throbbing.

Scatty shook her head. They would ask for our passports . Sophie stirred in

her arms, and Scathach gently eased her to the ground and leaned her up

against the wall.

Josh was immediately by her side. You re awake, he said, relief in his

voice.

I wasn't really asleep, Sophie answered, her tongue feeling too big for her

mouth. I knew what was going on, but it was as if I was looking at it from

the outside. Like watching something on TV. She pressed her hands into the

small of her back and pushed hard as she rotated her neck. Ouch. That hurt.

What hurts? Josh asked immediately.

Everything. She attempted to straighten, but aching muscles protested and a

sick headache pulsed behind her eyes.

Is there anyone here you can call for help? Josh looked from Nicholas to

Scathach. Are there any more immortals or Elders?

There are immortals and Elders everywhere, Scatty said. Few are as

friendly as we are, though, she added with a humorless smile.

There will be immortals in Paris, Flamel agreed slowly, but I've no idea

where to find one, and even if I did, I would have no idea where their

allegiances lay. Perenelle would know, he added, a hint of sadness in his

voice.

Would your grandmother know? Josh asked Scatty.

The Warrior glanced at him. I m sure she would. She turned to look at

Sophie. Amongst all of your new memories, can you recall anything about

immortals or Elders living in Paris?

Sophie closed her eyes and tried to concentrate, but the scenes and images

that flashed by fire raining from a bloodred sky, a huge flat-topped pyramid

about to be overwhelmed by a gigantic wave were chaotic and terrifying. She

started to shake her head, then stopped. Even the simplest of movements hurt.

I can t think, she sighed. My head is so full, it feels like it s going to

burst.

The Witch might know, Flamel said, but we have no way of getting in touch

with her. She has no phone.

What about her neighbors, friends? Josh asked. He turned back to his

sister. I know you don't want to think about this, but you have to. It s

important.

I can t think , Sophie began, looking away and shaking her head.

don't think. Just answer, Josh snapped. He took a quick breath and lowered

his voice, speaking slowly. Sis, who is the Witch of Endor s closest friend

in Ojai?

Sophie s bright blue eyes closed again and she swayed as if she was about to

faint. When her eyes opened, she shook her head. She has no friends there.

But everyone knows her. Maybe we could call the store next to hers , she

suggested. Then she shook her head. It s too late there.

Flamel nodded. Sophie s right; it ll be closed at this time of night.

It ll be closed, all right, Josh agreed, a touch of excitement entering his

voice, but when we left Ojai, the place was in chaos. And don't forget, I

drove a Hummer into the fountain in Libbey Park; that had to have caught

someone s attention. I ll bet the police and the press are there right now.

And the press might answer some questions if we ask the right ones. I mean,

if the Witch s shop was damaged they re sure to be looking for a story.

It might work , Flamel began. I just need to know the name of the

newspaper.

Ojai Valley News, 646-1476, Sophie said immediately. I remember that

much or the Witch does, she added, and then shuddered. There were so many

memories in her head, so many thoughts and ideas and not just the terrifying

and fantastic images of people and places that should never have existed, but

also ordinary mundane thoughts: phone numbers and recipes, names and

addresses of people she d never heard of, pictures from old TV shows, posters

from movies. She even knew the name of every single Elvis Presley song.

But all of these were the Witch s memories. And right now, she had to

struggle to remember her own cell phone number. What would happen if the

Witch s memories grew so strong that they overwhelmed her own? She tried to

focus on the faces of her parents, Richard and Sara. Hundreds of faces

flickered past, images of figures carved in stone, the heads of giant

statues, paintings daubed onto the sides of buildings, tiny shapes etched in

shards of pottery. Sophie started to get frantic. Why couldn't she remember

her parents faces? Closing her eyes, she concentrated hard on the last time

she had seen her mother and father. It would have been about three weeks ago,

just before they had left for the dig in Utah. More faces tumbled behind

Sophie s closed eyes: images on scraps of parchment, fragments of manuscripts

or cracked oil paintings; faces in faded sepia photographs, in blurred

newspapers

Sophie?

And then, in a flash of color, the faces of her parents popped into her head,

and Sophie felt the Witch s memories fade away and her own come back to the

surface. She suddenly knew her own phone number.

Sis?

She opened her eyes and blinked at her brother. He was standing directly in

front of her, his face close to hers, his eyes pinched with concern.

I m OK, she whispered. I was just trying to remember something.

What?

She attempted a smile. My phone number.

Your phone number? Why? He stopped, and then added, No one ever remembers

their own phone number. When was the last time you called yourself?

Hands wrapped around steaming mugs of bittersweet hot chocolate, Sophie and

Josh sat opposite one another in an otherwise empty all-night caf close to

the Gare du Nord Metro station. There was only one staff member behind the

counter, a surly shaven-headed assistant wearing an upside-down name tag that

said ROUX.

I need a shower, Sophie said grimly. I need to wash my hair and brush my

teeth, and I need to change my clothes. It feels like days since my last

shower.

I think it is days. You look terrible, Josh agreed. He reached over and

pulled loose a strand of blond hair that had stuck to his sister s cheek.

I feel terrible, Sophie whispered. Remember that time last summer when we

were in Long Beach and I had all that ice cream, then ate the chili dog and

the curly fries and had the extra-large root beer?

Josh grinned. And you finished off my buffalo wings. And my ice cream!

