01_-_The_Alchemyst

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“We need to go.” Nicholas Flamel caught Josh’s shoulder and shook
him, bringing him back to the present.
Josh turned to look at the Alchemyst. There were tears on his cheeks,
but he was unaware of them. “Sophie…,” he whispered.
“…is going to be fine,” Nicholas said firmly. Shouts echoed in the
corridor outside, the sudden clash of weapons mingling with the roars of
humans and animals. Above it all rose Scathach’s delighted laughter. Flamel
reached for Sophie, who was still floating four inches above the earth, and
his aura flared white-green when he took her hand. Gently he pulled her back
to the ground. As soon as her feet touched the earth, it was as if all the
strength had left her body, and he caught her before she crumpled to the floor,
unconscious.
Josh was immediately at his sister’s side. He pushed Flamel away and
held his twin in his arms. Crackling energy darted from Sophie’s fading aura
to his flesh, but he didn’t even register the tiny stings. When he looked up at
Flamel, his face was an angry mask. “You knew,” he accused, “you knew
how dangerous this was. My sister could have been left in a coma.”
“I knew that was not going to happen,” Nicholas said calmly, crouching
down beside Josh. “Her aura—your aura—is too strong. I knew you would
both survive. I would never have deliberately placed either of you in danger.
I swear that.” He reached for Sophie’s wrist to check her pulse, but Josh
pushed his hand away. He didn’t believe him; he wanted to, but somehow
Flamel’s words rang false.
They both jumped as an agonized, catlike squeal came from the corridor
outside. It was followed by Scatty’s voice. “We really should be leaving.
And right now would be a good time!”