One remained. A huge blue-skinned creature with downward-curling tusks. Lifting a bow as tall as itself, it fired a long black-tipped arrow directly toward the tiny Elder.

Niten’s swords flashed, impossibly fast… and sliced the arrow out of the air.

Sophie shuddered and drew in a great ragged breath. “Yes, Benzaiten made him immortal…”

“What did the Witch think of Benzaiten?” Perenelle asked curiously.

Sophie nodded. “The Witch believes she is one of the Great Elders.”

“See?” Perenelle smiled delightedly. “You can draw upon selective memories when you need them. You are controlling the memories, they are not controlling you.”

“Names seem to make me remember. When we were in Paris, Joan did something to help me while I slept. When the Witch first gave me her memories, I felt as if my skull were about to explode. The noises in my head were incredible. I kept hearing voices speaking a hundred different languages, snatches of songs and sounds that were so alien they were terrifying. After a couple of days, I discovered that I’d started to understand what they were saying,” she added, a note of awe in her voice. “When Joan was finished, the voices were still there, but they were like distant whispers. Now, if I concentrate, I can focus on a name and the memories appear. But I’ve been trying to ignore them.”

“Do not. The memories are knowledge, and knowledge is power. It is an extraordinary gift the Witch gave you.” Perenelle’s expression grew distant. “I just wish I knew why she gave it to you.”

“Why?” Sophie didn’t understand.

“She must have seen something in your future that suggested that you would need that knowledge,” Perenelle said. “She could easily have taught you the Magic of Air without gifting you her memories.”

Something about this revelation disturbed Sophie, but she wasn’t sure how or why. She’d talk to Josh about it later; maybe he’d be able to help. “So the memories aren’t going to control me?”

“No.” Perenelle smiled kindly. “You have no idea just how strong you are. You survived a terrible Awakening, and you have been trained in three of the Elemental Magics in a matter of days.” Perenelle’s voice was soft, touched with what Sophie recognized as sadness, and she wondered if the woman was thinking about the other twins who had not survived. “You should know that what you have achieved has never been done before. Never.” She reached out to place her hand on Sophie’s shoulder. “You have no idea how proud I am of you. I knew you and your brother were the ones.”

The long black limousine appeared on the dock and came to a halt in a cloud of dust. Josh climbed out of the driver’s seat, grinning delightedly. Niten emerged from the passenger side; he’d obviously allowed Josh to drive.