The Key Read Online Free PDF Page B

There’s something else he has to know first.’
    Ethan interrupts. ‘I failed,’ he says. ‘I couldn’t train Matt and now the Tribunal is disappointed in me. I’ll never get another Apprentice.’
    â€˜Don’t even think it!’ Arkarian replies. ‘You’re a fine Trainer, Ethan. Just look at what you did with Isabel, and in only those few short weeks you had with her.’
    â€˜Yeah, but she was already skilled.’
    â€˜There are other things that need learning besides the physical arts.’
    â€˜But that’s all I was able to do for Matt. And now the Tribunal’s dumping me for someone else.’
    â€˜Matt’s new Trainer will teach him things that you couldn’t in your whole lifetime.’ Arkarian holds a hand up. ‘Things that no one can. No one from
this
world.’
    Arkarian’s explanation doesn’t lessen my confusion, although Isabel and Ethan are more content to accept it.
    Arkarian turns to me. ‘There are other things beside managing your powers that you have yet to learn. It is your destiny, Matt. And your new Trainer is a Master, a master above all others. He has been waiting his whole life for this chance.’
    â€˜He has been waiting his whole life to train
me
?’
    â€˜So I am told. Now we’ll speak again on this when the time for your training draws nearer and I am given more information.’
    â€˜But Arkarian –’
    He cuts me off. ‘Enough for now. While we can assume to be safe in these chambers, we can’t forget that a traitor walks among us. I’ve told you all I can.’ Heturns to Ethan. ‘As for you, Ethan, you will be getting a
new
Apprentice.’
    Isabel’s head bobs as if she knows already. ‘It’s Neriah, isn’t it?’
    â€˜Really?’ Ethan can’t keep the smile off his face.
    â€˜Yes, but Neriah is classified as high-risk. Her life is in danger from Marduke. She is under the protection of the Guard. So the two of you must never train alone. You will be allocated an assistant. Someone who will stand watch at all times.’
    â€˜Do you want me to do it?’ Isabel asks.
    â€˜I’m assigning Rochelle.’
    â€˜Rochelle!’ Ethan’s enthusiasm takes a nose dive. ‘But Arkarian, do you think that’s wise?’
    Arkarian studies us all in turn. Not one of us holds eye contact for more than a brief second. ‘Haven’t you learned to trust Rochelle yet? She is Named, just like the rest of you. That means she is trusted by those who are above you. Where is your faith?’
    When he puts it like that, it makes sense to let our guard down where Rochelle is concerned. But my distrust isn’t simply because Rochelle was once Marduke’s spy, it’s because of all the things she did for him.
    â€˜Rochelle will be your assistant, Ethan,’ Arkarian confirms. ‘Her Truthseeing skills – now magnified – mean she can pick up the thoughts of others outside normal hearing distance. She can even hear the thoughts of people coming from behind a barrier such as a brick wall or thick glass.’
    Ethan nods and says nothing, but it’s clear he’s still unhappy about working with Rochelle. He’s better off keeping away from any emotional entanglement, anyway.
    â€˜There’s one final thing I have to tell you.’ Arkarian gets our attention quickly with these words. ‘An unusual mission is planned.’
    â€˜Yes!’ Ethan says.
    â€˜Where are we going?’ Isabel asks, then adds hopefully, ‘Are you coming too?’
    Arkarian takes his time answering. ‘I will be going, Isabel, but this mission is not what you think.’
    She’s picked up on Arkarian’s serious tone and has already started to worry. I know my sister – she can’t hide her emotions from me, or from her face right now as she stares up at Arkarian, waiting with anxious