Josh shook his head quickly. “No. He wrote about twins… and there have been lots of twins.”

“None like us.”

“Lots like us,” he insisted. “Remember? The Flamels have been collecting gold and silver twins for generations. And none of them survived their Awakening.”

“We did,” she reminded him.

“Barely.”

“Josh, I’ve been trained in Air, Fire and Water magics and you’ve been Awakened and trained in Water magic. We can’t just ignore those skills. We have an opportunity now to use them, to protect the city.”

“Have you ever wondered,” Josh asked suddenly, “if we’re fighting for the right side? If maybe Flamel is the enemy and Dee is the good guy?”

They both caught the flicker of movement at the same time and whirled around to face Niten. Even though the early afternoon was still and quiet, they hadn’t heard the Swordsman approach. He bowed slightly. “They are calling for you,” he said, glancing back at the boat. He turned and walked away, then stopped to glance over his shoulder, and the light washed over his face, turning his brown eyes into mirrors. “I could not help overhearing your last question. I am immortal, and though I have not lived as long as Nicholas or Perenelle, I am now, and have always been, a warrior. And if that life has taught me anything, it is that in every war, both sides believe they are in the right.”

“And what about us, Niten?” Josh asked. “Are we on the right side?”

“You are on a side, and that is important. You don’t have to stay on that side. Often the greatest act of courage is admitting that one has made a mistake.” He paused, then added, “Follow your hearts. Protect one another, trust one another, because, at the end of the day, all of these people want something from you, or want you to do something for them, or be something that you are not. Your only responsibility is to one another.” Then he turned and walked away.

Nicholas and Perenelle were waiting on the dock. Sophie felt Perenelle’s eyes searching their faces, almost as if she were reading their thoughts. The Sorceress stepped forward and Sophie realized with a sudden clarity that Perenelle-and not Nicholas-was in charge. It dawned on her that the woman had probably always been the boss.

“It is decision time,” Flamel said with a wry smile.

“Well, we’ve been talking about-” Josh began.

“The time for talking is over,” Perenelle said abruptly. “This is the time for action. Are you with us?” she asked.

“Do we have a choice?” Josh replied.