The Key by Marianne Curley

open when Arkarian is at the Citadel?’
    â€˜Arkarian can open it from anywhere. Come on!’
    As she speaks the doorway opens. As soon as we’re both inside she calls his name. Instantly we’re transported. We end up standing outside the healing chamber door where Arkarian is waiting. Isabel rushes towards it as if she can walk straight through both Arkarian and the closed door. Arkarian pulls her back and makes her focus. ‘Isabel, take a deep breath.’
    â€˜Arkarian, let me go to him. Precious seconds –’
    â€˜â€“ are important for you to get your thoughts together. You have a lot of work to do in there and you need to be able to concentrate. Clear your head now, Isabel. I need you to prepare yourself … before you see him.’
    â€˜How badly is he injured, Arkarian?’
    â€˜You will need to use your powers like never before. Not only do you have to heal him, but for Ethan to survive, you’re going to have to …
restructure
his vital organs.’

Chapter Eight
Rochelle
    I’m the first to arrive for the scheduled meeting. Not even Arkarian is here, though I have no problem getting into his chambers. I walk around trying different doors, looking for one that is set up for our conference. The rooms are mostly bare, although some have gym equipment inside with mats and bars. The central chamber, distinctive by its octagonal shape, is completely dark. The sphere is motionless.
    Something has happened. Something terrible. Stirrings of fear start surging inside me. I try to recall everything I know about last night’s events. There was a lot of activity. Jimmy and Mr Carter had a mission, while Ethan and Matt were going to rescue Captain Cook. As for Isabel and Shaun, I have no idea if they were doing anything. I was with Neriah, and she seemed all right, despite the intruder.
    A noise in the hallway has me spinning around. It’s Jimmy. Without saying a word he opens a door to his left. ‘The meeting’s in here.’
    I follow him in and see a round table surrounded by chairs, all made of wood. I touch the table top and instantly know its heritage. It comes from a tree morethan a thousand years old. Oak. English. ‘What happened last night?’
    â€˜There was an –
incident
.’
    A lump rises in my throat. ‘Was anyone hurt?’
    As I ask this question Shaun and Mr Carter walk through the door. Straightaway I feel the tension in Shaun. Though his thoughts are a scrambled mess, his distress is clear. Distress for Ethan!
    â€˜Shaun, what’s wrong? What’s happened?’
    He looks across to where I’m holding the high back of a chair. ‘There was an explosion.’ He swallows deep in his throat, flicking a nervous glance to no one in particular.
    Inside, my chest feels as if it has been enclosed in a straitjacket ten sizes too small. ‘How is he, Shaun? Is Isabel with him?’
    He leans heavily on the table top with open palms and groans, his eyes weary and troubled. ‘Isabel has been with him for hours. I’m told that we’ll know his condition soon.’
    Matt walks in looking a complete mess, his clothes dishevelled, hair askew, as if he has spent the last few hours trying to pull it out. But it’s his eyes that give away his grief.
    Shaun practically jumps at him. ‘Tell us what you know.’
    But Matt has nothing to give. He drops into the nearest chair. ‘Arkarian sent me away hours ago. He wanted me to rest and put me in a quiet room. I haven’t seen him since.’
    I look at each of them, anger brewing inside. ‘Someone has to know something! Where is Arkarian? He will tell us!’
    Hands suddenly grip mine. They’re Jimmy’s. But as soon as he touches me he springs back with a jerk. ‘Whoa, girl. Look what you’re doing!’
    I glance down at the chair. Beneath my fingers the timber has partially disintegrated. A smell of burning wood fills