The Key (31 page)

I only just get through informing the others when dawn chases away the remains of the night. I end up being the last one to arrive. Even Dillon is here, and while he's not strictly Named, at his Initiation Lorian made it clear he is to be considered one of us. They're all sitting around a wooden table in one of Arkarian's rooms. Shaun, Jimmy and Mr Carter are side-by-side. Isabel takes a seat next to Ethan. Dillon is beside Neriah, Rochelle on her other side. Arkarian stands by the door, closing it as I pass through. I catch his eye, but he glances away, his thoughts completely closed to me.

As I enter the room Jimmy looks up and breathes deeply. I've hurt him too, accusing him of not being a capable Protector. And I still have to talk to Dillon yet, who is staring dreamily at Neriah. As they realise I'm here, one by one they stop talking among themselves and look to me. I've never felt so isolated, so alone. It's as if they're all strangers suddenly. Neriah's eyes narrow and in her thoughts she asks me if I'm OK.

Before I answer, King Richard's form begins to take shape. He doesn't acknowledge anyone else in the room, just taps my shoulder with a firm finger. ‘You and
I must talk. Now.'

He disappears and I'm left wondering where he's gone. I catch Arkarian's eye. He says softly, ‘I'll come with you.'

It's a relief, but I can't read too much into the gesture. ‘Where's he gone?'

He points to the ceiling. ‘He will be up there somewhere.'

Using my wings, I follow Arkarian to the top of the ridge, and sure enough, King Richard is strolling beside the lake. We catch up with him and he acknowledges Arkarian with a tight yet welcoming nod. But it is to me he directs his question.

‘Tell me, Matt, do you think I am the traitor?'

And for the first time since seeing him walking into Lathenia's bedroom I have doubts about my assumption. His eyes are so clear as they stare at me, so true, that I find it difficult to believe he would do such a thing. I explain why I have suspected him. ‘We saw you in Lathenia's palace. The two of you were laughing together.'

He nods. ‘We don't just sit around in a circle all day, you know, Matt. All the Tribunal members have their work to do.'

‘Are you saying you were at Lathenia's palace to distract her?'

‘Oh, I do a lot more than simply distract Her Highness,' he says, looking amused. ‘I was raised a royal, and I'm very familiar with the indiscretions of the high born.'

And now I understand. ‘You're Lorian's spy.'

He gives a little laugh. ‘I rather see it as … protecting Veridian. I would do anything to ensure my subjects remain unharmed. I'm not the traitor, Matt. But apparently one of the Tribunal members is. Lorian seems sure of it. And I believe him. What you did in those chambers
was almost unforgivable. By throwing suspicion on me, you ran the risk of revealing my mission.'

I groan as understanding sinks in. ‘I'm sorry, my lord.'

‘Like I said, “almost unforgivable”.'

He's being kind. My eyes catch Arkarian's; this time he doesn't look away, and I see pain and hurt darken them.
I've made a mess of everything
, my thoughts reach out to him.
I knew I wasn't ready for this
.

But it's King Richard who replies. ‘Rubbish. You'll make a fine leader. I have much to do in Athens, and other places. I can't always be here, Matt. That's your job. Now there's something else I want to discuss with you. It's about Isabel's vision. Specifically, it's about Rochelle.'

‘She saw her death,' Arkarian says in a hoarse whisper.

King Richard nods. ‘I believe it would be a good idea to keep this information from her.' We remain silent and he continues with his thoughts. ‘I also believe you should appoint a watch over her. Someone you can trust.'

‘Like a bodyguard?' I ask.

‘Exactly.'

It's a great idea and I start to think about who this person could be. The responsibility is enormous, to watch over and protect Rochelle's life. ‘I will do it.'

But King Richard shakes his head. ‘You will be too occupied with other matters. It has to be someone else.'

‘It shouldn't be Ethan. He has … feelings for her. And knowing her possible fate would … affect him.'

I think about Dillon, but discard the thought quickly. He can be a little unstable with his emotions. I look across to Arkarian. ‘Who do you think it should be?'

