The Dark (34 page)

Lorian holds his hand out towards them. ‘Go and talk to them.’

Leaving Arkarian in the Circle I go to where Ethan and Matt are standing. For a minute we don’t say anything. Finally Ethan starts nodding. ‘I think you
should do it. It’s too amazing to pass up.’

‘But I will miss you so much.’

‘I still think it’s the right thing. If it were me, I would do it.’

Ethan’s words are heartening. I turn slowly to Matt. He has trouble meeting my eyes. Finally he says, ‘Do you love him?’

‘Yes.’

He starts to nod. ‘Then you should do it.’

‘Are you sure?’

He hesitates, but then his answer is decisive. ‘I’m sure.’

I give them both a hug and return to the centre of the circle. Arkarian reaches for my hand and I give it a firm squeeze, then look up at Lorian. ‘My lord, I accept your generous offer.’

And with these words Lorian lowers both hands to my head. Light surges from them, covering me like a warm liquid cloak. For several moments I am blinded, my entire body shuddering and jerking with the power of the Immortal’s gift driving through me. When it is over, and Lorian’s hands withdraw, I fall backwards to the stool.

‘Are you all right?’ Arkarian asks me.

‘Perfectly,’ I reply, though I don’t feel any different really.

‘It takes time,’ he says. ‘You have two years to get used to the idea. It won’t begin to take effect until you turn eighteen.’

Lorian picks up on Arkarian’s mention of the word time and gives it a different meaning. With hands spread wide, silence descends, and to everyone assembled in the Chamber the Immortal says, ‘Go now and
fulfil your duties to the Guard. Time is of the essence. Our most difficult challenges are about to unfold. Remember always that a traitor walks amongst us. And do not despair when my sister unleashes unspeakable horrors on our earthly world.’

By the Same Author

The Guardians of Time series by Marianne Curley

The Named
(Book I)
The Dark
(Book II)
The Key
(Book III)

Other titles

Old Magic

Copyright © 2003 by Marianne Curley

All rights reserved
You may not copy, distribute, transmit, reproduce or otherwise
make available this publication (or any part of it) in any form, or by any means
(including without limitation electronic, digital, optical, mechanical, photocopying,
printing, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the
publisher. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication
may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

Published in the United States of America in October 2003 by
Walker Publishing Company, Inc.
Electronic edition published in October 2012
www.bloomsburykids.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
available upon request

ISBN: 978-1-61963-057-4 (e-book)