“I’m fine,” she called, her voice echoing flatly across the water. The dock was slightly higher than the houseboat, and Sophie’s face was at the same level as her twin, but they were less than ten feet apart. Without turning her head, she said, “I told you he’d find me.”

“He is full of surprises,” Aoife murmured, then raised her voice. “How did you find me?” she called out, addressing the question to Josh, but it was Perenelle who answered, stepping around her husband and walking right up to the edge of the dock.

“You have few friends in the Americas, Aoife,” the Sorceress said, “and fewer still in this city. You had nowhere to go… except to the Swordsman, of course.” She bowed slightly to the Japanese man, hands pressed flat against her thighs.

“Sorceress,” he acknowledged. “I have heard much about you, and your husband, too.” He matched her bow, dipping his head, though his eyes never left hers.

“We called your dojo earlier and discovered that you had not attended morning lessons. Then we drove past your home: the moment I saw that the newspaper was still in your driveway, I knew you were not there.”

“You have my home address?” he said cautiously.

“I know all there is to know about you, Swordsman.”

“How did you know I was here?” he said.

“You come here most weekends to work on the boat.”

“How did you know that?” he asked.

Perenelle smiled but did not answer.

“I did not realize I had become a creature of habit and routine.” Niten bowed again. “There is nothing more dangerous to the warrior. Nor did I realize I was being watched,” he added.

“Not all of my spies were humani,” the Sorceress said.

“Even so; I should have spotted them. I must have become lazy in my old age.”

“And we know how dangerous that is, don’t we?” Perenelle asked. “Laziness will kill even the strongest warrior.”

“You will not be able to follow me again,” the Swordsman said, head tilted to one side, the faintest smile on his thin lips.

“I know that.”

“Why have you told me this?” he wondered aloud.

“Nicholas and I were content to monitor your movements, and once we were sure you meant us no harm, we left you alone. But what we did, others can do also… and you and your legendary swords would be quite a prize.”

“Well, this is all very civilized,” Aoife interrupted rudely, “but what-exactly-do you want?”

“We’ve come for the girl… and to talk,” Nicholas answered.

“And if I refuse?” Aoife demanded.

Nicholas sighed. “I am having a really bad day, and Perenelle is not in a good humor. Now, you really do not want to make us angry, do you?”

“You do not frighten me, Alchemyst,” Aoife snarled.

“I should,” Nicholas whispered. “And Perenelle should terrify you.”