He stares back at me and I think he's not going to
answer. Then he says, ‘It should be Isabel.'

This is someone I didn't think of. ‘Why?'

‘For starters, she already knows. She's seen with her own eyes how it might happen. She would be the first to recognise the scene when and if it should begin to unfold.'

Of course he's right.

‘As well,' Arkarian continues, ‘her defence skills are excellent, and …' He pauses for a long moment. ‘Ethan is her best friend. She cares for him deeply. She's aware that Ethan cares for Rochelle. She would do anything in her power not to let either of them down. She's also true to the Guard. She would take on her role as protector with the utmost loyalty. And while she will not be able to watch Rochelle twenty-four hours a day, Isabel will be effective. Lastly, Isabel is a healer. If the worst happened and Rochelle was harmed, Isabel would be right there.'

While I flounder, Arkarian's explanation is perfect.

‘It's settled then,' King Richard says. ‘And now, before we descend into that suffocating pit below, there is one more matter that needs attention.'

King Richard looks directly at me. ‘Your burgeoning relationship with Neriah should remain a secret until you have spoken with Dillon.'

Across from me Arkarian's eyebrows lift.

‘You know about us?' I ask.

King Richard's hands come up together linked at the thumbs. He moves them, making them flap like the wings of a bird. ‘I saw you last night, flying over Athens together.'

‘That was
you
? I thought …

‘It was Dillon.' It almost was Dillon. He went looking for Neriah, and when he couldn't find her, he started looking for you. I
noticed because, Matt, I am always watching the backs of my people. I told him you were in the cellars looking at the wine collections down there and that Neriah had gone to test her new powers with Lady Arabella's birds in the courtyard, and that he wasn't to disturb her. That's when I came looking for you.'

He makes the flying motion with his hands again. ‘The two of you will really have to be careful where you secretly meet, at least until Dillon comes to terms with your deception. Now, we should go back. I want to speak with the Named. We have to be able to trust each other. We are on the verge of a battle that has the potential to destroy humankind as it currently exists. We can't go to the battle field divided, or we will lose. We must …'

As King Richard continues, Arkarian stares at me with a look of accusation, and I realise that the strength I have drawn from his friendship is no longer offered.

I'm getting over my fear of dying. I mean, when I first read the Prophecy it shook me up, but really, the meaning of that particular line is hardly clear. Matt reckons nobody knows the future. That makes sense. And the Prophecy doesn't necessarily have to play out word for word. Depending on the balance of power, the Prophecy itself can change. It's probably changed right now and that line doesn't even exist any more.

I shouldn't worry myself by imagining things that will probably never happen. I also don't need to add to the tension in this room already.

Isabel won't look at Matt, even when he speaks to her. And Neriah has let me know she's a Truthseer now – a gift from the Immortal. She can hear Dillon's thoughts and she's starting to really worry.

I have to talk to him!
she cries out in her thoughts.
I have to make sure he understands I'm not interested in him in the way he wants me to be
.

Good idea. The sooner the better. Look at him
.

I know! I can't believe how much he's misread our friendship
.

With this last thought lingering in her head, Neriah
glances at Matt, reminding him that he has to talk to Dillon soon too. Their eyes meet and hold, and the sudden connection nearly bowls me over. Whoa! What's happened between these two? No wonder Neriah is worried about Dillon. Just as well he's not a Truthseer, and hasn't the ability to pick up thoughts in the way Truthseers can. Arkarian sends me an interesting look. This time I pick up a sense of loss. What the hell is wrong with everyone this morning?

As for Ethan, it looks as if he's avoiding me. Don't tell me he believes those images Lathenia showed him in Atlantis?

After another long pep talk, King Richard calls the meeting to a close and we start to file out of the room. Everyone has somewhere they should have been five minutes ago. Jimmy goes down into the ancient city. Lately it's as if he lives there, fortifying it, whatever that involves. Mr Carter says he's late for a staff meeting and practically knocks Dillon over in his hurry to get out.

