his hands away from his face, his lips moved into a smile that did not quite
reach his eyes. He looked at each of them in turn, his gaze lingering on the
twins stunned faces. You must forgive me. I m tired now, so tired; I could
sleep for a week. Continue, Francis, please. Who trained you?
The Comte de Saint-Germain took a breath. He told me he said that I was
never to speak his name aloud, he finished in a rush.
Flamel placed his elbows on the table, wrapped the fingers of both hands
together and rested his chin on his knotted fists. He stared at the musician,
his face impassive. Who was it? he demanded firmly.
I gave him my word, Saint-Germain said miserably. It was one of the
conditions he imposed when he trained me. He said there was a power in words
and that certain names set up vibrations both in this world and the
Shadowrealms and attracted unwelcome attention.
Scathach stepped forward and rested her hand lightly on the Alchemyst s
shoulder. Nicholas, you know that is true. There are certain words that
should never be spoken, names that should never be used. Old things. Undead
things.
Nicholas nodded. If you gave this person your word, then you should not go
back on it, of course. But tell me he paused, not looking at the count this
mysterious person, how many hands did he have?
Saint-Germain sat back suddenly, and the shocked expression on his face
revealed the truth. How did you know? he whispered.
The Alchemyst s mouth twisted into an ugly grimace. In Spain, six hundred
years ago, I met a one-handed man who taught me some of the secrets of the
Codex. He too refused to speak his name aloud. Flamel suddenly looked at
Sophie, eyes wide and staring. You have within you the Witch s memories. If
a name comes to you now it would be better for all of us if you did not say
it aloud.
Sophie closed her mouth so quickly she bit the inside of her lip. She knew
the name of the person Flamel and Saint-Germain were talking about. She also
knew just who and what he was. And she had been just about to speak the name
aloud.
Flamel turned back to Saint-Germain. You know that Sophie s powers have been
Awakened. The Witch taught her the basics of the Magic of Air, and I am
determined that both she and Josh be trained in all the elemental magics as
quickly as possible. I know where there are masters of Earth and Water magic.
Only yesterday, I was thinking we might have to go in search of one of the
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