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    Finally they pull apart and have the manners to look embarrassed. But it doesn’t take long for the seriousness of this morning’s events to bring us back to reality quickly.
    Arkarian greets me by clasping my forearm. Picking up on the tension I’m feeling towards him, he lets go slowly. After a lingering look, he motions for us all to sit on wooden stools he provides.
    â€˜What happened out there?’ Ethan is first to ask.
    â€˜There was a meeting,’ Arkarian explains, ‘between the immortals. It didn’t go well. While my reports are so far incomplete, it appears that both of them lost their temper.’
    Ethan makes a scoffing sound. ‘So what did they do? Play ping-pong with the universe?’
    Arkarian attempts to give a small smile. ‘Something like that.’
    â€˜What about Angel Falls?’ Isabel asks. ‘The school took a beating this morning. Did you see? Mr Carter had to be taken to hospital.’
    â€˜Yes, but thanks to you two,’ Arkarian indicates Ethan as well with a brief look, ‘Marcus is going to be fine. There have been reports of damage as far east as the coast and west to the border of South Australia, but you’re right about the school, Isabel – the heaviest impacts occurred directly over Angel Falls.’
    It doesn’t take a genius to figure out what this means. ‘Lathenia tried to kill us! She almost eliminated Mr Carter!’
    Isabel frowns. ‘What about her own people that live here?’
    Ethan has the answer. ‘She was willing to sacrifice the lives of her own soldiers for a chance to kill off some of us.’
    â€˜I’m sure Lathenia would love to see you all eliminated,’ Arkarian explains. ‘But she’s a very clever adversary. She lost her temper in the way that siblings are prone to occasionally …’
    My mind drifts off with this thought. It’s something I can relate to. Isabel and I get into fights sometimes, mostly about how I’m overprotecting her, or ‘smothering’ her as she likes to say. But lately she’s been reallyquiet. She won’t even take a bite. There’s something on her mind that she’s not ready to talk about, or is scared to. Although the idea of Isabel being scared is a strange concept. All I know is that something happened to her when we were in the underworld and she hasn’t been the same with me ever since.
    Arkarian is staring at me intensely. He’s heard my thoughts about Isabel and looks worried. He realises Isabel is watching us both and pulls himself together, pretending nothing happened. He turns his attention back to Ethan. ‘Lathenia has worked long and hard on her plans to achieve her ultimate goals. She’s not stupid enough to let her temper get in the way. What happened in Athos is a one-off.’
    â€˜Something else happened during that cosmic shower,’ Isabel says softly.
    Arkarian clasps her hand in his. ‘Yes, I know.’
    You too?’ she asks.
    â€˜All of us. All nine of the Named have had our powers magnified.’
    â€˜I knew it!’ Ethan exclaims, starting to get excited.
    I can’t help but scoff at the idea. I don’t feel any different, which only confirms my doubts more. Nothing ‘magnified’ is still nothing.
    Arkarian turns to me. ‘I have news for you.’
    I brace myself for what can only be a dismissal, or an acknowledgement that I’ve been right all along and the Tribunal has made a mistake.
    His head starts shaking and now there’s a smile. ‘Such little faith! Now listen to me. You’re not Ethan’s Apprentice any more.’
    I see the others; they look as confused as I feel. ‘But … how will I come into any powers without a mentor?’
    â€˜Oh, you will have one.’
    â€˜Is it going to be you, Arkarian?’ Isabel asks.
    â€˜No. And I can’t tell you any more about Matt’s new Trainer.