Sophie smiled at the memory, but her grin quickly faded. Although the

temperature that day had risen into the hundreds, she d started shivering,

icy beads of sweat running down her back as a ball of iron settled into the

pit of her stomach. Luckily, she hadn't fastened her seat belt before she d

thrown up, but the results had still been spectacularly messy, and the car

had been unusable for at least a week afterward. That s how I feel right

now: cold, shivery, aching all over.

Well, try not to throw up in here, Josh murmured. I don't think Roux, our

cheerful server, would be too impressed.

Roux had worked in the caf for four years, and in that time he had been

robbed twice and threatened often but never hurt. The all-night caf saw all

sorts of strange and often dangerous characters come through the doors, and

Roux decided that this unusual quartet certainly qualified as the first sort

and maybe even both. The two teenagers were dirty and smelly and looked

terrified and exhausted. The older man maybe the kids grandfather, Roux

thought was not in much better shape. Only the fourth member of the group the

red-haired, green-eyed young woman wearing a black top, black trousers and

chunky combat boots looked bright and alert. He wondered what her

relationship was to the others; she certainly didn't look as if she was

related to any of them, but the boy and girl were alike enough to be twins.

Roux had hesitated when the old man had produced a credit card to pay for the

two hot chocolates. People usually paid cash for something so small, and he

wondered if the card was stolen. I ve run out of euros, the old man said

with a smile. Could you ring up twenty and give me some cash? Roux thought

he spoke French with a peculiar, old-fashioned, almost formal lilt.

It is strictly against our policy , Roux began, but another look at the

hard-eyed red-haired girl made him reconsider. He attempted a smile at her as

he said, Sure, I think I can do that. If the card had been reported stolen,

it wouldn't scan in the machine anyway.

I would be very grateful. The man smiled. And could you give me some

coins?

Roux rang up eight euro for the two hot chocolates and swiped the Visa for

twenty euro. He was surprised that it was an American credit card; he would

have sworn by his accent that the man was French. There was a delay and then

the card went through, and he deducted the cost of the two drinks and handed

over the change in one-and two-euro coins. Roux went back to the math

textbook hidden under the counter. He d been wrong about the group. It wasn't

the first time and wouldn't be the last. They were probably visitors just off

one of the early-morning trains; they were nothing out of the ordinary.

Well, maybe not all of them. Keeping his head down, he raised his eyes to

look at the red-haired young woman. She was standing with her back to him,

talking to the old man. And then she slowly and deliberately turned to look

at him. She smiled, the merest curl of her lips, and Roux suddenly found his

textbook very interesting.

Flamel stood at the caf counter and looked at Scathach. I want you to stay

here, he said softly, slipping from French into Latin. His eyes flickered to

where the twins sat drinking their hot chocolate. Watch over them. I ll go

find a phone.

The Shadow nodded. Be careful. If anything happens and we get separated,

let s meet back in Montmartre. Machiavelli will never expect us to double

back. We ll wait outside one of the restaurants maybe La Maison Rose for five

minutes at the top of every hour.

Agreed. But if I m not back by noon, he continued very softly, I want you

to take the twins and leave.

I will not abandon you, Scathach said evenly.

If I don't come back, it s because Machiavelli has me, the Alchemyst said

seriously. Scathach, even you would not be able to rescue me from his army.

I ve faced down armies before.

Flamel reached out and laid his hand on the Warrior s shoulder. The twins

are our priority now. They must be protected at all cost. Continue Sophie s

training; find someone to Awaken Josh and train him. And rescue my dear

Perenelle, if you can. And if I die, tell her my ghost will find her, he

added. Then, before she could say anything else, he turned and strode out

into the chilly predawn air.

Hurry back , Scatty whispered, but Flamel had gone. If he was captured, she

decided, no matter what he said, she was going to tear this city apart until

she found him. Taking a deep breath, she looked over her shoulder and found

the shaven-headed assistant staring at her. There was a spiderweb tattooed

onto the side of his neck, and the entire length of both of his ears was

pierced with at least a dozen little studs. She wondered how painful that had

been. She d always wanted pierced ears, but her flesh simply healed too

quickly, and she d no sooner had the piercing done than the hole closed up.

Something to drink? Roux asked, smiling nervously, a metal ball visible in

his tongue.

Water, Scatty said.

Sure. Perrier?

Tap. No ice, she added, and turned away to join the twins at the table. She

spun a chair around and straddled it, leaning her forearms across the top of

the chair and resting her chin on her arms.

Nicholas has gone to try and get in touch with my grandmother to see if she

knows anyone here. I m not sure what we re going to do if he cannot get

through.

Why? Sophie asked.

Scatty shook her head. We ve got to get off the streets. We were lucky to

get away from Sacre -Coeur before the police threw up a cordon around it. No

doubt they have found that stunned officer by now, so their search will have

moved outward, and the patrols will have our descriptions. It s only a matter

of time before we re spotted.

What will happen then? Josh wondered aloud.

Scathach s smile was terrifying. Then they ll see why I am called the

Warrior.

But what happens if we re caught? Josh persisted. He still found the idea

of being hunted by the police nearly incomprehensible. It was almost easier

to imagine being hunted by mythical creatures or immortal humans. What would

happen to us?

You would be turned over to Machiavelli. The Dark Elders would consider you

pair quite a prize.

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 gift? He almost spat out the last word.

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 think about

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

can think of are elephants.

Then let me give you something else to think about, Scathach said softly.

There are two police officers in the window staring at us. don't look, she

added urgently.

Too late. Josh turned to look, and whatever expression crossed his

face shock, horror, guilt or fear brought both officers racing into the caf ,

one pulling his automatic from its holster, the other speaking urgently into

his radio as he drew his baton.