As Isabel gets up to leave, Arkarian hunkers down beside her. ‘Can you stay? I have to talk to you.' His eyes flicker to me once as I pass, but, as usual, his thoughts are a total blank.

Outside the air is chilly with the threat of snow. I fold the sides of my coat over each other. As I do this, I see a figure darting away into the national park. It looks like Mr Carter, but it couldn't be him. He was in a hurry to get to a staff meeting.

A short distance down the mountain Isabel catches up with me. ‘Hey, wait up.'

‘I thought Arkarian wanted to talk to you.'

‘Yeah, well, he did. It was just some little thing.'

Our conversation is broken by an awkward pause. I'm
not sure what she's doing here. We don't usually converse unless we have to, like on a mission or something. It's not that I don't like Isabel. She's about the most genuine person I know. When I was going out with her brother, there were lots of times she tried to befriend me. I was the one who pulled back. Guilt has a way of doing that – interfering in every facet of your life.

I try to think of something that might break the ice between us. ‘You and Arkarian are very close these days.'

It's the wrong thing. She closes up suddenly, like her face is the page in a book she's just slammed shut. She sighs. ‘We would be if we could find some time to be together and not have to feel guilty about it.'

I get it straightaway. Matt is being his overprotective self again. But this time I get the feeling he's crossed a line with her. He's gone too far. I shrug, trying to lighten the atmosphere. ‘Well, what's the hurry? You have the rest of your lives to be together.'

She gives me a strange look, but I try not to analyse it too much. My head's still in a whirl after that last mission to Atlantis. There are just so many questions that have come out of it. Suddenly Matt materialises before us, blocking our path. He looks straight at his sister. ‘Can we talk?'

She glances away into the forest that runs beside us. ‘You have nothing to say that will change anything between us. From what Arkarian tells me, don't you think you should be talking to Dillon?'

Her words have me completely intrigued. Matt hears my thoughts and has the sensibility to appear uncomfortable. ‘Yeah, I'm going to talk to him now.'

‘Well, you'd better hurry.' I tilt my head in the direction of where Dillon is already halfway down the
mountain trailing Neriah like one of her lost dogs. ‘He's driving her crazy, you know.'

Matt's head shifts up, alarmed. The ‘Dillon' situation is worse than he realises, but right now he has other issues which take priority. ‘Isabel, you need to take a quick trip to Athens.'

‘I don't think so. I'm needed here.'

Matt ignores her abrupt manner. ‘Lady Arabella has these two incredible birds.'

‘I've seen them.'

‘They're injured, and I want you to heal them.'

‘I already offered.'

Matt frowns, and Isabel explains impatiently, ‘When you sent us off looking for the key!'

He glances off into the forest for a moment. ‘That's strange,' he mutters. ‘Arabella didn't say.'

I recall the scene well. ‘Isabel volunteered to try and heal them, and Lady Arabella said that she would look after their recovery.'

‘What's the problem, Matt? Do you suspect one of the
birds
is the traitor?' Isabel's tone is full of sarcasm.

Somehow he hangs on to his patience. ‘I don't think they're really birds.'

‘Oh? So what do you think they are?'

Matt's eyes shift to me, then lower to my gloved hands. I can tell the second the idea hits him. He wants me to put my hands on those birds. He thinks my hands will confirm his suspicions that the birds are not really birds at all. ‘No way, Matt. The touch of my hands could kill an animal. You know that! Those birds look fragile enough as it is.'

A sudden gust of wind has us all looking to the north.

‘What on earth is that?' Shaun's exclamation wafts over.

Everyone can't help but stare in the same direction. A strange mist appears at the top of the mountain and starts rolling down the valley towards us. But this mist, or whatever it is, is unlike any other I've seen in these parts. It's dark like a widow's veil.

While still staring at this eerie phenomenon, Shaun makes his way over to us. ‘Should we take cover?' he asks, then glances at Isabel. ‘Is this what you saw?'

I wonder what Shaun's talking about. Isabel bites down on her lower lip. She knows something, that's for sure. She looks uncomfortable suddenly. This is not like her at all. Finally she says, ‘I think it is. I think it's the wind.'