The Dark Read Online Free PDF Page B

succeeding very well, he has managed to scramble them enough so that I can’t make any sense of them. Well, if Isabel wants to keep something from me, that’s her choice. I won’t intrude. My only concern is that what she keeps from me has something to do withwhat she saw up on that ridge today. I don’t want either of these two getting involved in something they can’t handle.
    An awkward silence follows. Ethan finds himself suddenly fascinated by each hairline crack in the rock walls, while Isabel, whose face has turned the colour of blood, studies the tips of her brown boots. I decide I’d better put them out of their misery before they both bolt for the door. I have other things to tell them, but first I have to ask, ‘How is Matt’s training progressing?’
    The two of them glance at each other, their eyes opening wide. Isabel’s shoulders lift, but not in a negative way, more a defeatist one. The look exchanged concerns me deeply. ‘Ethan, explain.’
    He flicks Isabel a strangely apologetic glance first. ‘Matt’s hopeless, Arkarian. Totally uncoordinated. Are you sure the Prophecy is talking about him? I mean, could the Tribunal have got it wrong? Maybe Matt’s not the one. Maybe he’s not even supposed to be a member of the Guard, let alone, you know, supposed to lead the Named.’
    ‘Matt was Named before his own birth. Before yours too, Ethan,’ I tell him simply.
    ‘Well, he’s not doing so well.’
    ‘Then you’ll have to work harder.’
    Ethan makes a scoffing sound as if the idea is outrageous. ‘I don’t know what else I can do. I mean, we train every day. And he’s stressing about not having any powers yet.’
    To me the answer lies there. ‘Ease up on trying to evolve his paranormal skills. He’s probably putting too much pressure on himself. That would only cause a mental block. But keep working on his physical skills.He’ll need those to defend himself. They’ll be a backup until his powers emerge and he has time to work on them.’
    Ethan sees my point. ‘OK, I’ll try.’
    Silence descends again, and I can’t put it off any longer. I have to tell Isabel about her forthcoming mission. It’s the moment I’ve been dreading. This mission has been rushed, with orders coming straight from the Tribunal, specifically from Lorian, none other than our own Immortal. Normally I wouldn’t be worried about sending Isabel on a mission, especially paired up with Ethan, but this mission has come with orders that refer specifically to me.
    I clear my throat a couple of times, buying myself some time. It has the opposite effect of making Ethan and Isabel stare straight at me.
    ‘Well now, there’s something I have to tell you …’
    Isabel leans forward and her aura embraces mine for a fleeting moment. It takes my breath away and I find I have to start my explanation all over again. ‘It’s like this you see … the next mission is to be yours, Isabel. But the details are sketchy. I’m not the one monitoring this time period, or the portal that’s starting to open as we speak.’ My eyes drift to the holographic sphere, then flick away.
    Ethan frowns. ‘So what’s the problem? When do we leave?’
    ‘This is what I’m trying to tell you: you’re not going with her, Ethan.’
    Isabel’s head snaps back as a smile takes form. She thinks she’s figured out what I’m saying. She throws a hand into the air, her voice brimming with excitement. ‘Yes! I get to do this one on my own. About time youlot started trusting me.’
    But she hasn’t understood. I tell her quickly, ‘It’s not what you think. You’re not going on your own.’
    She slumps back on to her stool, her mouth pulling into an irritated smirk. ‘Great. How can I show that I’m capable of working alone, if you don’t give me the chance? I may not have powers of physical strength, but I can take care of myself. I can dispense with a soldier as easily as the other more experienced members of the Named – Shaun or