01_-_The_Alchemyst

alone faced down the Night Hag and her Undead army. You’ve spent more
than half a millennium reading and studying the Codex, no one is more
familiar with the stories and legends it holds—” Scatty stopped suddenly and
gasped, green eyes widening. “That’s what this is about,” she said. “This is
to do with the legend….”
Flamel reached out and pressed his forefinger to Scatty’s lips,
preventing her from saying another word. His smile was enigmatic. “Do you
trust me?” he asked her eventually.
Her response was immediate. “Without question.”
“Then trust me. I want you to protect the twins. And train them,” he
added.
“Train them! Do you know what you’re asking?”
Flamel nodded. “I want you to prepare them for what is to come.”
“And what is that?” Scathach asked.
“I have no idea”—Flamel smiled—“except that it is going to be bad.”
“We’re fine, Mom, honestly, we’re fine.” Sophie Newman tilted the cell
phone slightly so that her brother could listen in. “Yes, Perry Fleming was
feeling sick. Something she ate, probably. She’s fine now.” Sophie could feel
the beads of sweat gathering in the small hairs at the back of her neck. She
was uncomfortable lying to her mother—even though her mother was so
wrapped up in her work that she never bothered to check.
Josh and Sophie’s parents were archaeologists. They were known
worldwide for their discoveries, which had helped reshape modern
archaeology. They were among the first in their field to discover the
existence of the new species of small hominids that were now commonly
called Hobbits in Indonesia. Josh always said that their parents lived five
million years in the past and were only happy when they were up to their
ankles in mud. The twins knew that they were loved unconditionally, but they
also knew that their parents simply didn’t understand them…or much else
about modern life.